Startup visas in Europe: seven programmes compared (2026)

Startup visas in Europe as of October 2026: Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Denmark and the UK compared by approval, funds, fees, length.

Several European countries run startup visas for founders from outside the EU. Among them are Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland, France and Denmark, and the UK has a similar route called the Innovator Founder visa. In almost every scheme, a public body or an approved partner must first approve the business idea, and only then can you apply for residence. Citizens of the EU and the EEA generally do not need any of these schemes to start a company in another EU country.

All rules, fees and amounts below are as of October 2026 and link to the official page for each scheme. Immigration rules change often, so check the official page again before you apply.

Estonia: Startup Visa

Estonia's Startup Visa is open to non-EU founders whose company passes a check by the Startup Committee. The company has to meet the startup definition in Estonia's Aliens Act. That means it is owned by a company registered in Estonia, is developing an innovative and repeatable business model with global growth potential, and is no more than 10 years old. Startup Estonia also says eligible businesses should be technology-based and scalable, with a minimum viable product and some first traction.

Visa options: a short-stay Schengen visa of up to 90 days, or a long-stay national visa of up to 365 days that can be extended by another 183 days.
State fees: €80 for a long-stay visa and €60 for a short-stay visa. The Startup Committee review itself is free.
Family: a spouse and minor children, as well as adult children who cannot support themselves for health reasons, can receive visas on the same terms.

Finland: residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs

Finland's start-up permit requires a positive eligibility statement from Business Finland first. One person in the founding team applies for it in the Enter Finland service and shares it with the others. The statement must be no more than four months old when you submit the residence permit application.

Duration: a first permit for up to two years if you can show money for two years. You need funds for at least one year. Extended permits can last up to four years.
Money: in 2026 the required net income is €1,210, €1,090 or €1,030 per month, depending on where in Finland you live.
Fees: €650 for a first permit applied for online (€800 on paper), and €230 for an extended permit online (€430 on paper).
Speed: the permit is available through Finland's fast-track service, which aims to decide within two weeks.

Netherlands: start-up residence permit

The Dutch start-up permit is run by the immigration service IND. You must work with a facilitator, an experienced mentor listed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The facilitator must not hold a majority stake in your company and cannot be your parent, child, grandparent, uncle or aunt. Your product or service must be innovative in at least one way: it is new to the Netherlands, it uses new technology in production, distribution or marketing, or the company has a new way of working and organising.

Duration: up to one year.
Money: enough funds for your whole stay, either in your own account or provided by the facilitator.
Fee: €423.
Decision: the IND must decide within 90 days.
After one year: you can apply for a self-employed residence permit. You will need proof that you completed a mentoring programme of at least three months.

Ireland: Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Ireland's STEP was introduced in 2012. It is aimed at what Ireland calls high-potential start-ups. According to the programme guidelines, these are businesses that bring a new product or service to international markets, work in manufacturing or internationally traded services, can create 10 jobs and reach €1 million in sales within three years, are led by an experienced management team, and are headquartered in Ireland. Retail, personal services and catering businesses are not eligible.

Money: €50,000 in available funding. If there are several founders, each additional founder needs €30,000.
Fee: €350, which is not refundable.
Evaluation: a committee of senior public servants reviews proposals every quarter and makes recommendations to the Minister for Justice.
Duration: two years at first, then a three-year renewal and five-year renewals after that. After five years you can apply for long-term residence.
Restrictions: Ireland's immigration service says it no longer accepts STEP applications from Russian or Belarusian citizens.

France: French Tech Visa for Founders

The French Tech Visa for Founders gives founders from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland a residence status called “Talent – Porteur de projet économique innovant” (Talent – innovative business project). Algerian citizens fall under a separate system. First, your project must be officially recognised as innovative. You can be selected by a partner incubator or accelerator of La French Tech, be supported by a Capitale French Tech, or get letters of support from two recognised players in the French Tech ecosystem. You then apply on a dedicated platform, and the Île-de-France directorate for the economy, employment, labour and solidarity (DRIEETS) issues an official certificate.

Duration: a residence permit of up to four years, which can be renewed. For stays under one year, a long-stay visa valid for up to 12 months is available.
Money: resources equal to the French minimum wage (SMIC), set at €22,404.20 a year as of 1 June 2026.
Fees: a €300 administrative tax and a €50 stamp duty, plus €99 for a long-stay visa if you need one. A renewal costs €250.
Family: a spouse and dependent minor children can get accompanying family status.

Denmark: Start-up Denmark

Under Start-up Denmark, an expert panel appointed by the Danish Business Authority must approve your business plan first. Only then can you apply for a residence and work permit with SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.

Duration: up to two years, with extensions of up to three years at a time.
Money: you must show funds to cover your first year. SIRI lists DKK 153,240 for a single applicant, DKK 306,480 with a spouse, DKK 356,904 with a spouse and children, and DKK 203,664 with children only (stated as 2025 levels).
Fee: DKK 3,060.
Cap: no more than 75 people can get a permit through the scheme each calendar year.

United Kingdom: Innovator Founder visa

The UK is not part of the EU, but its Innovator Founder visa is the closest British equivalent. It requires an approved endorsing body to confirm that your business is new, innovative, viable and scalable. You cannot join a business that is already trading. When setting up a new business, you must show the endorsing body how much funding you have and where it comes from. The rules do not set a fixed minimum investment.

Fees: £1,357 when applying from outside the UK, or £1,693 when extending or switching inside the UK. You also pay the healthcare surcharge, £1,000 to the endorsing body, and £500 for each progress meeting (at least two).
Requirements: English at level B2, and at least £1,270 in savings held for 28 days in a row.
Duration: three years, with unlimited three-year extensions. You may be able to apply for settlement after three years if you meet the other conditions.

What about Germany?

Germany has no dedicated startup visa scheme like the ones above. Non-EU founders usually apply for a residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the Residence Act. To get it, there must be an economic interest or regional need for the business, a positive effect on the economy can be expected, and the business must be financed with your own capital or a loan commitment. The permit lasts up to three years. Applicants over 45 normally need adequate provision for old age. Graduates of German universities can get the permit more easily.

How to choose a programme

Who approves your idea. In Estonia, Finland, Ireland and Denmark it is a public agency or a committee or expert panel working for the state. In the Netherlands it is a private facilitator. In France it is the French Tech network, and in the UK it is an endorsing body.
Money you must show. Ireland asks for €50,000 for the business. Finland, France and Denmark mainly ask for proof that you can support yourself, and the UK sets no fixed investment minimum.
Length of the first permit. The first permit lasts up to one year in the Netherlands, up to two years in Finland and Denmark, two years in Ireland, three years in the UK and up to four years in France. In Estonia, a long-stay startup visa lasts up to 365 days.
Family rules and long-term residence. Check whether your spouse and children can come with you and when you can apply for long-term residence.
The local ecosystem. The visa is only part of the decision, so also weigh access to investors, talent and customers. We cover these in The Scene and on our Startups pages.

Frequently asked questions

Which European countries offer a startup visa?

As of October 2026, dedicated schemes for non-EU founders include Estonia's Startup Visa, Finland's start-up permit, the Dutch start-up residence permit, Ireland's STEP, the French Tech Visa for Founders and Start-up Denmark. Outside the EU, the UK runs the Innovator Founder visa.

Do EU citizens need a startup visa to start a company in another EU country?

No. EU and EEA citizens can generally live in another member state and set up a company there without a startup visa, although local registration rules still apply.

Can I get a European startup visa without investment?

Several schemes do not set a minimum investment and mainly ask for proof that you can support yourself, for example Finland, France and Denmark. Ireland's STEP is an exception and requires €50,000 in funding for the business.

Can my family come with me on a startup visa?

Most schemes allow it. Estonia, France, Denmark, Ireland and the UK all provide for spouses or partners and children, though each country sets its own conditions and fees.

How long does a startup visa application take?

It depends on the country. In the Netherlands the IND has a decision period of 90 days, and Finland offers a fast-track service that aims for two weeks. In most schemes you also need to allow time for the business plan to be approved first.