Living in Portugal on a Founder Permit

Residence permit for entrepreneurs in a certified incubator

Article 89 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007, provides a residence permit for third-country nationals who develop an entrepreneurial project, including an innovation-based company, inside an incubator certified under government rules. The general conditions for temporary residence apply, but the usual requirement to hold a residence visa is waived, so founders already in Portugal can apply without leaving. The permit must serve the purpose it was granted for: the activity carried out has to match the project approved by IAPMEI. AIMA takes the biometric data, decides the application and handles renewals and family reunification requests.

Legal basis

Article 89(4), Law 23/2007 as amended in 2025

Issued by

AIMA

Residence visa

Requirement waived for this permit

Validity

Varies; confirm the current term with AIMA

Family

Reunification after 2 years; minor children exempt

Leads to

Permanent residence after 5 years

Requirements

• Approval under the StartUP Visa program and an incubation contract with a certified incubator.
• The general conditions for temporary residence in Article 77 of Law 23/2007, apart from the residence visa.
• Means of subsistence and suitable accommodation for the founder.
• Criminal record certificates from the countries of nationality or residence, and consent to a Portuguese record check.

How to apply

1. Attend the AIMA appointment printed on the residence visa, or request one if already living in Portugal.
2. Submit the IAPMEI acceptance declaration, passport, photos, proof of means and accommodation, and criminal records.
3. Collect the residence card, then apply to AIMA for renewal before it expires, showing the project continues.

Residence permit for investment activity (Golden Visa)

Status: Real-estate routes removed by Law 56/2023

Portugal's residence permit for investment activity, known as the Golden Visa or ARI, remains open in a narrower form. Law 56/2023 ended the real-estate routes, so qualifying investments now go into productive or cultural activity. AIMA's application sheets list, among other routes, a capital transfer of at least EUR 500,000 into units of non-real-estate collective investment undertakings set up under Portuguese law; at least EUR 500,000 to create a Portuguese company with five permanent jobs or add capital to an existing one; and at least EUR 250,000 for cultural heritage or artistic production through public bodies. Holders are exempt from the two-year wait for family reunification.

Fund route

EUR 500,000 in non-real-estate Portuguese funds

Fund rules

Maturity of 5+ years; 60% invested in Portuguese companies

Company route

EUR 500,000 company capital with 5 permanent jobs

Culture route

EUR 250,000 for heritage or artistic production

Real estate

Not accepted since Law 56/2023

Family

Exempt from the 2-year reunification wait

Requirements

• Be a non-EU national making a qualifying investment through one of the routes AIMA lists.
• Make the investment as a capital transfer and document it for AIMA.
• Valid passport, proof of legal entry and stay in Portugal, and health coverage.
• Maintain the investment and other conditions AIMA checks at each renewal.

How to apply

1. Choose a qualifying route and make the investment, for example by subscribing units in an eligible Portuguese fund.
2. Submit the ARI application to AIMA with the sheet for the chosen route and supporting documents.
3. Attend biometrics, then renew with AIMA while the investment and other conditions are maintained.