Breathtaking Clarity from AIMA to Entrepreneur Visa Holders: When is Tax and Social Security Registration Necessary?

Although starting a business in Portugal and stepping in with entrepreneur visas such as Startup Visa or D2 is an exciting process, it can sometimes get confusing on the bureaucracy side. Especially at the residence permit (Autorização de Residência) application stage, it was one of the most curious issues at what point tax office (Finanças) and social security (Segurança Social) registrations became mandatory. Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) made an official statement to clear up the confusion on this issue. There is no registration obligation in the residence permit application. AIMA offers According to clear information; Entrepreneurs who come to Portugal within the scope of Startup Visa (Article 89/4) are not required to have an active record in the Tax Office and Social Security systems when applying for a residence permit. In other words, when you receive your visa and first come to Portugal, when you sit down to apply for a residence permit card, the fact that your official tax or social security registration in the system has not yet been completed does not hinder your process. AIMA does not require registration in these systems as a prerequisite for the application file to be accepted and processed. What are the Main Documents Required in the AIMA Application? Although social security and tax registration are not mandatory at that stage, the basic elements that must be present in your file at your first residence permit appointment are as follows: Valid passport and appropriate visa to enter Portugal. Official address statement showing where you reside in Portugal (rental agreement or certified statement from the landlord). Criminal record document. Going to a certified incubation center approved by IAPMEI. (incubator) integrated innovative company/project acceptance certificate. How Should the Process Proceed? When we look at the practical side of the matter, the path to follow is quite clear: The first thing you need to focus on when you come to Portugal is to carry out the official process with your certified incubation center and complete your AIMA residence permit appointment. Although NIF (tax number) is already a number that must be obtained from the beginning for steps such as financial transactions and house rental, the activation of your commercial activity, initiation of tax liability and NISS (social security number) processes are carried out simultaneously with or immediately after the residence permit phase. It can be seated comfortably. This flexibility is a step that alleviates the bureaucratic burden for international entrepreneurs who have just set foot in Portugal and are trying to complete the company establishment steps. Source: AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) - art. 89.º, n.º 4 do REPSAE Compiled by:Ramo