The D3 Visa Portugal is a priority residence visa aimed at attracting workers with high professional qualifications to Portugal. It’s designed for highly qualified workers who already have a promise of an employment contract, an employment contract, a promise of a self-employed contract, or a valid self-employed contract in Portugal.
This residence visa allows highly qualified professionals to apply for a temporary Portuguese residence permit that is initially valid for two years. After 18 months of legally residing in Portugal, the holder of the D3 Visa can apply for the European Union (EU) Blue Card. The Blue Card allows its holders to reside and work in 25 of the 27 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Denmark).
The Portugal D3 Visa provides highly qualified professionals who have adequate qualifications with an array of attractive benefits. These include legally approved residence in Portugal, the possibility of family reunification, and advantageous tax benefits.
The D3 Visa is also a path toward a permanent residence permit and EU citizenship. If you’re a holder of this visa, after five years of living permanently in Portugal, you can apply to obtain permanent residency and eventually get Portuguese citizenship.
The visa also has benefits for employers, giving them a fast track system to hire specialists from outside the Schengen Area, with processing taking between 30 days and 60 days.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down all the essential information you need to know about the Portugal D3 Visa, including its long-term benefits for highly qualified professionals, the eligibility requirements, the documents needed for the visa application, and more.
What is the D3 Visa?
The Portugal D3 Visa is a priority settlement visa aimed at attracting highly qualified professionals to Portugal. Also known as a Highly Qualified Activity Permit or the Highly Qualified Individuals Work Visa, this special long-term stay visa can be requested by highly qualified professionals who already have confirmed employment opportunities or a self-employed contract to provide services to a Portuguese company.
The visa allows highly qualified workers with adequate qualifications to apply for a temporary residency permit that is initially valid for two years. After five years of legal residence in Portugal, the visa holder can apply for a permanent Portuguese residence permit or the European Union (EU) Blue Card.
As well as being able to obtain residency in Portugal, the Portugal D3 Visa applicant also becomes eligible to obtain a Portuguese passport and citizenship.
What is a Highly Qualified Activity?
So what exactly is a “highly qualified activity”? According to Portuguese Law on Foreigners, highly qualified work is “the exercise of an activity that requires specialized technical skills of an exceptional nature or an adequate qualification for the respective exercise of the function.”
The European Commission defines a highly qualified activity as that exercised by professionals falling into either of the two following groups:
- Management and leadership positions: As executives, officers, and legislators; senior public administration officers, directors; administrative and commercial managers; service and similar managers; company directors.
- Specialists in intellectual and scientific activities: Engineers and scientists, health professionals, teachers, business and management professionals, cultural professionals, legal experts, and IT professionals (there are two different regimes to apply for the Portugal D3 Visa — the general regime and the Tech Visa — and IT professionals are eligible for both).
D3 Visa Benefits
Possibility of obtaining a Portuguese residence permit
Within four months, the holder of the Portugal D3 Visa can get a temporary residence permit valid for two years.
This Portuguese residence permit can be obtained by highly qualified professionals from AIMA (which replaced SEF as the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service). It allows you to live, work officially, and pay taxes in Portugal.
Qualification for Portuguese citizenship
After five years of legally authorized residence, you qualify to apply for permanent Portuguese residency. You also become eligible to request both citizenship and a Portuguese passport.
Please note that acquiring citizenship usually involves passing a basic Portuguese language test.
Visa-free entry and free circulation in the Schengen Area
Aside from legally authorized residence in Portugal, the D3 allows holders to travel to the 27 countries in the Schengen Area without additional visas.
A relatively quick process
The Portuguese government considers the D3 priority settlement visa, so it intends to fast track applications. Therefore, these visas are processed between 30 and 60 days.
Eligibility for the EU Blue Card
Once you have held legal residency status in Portugal, you become qualified to obtain the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is a legal document that grants holders the possibility to work and live in 25 of the 27 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Denmark).
You may also apply for a European Union (EU) Blue Card after 18 months of legally residing in Portugal.
Family reunification
Family members (including the spouse, children, parents, or siblings, dependent on either spouse) can join the applicant in Portugal through family reunification.
EU citizenship birthright for your children
Children born to legal residents in Portugal for 12 months acquire EU citizenship birthright.
Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime
As a holder of the D3 Visa, you can apply for the Non-Habitual Resident tax benefits of Portugal.
NHR tax regime eligibility
The Portugal HQA Visa offers several tax benefits to qualified individuals. You may be eligible to apply for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, for instance, which allows you to enjoy significant income tax advantages for up to 10 years. If you transfer your tax residency to Portugal and your home country has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Portugal, you may be entitled to tax exemption on rental income, pension, dividends, royalties, profit from real estate, and income from non-Portuguese sources. In that case, you would be required to only pay taxes in your own nation.
Through the NHR Program, if your job is considered “high value” (very likely within D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa), you only pay a 20 percent flat rate on personal income tax (IRS).
You qualify if you have not been part of the NHR regime before and if you have not been a Portuguese resident in the last five years.
Is NHR ending?
The State Budget Law for 2024 determined the end of the NHR regime from 1st January 2024. However, certain individuals can still apply up until 31st March 2025, and the scheme is being replaced by the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation, which has now been implemented. To learn more, please refer to Is The Portugal NHR Ending?
Portugal D3 Visa Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
D3 Visa requirements
To apply for the D3 Visa at the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate, the applicant must already have a valid employment contract or a self-employed contract to provide services to a Portuguese company.
As well as having employment contracts, attract must also fulfill the following specific requirements:
- A clean criminal record, proven by a criminal record certificate
- That the activity to be developed is framed as a highly qualified activity and that the professional proves adequate qualifications or experience to carry it out
- That the contract is for an indefinite period or for at least one year
- Provide evidence that its expected annual salary is at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the social support index (IAS).* However, for employment in professions considered particularly in need of third-country nationals, 1.2 times the national average gross wage or twice the IAS value is permitted.
D3 Visa required documents
The required Portugal D3 Visa documents are:
- Two identical passport photographs
- A valid passport (it be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay duration)
- Proof of travel (typically the flight reservation with the name of the traveler and date of entry into Portugal)
- Proof of accommodation for the applicant and their family (such as a rental contract, a hotel reservation, or a signed invitation letter from a friend or family member legally residing in Portugal)
- Valid travel insurance that includes health insurance
- A criminal record certificate issued by the applicant’s country of origin
- A completed form allowing the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (AIMA, which replaced SEF in performing this role) to access your criminal record certificate
- Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Portugal. The proof of means of subsistence can be made through a statement of responsibility signed by the entity that will be hosting you. You should also submit bank statements and tax returns.
- An invitation letter from a professional training institution if applying for a Portuguese education institution, such as a teacher or researcher
- A valid employment contract or a promise of employment with a recognized establishment with operations within the Portuguese territory
- For regulated professions, proof of professional qualifications allowing you to practice in Portugal is required
- For non-regulated professions, a professional certificate relevant to the activity or sector specified in your employment contract
- Marriage certificate if you include your spouse in your visa application
- Children’s birth certificates if you include your dependent children in your visa application
- A completed D3 Visa application form
D3 Visa Application Process
How to apply for the Portugal D3 Visa
The D3 Visa application varies according to the Portuguese Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
It may be done through one or the other following options depending on the jurisdiction:
- The E-Visa Portal, which is the Portuguese Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence
- VFS Global (an intermediary appointment system)
Afterward, applicants must schedule their Portugal D3 Visa interview at a Visa Application Centre or the Portuguese Consulate. Portugal aims to fast track processing for this visa, so applicants under the D3 scheme can expect a swift 30-day processing time.
Once the process is completed successfully, the visa will be issued to the applicant.
The visa will be valid for 120 days and allows double entry in Portugal within its validity.
Upon arrival in Portugal, applicants should apply for their residence permits within four months.
Getting a Portuguese residency permit
After securing your D3 Visa, you can travel to Portugal. The next step is obtaining your Portuguese residence permit. Here’s how:
- Schedule an appointment with AIMA (which replaced Portugal’s Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, SEF) either by phone or online.
- Attend your appointment at the AIMA with all necessary documents similar to those submitted for your D3 Visa application.
- Depending on your eligibility, you may receive a Highly Qualified Professional permit or an EU Blue Card, both valid for one year initially.
- Renewal grants two more years of validity, and after five years, you can apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship.
Portugal D3 Visa Processing Time and Fees
The D3 Visa processing time is between 30 days and 60 days, which is relatively fast compared to other programs, such as the Portugal Golden Visa and the D7 Visa.
The application fee depends on each country, but it usually costs €90. This amount is non-refundable even if your application is rejected, which is why it’s advisable to work with immigration lawyers in order to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements, have all the required documents, and your application process goes smoothly.
You’ll also need to pay for your residence permit, which usually costs €85. This residence permit application can take between two and twelve weeks.
As well as the fees, you should factor in additional costs such as relocation to Portugal, accommodation, and legal fees if you work with Portuguese immigration lawyers on your application (which may be covered by your employer).
Can I apply for permanent residency or citizenship with a Portugal D3 Visa?
The Portugal D3 Visa offers a pathway to obtaining permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal. However, meeting the eligibility criteria and maintaining a clean criminal record during five years of residency in the country are prerequisites for these opportunities.
Upon completing five consecutive years of residency in Portugal, individuals become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. There’s an additional requirement to pass CIPLE, a Portuguese language test requiring basic proficiency.
Portugal provides one of the swiftest routes to citizenship within the EU, contrasting with Greece, where the process takes seven years, and Spain, where it takes ten years.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the D3 Portugal Visa
What is the D3 Visa in Portugal?
Also known as the Highly Qualified Activity Visa, the D3 is aimed at attracting highly qualified professionals to Portugal. These could be individuals with a formal job offer or a binding contract from a Portuguese employer. After five years of legal residence in Portugal, you can apply for citizenship.
Who is eligible to apply for a D3 Visa Portugal?
Non-EU citizens with higher education or higher professional technical qualifications – who have an employment contract or a self-employed contract for at least 12 months, which must state the position and the qualified specialty – can apply for the D3 Visa Portugal.
What is the difference between a D1 and a D3 Visa in Portugal?
The D1 Visa is designed for professionals who have already accepted an offer of employment in Portugal (and it’s not to seek a job in Portuguese territory). The D3 serves a similar function to the D1. The main difference is it targets workers with a higher level of qualification (such as academic degrees) in their chosen fields (such as workers in leadership or management positions in public administration or specialists in intellectual and scientific activities).
Can I work while on a D3 Visa in Portugal?
Yes, the Highly Qualified Activity Visa is a work visa that allows you to relocate to Portugal to work there, provided you have a work contract or a formal job offer.
How long is the D3 Visa valid for?
The D3 Work Visa grants residency and work permits initially valid for two years. After the initial two years, you must renew it, and it will be valid for consecutive periods of three years.
Is it possible to renew the D3 Visa?
The D3 Visa holder can get a temporary residence permit for two years. This permit can be renewed for consecutive periods of three years. After five years, the individual can apply for permanent residence in Portugal, as well as Portuguese citizenship.
Can I extend the D3 Visa?
No, the D3 Visa can’t be extended. The visa holder can apply for a temporary residence permit for two years. This permit can be renewed for consecutive periods of three years.
Can I bring my family members with me on a D3 Visa to Portugal?
Every applicant for a residence visa can bring their family members to Portugal through the family accompanying visa. This can be requested simultaneously with the residence visa of the main applicant, provided that they have enough means of subsistence for the family.
To apply for this, you’ll need to provide documents such as a marriage certificate if you include your spouse as well as your children’s birth certificates if applicable.
If successful, any family members you include in your application will receive residence permits.
What are the financial requirements for a D3 Visa application?
Applicants must provide evidence that their expected annual salary is at least 1.5 times the gross national average salary or three times the Index of Social Support (IAS), which is €509.26 in 2024.
What are the employment contract requirements for the D3 Visa application?
You must have one of the following:
- An employment contract, formal job offer, or service provider contract
- An invitation letter issued by a higher Portuguese education institution or professional training institution
- A statement of responsibility provided by a certified Portuguese company as stipulated by law
- An invitation letter issued by a Portuguese company or institute developing a relevant cultural activity (an invitation letter of this kind would need to be approved by the government agency responsible for cultural activities)
Do I need health insurance for a D3 Visa in Portugal?
Yes, you’ll need valid travel insurance that includes medical coverage, encompassing medical emergencies and repatriation. Your health insurance must be valid for the duration of your stay in Portugal.
Can I study in Portugal on a D3 Visa?
Yes, you can study, work, open a bank account, set up a company in Portugal on D3 Visa. While you can study in Portugal with this visa, it’s primarily aimed at highly qualified professionals intending to work in the country. If your intention is to study in Portugal, you may want to consider a student visa.
What happens if my D3 Visa application is denied?
If your D3 Visa application is denied, the Portuguese Consulate will issue a rejection proposal, which is subject to challenge and appeal. If you find yourself in this situation, the best course of action is to seek advice from immigration lawyers.
The most common reasons for D3 Visa denial include incomplete information and past visa violations.
Can I apply for a permanent residency permit after being on a D3 Visa in Portugal?
Yes, you can apply for permanent Portuguese residence following a D3 Visa if you have held a temporary residence permit and have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
Are there any Portuguese language requirements for a D3 Visa?
No, there are no Portuguese language requirements for the D3 Visa. Instead, the focus is on skills and experience relevant to the position that they will assume in Portugal.
Can I switch to a different type of visa while in Portugal on a D3 Visa?
The applicant must start a new process for the appropriate type of visa, although they may change to the residence permit once they are here.
Can I leave and re-enter Portugal while on a D3 Visa?
You can leave and enter the Schengen Area twice during the validity of the visa (120 days). Once you have the residence permit, you’ll be free to leave and re-enter Portugal freely. However, you cannot be absent from the country for six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during the validity of your residence permit.
Is there a visa waiver for the Highly Qualified Activity Visa?
It’s possible to enjoy the benefits of a visa waiver, but this is an exception. Applicants are exempt from the residence visa requirement if they have legally entered and remained in national territory.
What is the difference between D1 and D3 Visa in Portugal?
The D1 Visa is for people who already have a formal job offer in Portugal. It is known as a subordinate worker visa, for a work contract of a minimum of one year, and there is no requirement on the sector the job is in, or whether you are a highly qualified professional.
The D3 can be applied to those with the promise of an employment contract or who already have an employment contract. The D3 Visa is for those with higher professional technical qualifications, such as those with specialised technical skills.
What is the difference between D3 Visa and Blue Card in Portugal?
Obtaining an EU Blue Card allows you to work and live in 25 of the 27 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Denmark).
There are no specific requirements for the type of work, but you must have an employment contract in the country you are applying.
Those with three years of education and/or professional experience in any one working profession can apply for the Blue Card.
What are the benefits of the D3 Visa?
Some advantages of the D3 Visa include family reunification, visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen area, and the possibility to reside legally in Portugal. Holders of the D3 Visa can also obtain residency in Portugal permanently, provided they meet the requirements.
What is a highly qualified activity in Portugal?
Portuguese Law on Foreigners defines highly qualified work as “the exercise of an activity that requires specialised technical skills of an exceptional nature or an adequate qualification for the respective exercise of the function.”
What is proof of accommodation for the D3 Visa?
The proof of accommodation in Portugal can be in the form of a rental contract, a hotel reservation, a letter of invitation from a citizen legally residing in Portugal (such as a family member or friend), or proof of property ownership.
Who is eligible for D3 Visa in Portugal?
To apply for the D3 at the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate, the individual must be a non-EU-national, and must already have a valid employment contract or a self-employed contract to provide services to a Portuguese company.
What are the D3 Visa requirements for tech professionals?
To apply for the D3 Visa, tech professionals will need to provide:
- A clean criminal record
- Proof that the activity to be developed is framed as a highly qualified activity
- Proof that the work contract is for an indefinite period or for at least one year
- Evidence that its expected annual salary is at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the social support index (IAS)*
Is the Portugal HQA Visa Better than the Golden Visa?
To choose between the Portugal HQA Visa (Highly Qualified Activity Visa) and the Golden Visa, consider this: The HQA Visa is for skilled workers or entrepreneurs, while the Golden Visa is for investors. Think about your skills, investment abilities, and long-term residency plans to decide which one suits you best.
