Entrepreneurs who want to settle in Europe by starting a business have more visa options than ever by 2025. However, there is no single answer to the question of the “most advantageous program”; each country caters to different profiles and goals. In this article, systematically compare the prominent entrepreneur and startup visas in Europe, choose the country that suits your strategy, and plan the application process flawlessly.
1. Entrepreneur Visas in Europe: The Big Picture in 2025
1.1. Why are entrepreneur visas so much in the spotlight?
European countries are aggressively strengthening their startup and entrepreneur visas to attract innovation and skilled migration. There are two main reasons for this:
- To close the gap of an aging population and labor force
- To get ahead in global competition in strategic areas such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and climate technologies
For this reason, many countries offer the following opportunities to entrepreneurs who establish companies and create employment:
- Fast residency and family reunification
- Permanent residency leading to citizenship in 5 years; often a pathway to citizenship
- Access to tax incentives, grants, and investment funds
- Free travel within Schengen
1.2. What criteria should you consider when comparing programs?
The “most advantageous visa” varies according to your personal goal. At a minimum, clarify the following criteria when making your choice:
- Your capital level: Is it in the €20,000–25,000 range, or €100,000 and above?
- Your business model: Is it a rapidly scalable tech startup, or a service/classic trade?
- Your target market: Is it B2B within the EU, consumer-focused, or global?
- Language and lifestyle: Do you want to manage with English, or are you willing to learn the local language?
- Your long-term plan: Is your priority permanent residency and citizenship, or just moving your operations to the EU?
Corpenza works with a special “country-selection matrix” for entrepreneurs at this point: by analyzing your business model, capital structure, and tax position; it compares programs like the Netherlands, Estonia, Portugal, Spain, and Germany side by side with concrete data; guiding you not only with theory but also with real file experience.
2. Low Barrier Innovation Programs: Netherlands and Estonia
2.1. Netherlands Startup Visa: A Soft Landing in the European Market
The Netherlands Startup Visa is an ideal entry point for many tech entrepreneurs due to its low capital barrier and strong ecosystem.
Highlighted features:
- Investment requirement: There is no clear minimum capital requirement; however, a reasonable initial budget (e.g., €20,000–30,000) plus proof of living expenses is required.
- Innovation pursuit: Requires a model that is “different from similar” and scalable; does not accept copycat restaurants, markets, etc.
- Facilitator requirement: A registered accelerator, incubator, or business partner in the Netherlands must officially take you on as a “mentee”.
- Duration: Initially a 1-year residency; then extension and a pathway to permanent residency depending on business progress.
Who is it really advantageous for?
- SaaS, fintech, artificial intelligence, sustainability-focused projects
- Startups looking to quickly test and pilot in the EU market
- Startups with a strong tech team but without a large initial capital
Corpenza provides concrete support particularly in the following areas for Dutch files:
- Finding facilitators and managing the agreement process
- Creating a “startup plan” that meets IND expectations
- Company establishment, payroll, and legalizing the remote working team
2.2. Estonia Startup Visa: A Fully Digitalized Model
Estonia has become a very attractive hub for remotely managed tech startups with its e-Residency program and digital state.
Main advantages:
- No minimum capital requirement; only the business plan and scalability matter.
- Fast process: Startup Committee evaluations usually conclude within a few weeks.
- Digital environment: Company establishment, banking processes, signatures, and most transactions are conducted online.
- Tax: You do not pay corporate tax on undistributed profits.
Points to watch out for:
- The evaluation board looks for a “real startup”; it rejects projects like freelancer or agency models.
- The market is very small; you need to plan your business with a global target from the start.
Corpenza particularly recommends the Estonia option for the following profiles:
- Product-centered tech startups with a remote working team
- SaaS companies that have a company in Turkey but want to shift invoicing to the EU
- Founders looking for tax optimization and a simple structure
3. Speed, Quality of Life, and Tax Incentives: Portugal and Spain
3.1. Portugal Startup / D2 Visa: Fast Residency, Reasonable Capital
Portugal ranks high among entrepreneurs due to both quality of life and speed in the residency process.
Highlighted elements:
- Initial capital: Generally possible to create a solid file with capital in the €30,000–50,000 range.
- Diversity of programs: Startup Visa for innovation-focused, D2 Entrepreneur Visa for more classic business models.
- Family and citizenship: Family reunification, permanent residency after 5 years, and a pathway to citizenship are open.
- Tax: Offers advantageous tax regimes and entrepreneur-friendly regulations.
Who is it more suitable for?
- Medium-budget startups with a clear cash flow plan
- Companies wanting to work with both the EU market and South America (Portuguese-speaking markets)
- Professionals looking to transition from digital nomad to resident entrepreneur
Corpenza can take on the following in Portugal files:
- Restructuring the business plan according to visa expectations
- Company establishment, accounting, and tax optimization
- Payroll setup: creating a structure that can write off expenses for the team residing in Turkey
3.2. Spain Entrepreneur Visa: Large Market, Innovation-Focused Evaluation
Spain stands out with its technology ecosystem, especially centered in Madrid and Barcelona. The Entrepreneur Visa provides Schengen residency for founders with an innovative business plan.
Key features:
- Innovation requirement: The project must stand out with technology, an innovative business model, or high added value.
- Investment: Generally expects equity of €50,000 and above or investor support.
- Evaluation: Assessment is made based on the economic impact, employment, and technology level in Spain.
Advantages:
- Acts as a bridge to local and Latin American markets
- Increasingly strong entrepreneurship funds and incubation programs
- Family reunification and a pathway to permanent residency in 5 years
Corpenza strengthens the likelihood of convincing the evaluation board by integrating employment projections, tax, and payroll structures strongly into the files in its consulting in Spain.
4. Large Economies and More Challenging Thresholds: Germany, France, Italy
4.1. Germany Entrepreneur / Freelancer Visa: Large Market, Detailed Review
Germany, as the largest economy in Europe, offers a very strong market for B2B-focused ventures. In contrast, it evaluates application files more thoroughly and conservatively.
Highlighted points:
- Economic benefit: The project must demonstrate economic value and employment creation potential in the state it is located.
- Investment level: A capital expectation that can exceed €100,000 for classic businesses; a more flexible attitude for innovative projects.
- Language: In the long term, B1 level German becomes practically essential for permanent residency.
Who makes sense for?
- Industry, production technologies, logistics, and industrial SaaS companies
- Startups with contracts or strong business development relationships with German companies
- Founders with a large budget and long-term investment plan
Corpenza analyzes state-based economic expectations, the perspective of chambers of commerce, and local requirements in advance. Thus, it structures both the company establishment and the visa file according to local realities; it aligns payroll, accounting, and tax planning with German standards.
4.2. French Tech Visa and Italian Startup Visa: Sectoral Opportunities
4.2.1. French Tech Visa: Innovation and Access to Funds
France supports innovative entrepreneurs with residency permits of up to 4 years under the La French Tech program.
Main advantages:
- Developed VC and angel investor networks in Paris and other major cities
- Grants and programs especially for climate technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep-tech
- Family reunification and access to permanent residency in the medium to long term
However, the quality of the file regarding the business plan, innovation level, and financing is very decisive. Corpenza presents a cohesive whole in the files of entrepreneurs with collaborations in the French ecosystem; it includes incubator agreements, investor letters of intent, and project financing structures.
4.2.2. Italian Startup Visa: Opportunities for Niche Sectors
Italy offers strong opportunities, especially in design, food technologies, tourism technologies, and creative industries. The Startup Visa program provides residency opportunities for projects that include innovative technology.
Points to consider:
- The Italian ecosystem places great importance on networks and local partners.
- Starting capital of €50,000 and above provides a safer application.
- It is not possible to leave the operation only “on paper”; there is a high expectation of actual business activity and local connection.
Corpenza takes on company establishment, payroll management, and local labor regulations for Italy-focused entrepreneurs; it allows the founder to focus their energy on the product and sales side.
5. Which Program is Suitable for You? Applicable Decision Matrix
5.1. Clarify your profile in 5 questions
When you answer the following questions clearly, you will make a healthier choice for your country selection:
- 1. How much capital do you have ready?
If you are in the €20,000–40,000 range: Focus on flexible programs like the Netherlands, Estonia, Portugal.
For €50,000 and above capital: Options like Spain, France, Italy open up. - 2. How innovative is your business model?
If you have a globally scalable tech startup: Focus on startup-oriented visas (Netherlands, Estonia, French Tech, Portugal Startup).
If it is a classic business model: Turn to options like Portugal D2, Germany freelancer visa. - 3. How quickly do you want to move?
If you are looking for a solution within 2–4 months: Portugal, Estonia, Netherlands will be more advantageous.
If you can afford a longer time: You can evaluate larger economies like Germany, France. - 4. What is your approach to language barriers?
If you want to live only with English: The Netherlands, Estonia, Portugal will be relatively easier.
If you aim to learn the local language: You will find more opportunities in Germany, France, Italy in the long term. - 5. Do you have a desire for citizenship in the long term?
If yes, be sure to consider the permanent residency and citizenship durations and requirements of the country you choose.
5.2. What does a convincing application file look like?
Regardless of the country, successful entrepreneur visa files share similar common characteristics:
- Clear business model: A plan that describes revenue streams, costs, and profitability timelines with figures
- Market analysis: Data-driven demand analysis for the target country and EU market
- Employment plan: How many people you will hire in which positions and at what cost within 3–5 years
- Source of financing: Your own equity, investors if any, loan or grant plans
- Compliance structure: Professional structuring of areas such as tax, accounting, payroll, contracts
Corpenza does not just “fill out the visa form” at this point; it reframes the business model, tax structure, and employment plan according to the expectations of the country. By providing company establishment, international accounting, payroll, and personnel leasing (posted worker) services under one roof, it demonstrates that a real operation is established behind the file.
6. Concrete Steps to Take with Corpenza While Opening Up to Europe
6.1. Strategic planning: Country, tax, and company formation decision
The first step is not just to “get a visa” but also to establish the right type of company in the right country. With Corpenza, you clarify the following topics in a typical strategy session:
- The most suitable country and visa category according to the business model
- Company formation alternatives such as holding, subsidiary, branch
- Tax optimization between Turkey, the chosen EU country, and other countries
- Payroll and expense structuring for remote teams and contracted employees
6.2. Compliance and risk management
When establishing a company in Europe, you need to operate in compliance not only with the tax office but also with many authorities from labor law to social security institutions. Corpenza manages the process end-to-end in the following areas:
- Residency and work permits: For founders, family members, and key personnel
- International accounting: Reporting in accordance with local GAAP and IFRS standards
- Payroll: Establishing structures that define the salaries of remote and contracted personnel as company expenses
- Personnel leasing (posted worker): Legal solutions for temporary employment and cross-border assignments
- Tax optimization: A transparent and sustainable tax plan in accordance with double taxation prevention agreements
6.3. 2025 and beyond: Follow regulations and market trends
Migration, tax, and labor law regulations in Europe change frequently. Therefore, if you set your plan with a “do it once, forget it” mentality, you may face unexpected risks within a few years. As an entrepreneur, regularly follow these topics:
- Updates in the immigration legislation of the country you choose
- New rules at the EU level regarding remote work, hybrid work, and “posted worker”
- New tax regimes and incentive packages (e.g., startup and R&D incentives)
- Grant and fund programs in strategic sectors (green transition, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity)
Corpenza continuously provides support to entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in both company formation and human resources and compliance. Thus, while you focus on growing your product and sales, residency permits, company establishment, golden visa, citizenship through investment, international accounting, payroll, personnel leasing, and tax optimization progress in professional hands.
When deciding which country in Europe is more suitable for your entrepreneurial model, consider not only the visa you will obtain today but also the tax burden in 5–10 years, your citizenship goal, and your global growth plan together. A well-structured setup elevates both your business and your life to the next level.
