---
title: "Portugal Startup Visa requirements 2026: €6,446+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Portugal · Business / Startup

# Portugal Startup Visa

**Savings needed:** €6,446+ ≈ $7,200

Residence authorization for immigrant entrepreneurs (Startup Visa, Art. 89(4) REPSAE)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Rule changed 18 May 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-05-18-portugal-c53a9d/) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Savings needed:** €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 (Savings of at least EUR 6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) · Own financial and livelihood resources equal to 12 times the Social Support Index (IAS) shown by a bank document; the 2026 IAS is EUR537.13, so 12 x 537.13. A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150) · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 when the application is filed digitally. A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · National visa processing fee.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (The programme lasts as long as the incubation contract. The temporary residence permit is valid two years from issue and renewable in three-year periods.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children. Your spouse or partner may work in Portugal without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

Startup Visa is a business / startup route for Portugal. Applicants need savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €6,446+ ≈ $7,200
- **Government fees:** €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more
- **Processing:** 30 working days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 3 government fees listed below; savings to show €6,446+ ≈ $7,200; decision: 30 working days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more**

- EUR 133 (≈ $150) Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally.
- EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally.
- EUR 110 (≈ $120) National visa processing fee.

**Shown, not spent: €6,446+ ≈ $7,200**

- EUR 6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) Own financial and livelihood resources equal to 12 times the Social Support Index (IAS) shown by a bank document; the 2026 IAS is EUR537.13 (≈ $600), so 12 x 537.13.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The programme lasts as long as the incubation contract; the residence permit is valid two years and renewable in three-year periods.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/empreender/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-imigrantes-empreendedores-startup-visa-art-89-o-n-o-4)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Permanent residence needs five years on a temporary residence authorization, no serious recent conviction, means of subsistence, housing and basic Portuguese.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence on any residence title or visa (7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU states), plus Portuguese language and culture, and means of subsistence.

[Diário da República / Assembleia da República](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf)

**Processing: 30 working days**

IAPMEI decides the application within 30 working days, then you have 40 working days to sign the incubation contract; the residence permit decision is due within 90 days.

[IAPMEI](https://www.iapmei.pt/media/171e4694/20260811-133026_Legislative-Order-nr-4_2018_of-02-february_EN-(revised_out21).pdf?lang=pt-PT) [Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Apply online to IAPMEI first; after the incubation contract is certified, use it for a residence visa at the consulate or for a residence authorization in Portugal.

[IAPMEI](https://www.iapmei.pt/media/171e4694/20260811-133026_Legislative-Order-nr-4_2018_of-02-february_EN-(revised_out21).pdf?lang=pt-PT) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/empreender/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-imigrantes-empreendedores-startup-visa-art-89-o-n-o-4)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

A temporary permit can be cancelled if you are away from Portugal without good reason for 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total during its validity, unless you worked or ran a business abroad.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Needs a sponsor in Portugal
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is aged 18 or older and has no permanent residence in the Schengen area.
- The applicant has no criminal record and is up to date with tax and social-security obligations.
- The project is technology- or knowledge-based and aims at innovative goods or services for internationalisation.
- The project can create qualified jobs and reach turnover or assets above EUR325,000 (≈ $363,000) within 5 years of the incubation contract.
- A foreign start-up moving to Portugal must be under 4 years old with positive net equity, with the applicant holding at least 10% of capital or voting rights.
- Up to 5 entrepreneurs can apply together in one application.

#### What you must show

- Own financial resources of at least EUR6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) (12 x the 2026 IAS of EUR537.13 (≈ $600)), shown by a bank document.

#### Documents

- A motivation letter and a declaration of interest from one or more certified incubators.
- For the residence authorization: valid passport, criminal record and Portuguese tax and social-security registration.
- Professional-body declaration where the profession is regulated in Portugal.

#### Steps

1. The application is submitted online to IAPMEI, which decides within 30 working days.
2. After a favourable decision the applicant has 40 working days to sign an incubation contract with a certified incubator.
3. IAPMEI certifies the signed contract online for the residence visa or authorization.

#### After you arrive

- The temporary permit is valid two years and renewable in three-year periods.

## What happens at day 183

How Portugal decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year** Residence by presence.
- **Foreign-source income:** Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

[All tax rules for Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Police certificate and civil documents** The applicant has no criminal record and is up to date with tax and social-security obligations
- **Money to show** This route asks for savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200.

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence authorization for entrepreneurs who develop an innovative, technology- or knowledge-based project in Portugal while hosted by a certified incubator. IAPMEI assesses the application before the incubation contract and visa steps. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

#### What you must show and pay

- Savings of at least EUR 6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) · Own financial and livelihood resources equal to 12 times the Social Support Index (IAS) shown by a bank document; the 2026 IAS is EUR537.13 (≈ $600), so 12 x 537.13. (sources 3, 4, 5)
- A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150) · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. (source 7)
- A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. (source 7)
- A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · National visa processing fee. (source 8)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is aged 18 or older and has no permanent residence in the Schengen area. (source 4)
- The applicant has no criminal record and is up to date with tax and social-security obligations. (source 4)
- The project is technology- or knowledge-based and aims at innovative goods or services for internationalisation. (source 4)
- The project can create qualified jobs and reach turnover or assets above EUR325,000 (≈ $363,000) within 5 years of the incubation contract. (source 4)
- A foreign start-up moving to Portugal must be under 4 years old with positive net equity, with the applicant holding at least 10% of capital or voting rights. (source 4)
- Up to 5 entrepreneurs can apply together in one application. (source 4)
- Own financial resources of at least EUR6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) (12 x the 2026 IAS of EUR537.13 (≈ $600)), shown by a bank document. (source 4)
- A motivation letter and a declaration of interest from one or more certified incubators. (source 4)
- For the residence authorization: valid passport, criminal record and Portuguese tax and social-security registration. (source 1)
- Professional-body declaration where the profession is regulated in Portugal. (source 1)
- The application is submitted online to IAPMEI, which decides within 30 working days. (source 4)
- After a favourable decision the applicant has 40 working days to sign an incubation contract with a certified incubator. (source 4)
- IAPMEI certifies the signed contract online for the residence visa or authorization. (source 4)
- The temporary permit is valid two years and renewable in three-year periods. (source 1)

#### Stay

- The programme lasts as long as the incubation contract. The temporary residence permit is valid two years from issue and renewable in three-year periods.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

The holder runs the entrepreneurial project under the start-up programme.

#### Family

Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children. Your spouse or partner may work in Portugal without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Residence authorization for immigrant entrepreneurs (Startup Visa), Art. 89(4)](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/empreender/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-imigrantes-empreendedores-startup-visa-art-89-o-n-o-4) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-09-10
3. [StartUP Visa: criteria and 2026 IAS reference (12 x 537.13 = 6,445.56)](https://www.iapmei.pt/pt/paginas/startup-visa-en/) · IAPMEI · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Legislative Order n.º 4/2018: StartUP Visa eligibility and procedure](https://www.iapmei.pt/media/171e4694/20260811-133026_Legislative-Order-nr-4_2018_of-02-february_EN-(revised_out21).pdf?lang=pt-PT) · IAPMEI · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2018-02-02
5. [Portaria n.º 480-A/2025/1: IAS 2026 EUR537.13](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/12/25001/0000200002.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2025-12-30
6. [Residence visa documentation by purpose](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/residencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-01
8. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
9. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
10. [Lei n.º 61/2025 of 22 October (amends Law 23/2007, Arts. 98-105)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/10/20400/0000900017.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10
11. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

## Startup Visa and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Startup Visa | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Startup Visa?

Savings of at least EUR 6,445.56 (≈ $7,200). Own financial and livelihood resources equal to 12 times the Social Support Index (IAS) shown by a bank document; the 2026 IAS is EUR537.13 (≈ $600), so 12 x 537.13. A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150). Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130). Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120). National visa processing fee.

### How long can I stay on the Startup Visa?

The programme lasts as long as the incubation contract.

### How long does the Startup Visa take to process?

IAPMEI decides the application within 30 working days, then you have 40 working days to sign the incubation contract; the residence permit decision is due within 90 days.

### Can I work on the Startup Visa?

The holder runs the entrepreneurial project under the start-up programme.

### Can I bring my family on the Startup Visa?

Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children.

### Who can apply for the Startup Visa?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Startup Visa lead to permanent residence in Portugal?

Time on the Startup Visa counts toward permanent residence in Portugal, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Startup Visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### How are Startup Visa holders taxed in Portugal?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Startup Visa. The standard rules apply: Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

## More in Portugal

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) [Golden Visa · €250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/) [Golden Visa · €500k funds](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-funds-500k/) [Golden Visa · €500k research](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-research-500k/) [D7 passive income visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/retirement-own-income-visa/) [Golden Visa · €500k company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-company-500k/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/)

## Head to head

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 11 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence authorization for immigrant entrepreneurs (Startup Visa), Art. 89(4)](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/empreender/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-imigrantes-empreendedores-startup-visa-art-89-o-n-o-4) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [StartUP Visa: criteria and 2026 IAS reference (12 x 537.13 = 6,445.56)](https://www.iapmei.pt/pt/paginas/startup-visa-en/) · IAPMEI · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Legislative Order n.º 4/2018: StartUP Visa eligibility and procedure](https://www.iapmei.pt/media/171e4694/20260811-133026_Legislative-Order-nr-4_2018_of-02-february_EN-(revised_out21).pdf?lang=pt-PT) · IAPMEI · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Portaria n.º 480-A/2025/1: IAS 2026 EUR537.13](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/12/25001/0000200002.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10
6. [Residence visa documentation by purpose](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/residencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
9. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
10. [Lei n.º 61/2025 of 22 October (amends Law 23/2007, Arts. 98-105)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/10/20400/0000900017.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10
11. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.