Portugal Startup Visa: UK application guide for founders and entrepreneurs in 2025

Portugal – a country with a thriving tech scene, startup-friendly policies, and a warm climate – has recently become a top choice for entrepreneurs from the UK. If you have a fresh business idea and love warmer regions, you might be interested in the Portugal Startup Visa. Learn what it takes to be eligible and explore all the steps you need to take on your road to success.

If you are planning to launch your startup in Portugal, it's important to know how to manage international payments with ease. With Wise Business, you can hold 40+ currencies and pay in 140+ countries.

What is the Portugal Startup Visa?

The Portugal Startup Visa (sometimes recognised as a "StartUP Visa") is designed to help innovative founders from outside the EU start or move their tech-driven business to Portugal¹. It's part of the country's push to bring in fresh ideas, talent, and investment, and the whole programme is run by IAPMEI (Portugal's Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation).

To get started, you'll first need to get the thumbs-up from a certified startup incubator. Once they're on board, you can apply for the visa itself, which gives you the right to live, work, and grow your business in Portugal.

Types of Visa available

There's just one official startup entry route under Portugal's Startup Visa programme¹, so things are pretty straightforward. If you're a non-EU entrepreneur with a great business idea and a plan to launch it in Portugal, this is the visa for you.

You don't need to choose between multiple categories. The same Startup Visa covers solo founders or small founding teams (up to 5 people). What matters most is that your idea is innovative, flexible, and has the potential to create jobs in Portugal.

Here's a list of what's included:

• A temporary residence visa that lets you live and work in Portugal,
• Access to the local startup ecosystem via a certified incubator,
• The possibility to renew the permit and eventually apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.

Eligibility requirements for the Portugal Startup Visa

If you're a UK entrepreneur dreaming of sunny Portugal and building something big, here's what you'll need to qualify for the Startup Visa.² The basics? You must be from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and have a solid, flexible business idea. But there's a bit more to it than that. Portugal's Startup Visa focuses on innovation, potential, and the ability to create jobs.

Here's what's required so you can be prepared³:

• You must be at least 18 years old and not from an EU or EEA country (applicants from the UK can apply).
• You need a clean criminal record and no debts to Portugal's tax or social security systems.
• Your startup must be tech-based or innovative, with real potential to grow internationally.
• The business plan should show potential to create skilled jobs in Portugal.
• You'll need a five-year projection showing expected turnover or assets of at least €325,000/year.
• You must sign an incubation agreement with a certified Portuguese incubator before applying.
• You should prove you have enough funds to support yourself – around €5,150 in savings is the standard benchmark.
• Teams of up to five founders can apply under one project.
  Once approved, you'll move your business operations to Portugal and begin developing under the guidance of your chosen incubator.

Benefits of securing a Startup Visa in Portugal

So, why Portugal? Here's the thing – Portugal's become one of the best places in Europe to start a business. This is because it has a friendly atmosphere, strong support networks, and a growing name in the tech world around the world. And a bit because of their custard tarts and a ton of sunshine, for sure.

One of the biggest perks is that you get full access to the EU market. Once you're all set up there, you'll have fewer obstacles when doing business across the EU. In essence, it means opening doors to millions of customers and partners. On top of that, Lisbon and Porto are the places to get to startup meetups, accelerator programmes, and yearly events (Web Summit, for example).

A Great Place to Live and Launch

The cost of living in Portugal is pretty low compared to other well-known places in Western Europe⁴, which makes it easier to stretch your budget a bit further. You may be able to develop more freely without worrying about the costs along the way. And the day-to-day stuff? Pretty easy too. English is widely spoken by locals in places like Lisbon and Porto, so settling in won't be too difficult.

Built to Support International Entrepreneurs

Portugal's location is a big win – it sits right between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, so it's a great base if you're thinking globally. On top of that, the country has a whole network of certified incubators. Their job is to help you get settled in, put you in touch with other business owners, and give you advice as you start out. And if things go well, the Startup Visa could eventually end with a long-term residency or even Portuguese citizenship.

How to apply for the Portugal Startup Visa, step-by-step

If you plan to apply for Portugal's Startup Visa, keep in mind that it's a relatively simple process. But like most things involving paperwork, it does take time. From start to finish, you're looking at anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on how quickly you lock in incubator approval and get your documents sorted⁵.

You can apply for this visa no matter where you plan to set up in Portugal, but you'll need to pick a certified incubator to back your business. Most of these incubators are in startup hotspots like Lisbon, Porto, Braga, and Coimbra. Wherever you decide to settle, the application steps are pretty much the same – just be sure your paperwork is all in order and allow some extra time in case things take a little longer than expected.

Step 1 – Prepare documents and application

Before anything else, you'll need to pull together all the required paperwork. Make sure everything is up to date, translated into Portuguese (where necessary), and officially certified. Here's what you'll need⁶:

• A valid passport,
• Proof you have at least €5,150 in savings,
• A clean criminal record certificate from the UK (issued within the last 3 months),
• A letter of motivation explaining your business idea and why you want to launch in Portugal,
• A detailed business plan, including financial projections,
• A CV or LinkedIn profile showing your relevant experience,
• A signed statement of no previous residence in the Schengen Area,
• Proof of health insurance valid in Portugal.

Step 2 – Reach out to a certified incubator

Once your documents are ready, you'll apply to an IAPMEI-certified incubator via the online platform. You'll need to upload your documents and business plan, then wait for the incubator to review and approve your proposal.

Step 3 – Submit your application to IAPMEI

After securing incubator approval, you'll officially apply to the Startup Visa programme through IAPMEI's platform. This step is where you need to register your project and submit all supporting documents, including the incubator agreement.

Step 4 – Apply for the Startup Visa at a local Portuguese consulate

Once you've got your acceptance letter, it's time to apply for the actual visa at your nearest Portuguese consulate or embassy in the UK. You'll need to book an appointment and go in person to hand everything over. Just make sure you bring your IAPMEI approval, passport, a few passport-sized photos, and all your supporting documents – better to be overprepared than miss something on the day.

Step 5 – Move to Portugal

Once your visa is approved, you can travel to Portugal and start the next chapter. The next (and natural) step is to register your address with the local city hall (Câmara Municipal).⁷ Then, book and attend an appointment with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – Portugal's Immigration and Border Service) to receive your residence permit card.

Step 6 – Launch your startup

Time to get to work! You'll need to formally register your business in Portugal and begin operating under the terms of your incubator agreement. Once you obtain the Startup Visa, keep in mind that it's valid for 2 years. After that, it can be renewed for another 3 years. After 5 years of continuous residence, you may be eligible for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship.

Tips for starting a business in Portugal

Starting a business in Portugal is exciting, and you can be setting up shop in the heart of Lisbon, diving into Porto's growing tech scene, or finding inspiration along the coast. Portugal truly is a great environment to focus, create, and grow. But like any new venture abroad, it helps to know the local ropes.

Here are a few useful tips to make your move smoother:

• Open a business account early. You'll need one to register your company, pay taxes, and keep things official. If you're dealing with international clients, a Wise Business account makes it easy to get paid in multiple currencies without the high fees. Plus, you can hold 40+ currencies and pay like a local in 140+ countries.
• Choose the right company structure. Most startups go with an LDA (a private limited company). It's flexible, simple, and fits most early-stage business models.
• Get local advice – no matter if it's legal help, accounting, or tax planning, it's worth chatting with a Portuguese expert. They'll help you avoid any surprises down the line.
• Portugal has a welcoming and active startup ecosystem. Look into events, coworking hubs, and accelerator programmes in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga.
• Most business is done in English, especially in tech, but having a few local phrases under your belt can help with day-to-day life and build good relationships.

Starting up in a new country always comes with a learning curve, but Portugal makes it easier than most, with solid support, beautiful surroundings, and a vibrant global startup scene.

Grow your business in Portugal with Wise Business

If you're a UK entrepreneur on the lookout for a fresh start, Portugal's StartUP Visa could be a good option. A laid-back lifestyle, a growing startup scene, and a warm welcome for international founders are only some of the things that await new businesses and their fresh ideas.

Get your plan in place, find the right support, and make sure you've got the right tools such as a Wise Business account.

With Wise Business, you get:

• No monthly fees or hidden costs
• International payments at the real exchange rate
• Seamless integration with accounting software
• Multi-currency support, ideal for handling funds in GBP, USD, EUR, and 40+ currencies
• Local account details in major currencies
• Hold and convert over 40 currencies in one place

Starting a business in Portugal as a foreign entrepreneur is easier than ever, thanks to the expanding Portugal StartUP Visa program. If you come up with the right plan, prepare with some local knowledge, and have tools ready to manage your finances, you'll be well on your way.

Register with Wise Business🚀

Sources used in this article:

Sources last checked 16-Jul-2025