- Blog Post
- Immigration, Live in Portugal
D2 Visa and Startup Visa: Starting a Business in Portugal
💼 D2 Visa – Entrepreneurs and Independent Professionals
The D2 is a residence visa for non-EU citizens who want to:
- Start a company in Portugal or invest in an existing one
- Work as an independent professional (self-employed / freelancer) with clients in Portugal
- Develop a business project with a real economic impact
Main requirements:
- A business plan or proof of an investment in Portugal — or, for independent professionals, service contracts or proposals with clients in Portugal
- Means of subsistence — at least the Portuguese minimum wage (€920/month in 2026), with more for each family member
- For a company: company documents (certificate of incorporation, share capital) and proof of the investment
- For independent professionals: proof of qualifications and, in some professions, registration with the professional association
- Accommodation, criminal record certificate and travel/health insurance
- Portuguese NIF and bank account
There’s no fixed minimum investment for the D2. What matters is that the project is credible and viable and that you have the means to support yourself while it grows.
🚀 Startup Visa – Innovative Projects
The Startup Visa is a programme for entrepreneurs with innovative projects in technology and knowledge-based sectors. It’s managed by IAPMEI (the Portuguese agency for competitiveness and innovation).
How it works:
- You submit your project on the IAPMEI platform.
- A certified incubator in Portugal must express interest in hosting your project.
- IAPMEI evaluates the application and, if approved, issues a certification.
- With that certification, you apply for your residence visa at the Portuguese consulate.
Main requirements:
- An innovative project with potential to create qualified jobs and reach international markets
- Acceptance by a certified incubator
- Own funds to support yourself — around €6,445 per founder in 2026 (12 times the Social Support Index, IAS)
- No criminal record
The Startup Visa is ideal for tech and innovation projects that will benefit from an incubator’s support network.
⚖️ D2 or Startup Visa?
- Traditional business (restaurant, shop, consulting, services) → D2
- Freelancer working with Portuguese clients → D2
- Innovative, scalable tech project → Startup Visa
- You want the support of an incubator and its network → Startup Visa
If your clients are mostly outside Portugal and you work remotely, the D8 digital nomad visa may be a better fit.
📋 Documents You'll Usually Need
- Passport, visa application form and two photos
- Business plan — with market analysis, financial projections and expected job creation
- Proof of investment or company documents (if the company already exists)
- Service contracts or proposals (for independent professionals)
- Proof of means of subsistence — bank statements, savings
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Criminal record certificate and authorisation to check your record
- Travel/health insurance
- NIF and Portuguese bank account
- IAPMEI certification (for the Startup Visa)
🛤️ Step by Step
- Define your project and prepare a solid business plan.
- Get your NIF and open a Portuguese bank account.
- Set up your company (if applicable) or prepare your service contracts.
- For the Startup Visa: apply to IAPMEI and get an incubator’s acceptance.
- Apply for the visa at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence.
- Travel to Portugal within the visa’s validity (four months, two entries).
- Register your activity with the Tax Authority and Social Security.
- Attend your AIMA appointment and receive your residence permit.
📅 After You Arrive
- The first residence permit is generally valid for two years, renewable for three years.
- To renew, you’ll need to show that your business is active — invoices, tax returns, Social Security contributions.
- Keep your accounting and tax obligations up to date from day one.
- After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic business plans that don’t show how the business will actually work in Portugal
- Not having enough savings to live during the first months
- Forgetting the tax side — VAT, Social Security and accounting obligations start as soon as you begin your activity
- Letting the business go inactive — it can put your renewal at risk
🚀 Final Considerations
Portugal welcomes entrepreneurs — from small business owners to tech founders. With a well-prepared business plan, enough savings and good accounting support, the D2 and the Startup Visa can be your door to building something new in Portugal.
📢 Expert Advice: Treat your business plan as a real plan, not a formality. Consulates notice the difference, and so will your business.
Starting a business in Portugal? Step Inside Portugal can help you with your visa, company setup, self-employment registration and accounting — find out more about our immigration services here. ✨
This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. It reflects the rules as of October 2026; requirements can vary by consulate, so confirm the details that apply to your case.
Save PDF version for later
Share it with friends
Want to learn more? Explore our other resources...
- Blog Post
- Immigration, Live in Portugal
- Blog Post
- Immigration, Live in Portugal
- Blog Post
- Immigration, Live in Portugal
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.