Joana Mendonça
If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and want to relocate to Portugal, there are several visa options available. However, if you have high-level professional qualifications, you might qualify for Portugal’s D3 Visa.
It is perfectly suited for engineers, scientists, health professionals, or teachers, as it lets applicants apply for a temporary Portuguese residence permit, initially valid for two years.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain all the essential information about the Portugal D3 Visa, including:
What is the D3 Visa Portugal?
The Portugal D3 Visa is a priority settlement visa designed to attract highly qualified professionals to Portugal. It provides residency and work permits after one year of participating in high-skill activities in the country.
Also known as the Portugal Highly Qualified Activity visa, you can renew your permit for up to five years. After five years of temporary residency, you can apply for a Portuguese residence permit.
It provides a two-year residence permit and additionally allows holders and their families to enter Portugal and apply for the EU Blue Card after 18 months, which permits residency and work in 25 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Denmark).
The D3 Visa offers benefits like legal residence, family reunification, tax advantages, a pathway to permanent residence, and ultimately EU citizenship after five years. It also provides employers with a streamlined process to hire specialists from outside the Schengen Area, with a processing time of 30 to 60 days.
What 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.”
For example, highly qualified professionals can be classified as business and management professionals, senior public administration officers, experts with professional qualifications in science or education, health professionals, or IT specialists with a professional certificate or a bachelor’s degree in a specific field.
The European Commission defines a highly qualified activity as that exercised by professionals falling into either of the two following groups:
Benefits of the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
Portuguese residence permit: Highly Qualified Professionals Visa holders can get a temporary residence visa valid for two years. It allows you to live, work, and access state-funded health insurance and a social security number.
Portuguese citizenship: After five years of legally authorized residence, you qualify to apply for permanent Portuguese residency, citizenship, and a Portuguese passport.
Schengen Area travel: D3 holders can travel to the 29 countries in the Schengen Area without additional visas.
Quick process: The Portuguese government considers the D3 priority settlement visa, so it intends to fast-track applications and they 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, which allows holders to work and live in 25 of the 27 EU countries (excluding Ireland and Denmark).
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: Children born to legal residents in Portugal for 12 months acquire EU citizenship birthright.
D3 Visa Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the D3 Visa, you must have:
- A valid employment contract or a self-employed service provider contract for a Portuguese company.
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a non-EU/EEA national
As well as having employment contracts, for a Portuguese D3 visa, you must have a higher education degree and relevant work experience in specialised skill sectors that are in demand in Portugal.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide evidence that the expected annual salary is at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the social support index (IAS).
However, employment in professions considered particularly in need of third-country nationals is permitted at 1.2 times the national average gross wage or twice the IAS value. Eligible professionals include:
- Management and leadership positions: As executives, officers, and legislators, senior public administration officers, directors, administrative and commercial managers, service and similar managers, and 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 Requirements
This visa is aimed at highly qualified professionals or researchers, so the employment contract needed for the D3 Visa application in Portugal must comply with several requirements:
- Clearly show that you have the necessary qualifications and expertise for a highly skilled role.
- State that your salary will be at least 1.5 times the national average gross wage or three times the value of the social support index (IAS).
- Specify the duration of the employment contract – this should be for at least one year or an indefinite period.
There’s a slight variation for US nationals. If you’re applying from the US, your expected annual salary needs to be equivalent to at least 1.2 times the national average annual gross salary or twice the IAS value. It’s worth noting that this visa route is often prioritized for specialized talent, which can mean a quicker path to residency.
Required documents
The required visa documents are:
- Two identical passport photographs
- A valid passport
- Proof of travel
- Proof of accommodation for the applicant and their family
- Valid travel insurance that includes health insurance
- A criminal record certificate issued by the applicant’s country of origin
- A completed form allowing AIMA 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 application varies according to the Portuguese Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. It may be done through one of the following options, depending on the jurisdiction:
- The E-Visa Portal, which is the Portuguese Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence, or the Portugal D3 Visa official website
- VFS Global (an intermediary appointment system)
Afterward, applicants must schedule their visa interview at a Visa Application Centre or the Portuguese Consulate. Portugal aims to fast-track processing for this visa so that 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 legal residency status or permits within four months.
Getting a Portuguese residency permit
After securing your visa, you can travel to Portugal. The next step is obtaining your Portuguese residence permit. Here’s how:
- Schedule an appointment with AIMA either by phone or online.
- Attend your appointment at AIMA with all the necessary documents required.
- Depending on your eligibility, you may receive a Highly Qualified Professional permit or an EU Blue Card, both of which are initially valid for one year.
- Renewal grants two more years of validity, and after five years, you can apply for permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
Processing Time and Fees
The Portugal D3 Visa processing time is between 30 and 60 days, which is relatively fast compared to other programs, such as the Portugal Golden Visa and the Portugal 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, so it’s advisable to work with immigration lawyers to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements, have all the required documents, and that your application process goes smoothly.
You’ll also need to pay for your residence permit, which usually costs €85. The application process can take two to twelve weeks.
In addition to 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 the company that holds your work contract.
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. Applicants must also remain employed and retain employment contracts during that period.
Upon completing five consecutive years of residency in Portugal, individuals can apply for Portuguese citizenship. An additional requirement is passing 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Portugal D3 Visa
What is a D3 Visa in Portugal?
The D3 Visa in Portugal is a residence visa for highly qualified professionals such as researchers, professors, IT specialists, or senior executives. It allows non-EU nationals to live and work in Portugal and is often a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
What is the salary for D3 Visa in Portugal?
The salary requirement for a D3 Visa in Portugal is at least 1.5 times the national minimum wage. In 2025, this means a minimum gross monthly salary of €1,200 to €1,300. This ensures applicants meet the “highly qualified” threshold set by Portuguese immigration authorities.
How long is the D3 Visa valid for in Portugal?
The D3 Visa in Portugal is initially valid for four months, during which the holder must apply for a residence permit. The residence permit is typically valid for two years and can be renewed for three more years, allowing a total stay of up to five years before applying for permanent residency.
Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal D3 Visa?
Eligibility for the Portugal D3 Visa includes non-EU nationals with a job offer or contract in a highly qualified profession, such as IT, engineering, science, or academia. Applicants must have recognized qualifications or experience, and their salary must meet the minimum threshold of 1.5 times the national wage.
What are the main requirements for the Portugal D3 Visa?
The main requirements for the Portugal D3 Visa include a valid job offer or contract in a highly qualified role, proof of academic or professional qualifications, a salary of at least 1.5 times the national minimum wage, valid health insurance, a clean criminal record, and accommodation in Portugal.
How does the D3 Visa differ from other Portuguese visas?
The main difference between the D3 visa and other Portuguese visas is that the D3 targets highly qualified professionals, offering a faster path to residency and EU Blue Card eligibility. Unlike tourist or standard work visas, the D3 requires specific skills, higher salaries, and academic or professional credentials.
What is the Portugal D3 Visa processing time?
The processing time for the Portugal D3 visa typically ranges from 30 to 60 days. This includes consular processing time after submission and scheduling of the residence permit appointment in Portugal. Delays may occur based on applicant volume, documentation issues, or embassy workload.
Can the Portugal D3 Visa be fast-tracked?
The Portugal D3 visa can be fast-tracked in some cases, especially for applicants with urgent job placements or those applying through employers partnered with AIMA. While standard processing takes 30–60 days, fast-tracking may reduce it to 15–30 days depending on documentation and embassy efficiency.
Can family members join a D3 Visa holder in Portugal?
Yes, family members can join a D3 visa holder in Portugal through the family reunification process. Spouses, minor children, and dependent family members are eligible. Applicants must show proof of relationship, sufficient income, and accommodation to support the family in Portugal.
Does the D3 Visa allow travel within the Schengen Zone?
Yes, the D3 visa allows travel within the Schengen Zone. Once issued, it grants short-term visa-free access to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers must still carry valid identification and comply with each country’s entry rules.
