Portugal’s immigration requirements depend on your nationality, how long you plan to stay, and which type of visa or residence permit you need.
In 2026, if you are a non-EU national, you’ll usually need to apply for a long-stay visa before coming to Portugal, and then get a residence permit once you arrive.
Whether you’re moving to Portugal for work, retirement, investment, or remote work, there are several visa options to choose from.
In this guide, we’ll break down Portugal’s current immigration requirements, who needs a visa or residence permit, what documents you’ll need, and the main legal pathways available in 2026.
Portugal Immigration: Key Takeaways
Who needs a visa to immigrate to Portugal?
You need a visa to immigrate to Portugal if you are a citizen of a non-EU country. This includes citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, even though they can stay visa-free in Portugal for up to 90 days within a six-month period.
However, EU nationals can enter Portugal simply by showing their identity cards. However, they must request a registration certificate if they intend to stay for more than 3 months. After five years (for now) of living in Portugal, European citizens can obtain a permanent residence certificate.
Visas are processed by the Portuguese Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Global in your country of residence, while residency permits are issued by the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
- Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland: Don’t need a visa to immigrate
- Citizens of non-EU countries: Do need a visa to immigrate to Portugal
⚠️ Portugal Nationality Law Changes 2025
On June 23, 2025, the Portuguese Government announced plans to amend the Nationality Law and the legal framework governing immigration. The proposals have passed the plenary vote on October 28, 2025, which marks a significant step forward in the legislative process.
Among the measures under discussion are an increase in the residence requirement for nationality from five years to ten years – seven years for nationals of CPLP and EU countries – and a change to how residency time is calculated, so that the clock would start when residency is issued rather than when the application is submitted.
These changes are not yet law. They must still undergo Presidential review. At that stage, the President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text may still be amended, including any transitional provisions or possible grandfathering rules, but they might not be enacted because the law is not final until its promulgated.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
Portugal Immigration Requirements
According to Portugal’s immigration policy, when applying for a visa, you must submit a visa application form to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Ensure you download the Portuguese visa application form specific to the visa.
Visa processing time for Portugal can range from two weeks to two to three months, so start your application process early.
Documents required for a Portugal visa include:
- Two passport photos
- Your passport and copies of previous visas
- Clean criminal record
- Travel insurance for Portugal
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Enough money to sustain yourself
Legal Entry vs Legal Stay in Portugal
For purposes of immigration, you should understand that there is a fundamental difference between a residency visa and a residency permit. A residency visa is an entry document that allows you to travel to Portugal with the intent to stay long-term. Once in Portugal, you must apply for a residency permit, which legally allows you to live in the country for an extended period. Essentially, the visa gets you into Portugal, while the permit lets you stay.
If you are unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult a Portugal immigration lawyer. They are experts on immigration matters, giving you insight into all the legal ways of entering Portugal and how to effectively deal with Portuguese authorities, such as the immigration and borders service.
Portugal Visa Types for Immigration
Portugal visa entry requirements depend on your situation and citizenship. You can apply for either a temporary stay visa or a long-term residency visa. There are three distinct visa categories, excluding the Schengen Visa, which is for tourists.
Temporary stay visa: This visa allows you to enter Portugal and is valid for four months. It is granted for situations like receiving medical treatment, conducting scientific research, or engaging in sports activities.
Portuguese residency visa: The Portugal residency visa is the first step in getting long-term residency in Portugal. Similar to the temporary stay visa, it allows for several entries into Portugal and is valid for four months. It must be converted into a temporary residence permit after that. The visa is given for the purposes of self-employment or entrepreneurial activities, retirees, investors, and higher education programs.
Portugal work visa: Whether you need a Portugal work visa depends on your nationality and the length of your employment. For non-EU nationals, a short-term work visa is available for work contracts lasting less than six months and can be extended for up to a year. For long-term work, a residency visa is needed.
National Visas for Long Term Immigration in 2026
If you’re a non-EU citizen looking to get long-term residency in Portugal, several Portugal visa programs are available. It’s important to reiterate that the visa is the means of entering Portugal, but it must be converted into a residency permit to remain.
Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa lets non-EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens get a Portuguese residence permit by making a qualifying investment in the country.
Launched in 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa, also known as the Portugal Investment Visa or Golden Passport, was designed to attract foreign investment and boost the economy. It’s now one of Europe’s most popular residency programs, thanks to its straightforward process and attractive benefits.
With the Golden Visa, you and your family can live, work, and study in Portugal, plus travel freely throughout the Schengen Zone. After five years (for now), you can apply for Portuguese citizenship without needing to live in Portugal full-time.
To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must:
- Maintain a clean criminal record. Legal consultation is recommended if necessary.
- Be a non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA national.
- Invest a minimum of €200,000 in cultural projects or €500,000 in a Portugal Golden Visa investment fund, among others.
- Spend seven days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in the subsequent years.
D2 Startup Visa
The D2 Startup Visa is open to non-EU residents or people not residing in the Schengen area. This visa is for entrepreneurs who want to attract investments to Portugal. Applicants can either have an existing business they wish to expand to Portugal or a new project they intend to create within the country. To qualify for the visa, entrepreneurs must have their business approved by the IAPMEI body before applying for a startup visa.
D7 Visa
The Portugal D7 Visa is a popular option for non-EU citizens who want to live in Portugal without making a big investment. As long as you can show you have enough funds to support yourself, the D7 offers a straightforward path to residency.
Often called the Passive Income Visa, the D7 is designed for retirees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to enjoy Portugal’s quality of life without needing to invest a large sum. You’ll need to show a regular passive income that meets the official requirements.
The D7 Visa can be renewed and, after five years, you can apply for permanent residency. Once you’ve held residency for five years, you may also be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the other legal requirements.
Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the D8 Visa, was introduced by the Portuguese government in 2022. This visa is specifically designed for digital nomads, including freelancers, remote employees, self-employed individuals, and entrepreneurs who wish to acquire a residence permit and live and work in Portugal.
Eligibility for the Digital Nomad Visa includes:
- Income requirements: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient income, at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
- Residential property: You must rent or purchase residential property in Portugal, providing proof through a rental agreement or property ownership documentation.
The D8 Visa allows multiple entries into Portugal and permits the application for a residence permit. The residency permit can be extended for up to five years. For those intending to stay for less than a year, the temporary stay visa may be a suitable option, offering a maximum validity of one year.
With the Digital Nomad Visa, remote workers can enjoy the benefits of living in Portugal, with the flexibility to renew their residency status as needed. This visa ensures that digital nomads have the means of subsistence to support themselves during their stay within Portuguese territory.
To qualify, you will need to make four times Portugal’s minimum wage or more, which totals €3,680.00 per month.
Portugal Tech Visa
The Portuguese government introduced the D3 Visa Portugal (Tech Visa) to attract highly qualified tech talent to Portugal. Nationals from countries outside the Schengen Area can apply, provided they meet the following requirements:
- The applicant must be a third-country national who does not reside in the European Union.
- All tax obligations must be fulfilled.
- The applicant must have a clean criminal record and be at least 18 years old at the time of the Portugal visa application.
- The applicant must have completed a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level 6 according to ISCED 2011, or level 5 (tertiary-level education) with five years of experience in specialized technical functions.
- The applicant must hold proficiency in Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish appropriate to the functions/duties to be performed.
Family Reunification Visa
Also known as the Family Reunification Visa, the D6 Visa Portugal allows family members of foreign nationals who are legally residing in Portugal to join them.
If you have come to Portugal on another visa, like the D7 Visa or the D2 Visa, or have settled status as an EU citizen, you can apply for a D6 to bring your accompanying family member.
Visa applications for the family regrouping can only be made by someone who holds a Portuguese residence permit and is already legally living in the country.
The process may require the Portuguese visa holder to demonstrate the relationship, prove they have the financial means to support the family members and meet other eligibility criteria.
From Immigration to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
⚠️ Update on Portugal's Nationality Law Changes
On 28 October 2025, Portugal's parliament approved key amendments of the Nationality Law, including increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years, and 7 years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens. This will significantly impact how visa holders and residents acquire citizenship.
However, these changes are not yet law. They must still undergo Presidential review where the President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text may still be amended but they might not be enacted because the law is not final until its promulgated.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
Foreign nationals can obtain Portuguese citizenship through naturalization after residing in Portugal for more than five years. The first step in this process is to secure a permanent residence permit. Once you have this, you can pursue Portuguese citizenship, which also grants you European Union citizenship and access to an EU passport. The steps to achieve this are outlined below:
1. Obtain a Portugal permanent residence permit
If you’re from a non-EU/EFTA country and have been living in Portugal for five years, you may be eligible to apply for Portuguese permanent residence. To qualify, you need to demonstrate that you’ve been legally residing in Portugal throughout this period.
Here’s what you need to know about the Portugal permanent residency requirements, including all documents required:
- Valid residence permit: Ensure your temporary residence permit is current and valid.
- Passport or Travel ID: A valid passport or travel ID is required.
- Passport photographs: Recent passport-sized photos are needed for identification purposes.
- Financial stability: Show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself.
- Accommodation: Documentation proving you have a place to live in Portugal.
- Travel Insurance with medical treatment coverage: Insurance that includes medical treatment is necessary.
- Criminal record certificate: A certificate showing that you have a clean criminal record.
- Enrollment in social security: Obtain a Social Security Number (NISS) to show your registration in Portugal’s social security system.
- Evidence of tax status: You will need a NIF (tax number) to demonstrate your tax status.
- Proof of legal and uninterrupted residence: Evidence of continuous legal residency in Portugal for the past five years.
- Portuguese Proficiency: Provide a certificate of qualification or proof from a language assessment center to show basic proficiency in Portuguese, if you are from a non-Portuguese-speaking country.
Please note that additional immigration requirements may apply. By meeting these requirements, you can secure your status as a permanent resident in Portugal and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
2. Get your Portuguese citizenship and passport
In case you have legally resided in Portugal for five years through one of the abovementioned visas, you’re allowed to request Portuguese citizenship through the naturalization route and obtain a Portuguese passport.
For those applying through the Portugal Golden Visa program, they must show proof of maintaining their investment and meet the program’s residency requirements when applying for citizenship.
Portuguese Language Requirements
You must prove that you have at least an A2-level of proficiency in the Portuguese language, with the most popular being the CIPLE (Certificado de Português Língua Estrangeira). However, for applicants from former Portuguese colonies (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and others), a Portuguese test is not necessary.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Portugal?
Yes, Portugal does permit dual citizenship, so you can hold Portuguese citizenship alongside that of your home country. However, it’s important to verify the dual citizenship policies of your country of origin to ensure that acquiring Portuguese citizenship won’t affect the legal status of your foreign nationality.
If both Portugal and your home country allow dual citizenship, you can enjoy the benefits of being a citizen of both nations without any issues.
Taxes in Portugal for Expats
If you spend 183 days or more in Portugal within a single calendar year, you will be considered a Portuguese tax resident and will need to pay taxes in Portugal. This is an important aspect to be aware of when moving to the country.
The primary tax you need to understand is personal income tax, which applies to the earnings of both Portuguese residents and non-residents who generate income in Portugal. Taxes are typically deducted automatically from pay slips; however, you are still required to complete an annual tax return.
This tax return involves calculating your taxable income, applying the appropriate tax rates, and accounting for any legal deductions such as education or health-related expenses.
Income Tax Rates and Filing
The Individual Income Tax (IRS) in Portugal is calculated based on your income and is charged at rates ranging from 13% to 48% for the year 2025:
- Employment Income
- Self-Employment Income
- Investment Income
- Rental Income from properties located in Portugal
- Capital Gains from selling properties, assets, or shares
- Pensions received in Portugal, including private pension plans
While IRS is calculated individually, couples and civil partnerships have the option to file jointly. In this case, tax is assessed on the total taxable income of the household members.
Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) Program
Since 2009, many expatriates in Portugal have benefited from the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program, which provided significant tax advantages. However, the NHR program ended on January 1, 2024. Individuals who met specific criteria could still apply for the program until March 31, 2025, but that option is no longer available.
The NHR scheme has been succeeded by the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI), which you can discover more about in our article, Portugal’s New NHR in 2025: A Guide to the NHR 2.0 (IFICI).
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