Portugal Residency Visa: Requirements, Steps, and Documents

If you are a non-EU citizen considering relocating to Portugal to enjoy a high quality of life, mild climate, and rich history, you’ll need to apply for a visa. Portugal residency visas allow non-EU citizens to live and work in Portugal for more than a 90-day period, with several visa options on the table, including the D7 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa.

A Portugal residency visa is the first step in the process of securing residency and is issued by a Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in your home country, allowing entry to Portugal, with the intent to apply for a residency permit. The initial visa is typically valid for four months and permits two entries into Portugal, sufficient time to enter Portugal and initiate the residency application process.

In this comprehensive guide to Portugal residency visas, we’ll cover the essentials, providing you with a clear pathway to successfully relocate to Portugal.

What are the main types of Portuguese residency visa?

The Portuguese Government offers a range of residency visas. The main visa options are the Portugal Golden Visa for residency through investment, the D7 Visa for residency through passive income, and the D8 Visa for digital nomads seeking to move to Portugal.

Other Portugal residency visa options include the D2 Visa for entrepreneurs, the D3 Visa for qualified workers, and the D6 Visa, which is a family reunification visa. Other visa options include visas to study in Portugal, amongst others.

What is the D2 Visa?

The Portugal D2 Visa, also known as the Entrepreneur Visa, is designed for individuals who intend to engage in independent professional activities or start a business in Portugal. This work visa was introduced by the Portuguese Government to boost the Portuguese economy by encouraging foreign investment and fostering competitive businesses.

The Portugal D2 Visa is an attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals seeking to grow their business in Portugal.

• You must demonstrate a solid business plan, highlighting how your business will contribute to the Portuguese economy.
• You will need to show adequate financial resources in your bank account to successfully run your business.
• The business should be set up before you apply for the D2 Visa.

What is the D3 Visa?

The Portugal D3 Visa, also known as the highly qualified individual’s work visa, is designed for researchers, scientists, academics, and so on, who are invited by Portuguese institutions and offered employment contracts to work in Portugal.

To qualify for the D3 Visa:

• The applicant must have a work or services contract or a promise of a contract that is in the highly qualified activity category.
• The contract needs to be for at least one year.
• Usually, the salary needs to be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Portugal (although this is dependent on the applicant’s activity).

What is the D6 Family Reunification Visa?

Portugal’s D6 Family Reunification Visa allows family members to join the applicant in Portugal. D6 Visa holders can fully participate in Portuguese society and contribute to the Portuguese economy.

A key benefit of the D6 Visa is that, after living in Portugal for five years (for now, as it might change to ten years under current proposals from the Portuguese Government to amend the Portuguese Nationality Law), you will be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

• Applicants must show they can financially support their family members.
• They must provide evidence of their direct descendant or family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.

What is the D7 Visa?

The Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa or Portugal Retirement Visa, is a Portugal residency visa option for individuals with a stable passive income source. Passive income can include pensions, property, and financial investments, among other sources.

The D7 Visa is a good fit for individuals who are seeking to live or retire in Portugal, but do not need to work in the country.

• You must show a stable and regular source of passive income to support your stay.
• The income in your Portuguese bank account needs to be sufficient to support you and your family members.
  • This should be the equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage, which is currently €870 per month for the primary applicant (€10,440.00 per year)
  • An extra 50 percent is needed for a spouse or family member over the age of 18, and an extra 30 percent for each child under 18.
• Eligible passive income sources include rental income, pensions, intellectual property, investments, dividends, stocks, etc.

Benefits of the D7 Visa include visa-free access to the EU and access to Portuguese public services, such as its comprehensive National Health Service (SNS).

What is the Digital Nomad Visa?

The Portuguese Government introduced the Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (officially the D8 Visa) in 2022. The visa allows remote workers and self-employed workers to relocate to Portugal. With this visa, you can work for a foreign employer and enjoy the right to live in Portugal.

• To be eligible, you will need to earn four times the Portuguese minimum wage, roughly amounting to €3,480 per month.
• There are two categories for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa:
  • A temporary stay visa valid for one year, which can then be renewed
  • A residency permit, which is renewable for up to five years)

As with other visa types, after five years of obtaining your residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship (citizenship may change to ten years), provided you meet all the criteria under Portuguese Nationality Law. Portuguese citizenship grants you the right to live, work, and study in all European Union (EU) countries.

What is the Portugal Golden Visa?

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most successful residency-by-investment programs of its kind. Since its inception in 2012, more than 12,718 individuals have received a residence permit through the program.

• Investment options for the Portugal residence visa program through the Golden Visa include investing in qualifying investment funds, cultural production, and job creation. Note that the real estate pathway and capital transfer route were discontinued as eligible investment options in 2023.
• One of the advantages of the Golden Visa is the short-stay requirement. You just need to spend seven days on average in Portugal over a five-year period. After this time, as with other visas, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship (note that the route to citizenship may increase to ten years).

What Study Visas does Portugal offer?

There are typically three main types of student visas. International students from outside the EU who have been admitted to a Portuguese education institution can apply for a Portuguese residence permit to study in the country.

1. Short-term student visas: For study programs lasting up to three months (90 days maximum within any 180 days, non-extendable except for exceptional circumstances). Courses fitting this category can include vocational training or language programs.
2. Temporary student visa: For study programs lasting three months to one year. This can include study courses, student exchange programs, internships, vocational training, or volunteer work. Proof of acceptance is required with the visa, usually with the studies having a maximum duration of one year.
3. Long-term student visas: As the name suggests, the long-term student visa applies to study programs that last more than one year. This includes all degree and PhD programs. You will typically need to secure a placement at a university or educational institute. The long-term Portugal resident permit is initially valid for one year but can be renewed every two years for up to five years and can be extended if the course continues.

There are five categories for long-term student visas:

1. 1. Higher education (all undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses)
   2. Researchers (academic and scientific research)
   3. Secondary school students (QNQ level 4-5)
   4. Trainees
   5. Student volunteers

Portugal Residency Visa Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

How to become a resident in Portugal? The first step is to apply for your Portugal residency visa. This is required to enter Portugal and begin the residency process. Submit your visa application at the Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate in your home country. This visa is valid for 120 days and allows for two entries into Portugal.

Residency visa: Documents required

While the documents may vary depending on which Portuguese visa you opt for, you will generally need the following.

• A completed application form for your visa type
• Valid passport, ID, or other valid travel document
• Proof of sufficient funds in your bank account to support your stay in Portugal
• Proof of accommodation, such as a lease agreement or invitation letter
• Health insurance
• Police clearance certificate or document to show no criminal record

Depending on the visa, other required documents may include an enrolment letter from a Portuguese educational establishment, an official job contract, etc.

Benefits of Getting a Portuguese Residence Permit

There are several benefits to getting a Portuguese residence permit, including visa-free travel, education and work opportunities, and a pathway to citizenship.

Below, we break down some of the key Portugal temporary residence permit benefits.

1. Visa free access: Portuguese residency allows you to travel within the EEA and the EU (27 countries), and Schengen Area (29 countries) without the need of a visa.
2. Work in Portugal: With a residence permit, you have the right to work in Portugal. Whether you are looking to work as a freelancer, open your own business, or be employed by a company, you will have the same employment rights as Portuguese citizens.
3. Access to education: You’ll be able to access the Portuguese education system, considered one of the best in the world (ranking in 25th place in the 2025 Education Rankings by the World Population Review). There are also 51 international schools in Portugal, should you be moving to Portugal with children.
4. Healthcare: Portugal’s national health service (SNS) is renowned for its high quality care. There are also many excellent private healthcare facilities across the country that provide faster care.
5. Safety: Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, praised for its low crime rates, democratic political system, and community culture. Portugal ranks in seventh position in the 2025 Global Peace Index.
6. Family members can join you in Portugal: Portugal’s family reunification visa (D6 Visa) allows families to join the main applicant in Portugal, provided they have legal residence in the country.
7. Pathway to citizenship: Portugal citizenship has a plethora of perks, including the ability to live, work, and study in any EU country. After five years of residency in Portugal, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements. This includes passing an A2 Portuguese language exam and holding a clean criminal record (bear in mind that if you are from a Portuguese-speaking country, you are exempt from providing proof that you speak the language).

Application Process to Get a Portuguese Residency Permit

The first step of the application process is to get a residency visa in your home country, which allows you to enter Portugal. Following this, when you are in Portugal, you will need to attend an appointment with AIMA.

Often, especially for visas such as the Digital Nomad Visa, you will need to book an appointment within 120 days after entering Portugal. Some consulates will schedule the first appointment for you on your behalf, but sometimes you will need to schedule it for yourself once you arrive in Portugal.

At the appointment, you will need to submit the following documents and biometric data to get your Portugal residence card.

Residence Permit Portugal: Required documents

• Valid passport
• Visa application form
• Valid Portugal residence visa (if applicable)
• Two recent and identical color photographs
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support your stay
• Proof of accommodation (rental contract, utility bill, etc.).
• Health insurance and travel insurance
• Confirmation of your AIMA appointment

What happens after your AIMA appointment?

After your AIMA appointment, AIMA will examine your application and conduct an interview with you (if deemed necessary).

They will typically make a decision within 90 business days, after which you will receive your residence permit to live in Portugal. This is generally valid for two years and can then be renewed.

After five years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You

Should you be relocating to Portugal and are looking to find your ideal new home in the country, we are here to help. As part of your residency application, you will be required to demonstrate proof of accommodation, whether it is a rental contract or a property deed.

This is where Goldcrest comes in. As the first property buyer’s agent in Portugal, we can assist you with your property goals. Whether you are seeking out the perfect rental property or are considering buying property, we provide targeted property searches tailored completely to your unique situation.

If you need assistance with deciding which residency option is best suited to your individual needs, our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, are more than happy to help. You can get in touch with them today.