For startup founders and creators of innovation-driven projects, Portugal has created a specific route: the Entrepreneur Project, popularly known as the Startup Visa. The key to the process lies with a certified incubator.
What the Startup Visa is
It is a type of residence permit for nationals of third countries who wish to develop an innovative business project in Portugal. The founder does not need to have already set up the company — the essential thing is to have a project approved by an incubator certified by the Portuguese State.
This route is provided for in Article 89(4) of Law no. 23/2007 and differs from the classic D2 visa in that it is aimed specifically at startups and companies with a technological base or differentiated services.
The role of the incubator
The certified incubator is the central element of the process. It acts as the validator of the project: by formally accepting the founder, it confirms that the project has innovative potential and viability.
The process follows these stages:
- Prepare the project — pitch deck, business plan, value proposition, revenue model, target market;
- Apply to incubators in Portugal (there are several, in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other cities);
- Sign an incubation agreement with the incubator that accepts the project — this agreement is the key document for the application;
- Apply for the residence permit on the basis of the incubation agreement, with AIMA.
Advantages of this route
- It does not require a minimum investment of capital, unlike the Golden Visa (ARI);
- It waives the requirement to enter with a classic visa in certain cases (you may enter under Schengen and regularise your status in Portugal);
- Access to an ecosystem of innovation, mentoring and potential investors;
- It allows you to scale the business within the European market.
What the project needs to have
There is no closed list, but the projects best received by incubators tend to have:
- Clear innovation — something distinctive, not a generic commercial activity;
- Scalability — potential for growth beyond the local market;
- A credible team or founder — relevant experience or demonstrable technical competence;
- A defined business model — even at an early stage, there should be a logic to how revenue is generated.
General residence requirements
In addition to the incubation agreement, the general residence permit requirements apply: sufficient means of subsistence, accommodation and the absence of tax or social security debts.
Portugal as a destination for startups
Lisbon and Porto are consistently among the most dynamic startup ecosystems in Europe. The comparatively lower cost of living, the quality of life, access to the European market and the programmes supporting entrepreneurship make Portugal a strategic choice for international founders.
This publication is for general informational purposes. For analysis of a specific case, we recommend specialised legal advice.