Entrepreneur Visa

Europe does not have one single “EU entrepreneur visa”; instead, most countries run their own startup or entrepreneur residence permits with some common patterns.  Below is an overview of how these work in 2026 and examples of key programs

 1. Big picture: how entrepreneur visas in Europe work

- Purpose and benefits  
  - Entrepreneur and startup visas let non‑EU founders move to a European country to build an innovative business, in return for investment, job creation, and economic impact. 
  - Benefits usually include temporary residence for you and often your family, access to the EU market, and a pathway to long‑term residence and later citizenship after 5+ years. 
- Common requirements across countries  
  - A solid business plan showing innovation, scalability, and job creation potential in the local economy. 
  - Proof that you can support yourself financially (and sometimes your team) for at least the first year. 
  - Clean background, valid health insurance, and no security or immigration violations.

- Two main models  
  - “Startup visa” model: focus on innovative, usually tech‑oriented startups, often with no fixed minimum capital but a strong innovation and scaling requirement (Netherlands, Portugal, Lithuania, Finland, etc.). 
  - “Business/Investor visa” model: focus on investment amounts and job creation or protection, usually with defined minimum capital (France, Germany, some others). 

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 2. Classic startup‑visa type programs

These suit founders with a strong idea and team, even if initial capital is moderate.

Netherlands – Dutch Startup Visa

- Core concept  
  - Residence permit for foreign startups that are “innovative” and work with a recognised local facilitator (incubator, accelerator, or experienced mentor). 
  - Initial permit is typically granted for 1 year to build and validate the business, with a later transition to a regular self‑employment or entrepreneur permit if the startup progresses well. 
- Main conditions  
  - You must collaborate with an approved facilitator who signs a contract to support and coach you. 
  - You submit a startup plan explaining the innovative nature, market potential, and growth strategy; “copycat” local businesses (like standard restaurants or small shops) are usually not accepted. 
  - No rigid legal minimum capital, but guidance suggests a realistic budget (often at least 20–30k EUR) plus living expenses to run the startup for a year. [

- Who it suits  
  - SaaS, fintech, AI, sustainability, and other tech‑driven or scalable startups needing a first foothold in the EU market, especially those with strong teams but not huge capital.

 Portugal – Startup Visa

- Core idea  
  - Startup Visa allows founders of innovative projects to relocate to Portugal and obtain residence tied to building the startup.
  - It is linked to certified incubators which assess the innovation and scalability potential of the project.

- Key criteria  
  - Business must be tech‑based or innovation‑driven with internationalization and job creation potential. 
  - You need a clear cash‑flow plan and enough funds to support yourself and the early stages of the company.

- Target audience  
  - Medium‑budget startups that want to use Portugal as a base to serve both EU and other markets (e.g., Lusophone/South America), and founders transitioning from digital‑nomad lifestyle to resident entrepreneur.

Lithuania, Finland and others (overview)

- Lithuania Startup Visa  
  - A government program to attract non‑EU entrepreneurs to launch innovative businesses in Lithuania with simplified residence procedures, focused on technology‑driven startups. 

- Finland and other Nordic programs  
  - Finland’s startup route (referenced in comparative indices) focuses on high‑growth business models vetted by Business Finland, often requiring at least two founders owning a majority of the company and demonstrating scalability, but not a fixed high capital threshold. [nanoglobals]

These “startup visas” are typically best if your value is in the idea, technology and team, not in bringing a very large sum of money.

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 3. Investment‑driven entrepreneur routes (France, Germany)

These are better for founders able to invest meaningful capital and commit to job creation.

 France – Talent Passport (Business Investor / Business Creation)

France uses several “Talent Passport” subcategories for entrepreneurs.

- Talent Passport – Business Investor  
  - You invest at least 300,000 EUR in fixed assets of a French business, either directly or through a company where you own at least 30% of the capital, and hold at least 10% of the company overall. 
  - You must commit to creating or protecting jobs in France within four years of the investment. 
  - The initial residence status can be granted for up to four years, renewable, and includes family members, with potential eligibility for permanent residence and citizenship after around five years of continuous residence. 
- Talent Passport – Business Creation  
  - Targeted at entrepreneurs creating a new company in France with realistic business and job‑creation plans; details vary but share the same logic of economic benefit and professional project viability. 

- Who it suits  
  - Entrepreneurs who can commit at least 300k EUR and want a relatively direct route into residence in a large EU economy, especially in tech, green energy, or digital industries. 
Germany – Self‑employment / Business Investor route

Germany offers self‑employment residence for founders and investors under Section 21 of its Residence Act.

- General self‑employment visa (§21 AufenthG)  
  - Two paths: set up a business (Gewerbe) or work as a freelancer in a recognised liberal profession (e.g., some tech, creative or consulting roles).
  - Authorities assess whether there is an “economic interest” or regional need for your business, whether it will have positive effects on the economy, and whether financing is secured.

- Business investor practice  
  - Guidance suggests that investing at least about 50,000 EUR in a German company or your own company significantly improves approval prospects, alongside a credible plan and job creation. 
  - Successful applicants can obtain a long‑term D‑visa and then a residence permit typically issued for around three years, extendable, with a route to long‑term residence if the business remains successful. 
- Who it suits  
  - Founders with a clear, regionally relevant business (e.g., tech, manufacturing, services) and the ability to invest tens of thousands of euros and create local jobs. 
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 4. Common advantages and strategic choices

- Shared advantages across European entrepreneur visas  
  - Fast‑track residence for you (and often your family) if you commit to building a business and creating jobs.
  - Access to one country’s ecosystem (tax incentives, grants, incubators, EU funds) plus Schengen mobility for short travel in many cases. 
  - After several years of successful residence, a potential path to long‑term residence and eventually citizenship.

- How to choose a country  
  - If you have a very **innovative tech startup** but limited capital, startup‑visa countries like the Netherlands, Portugal, Lithuania, and Finland are often better fits.
  - If you can invest 50k–300k+ EUR and want a large market and strong brand (France, Germany), investment‑driven entrepreneur routes may make more sense. 
  - Consider language, sector fit (tech vs creative vs industrial), tax regime, and your long‑term plan (live there permanently or just use it as an EU base). 

- Typical documents you should prepare for any European entrepreneur visa  
  - Detailed business plan with market research, financial projections, and job‑creation roadmap.
  - Evidence of funds (savings, investment commitments, or revenue), plus personal bank statements. 
  - CVs of founders, proof of relevant experience, and any incubator or investor support agreements.