Incubator fit first
The Startup Visa turns on a certified incubator and IAPMEI approval. We map that before the application becomes paperwork.
Portugal Startup Visa
Portugal Startup Visa, Handled End to End
To get the Portugal Startup Visa, a non-EU founder needs an incubation contract with a certified Portuguese incubator and an IAPMEI declaration confirming it, then files a residence visa and an AIMA residence permit that is valid for two years and renewable for three. The Portugal Startup Visa is a residence route for non-EU entrepreneurs who build an innovative, scalable company in Portugal through a certified incubator.
Movingto is a Portugal-first immigration firm that puts a named, Bar-registered lawyer from its in-house legal team on your case and publishes its fees.
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First call: confirm Startup Visa fit, incubator strategy, financial means, and timeline. From there your Movingto lawyer and Case Lead run the case through to filing.
Researching the route first? Read the full Portugal Startup Visa guide
Startup vs. D2
The Startup Visa is a founder track within the D2 family. We flag whether the standard D2 fits better before building the file.
Innovative, viable case
Innovation, scalability, and viability are assessed. We help shape a credible business case and financial-means file.
Legal and tax in one team
Movingto's in-house lawyers handle the legal work and in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax. Corporate-law and fundraising questions stay with the professionals responsible for that scope.
Who this fits
Why use Movingto for a Startup Visa case?
A Startup Visa file can fail if the incubator fit, IAPMEI approval, business case, or financial means are unclear. Movingto's in-house lawyers and your Case Lead handle the route, evidence, consular path, and filing end to end.
Good fit for
- Founders of innovative, scalable startups targeting Portugal
- Teams that need help finding and engaging a certified incubator
- Applicants who want the IAPMEI and consular steps managed in order
- Families that need dependant scope, accommodation, and timing planned together
Not the right fit for
- Standard small businesses or freelancers better suited to the D2
- Passive-income applicants better suited to the D7
- Applicants looking for an approval guarantee
- Anyone seeking legal, tax, or corporate advice directly from Movingto
Service scope
How the case is managed.
You get an end-to-end managed case. Movingto's in-house lawyers handle the legal work and in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax. Corporate-law advice stays separate.
- Included workstreams
- 4
- Professional scope
- Clear
Delivery scopeMovingto delivery and specialist scope
Managed by Movingto
Startup route assessment
We map your startup, incubator options, IAPMEI strategy, financial means, family scope, and the practical next decision.
Managed by Movingto
Incubator and IAPMEI support
We help you engage a certified incubator and organise the IAPMEI certification evidence the route requires.
Managed by Movingto
NIF, banking, and appointment workflow
We coordinate NIF, Portuguese bank account steps, document readiness, consular workflow, and AIMA follow-up.
Handled by Movingto's in-house Portugal legal team
Immigration legal work and filing
For Portugal, Movingto's in-house licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers handle legal analysis, filing strategy, preparation, filing, representation, and authority responses within the agreed professional scope.
Handled by the relevant specialist
Fundraising or corporate-law advice
Fundraising and corporate-law questions stay with the professionals responsible for that scope.
Handled by the relevant specialist
Building your startup or finding funding
Movingto does not build your product, write your business, or source investors for the Startup Visa.
Case path
From incubator fit to residence-card readiness.
Each stage ends with a decision or output so the case keeps moving.
Case path05 managed stages
- Step 1 of 5
Assess the route
Confirm whether the Startup Visa or the standard D2 fits your company, team, financial means, and timing.
- Step 2 of 5
Secure incubator and IAPMEI
Engage a certified incubator and organise the IAPMEI certification evidence.
- Step 3 of 5
Build the document file
Assemble business case, financial means, identity, criminal-record, insurance, accommodation, apostille, and translation evidence.
- Step 4 of 5
Prepare the consular file
Assemble the application package, flag consulate-specific issues, and have your Movingto lawyer review it before filing.
- Step 5 of 5
Track the residence path
Keep arrival, AIMA appointment, residence card, renewal, and long-term planning visible after the visa step.
Fees and thresholds
Portugal Startup Visa: requirements and fees
| Item | Amount or rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Incubation contract | With a certified Portuguese incubator, confirmed by an IAPMEI declaration | MNE residence visa documents, checked 16 October 2026 |
| Residence permit validity | 2 years, then renewable for successive 3-year periods | AIMA Startup Visa page, checked 16 October 2026 |
| Means of subsistence, main applicant | €920 a month in 2026 (100% of the minimum wage) | MNE means of subsistence for national visas, checked 16 October 2026 |
| National visa application fee | €110 per application | MNE national visa fees, checked 16 October 2026 |
| AIMA temporary residence permit | €99.80 analysis + €85.80 grant, per person | AIMA fee table applied from 1 March 2026, checked 16 October 2026 |
Official requirements and fees from the MNE, AIMA and DGERT. Incubator fees are set by the incubator.
Evidence
Evidence you can check.
Scope, professional ownership, and credential claims stay tied to source pages instead of sitting as unsupported marketing copy.
Source
Portuguese national visa types
View sourcePortuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Source
AIMA - Startup Visa (Art. 89, n. 4)
View sourceAIMAChecked 16 October 2026
Credential register
Portuguese Bar registration
View sourceOrdem dos Advogados
Source
Residency visa documentation by purpose
View sourcePortuguese Ministry of Foreign AffairsChecked 16 October 2026
Source
Means of subsistence for national visas: EUR 920 in 2026, 100% / 50% / 30% per household member
View sourcePortuguese Ministry of Foreign AffairsChecked 16 October 2026
Source
Minimum monthly wage 2026: EUR 920 (Decreto-Lei 139/2025)
View sourceDGERTChecked 16 October 2026
Source
AIMA fee table applied from 1 March 2026 (Portaria 307/2023)
View sourceAIMAChecked 16 October 2026
Source
National visa fees: EUR 110 per application
View sourcePortuguese Ministry of Foreign AffairsChecked 16 October 2026
Common questions
Questions before you engage.
What is included in the Portugal Startup Visa service?
Route-fit review, certified-incubator and IAPMEI support, business-case and financial-means planning, document organisation, NIF and banking steps, consular workflow support, the legal filing by your Movingto lawyer, and residence-path tracking. Movingto's in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax.
What is the difference between the Startup Visa and the D2?
The Startup Visa is a founder track within the D2 family for innovative, scalable startups, and it requires endorsement by a certified incubator with IAPMEI approval. The standard D2 suits other entrepreneurs and independent professionals. We compare both before building the file.
Do I need a certified incubator?
Yes. The Startup Visa requires an incubation contract with an incubator certified for the programme, and IAPMEI certification. We help you find a suitable incubator and organise that evidence.
How long does it take?
After incubator and IAPMEI approval, you file a consular visa (legal decision target up to 60 days) and then complete the residence permit at AIMA in Portugal. AIMA appointment timing varies.
End-to-end Startup Visa support
Start your Portugal Startup Visa with Movingto.
Bring your startup, team, financial means, and timeline. We confirm fit, then your Movingto lawyer and Case Lead manage the case end to end.
First call covers
A managed case from first call to residence card, not another generic checklist.
- Route fit
- Country, visa category, family members, and timing.
- Scope
- Documents, legal work, tax points, and investment boundaries.
- Next steps
- What to prepare for the Movingto team and any relevant specialists.