Updated: June 23, 2025

 

 

Curious about how to get Portuguese residency? With sunny beaches, vibrant cities, and a laid-back lifestyle, it’s easy to see the appeal of moving to Portugal. However, before you can start enjoying all that Portugal has to offer, you’ll need to follow the correct process to secure legal residency.

For EU citizens, the process is simple. For non-EU nationals, it means applying for a residence permit. Luckily, Portugal offers several visa options, like the D7 Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Portugal Golden Visa program, along with routes for work, study, family reunification, and more. Our 2025 guide explores all you need to know.

What is Portuguese residency?

With a high quality of life, low cost of living, a beautiful climate all year round, and specific tax incentives to lure in expats, many foreigners are looking to move to and obtain residency in Portugal. Factor in one of the best healthcare systems in Europe and excellent education opportunities; the list to move to Portugal goes on and on.

Portuguese residency means that you are legally allowed to live in Portugal. After five years as a Portuguese resident, you can apply to become a permanent resident and apply for citizenship (provided you meet the criteria).

Who should apply for Portuguese residency?

You should apply for Portuguese residency if you are looking to live, work or study in Portugal.

How do you get Portuguese residency as an EU national?

how to live in portugal and get portuguese residencyAs a European Union (EU) national, given that it is free to live, work, and travel across the EU area, the process to get a Portuguese Residency is pretty straightforward.

You will not need a visa in the first three months to stay in Portugal. After this, you will need a document authorizing your residence in Portugal. All you will need to do is register at your local city hall (Câmara Municipal), which will issue a residence certificate that is valid for five years. Also, you will need to register with the Portuguese tax authorities. You will need to fulfill one of the following criteria:

  1. Be either employed or self-employed in Portuguese territory
  2. Have sufficient funds for yourself and family members (if applicable)
  3. Be enrolled at an officially accredited private or public teaching establishment and have enough funds for yourself and family members (if applicable)

Permanent residence in Portugal for EU nationals

After legally living in Portugal for over five years, EU citizens and their family members must apply for a registration certificate of permanent residence.

After scheduling an appointment, you must apply  for the certificate at AIMA before the residence certificate expires. The cost will be €15 for the registration certificate of permanent residence. The certificate is valid for 10 years and must be renewed before it expires.

Applying for Temporary Portuguese Residency as a Non-EU National

portugal passport how to get

Non-EU nationals may need a visa to enter Portugal, even for short visits.

If you plan to stay in Portugal for more than three months, you’ll need a temporary residence permit, which you can apply for through the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal, after you have secured a residency visa.

To apply, you must typically show:

  • Proof of enough funds to support yourself
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of ID (valid passport)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • A clean criminal record
  • Any applicable documentation for your specific visa application (for example, a work contract)

There are different pathways to secure a Portuguese residency if you are a non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA national.

The D7 Visa is probably the most practical if you are looking to retire in Portugal, while the Portugal Golden Visa program will be more attractive if you would like to invest in the country. The Digital Nomad Visa is also a good option for remote workers looking to live in Portugal. Family reunification is also an option if you have family members already living in the country.

Note that if you are staying for less than 90 days, some non-EU countries, such as the USA and UK, allow you to stay in the country visa-free for this time. Be sure to check your government’s website about Portuguese immigration and traveling to Portugal to see if this is the case for you.

GC-ICON-76D7 Visa

If you are a non-EU citizen looking to move to Portugal with your funding, then the D7 Visa could be for you. This allows non-EU citizens to obtain Portuguese residency, provided they have sufficient means to support their stay in Portugal.

The visa is perfect for retirees and entrepreneurs alike who want to live in Portugal without having to make a significant financial investment. The visa is valid for two years and can then be renewed for a further three years. After this time, you can apply for permanent residence status and even citizenship.

D7 Portugal residency visa requirements:

In order to apply for this visa, you need to:

  • Earn a passive income of at least €870 per month or €10,440 per year (your income can come from pensions, transferable equity, real estate, intellectual property, or financial equity)
  • Be willing to reside for more than 183 consecutive days per calendar year in Portugal

GC-ICON-86Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal launched its Digital Nomad Visa in 2022, which has made it possible for digital nomads to stay or work in Portugal for a specific time.

Remote workers can take this visa to apply for either a residency permit that can be renewed for up to five years or a temporary stay visa that has a maximum validity of one year. This makes it possible for remote employees or self-employed workers who make four times the local minimum salary (at least €3,480) to live and work in Portugal.

GC-ICON-40The Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is one of the most popular residency-by-investment programs in the world. The scheme provides foreign investors with a doorway to other EU member countries.

The ways to secure the Portuguese Golden Visa and the Portugal residency requirements vary depending on the investment route.

The current investment options are outlined below:

Investment Fund

Contribute at least €500,000 to a qualified investment fund in Portugal.

Arts or Heritage Donation

Donate €250,000 or more to support the arts or national heritage restoration (20 percent discount available in low-density areas in Portugal).

Scientific Research Contribution

Invest at least €500,000 in research in science or technology.

Job Creation

Create and maintain at least ten jobs in Portugal over a set period.

Business Investment and Jobs

Invest €500,000 in starting or strengthening a business and either create five new jobs or maintain ten existing ones (five must be permanent).

If you are considering the best routes for the Golden Visa, the venture capital funds and investment funds option is an excellent option that has proved increasingly popular in recent years, particularly amongst American citizens.

Portugal D2 Visa

The Portugal D2 Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to establish or invest in a business in Portugal.

To qualify, you’ll need to make sure you have enough money to sustain yourself for one year. You will also need to develop a solid business plan and run your business while in Portugal.

Applying for Your Portuguese Visa

Once you have chosen the visa you wish to apply for and gathered the necessary documentation, there are two main steps to securing your Portugal residence visa, although each visa will have different requirements:

  1. The first step is completed in your home country at a Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate. Simply present all the required documents and wait for processing and approval. If your application is approved, the embassy will deliver a temporary visa permitting you to enter Portugal, along with an appointment date with AIMA Portugal. (Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum) – previously SEF, the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service.
  2. You will need to attend your appointment with AIMA after you arrive in Portugal. Here, they will grant you an initial one-year period visa, which is renewable for two consecutive years. Note that in Lisbon and Porto, it will likely take longer to get an appointment with AIMA and may take up to 120 days.

Other Pathways to Residency

Below are some other options to secure Portuguese residency.

GC-ICON-20How to get Portuguese residency by marriage

A person possessing a Portugal residence permit or a Portuguese citizen is entitled to have their immediate family members join them in the country. This includes the spouse or life partner (referred to as “common law spouse”), dependent children, parents, or siblings of either spouse.

You can acquire Portuguese citizenship through marriage with a Portuguese citizen after three years of marriage or three years of cohabitation. For this, the applicant must provide the required documents that prove they have an adequate connection to the Portuguese community. However, there is no requirement for a prior period of residence in Portugal.

GC-ICON-37How to get Portuguese residency by studying

Non-EU/EEA international students will need to apply for a Portuguese residence permit that is valid for one year. This is, in essence, a student visa. After this, the student residence permit can be renewed for up to five years at an AIMA office.

Fees and Costs Associated with Getting Residency in Portugal

When applying for or renewing a residence permit, there are costs you will incur along the way. Some of these include:

  • Temporary residence permit granting or renewal: €82 for online submissions
  • Permanent residence permit granting: €252 for online submissions
  • Golden Visa permit granting: €6,045 for the digital application
  • Golden Visa application fee: €605 for the digital application
  • Golden Visa permit renewal €3,023 for the digital renewal

These costs may vary, and additional costs may apply. For an accurate estimate of your expenses, it’s best to chat to residency experts like the team at Global Citizen Solutions.

Portugal Permanent Residence and Citizenship for Non-EU Nationals

There are several reasons why expats from across the world are moving to Portugal, whether it’s the high quality of life, pristine landscapes, bustling cities, or access to top-quality healthcare and education opportunities.

Portugal is also one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe. However, if you have been living in Portugal for five years, you can apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Below, we delve into some of the benefits.

Benefits of Portuguese permanent residence and citizenship

Portuguese permanent residents and Portuguese citizens can:

  • Participate in full Portuguese employment or self-employment (without the need for a work visa or work permit)
  • Participate in education or study
  • Access social security benefits, unemployment benefits, and pension

Additional benefits for Portuguese citizens alone include:

  • Vote in elections and referendums
  • Obtain a Portuguese passport, allowing you entry to 181 countries visa-free
  • Acquire EU citizenship, allowing you to travel freely across EU member countries
  • Live, work, or retire in other EU countries

How to get permanent residency in Portugal as an EU national

After five years of temporary residence, whether or not you are an EU national or a non-EU national, you will be able to register for a permanent residence permit in Portugal.

As with EU citizens, after five years as a temporary resident, you can apply for permanent residency. To apply for permanent residency, you will need to go to AIMA after scheduling an appointment. The cost is €15 and will need to be reviewed every five years.

For citizenship, you can also apply after five years of living in the country. For this, you will need to pass a language test and have a clean criminal record.

Getting a second passport in Portugal

There is also the possibility of Portugal dual citizenship, as Portugal does not require you to give up your home country’s nationality when you become a Portuguese citizen.

To become a dual citizen, you will just need to check that your home nation also allows dual citizenship.

Speak With a Trusted Advisor

If you are considering moving to Portugal, knowing which Portuguese visa is the right one for your circumstances can be challenging. We recommend speaking with Goldcrest’s second residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, who can answer any questions you may have concerning which visa program and path to residency is right for you.

To fulfill your proof of accommodation requirement for your residency application, chat to us at Goldcrest. As property experts, we can help take the stress out of finding a place to buy or rent when relocating to Portugal.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Get a Portugal Residency

If you are an EU citizen, you must register at your local city hall (Câmara Municipal) and the tax office. If you are a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a residency visa – such as the D7 Visa or the Golden Visa. However, there are several other options to obtain residency in Portugal for non-EU nationals. 

If you are a UK citizen, you can stay visa-free in Portugal for 90 days. Following this, you will need a visa to stay in Portugal. The D7 Visa is a practical, popular Portuguese visa that allows you to live, work and retire in the country.

The Golden Visa is a good option for investors, providing you with the pathway to get Portugal residency by investment. The Digital Nomad Visa is also an option for remote workers looking to move to Portugal.

After five years of living in Portugal, you can apply for citizenship. You will need to ensure that you meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law, such as having a clean criminal record and passing a Portuguese language test (A2 level).

It is not difficult to obtain permanent residence or Portugal citizenship. Once you’ve had a temporary residence permit in Portugal for five years, you can apply to obtain permanent residency and citizenship. There are several benefits to holding Portugal permanent residency or citizenship, including visa-free travel around the EU and the right to live and work in Portugal long term.

With a Portugal residence permit by investment, you can enjoy all the privileges of status without settling permanently in Europe. The minimum investment to qualify for the Golden Visa program is €250,000.

After five years of maintaining your residence, you can apply for a permanent resident permit and citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law.

If you have a Portuguese residence permit, you will be able to enjoy visa free travel to other countries in the EU/EEA, and Schengen countries. You will also be able to work in Portugal, having access to free education and the national health service.

The Portuguese healthcare system is, by and large, excellent. You will also have a chance to become a Portuguese citizen after five years through naturalization.

There are several ways to get temporary residency in Portugal, such as through study, work, or family reunification. Options to secure a temporary residence permit include the Digital Nomad Visa or a D7 Portugal residence visa.

After five years of residing in Portugal and renewing your visa accordingly, you can then apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law.

EU citizens should find it quite easy to secure residency in Portugal. You can stay in Portugal without a residency permit for three months. Following this, you must register at your local city hall (Câmara Municipal) and the tax office. 

Individuals who would like to reside in Portugal without having to make an investment can opt for the Portugal D7 Visa, commonly known as a Passive Income Visa. The D7 Visa facilitates relocation to Portugal without the requirement of any financial obligations.

Other options include the Digital Nomad Visa, which grants you residency provided you work for a foreign (non-Portuguese) company or are self-employed and earn four times the Portuguese minimum salary. Family reunification is also an option.

Resident permit holders can enjoy various advantages, such as entry to the EEA/EU and Schengen Area without a visa. You will also be able to join the workforce and have unlimited access to education opportunities. After five years of legally residing in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

After residing in Portugal for an extended period with a valid Portuguese residence permit, you become eligible to apply for Portuguese permanent residency and citizenship. Upon living with a temporary residence permit for five years, you can request permanent residence in Portugal, and you may apply for citizenship, providing you meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law, such as passing an A2 Portuguese language test.

For foreign nationals looking to get a Work Visa, they will need to be employed by a Portuguese company. Their employer will need to apply for a work permit from the Portuguese Labor Authorities.

Whether or not you require a visa to enter Portugal will depend on your country of origin. For foreign nationals, we strongly recommend checking carefully with your home country to determine whether you need a visa to enter Portugal.

Yes, US citizens can apply for Portuguese residency through several visa pathways, including the D7 visa (for passive income or retirement), the D8 visa (for digital nomads and remote workers), the D2 visa (for entrepreneurs and freelancers), a work visa (with a job offer), or the Golden Visa (through investment).

After entering Portugal with an approved long-stay visa, you apply for a valid residence permit in Portugal.

Portugal’s minimum income requirements will vary depending on the residency visa you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for the D7 Visa, you will need a passive income of at least €870 per month (the Portuguese minimum wage).

Meanwhile, if you apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, you will need to be earning four times the Portuguese minimum wage to be eligible.

The Registration Certificate is a document for EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who plan to live in Portugal for more than 90 days. It must be obtained at the local city hall (Câmara Municipal) and serves as proof of legal residence. Non-EU citizens are not eligible for this certificate and instead need to obtain a residence permit.

Yes. Before applying to obtain permanent residence, you must first obtain a residency visa and live in Portugal for at least five consecutive years under a valid temporary residence permit.

Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. You can become a Portuguese citizen without giving up your original nationality, as long as your country of origin also permits dual nationality. The United States, for example, allows it.

Yes, temporary residence permits in Portugal must be renewed. The first permit is typically valid for one year, and renewals will usually take place every two years, but it’s best to double-check for each specific visa. You must renew your permit before it expires. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.