Portuguese StartUp & Tech Visa

Entrepreneurs from all over the world can apply for the Portugal StartUp Visa. Applying for the visa will grant you quick access to the residence visa as well. To apply for the StartUp Visa, you must have a strong business plan, as well as the fund to finance it.

Also, you must demonstrate that your business idea or current business has the potential to create jobs. The business must also be able to generate a minimum of €325,000 in annual revenue after 5 years of operation.

Once you have a business idea or innovation that you think is feasible, you can apply for it.

The chances of your application being accepted are largely dependent on how innovative your business idea is.

The business’ potential, the capability of the management staff, and how well the business can create employment opportunities for highly qualified Portuguese citizens also have an impact on your application being accepted.

For further advice, speak to our legal experts today by calling: +1 844 290 6312

The StartUp Visa is a way to encourage forward-thinking entrepreneurs to start their businesses in Portugal.

It is ideal for those seeking more opportunities to grow their business internationally by taking advantage of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is also possible to obtain Portuguese citizenship once you have lived in the country long enough.

Key benefits for applying for this visa programme include the following:

• Faster and higher chance of being granted a residence permit in Portugal. This is particularly useful for investors and entrepreneurs who are coming from countries outside the European Union.
• No language proficiency requirements
• No business performance and length of residency requirements
• Freedom to travel across the Schengen area. There are no visa requirements for your travels or residency within the stated area.
• You can apply for the Non-Habitual Residents Regime (RNH). This programme has favourable tax requirements and can be very useful for business owners and individuals alike.
• You can apply for Portuguese nationality once you have lived in the country for at least five years under this visa.
• You can reunite with your family members who meet the dependency requirements. This includes your spouse, parents, and children.

You must be 18 years and above to qualify for the Portugal StartUp Visa. Applicants are advised to adhere to the requirements, as Portugal is strict with the rules. Before applying, applicants must:

• Intend to either set up a branch or division of an existing company in Portugal or launch a new startup in the country

• Not live permanently in the Schengen area
• Be free of criminal record
• Have at least €5146.08 in a personal account for a minimum of a year (per individual)
• Have the support of a government-backed startup incubator in Portugal. The incubator must also be partnered with a Research and Development facility
• Applicants must be willing to or currently undergoing a 3-year incubation period

The application process for this visa programme is as follows:

• Applicants must submit preliminary documents such as a copy of their resume, a copy of their passport, and the basic idea behind their intended startup. You can submit your application in Portuguese or English through an online form.

• Applicants will need to have a video call session with an incubator based in Portugal. If satisfied, the incubator will issue you a Term Sheet

• Once you have satisfied all documentation requirements, you will need to pay an incubation fee to an Escrow bank account.
• You will then need to submit your application to the relevant party as directed by the agent in charge. At this time, you will have an interview scheduled at the Consulate about 15 business days after submitting your application.
• Once your application is approved, after a 90-day wait period, you will be allowed to travel to Portugal and be issued a residence permit.
• Once the residence permit has been issued, reach out to the incubator and their government-backed research and development facility to incorporate and start your business.

Even if you don’t intend to live in Portugal, you are expected to revisit the country before your residence permit expires. Failure to renew at each renewal period can significantly impact your application process.

The Portugal Tech Visa is a visa certification programme that allows companies and organizations in Portugal to attract highly qualified international professionals. This visa is intended for professionals living outside the Schengen area.

The IAPMEI appraises and certifies organizations under this visa programme. Without approval from the IAPMEI, companies cannot utilize this immigration pathway to attract professionals.

International companies cannot hire more than 50% of their employees under this programme, while local businesses can hire up to 80% of their employees. The significant difference in employee sizes between the two kinds of organizations is the reason for the disparity in employee percentage caps.

Additionally, companies must pay at least the minimum compulsory wages for any employee hired under the Portugal Tech Visa programme.

Under this visa programme, international startups and companies registered in and operating in Portugal are allowed to hire employees from other countries to work in Portugal.

The list of certified organizations can be found on the Portuguese immigration website.

The Tech Visa, like the StartUp Visa programme, is not open to anyone permanently resident in the European Union region. Highly qualified and skilled workers from outside the Schengen area are all eligible for this visa.

To qualify, workers must also have a minimum of level VI educational qualifications in line with the requirements of the ISCED 2011. Alternatively, employees must have a level V educational qualification with a minimum of 5 years of specialized practice or experience.

The most significant benefit of the Portugal Tech Visa is that it grants non-EU skilled workers in the tech industry a chance of residency in the EU.

Furthermore, the visa programme is also suitable for seeking employment in the EU. This benefits the tech industry in Portugal and the individual interested in the immigration opportunity.

This visa programme is a clear example of Portugal’s commitment towards nurturing its tech industry. Experienced professionals in the industry who want to live in the EU can consider this programme as a suitable path towards their goal.

Other benefits of the visa programme include the following:

• Opportunity to apply for Non-Habitual Residents Regime (RNH) under this visa programme. The tax rules under this regime are favourable and attractive to immigrants.
• Opportunity to reunite with your family in Portugal. Your dependents may include your partner or spouse, children 18 years, parents, and your children that are older than 18 years but are still in school and financially dependent on you
• Exemption from paying tax on your capital
• No minimum investment amounts under this visa programme
• Opportunity to apply to obtain permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship once you have lived in the country for a minimum of 5 years under this visa programme. However, you need to meet the requirements for your permanent residency or citizenship application to be approved.

There are several requirements that highly qualified and skilled workers must meet to qualify for this visa programme. Applicants must:

• Be a national or citizen of a third-world nation that lives outside the European Union
• Have met all tax requirements applicable to them
• Be free of criminal history or record
• Be 18 years or older
• Have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or possess educational qualifications (level VI) in line with the requirements of the ISCED-2011. An alternative to that requirement is educational certifications at a tertiary level (Level V) with a minimum of 5 years of practical experience in a relevant field.
• Be proficient in Portuguese, Spanish, English, or French, as required by their intended employment role.

Interested organizations in Portugal may submit an application for a Tech Visa certificate online. The IAPMEI is responsible for certifying applying organizations and is also in charge of the consular services (visa issuance centre) and the Aliens and Borders Services (residence permit issuing agency).

Once a company is certified, the certification only lasts for two years before being renewed for another two-year period.

Companies intending to hire foreign workers must satisfy a set of compulsory requirements and Portuguese laws when applying for this programme. The highly qualified and skilled workers planning to be employed must also meet the eligibility requirements and be handed a term of responsibility.

The term of responsibility is a document that can speed up the visa application process as well as granting a residence permit.

Under this visa programme, international startups and companies registered in and operating in Portugal are allowed to hire employees from other countries to work in Portugal. The list of certified organizations can be found on the Portuguese immigration website.

The Tech Visa, like the StartUp Visa programme, is not open to anyone permanently resident in the European Union region. Highly qualified and skilled workers from outside the Schengen area are all eligible for this visa.

To qualify, workers must also have a minimum of level VI educational qualifications in line with the requirements of the ISCED 2011. Alternatively, employees must have a level V educational qualification with a minimum of 5 years of specialized practice or experience.