Why Portugal
Build your company where Europe begins
An EU base with a growing startup scene, skilled English-speaking talent and one of the best places in Europe to live. Here is the full picture, including the downsides.
- startups and scaleups
- 5,000+
- registered incubators
- 145+
- unicorns with Portuguese roots
- 7
- English proficiency worldwide (EF EPI)
- Top 10
For your business
Why founders choose Portugal
The business case, in six points.
A base inside the EU
Sell to the EU single market and its 450 million consumers from a Portuguese company, under EU rules.
A law written for startups
The 2023 Startup Law created an official startup certification, with tax benefits and one of Europe's most competitive stock option regimes.
Tax incentives for talent
Under IFICI, qualifying people working in certified startups can pay a flat 20% income tax for up to 10 years.
Skilled, English-speaking talent
Strong engineering universities, a large tech workforce and salaries below Western European averages.
Connected to three continents
Short flights across Europe, direct routes to the Americas and Africa, and a time zone that overlaps with both the US and Asia.
A visible ecosystem
Web Summit, Unicorn Factory Lisboa, Startup Portugal and a national network of incubators across the country.
For your life
A place your family will want to stay
Portugal consistently ranks among the most peaceful countries in the world in the Global Peace Index, and among the best places for expats to live and work.
Expect around 300 days of sun in much of the country, more than 900 km of Atlantic coast, universal public healthcare and free public schools, plus international schools in the main cities.
- One of the safest countries in Europe
- Mild climate, sea and mountains
- Public healthcare and education
- English widely spoken
- Strong migrant integration policies
Where to set up
Startup hubs beyond Lisbon
Your incubator choice decides your city. Each hub has a different character.
Lisbon
The largest ecosystem: investors, Web Summit, Unicorn Factory Lisboa. Highest living costs.
Porto
Strong tech and engineering talent, the University of Porto's UPTEC park, lower costs than Lisbon.
Braga
A young city with the University of Minho and a fast-growing software scene.
Coimbra
University city known for deep tech, biotech and the Instituto Pedro Nunes incubator.
Aveiro
Telecoms, electronics and the University of Aveiro, with a calmer pace of life.
Madeira
Island life with its own incentives and a community of remote founders.
The honest part
What to plan for
Portugal is a great base, but not a frictionless one. Founders who do well plan for these from the start.
- Housing in Lisbon and Porto is expensive and competitive
- Bureaucracy is slow; AIMA appointments can take months
- The home market is small: think EU-wide from day one
- Venture rounds are smaller than in London or Berlin
- Learning some Portuguese makes daily life much easier
Could you build your startup here?
Answer 7 quick questions to see if the Startup Visa fits you.
FAQ
Moving your startup to Portugal
Still have questions? Talk to us
Is Portugal a good place to start a company?
For many founders, yes: EU market access, a startup certification with tax benefits, skilled talent at reasonable cost and an excellent quality of life. The trade-offs are slow bureaucracy, high housing costs in the big cities and a small home market.
What is corporate tax in Portugal?
The standard corporate income tax rate on the mainland is 19% in 2026, with a reduced 15% rate on the first €50,000 of taxable profit for qualifying small and medium companies. Municipal and state surcharges can apply. Get advice from a certified accountant for your case.
What replaced the NHR tax regime?
Since 2025 the NHR has been replaced by IFICI, sometimes called NHR 2.0. It offers a flat 20% rate on qualifying Portuguese employment and business income for 10 years, for roles that include positions in certified startups. You must not have been a Portuguese tax resident in the previous 5 years.
Which visa should a founder use?
If your company is innovative and scalable, the Startup Visa is usually the best fit. For a conventional business, look at the D2 entrepreneur visa. Our free assessment helps you choose.
Next step
Ready to make Portugal your base?
Book a free assessment and get a clear plan for your move.
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