Starting a company with the EU Startup Visa: Where do you start?
What does the startup visa provide you?
The startup visa provides the right to reside and work in a country within the EU, the opportunity to establish a company, and access to the local ecosystem. The programs target innovative and scalable business ideas. With the right strategy, you can establish a sustainable operation within 12–24 months and open the path to permanent residency.
- Local residency and work rights: You create a legal basis for the founder and core team.
- Company establishment and banking: You establish legal entity, tax number, and open a bank account.
- Access to the ecosystem: You apply to incubators, grants, and funds.
- Pathway to permanent residency/citizenship: You aim for permanent residency within 3–5 years.
Who is it suitable for?
Deep technology, SaaS, fintech, climate technologies, health technologies, advanced manufacturing, and AI-based products create strong candidates. Consulting, agency, and pure service models do not meet the “innovation” criteria in most countries; you create a core offering based on the product.
What result-oriented metrics do you present?
- Technical originality: Patent/patent application, unique algorithm, data asset.
- Market potential: EU market entry strategy, pricing, and channels.
- Employment and R&D impact: Local team plan, university collaborations.
- Funding strength: 12-month runway, co-funding or approved incubator support.
Preparation for application: 90-day actionable plan
1–30 days: Eligibility checklist
- Create proof of innovation: Product demo, technical whitepaper, IP inventory.
- Localize the business plan: Write country-specific regulations, competition, and GTM strategy.
- Access the incubator/“facilitator” network: Collect letters of intent through preliminary meetings.
- Prepare proof of funds: Bank statement for personal living and startup capital.
- Outline compliance: Write your approach to GDPR, tax, payroll, and social security.
31–60 days: Additional documents strengthening the file
- Market validation: Obtain letters of intent from pilot customers, LOIs, or “design partner” agreements.
- Product roadmap: 12–18 month sprint plan, technical milestones.
- Employment plan: Founder roles, first 5 hires, outsourcing and posted worker setup.
- Financial model: 24-month cash flow, tax assumptions, and runway analysis.
61–90 days: Application and setup
- Obtain incubator approval and submit the application.
- Post-approval: Complete company establishment, tax number, bank account, and accounting setup.
- Manage residency card and family reunification processes in parallel.
During these stages, Corpenza manages the business plan localization, residence/work permit file, company establishment, international accounting, payroll, and tax optimization processes end-to-end. If necessary, you quickly onboard your initial teams with a posted worker and temporary employment model.
Country-specific roadmaps: Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Estonia, Spain, France
Netherlands: Startup visa and transition plan in 1 year
The Netherlands stands out with the requirement to work with a “recognized facilitator” and an innovation focus. After approval, you receive a 1-year startup permit, and if you prove progress, you transition to a self-employed work permit.
- Steps: Facilitator agreement → IND application → KvK registration after development → bank and tax setup.
- Tip: The Amsterdam/Rotterdam ecosystem provides quick access to customers and investors.
- Official source: Netherlands Startup Visa – official information
Portugal: IAPMEI approval and incubator ecosystem
Portugal supports projects that include incubator approval and export potential. In the application file, you present proof of funds to cover living expenses, health insurance, and accommodation.
- Steps: Incubator matching → IAPMEI assessment → consulate application → LDA establishment and NIF/VAT registration.
- Tip: You can open a company on the same day with “Empresa na Hora”; Lisbon and Porto offer strong networks.
Italy: Innovative Startup and capital approach
Italy maintains a strict definition of “innovative startup.” You strengthen at least one of the criteria of R&D ratio, qualified team, or IP. New establishments are expected to have minimum capital and proof of innovation.
- Steps: Plan compliant with innovation criteria → possible incubator/VC letter → entry visa and residency → trade registry.
- Tip: Milan and Turin are suitable for deep-tech and industrial partnerships.
Estonia: Digital establishment and e-Residency advantage
Estonia provides speed with its fully digital processes. The Startup Committee evaluates your business model. With e-Residency, you can establish an OÜ remotely, but you plan for a physical presence for residency.
- Steps: Startup Committee approval → visa/residency → establishment with e-Business Register → accounting and payroll setup.
- Tip: If your product is digital, you can quickly conduct pilots in Tallinn.
Spain: Startup Law and 3-year permit
Spain grants residency for up to 3 years and requires ENISA/accredited institution assessment. “Tech-enabled” scalable models provide advantages.
- Steps: Innovation approval → application to foreign representation → SL/SRL establishment → tax and social security registration.
- Tip: Barcelona is strong in SaaS, Madrid in fintech and cybersecurity.
France: French Tech vision and Passeport Talent
France accelerates projects labeled with the French Tech label. The country offers attractive grants for deep technology and climate technologies.
- Steps: French Tech eligibility → residency application → SAS/SARL establishment → URSSAF and TVA processes.
- Tip: Establish early contact with regulations in Paris and apply for national funds.
Establishment and compliance: Legal entity, tax, payroll, and posted worker
Choice of legal entity and bank
Depending on your business model and investment plan, you prefer BV (NL), LDA (PT), SRL/SAS (IT/FR), OÜ (EE), or SL (ES). You clearly define the founding agreement (SHA), stock option plan (ESOP), and management authorities.
- Bank and fintech: You prepare UBO/KYC documents in advance; document your transaction flow and risk controls.
- Invoicing and collections: You set up VAT rules and cross-border invoicing from day one.
Tax and transfer pricing
Cross-border operations create permanent establishment (PE) and transfer pricing risks. You document intra-group services and IP license fees at arm’s length.
- VAT and OSS: You establish OSS/MOSS flow for digital services.
- R&D incentives: You queue tax credits and grant applications for eligible projects.
Payroll, EOR, and payroll
If your established company is not ready, you quickly employ workers with the EOR/payroll model. This way, you can expense the salaries of contracted or remote teams.
- Social security: You consider the A1 certificate and bilateral agreements.
- Salary and benefits: You accurately calculate country-specific gross-net and employer burden, incorporating it into the budget.
Posted worker and temporary employment
In short-term field assignments, you comply with posted worker rules and make notifications on time. The temporary employment agency model flexibly meets project-based needs.
Corpenza coordinates your company establishment, international accounting, payroll, personnel leasing (posted worker), residence/work permits, and tax optimization processes across the EU. When necessary, you integrate golden visa or investment citizenship options into your country strategy.
Timeline, budget, and document list
Sample timeline (12–24 weeks)
- Week 1–4: Incubator meetings, business plan localization, funding/LOI procurement.
- Week 5–8: Application file, translation and apostilles, residency appointment.
- Week 9–12: Approval and entry into the country; company registration, tax/bank setup.
- Week 13–24: Initial hires, payroll/EOR, grant applications, and pilot customer.
Budget items
- Official fees and legal expenses.
- Translation, apostille, and notary expenses.
- Company establishment and accounting setup costs.
- Payroll/EOR fees and employer overhead costs.
- Office, cloud, insurance, and legal consultancy.
Core document list
- Passport, criminal record, and health insurance.
- Business plan, technical documentation, and market proofs.
- Bank statements and fund source explanations.
- Incubator/facilitator letter of intent.
- Diplomas, references, and CV.
- Accommodation proof and family documents (if any).
Common mistakes, 2025 updates, and practical tips
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving innovation vague: Demonstrate technical differentiation with evidence.
- Settling for a remote model: Write a physical presence and local activity plan.
- Postponing the compliance plan: Redesign GDPR, tax, and social security from the start.
- Delaying banking: Keep the KYC/UBO set and income proof ready.
- Wrong type of employment: Clarify payroll, EOR, contractor, and posted worker conditions.
Highlights in 2025
- Digital application channels gained momentum: Many countries opened online pre-approval processes.
- Increased incubator capacity: Thematic calls expanded in green-tech, AI, and health technologies.
- Compliance audits tightened: You should prepare well for AML/KYC and economic justification tests.
- PE risk emerged in remote teams: Keep transfer pricing and “substance” documents up to date.
Practical tips
- Dedicate the first 6 months not only to product-market fit but also to regulation and tax infrastructure.
- Consider doing a “landing” in one country and structuring sales and R&D in different countries.
- Apply early for grants and tax incentives; schedule waiting periods after registration.
Corpenza provides integrated solutions for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals at European and global scales in the areas of startup visa, residence permit, company establishment, international accounting, payroll (expensing remote and contracted staff salaries), personnel leasing (posted worker), investment citizenship, and tax optimization. With a single point of contact, you can manage the process from application to operational scaling in an organized manner.
For current application requirements specific to the Netherlands, review the official source: Netherlands Startup Visa – official information. For other countries, you increase your chances of approval by reflecting country-specific requirements in your application file.
