The Portugal Startup Visa is your gateway to establish a film or audiovisual company in the heart of Europe — backed by Cineway, Portugal’s first cinema incubator.
Nollywood isn’t just an industry — it’s a movement. Nigerian filmmakers have built one of the world’s most prolific and culturally resonant cinemas, capturing stories that speak to hundreds of millions of people. At Cineway, we recognise this legacy and want to help the next generation of Nigerian audiovisual entrepreneurs grow on the European stage.
Portugal combines European Union access, a thriving creative tech scene, and a straightforward path to residency — with no minimum capital investment required. It’s one of the few countries in the EU actively courting international startup talent.
The focus is entirely on the quality of your project and its innovation potential — not how much money you bring.
Your spouse, children, and dependent family members can all be included in your residence permit application.
Live in Portugal and move freely across 26 European countries — opening markets, festivals, and co-production opportunities.
IAPMEI decisions typically come within 30 working days — one of the fastest innovation visa processes in the EU.
After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for Portuguese — and therefore EU — citizenship.
Access to film commissions, festivals, co-production funds, and a growing European audiovisual network from day one.
Submit your business plan and documentation through the official IAPMEI Startup Visa platform. Upload your business plan, financial projections, and required documents.
IAPMEI PlatformReach out to us before or after registering. We’ll review your project and, if it fits the cinema and audiovisual scope, issue a formal declaration of interest.
cineway@caminhos.infoIAPMEI assesses your project based on degree of innovation, business scalability, market potential, and the management team’s capacity.
~30 working daysIf approved, you have 40 working days to formalise your incubation contract with Cineway and receive your 180-day Declaration of Participation.
40 working daysTake your Declaration of Participation to the Portuguese consulate in Nigeria, together with your passport, criminal record certificate, and financial proof.
2–4 months processingOnce in Portugal, register with AIMA (Immigration Service) for your 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3 more years.
2-year permit + 3-year renewalCineway is managed by Caminhos do Cinema Português, officially certified by Startup Portugal and integrated into the National Incubator Network (RNI). We are Portugal’s first and only incubator exclusively dedicated to cinema and the audiovisual sector.
With 37 years of experience running the Caminhos do Cinema Português Festival, we bring deep industry knowledge, extensive networks, and proven expertise in film curation, financing, and promotion. We are based in Coimbra — a UNESCO World Heritage city in Central Portugal — with strong ties to Coimbra City Council and the Centro Portugal Film Commission.
We support projects across:
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Incubator interest & IAPMEI approval | ~30 working days |
| Incubation contract formalisation | 40 working days |
| Visa processing at Portuguese consulate in Nigeria | 2–4 months |
| Residence permit processing (AIMA) | ~4 months |
| Total estimated time | 6–11 months |
If you have a project in cinema or the audiovisual sector and you’re ready to bring it to Europe, get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.
Casa do Cinema de Coimbra · Coimbra, Portugal
Send Your ApplicationOfficial resources: IAPMEI Startup Visa · Startup Portugal