Many people globally are looking at ways to work and live in Europe. However, it’s not as straightforward as hopping on a plane and starting your new job. If you plan to work in the European Union and aren’t a citizen of an EU country, you’ll need a work visa to do it legally.
To work in Portugal, non-EU/EEA citizens generally need both a work permit and a work visa. The process typically begins with obtaining a job offer from a Portuguese employer, who will then initiate the work permit application.
After this, the employee must apply for a work visa at a Portuguese consulate or embassy in their country of residence. Once the visa is approved and the employee enters Portugal, they must apply for a residence permit through AIMA.
Portugal’s welcoming nature, affordability, and thriving business scene make it one of the most appealing European countries to work in, and there are plenty of sectors that can benefit from foreigners. So, if you want to work in Portugal legally, this article explains everything you need to know, from options like the Portugal job seeker Visa to how you can apply.
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Do I need a visa to work in Portugal?
You don’t need a work visa from Portugal if you’re an EU, EEA, or Switzerland citizen. However, non-EU citizens do need a visa for working in Portugal.
If you’re a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and want to stay more than 90 days, you will need a Residence Certificate (Certificado de Registo) that will be filled out according to the Town Hall that is closest to your residence in Portugal. The cost of this Residence Certificate is around €15.
Non-EU citizens who receive a job offer and are accepted into their new job in Portugal can get a work visa.
When the relevant Portuguese authorities approve their work visa request, foreign nationals can obtain legal residence authorization to work in the country.
Students working in Portugal
Non-EU students will need a Portuguese student permit to work in Portugal while studying. They can conduct research, teach, or participate in highly qualified or professional training activities if they meet the necessary criteria.
Types of Portugal Work Visas
The type of Portuguese work visa that you will need depends on your nationality and the length of your employment contract. There are two main types of Portuguese work visas available for non-EU citizens.
Short-term Portuguese work visas: A short-term Portuguese Work Visa is a temporary stay visa that allows work in Portugal for up to one year. These visas are required for temporary contracts that last less than six months, such as seasonal or self-employed workers, subject to an evaluation by the labor authority (IEFP).
Long-term Portuguese work visas (Type D): These visas are for those who get a long-term employment contract and will live and work in Portugal for more than six months.
7 Best Portuguese Work Visas and Permits
Non-EU citizens who want to work in Portugal typically need to obtain a work visa and a residence permit. There are various types of work visas available, including the D2 Visa for entrepreneurs, and the D3 Visa for highly skilled workers. The process generally involves securing a job offer, the employer applying for a work permit, and then the employee applying for the appropriate work visa.
Highly-Qualified Activities Visa (HQA)
The Portugal Highly Qualified Activities Visa is designed for individuals with advanced education and specialized expertise who want to secure employment opportunities with a residence permit in Portugal.
Highly skilled workers such as scientific researchers, medical professionals, professors, and Ph.D. students located in Portugal are examples of eligible candidates for the residence permit work visa.
Highly qualified workers from non-EU countries can also apply for the European Blue Card scheme, which gives you the same benefits as the work visa and Portuguese residency. You can apply for the EU Blue Card only if the following conditions apply to you:
- You have the required higher education for your position
- You are a paid employee with an employment contract or binding job offer in an EU country for at least one year
- You have a gross annual salary of at least 1.5 times the country’s national average.
EU Blue Cards are valid for one to four years and allow non-EU nationals to work in EU member states (excluding Denmark and Ireland). A Blue Card holder living in Portugal for 18 months can apply for a residence permit for researchers, medical professionals, or highly-skilled migrants.
D1 Visa
The D1 Visa, also called the Subordinate Worker Visa, is intended for individuals who have received a job offer in Portugal. This offer must have been publicly advertised and subjected to interviews but remained unfilled by a Portuguese or EU/EEA national.
This visa grants holders a temporary residency permit for an initial period of two years, with the option to renew for an additional three years. Upon obtaining the temporary residency permit, individuals can pursue family reunification and bring family members to Portugal.
After five years, they become eligible to apply for permanent residency and, subsequently, citizenship, entitling them to enjoy all the privileges associated with EU citizenship.
D2 Visa
The Portugal D2 Visa, also known as the Entrepreneur Visa, welcomes non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to establish a business or make a significant investment in Portugal. This visa is perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent service providers eager to nurture innovative projects or invest in Portuguese enterprises.
With the D2 visa, you’ll find a pathway to residency, granting you the opportunity to live and work in Portugal. Additionally, it opens the door to family reunification and the chance to apply for permanent residency and citizenship.
This visa has two categories:
- Independent professional activities – individuals who can prove their self-employment
- Entrepreneurs – those looking to start or purchase a business in Portugal
Seasonal Worker Visa
The Seasonal Work Visa, also known as the Portugal E8 Visa, allows the holder to obtain either a temporary stay visa or a residence permit. The latter allows a stay of up to 90 days and the option to extend. This extension possibility is especially advantageous for stays lasting less than a year, capped at a maximum of nine months.
It’s essential to be aware that the visa is exclusively applicable to specific sectors of employment approved by the Portuguese government, which include:
- Agriculture, stock farming, game, forestry, and fishery
- Accommodation, catering, and related fields
- Food, beverage, and tobacco industries
- Wholesale and retail trade
- Construction
- Inland transport
Individuals interested in this visa should inquire about eligibility by contacting the nearest Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate. Furthermore, it is essential to note that the Seasonal Work Visa applications must be submitted from within Portugal.
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
The D8, or the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, is designed for self-employed individuals who want to live and work in Portugal. It’s a sought-after work visa for US citizens who wish to work remotely from Europe. According to our Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Digital Nomad Report 2025, Portugal ranks 6th, scoring higher than countries like France, the UAE, and Germany.
To qualify, applicants must prove that they earn at least four times the minimum wage in Portugal, which is €3,480.00, and produce a contract of employment or statement that proves their employment relationship. It’s important to note that under this visa, individuals are prohibited from working for a company based in Portugal, and their income should originate from sources outside of Portugal.
- D8 Visa is issued within 60 days
- The initial residence permit is valid for one year but is renewable for up to five years
- Applicants are eligible for citizenship after living and meeting specific criteria for five years
D3 Portugal Tech Visa
The Portugal D3 Visa is a distinctive category aimed at drawing professionals to existing businesses in Portugal. Noteworthy advantages of this visa include expedited processing, a streamlined application procedure, and the privilege of working in Portugal for up to two years.
To apply for a D3 Tech Visa, the company you’re applying to must meet specific criteria and be accredited by the IAPMEI to qualify. While this visa is not specific to the tech industry, applicants must have a tertiary education, advanced technical skills, and experience in the field to be eligible. In addition, applicants must be proficient in either Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish to perform their duties.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa
The Portugal Job Seeker Visa allows you to live in the country while searching for a job. It is granted for 120 days and allows a single entry into Portugal. There is a 60-day extension period before the visa expires.
To apply for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa, you’ll need the relevant visa application form, two photographs, your passport, proof of status in a country other than Portugal, valid travel insurance, a criminal record certificate, an appointment with AIMA Portugal, and a return flight.
You must provide proof that you can support yourself financially. The recommended amount needs to equal three times the national minimum salary.
Before submitting your application, you must submit a declaration of interest to the Portuguese Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), the Portuguese public employment service.
How do I get a work visa in Portugal?
Getting a work visa involves several steps, including finding a job vacancy and signing a work contract with a Portuguese employer. Once hired, your employer should apply for your work permit by contacting the Portuguese Labor Authorities (Autorização de Trabalho).
Step 01/ Finding work in Portugal
Getting a job and working in Portugal as a foreigner is about understanding the local job market, navigating the application process, and meeting legal requirements. There are several job boards online, but a good starting point is some of the most well-known ones, such as Europe Language Jobs, Expatica, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Jobs In Lisbon.
Step 02/ Work permit application
Once you have accepted and signed your employment contract, your employer should apply for your work permit online through the Portuguese Labor Authorities and AIMA.
Step 03/ Portugal work visa application
After the authorities approve the Portugal work permit, you must submit the documents to the Portuguese Embassy in your home country as part of the work visa application. Once you obtain this work visa and prove that you have a guaranteed monthly minimum salary, you can legally enter the country and start working in less than six months. During this time, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
Step 04/ Residence permit application
You have already landed the job, obtained the work permit, obtained your Portuguese work visa, and traveled to Portugal safely and soundly. If you’re considering staying longer in Portugal, it’s time to apply for a Residence Permit. Your first residence permit is valid for two years and renewable for three years.
If your employer has not done so, you must register for a Social Security Number (NISS) from the Portuguese Social Security Office. It is essential for accessing various social services, including health care, pensions, unemployment benefits, and other social security benefits. Your social security is ordinarily a percentage of your earnings automatically deducted.
Step 05/ Renewing your work residency permit in Portugal
As an employee, you will be legally living and working in Portugal. The standard validation period for your residence permit is one year, and after that, it gets renewed as long as you’re still working in Portugal. Renewal can be done online through the AIMA website. After five years of residency, you can apply for Portuguese permanent residency and/or Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport.
Portugal Work Visa Requirements and Documents
Each work visa, such as the D8 or the D2, has its own set of requirements. However, in all cases, you must prepare the following documents for your visa application:
- A valid passport
- Passport-size pictures, following Schengen Visa picture guidelines
- Proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself
- Clean criminal record certificate from your last country of residence of at least 1 year.
- A document permitting AIMA to check your Portuguese criminal records
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Your signed contract
If you’re already in Portugal, you must provide proof of legal entry into Portuguese territories, such as a valid work visa. Alternatively, if you’re applying from another country outside your country of origin, you must provide proof of legal stay – such as a residence permit or valid visa.
Take note of the additional requirements for Portuguese work visa application:
- All the documents you’re submitting need to be in English or Portuguese; if not, you must have them translated by an authorized translator.
- Certain documents, such as diplomas or civil documents, may have to be legalized. You can legalize documents through an Apostille Stamp or the Portuguese Embassy or consulate in your country.
Portuguese Work Visa Processing Time and Fees
Processing time
AIMA can take up to 60 days to process the work permit application and two to three months for the Portuguese Embassy to issue an entry visa. However, depending on your specific circumstances, your visa could be processed quickly.
Fees
There is more than one fee you have to pay when applying for a Portuguese work visa.
- Cost of the entry visa issued by the Portuguese Embassy – €90
- To apply for a Portugal residence permit at AIMA – €83
- To receive the residence permit from AIMA – €72
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?
GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS
- GCS has offices located across Portugal.
- Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
- Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa.
100% APPROVAL RATE
- Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants.
- We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.
ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION
- With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application.
- Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.
TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY
- Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
