Portugal

Why Portugal

• Public programs for foundersStartup Portugal runs national programs for founders, including a Startup Visa for entrepreneurs from outside the EU.
• An EU base on the AtlanticCompanies set up in Portugal sell inside the EU single market, with air and sea links to Europe, Africa and the Americas.
• English for European clientsPortugal ranks among the top countries for English, so meetings with clients in the rest of Europe run in English.

Source: AICEP, Why Portugal · Startup Portugal

Priority sectors

Source: AICEP, Key industries

How companies enter

1. Step 1Soft landingA first trip, often timed with Web Summit in Lisbon, to meet incubators, partners and first clients.
2. Step 2PilotA paid pilot with a Portuguese client or partner, often still billed from home.
3. Step 3Local companyA sociedade por quotas (Lda), set up through Empresa na Hora or online, once there is revenue or a team to hire.

Founders from outside the Schengen Area can apply for the Startup Visa, managed by IAPMEI, after being accepted by a certified incubator.

Source: Startup Portugal, Startup Visa

Costs to plan for

• Company setup through Empresa na Hora and registration with the tax authority
• Certified accountant and tax filings
• Employer social security contributions on salaries
• Office or coworking space and housing, higher in Lisbon than in Porto or Coimbra

Source: Portal das Finanças, IRC rates 2026 · gov.pt, setting up a company

Who can help