D2 Visa Portugal: The Complete Guide for 2026

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur outside the EU looking to relocate to Portugal and explore the European market?

The Portugal D2 Visa might be your key to achieving permanent residence.

Also known as Portugal’s D2 Entrepreneur Visa, it is designed for non-EU entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors looking to start or expand a business in the country.

It requires a viable business plan and proof of financial means. After five years of residence, D2 holders can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

The Portugal D2 Visa offers significant benefits, including a residency permit and visa exemption for travel across Schengen countries.

Portugal D2 Visa: Key Takeaways

The D2 Visa enables non-EU entrepreneurs and freelancers to obtain Portuguese residency through their business activities.

Also known as the Portugal Entrepreneur Visa, the program has no fixed minimum investment, but applicants must show about €11,000 in financial means for the first year.

Processing time for the D2 Visa Portugal averages 2 to 3 months.

Portugal’s D2 Visa is valid for 4 months, which leads to a 2-year residency permit that is renewable for three additional years.

Eligibility for permanent residency or citizenship after five years of legal residence.

What is the D2 Entrepreneur Visa in Portugal?

The D2 Entrepreneur Visa is one of Portugal’s many residency options for non-EU and non-EEA nationals. Specifically, it is for people who want to start a business, invest in a company, or work as independent professionals. So, if you want to move to Portugal and run your own business or work as a consultant, this residency route could be perfect for you.

Unlike the Portugal Golden Visa, the D2 doesn’t require you to invest a set amount of money. However, you’ll need to show a solid business plan, prove you have enough funds to support yourself, and explain how your work will benefit Portugal’s economy.

This could mean starting your own company, joining an existing business, or working as a freelancer or consultant in your field. In essence, you don’t need to invest money, but you do need capital to start a business.

The Portugal Entrepreneur Visa falls under the D-Visa category, which is for people who ultimately want to live in Portugal long-term. The initial visa is valid for four months, and during that time, you must exchange it for a two-year temporary residence permit.

It can be extended for an additional three years, which allows you to apply for permanent residency and eventual Portuguese citizenship.

Take a look at our
Portugal Golden Visa
Ultimate Guide by local experts

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Benefits of the Portugal D2 Visa

In addition to being able to live in the country with the 8th most powerful passport and 12th best quality of life according to our Global Passport Index 2025, here are some other benefits that come with the D2 Visa:

Opportunities for entrepreneurs:  The D2 Visa lets you start your own business or work as a freelancer in Portugal, making it a great option if you want to bring your entrepreneurial ideas to life.

Visa exemption across the Schengen Area: With the D2 Visa, you can travel freely across the Schengen Area, which covers 29 European countries, without needing to apply for extra visas. 

Family reunification: The D2 Visa allows your family to join you in Portugal. Your spouse, children, parents, or dependent siblings can all move with you and live in the country.

Route to permanent residency and citizenship: After five years (for now) of legal residency in Portugal, you’ll be eligible for a permanent residence permit and Portuguese citizenship.

Residential rights and service access: From the moment that you are a temporary resident, you and your family can use Portugal’s public healthcare system, and your children can attend local public schools.

Tax benefits

Portugal’s new Tax Incentive for Scientific, Research, and Innovation (IFICI), also known as NHR 2.0, provides specific provisions for Portugal D2 Visa applicants earning income in categories A and B. For qualifying Portugal D2 Visa applicants, the benefits include:

• A 20 percent flat tax rate on income acquired in Portugal for categories A and B.
• Possible tax exemptions on foreign-sourced income, such as dividends, interest, capital gains, and rent
• Retain tax benefits for 10 years if the conditions that gave eligibility for the IFICI do not cease.

Progressive tax rates of 48-53 percent may apply to Portugal D2 Visa applicants who don’t qualify. Pension tax exemptions do not apply under the Incentive for Scientific, Research, and Innovation regime.

Who can apply for the D2 Visa Portugal?

Entrepreneurs and business owners

If you intend to establish a new business or expand an existing Portuguese business, you must meet the following requirements:

• Obtain a tax identification number in Portugal
• Open a business bank account with a Portuguese bank
• Establish a Portuguese limited company (LDA)
• Employ a qualified accountant to handle the Portuguese tax system

Additionally, you must show that you have enough money to start and manage a company for at least a year, while also meeting annual corporation tax obligations and social security contributions. Your chances of being accepted for the D2 Visa will increase if you can show that you have:

• Made an acquisition of a Portuguese company
• A pre-existing company abroad
• Proof of intention to invest in the Portuguese territory and identified in the business plan

Freelancers and independent professionals

The other way you can apply for the D2 Visa is by proving you are a freelancer and independent professional. Also called the independent service provider route, it has fewer requirements than the entrepreneur route. Nevertheless, you still need to:

• Obtain a NIF number
• Open a bank account in Portugal
• Prove the existence of a self-employment agreement, or promise of a self-employment agreement, with a Portuguese-based company.

A few other ways in which you can structure this are by setting up a:

Sole trader with limited liability: Sole traders operate their business as individuals and are best suited for small businesses with no employees.

Individual limited liability company: By creating a “Single-Member Private Limited Company,” the owner receives limited liability protection for their personal assets and must maintain a minimum share capital of just €1.

Sole proprietorship: The simplest and most common business structure for freelancers and consultants, a sole proprietorship, known as an “empresário em nome individual,” translates to “entrepreneur in an individual name”.

However, suppose your company’s services are delivered remotely to clients located outside Portugal. Alternative options like the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa are worth considering. However, for the D8 Visa, your income must be four times the Portuguese minimum monthly salary (€920), which is equal to €3,680.

D2 Visa Requirements

Required business documents

Business plan: A comprehensive business plan is required, which will be rigorously evaluated based on its social, economic, and cultural implications. Your business plan must demonstrate how your business will prosper, stimulate the Portuguese economy, and aid Portugal’s economic growth by paying corporate tax. Your business plan also needs to include:

• Personal and company NIF number
• Social Security number
• Business certification
• Social Security tax receipts
• Your Portuguese business bank account details
• Bank statement with proof of capital transfer
• Employment contracts

Investment declaration: A declaration indicating that you have invested or intend to invest in Portugal, detailing the investment’s type, worth, and timeframe, is required. Factors such as your investment’s economic, social, scientific, technological, environmental, or cultural value will be considered when assessing your visa application. Plus, creating job openings in Portugal will significantly enhance your application.

Financial ability: Proof of your ability to support and maintain your company throughout your planned stay in the country is essential, particularly to demonstrate that you can generate sufficient business income to pay corporate tax. Demonstrating the financial viability of your business and its capability to prosper during your stay in Portugal is crucial.

Share capital: The share capital is the minimum initial investment needed to ensure the business operates smoothly, even when it may not profit. In Portugal, small businesses usually have an average share capital of €5,000, a benchmark worth considering when applying.

Company establishment: Evidence of having set up a company within Portuguese jurisdiction or of having adequate financial resources in Portugal, as well as documents indicating your ability to establish a company in the country, is required.

Service contract: Independent service providers must include a written contract or proposal outlining their service provision in their applications.

Required personal documents

NIF and Portuguese bank account: To apply for a D2 Visa in Portugal, you must obtain a tax identification number from the Portuguese tax authorities and open a personal and a business Portuguese bank account. These two steps are essential for the D2 Visa application process.

Criminal background check: You’ll usually need to provide a recent criminal record certificate from every country where you’ve lived for more than a year. Make sure each certificate is less than three months old when you apply. Having a criminal record doesn’t always mean you can’t get a visa. What matters is the type of crime and its seriousness.

Designation of a tax representative: Non-EU citizens must appoint a tax representative in Portugal as part of the D2 Visa application process.

Personal financial requirements: You must provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your dependents for a year, such as bank statements separate from your business earnings. If you are the main applicant, you must have a minimum balance of €11,040 (the annual minimum salary in Portugal) in a bank account in Portugal. This balance increases with each family dependent you want to include:

• An extra 50 percent (€5,520) is needed for a spouse or any other family member over 18,
• An extra 30 percent (€3,312) is needed for each family member under 18.

For example, a family of four with two adults and two minors must meet minimum income requirements and maintain at least €23,184 in their Portuguese bank account during the family reunification period.

Proof of accommodation in Portugal: Proof of secure accommodation in Portugal must be provided. This can take the form of a rental contract, property ownership documents, or a letter of invitation from a friend or relative who is a legal resident of Portugal.

Travel insurance cover: You should have at least six months of travel insurance coverage, which covers the initial four-month Portugal D2 Visa and the waiting period for registering as a resident with AIMA. Once you receive your temporary residence permit, you’ll be eligible for Portuguese state healthcare.

Other personal documents required are:

• Completed D2 Visa application form
• A valid passport and a certified copy of it, which must be valid for at least six months after your visa expires
• Two color photographs (3×5 cm)
• Proof of financial resources
• Proof of health insurance

Applying for a Portugal D2 Visa

If you already have a business plan or a company in Portugal, the process of applying for the D2 Visa usually takes about two to three months and happens in two phases.

In the first phase, most of your documents, including your business plan, are submitted to the Portuguese Embassy or consulate in your country of residence. When your initial application is approved, you’ll be asked to attend an interview, during which you may be required to explain certain aspects of your business plan.

Once that is done and approved, you’ll be issued a D2 Visa, which will allow you to enter Portugal. During this four-month period, you’ll need to attend an appointment with AIMA to convert your visa into a residency permit.

The application steps are rather simple:

• Get a Portuguese taxpayer identification number (NIF)
• Open a personal and business Portuguese bank account and deposit funds into it
• Arrange for long-term accommodation in Portugal
• Apply for the Portugal D2 Visa through the E-Visa Portal or VFS Global.

Common Reasons for D2 Visa Refusal

Most D2 Visa applicants aren’t refused based on whether they qualify on paper, but rather because of administrative issues like missing documents, unclear finances, or a business plan that doesn’t seem convincing. Here are some of the most common reasons why a D2 Visa is refused:

Unconvincing business plan: By far the most common reason for refusal is a business plan that doesn’t show how your idea will actually work in Portugal. Authorities want to see a clear business model, who your customers will be, how you’ll price your services, what your costs are, and how much you expect to earn.

Insufficient financials: You’ll need to prove you have enough personal savings to live in Portugal, separate from any money you’re investing in your business. Refusals often happen if your bank statements are confusing, if you’ve just deposited a large sum without explaining where it came from, or if your balance doesn’t look high enough to cover your living costs and business setup.

Lacking economic relevance: Not every business idea is a good idea, and what works elsewhere might not work in Portugal. Applications are commonly refused when the proposed activity is deemed to have a low economic impact or minimal contribution to the Portuguese economy. Businesses that appear purely nominal, passive, or designed only to secure residency tend to raise red flags.

Don’t have the skills: During the application process, the authorities will look at whether you have the right skills and experience to run the business you’re proposing. For example, if you want to open a restaurant but have no background in hospitality, your application could be refused. For this reason, they might require you to attend an interview to clarify any concerns.

Portugal D2 Visa Costs and Fees

How to get Portugal Citizenship after the D2 Visa

Once you’ve resided legally in Portugal for five years (for now) on a Portugal D2 Visa, you can apply for citizenship or permanent residence.

Permanent residence and citizenship requirements

To apply for a permanent residency permit through the Portuguese Entrepreneur Visa, you will need to fulfill several key criteria:

• Permanent residency requirement: You must have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
• Financial stability: You must prove that you have stable and regular resources sufficient to support yourself.
• Accommodation: You must demonstrate that you have a place to live in Portugal.
• Clean criminal record: You must have a clean criminal record. This generally means that you have not been convicted of any crime with a prison sentence of more than one year in Portugal.
• Social Security: You must be registered with Portuguese Social Security and demonstrate regular contributions throughout your residence. This will require getting an NISS number, which is essentially the same as a Social Security number in the US.
• Integration into Portuguese society: This includes community involvement or other evidence of your commitment to living and integrating into Portuguese society.
• Language: If you are from a non-Portuguese-speaking country, you must demonstrate an A2-level proficiency in the Portuguese language.

Portugal D2 Visa vs. the D7 and Golden Visas: What option to choose?

Each Portuguese visa is designed for different types of people, depending on their financial situation, plans, and reasons for moving. Choosing the right one comes down to your income, whether you want to start a business, and your long-term goals in Portugal. Here is a quick look at how the D2 Visa stacks up against the Portugal D7 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa:

An additional visa is the Portugal HQA Visa, or the Portugal Highly Qualified Visa, which aims to attract workers with high professional qualifications. Similarly, it is a two-year contract designed for those with the promise of a work contract or self-employed contract.