The Portuguese government announced the launch of the Tech Visa program aimed at attracting qualified staff from countries outside Europe to work and reside in Portugal. This new program shall enter into force on January 1, 2019.

After the incredible success experienced with the StartUp Visa – residence visa for non-EU-Schengen startup founders who want to be part on the fastest developing startup communities in Europe, with more than 400 applicants since March 2018 – Portuguese Government is now decided to attract technological profiles to Portugal.

At the same time, Portugal will sign a reinforcement of investment in its partnership with European Investment Fund (EIF) with and additional amount of 100 million euros, to be applied in the “Portugal Tech” program, which already involved 230 million euros since its inception.

Tech Visa will be aimed at large technological and software companies and will enable highly qualified professionals to come to Portugal following simplified procedures on getting a residence permit in addition of offering better work conditions.

Portugal is in a favorable growth cycle and the technological sector is one of the main vectors of development. Tech Visa program is now created to strengthen national growth and innovation.