Portugal Residency Visa: Requirements, Application, and Documents

If you plan on going to Portugal for the mild climate, relaxed lifestyle, and rich history, but also to live and work long-term, you’ll need to apply for a visa if you are a non-EU citizen.  

A Portugal residency visa (as opposed to a short-stay visa) is the first step in a lengthy process and is issued by a Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in your home country. It allows you to enter Portugal with the intent to apply for a residency permit, which lets you stay in the country long-term.  

Typically valid for four months and permitting two entries, it provides sufficient time to enter Portugal and initiate the residency permit application process. 

Portugal provides several residency options for non-EU citizens. Two notable options are the Golden Visa and the D7 Visa.  

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Portugal’s residency visas, helping you find the best fit for your move. 

Portugal Residency Visa: Key Takeaways 

• If you’re not an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen and want to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days, you’ll need a residency visa. This now includes citizens of Brazil and other CPLP countries. 

• The residency visa and the residence permit are two separate steps. You get the visa from a Portuguese Consulate before you travel, and it’s valid for four months. AIMA issues the residence permit after you arrive, which is valid for two years and renewable for another three. 

• The route you choose depends on your circumstances. The D7 Visa is for passive income of at least €920 a month, and the D8 Visa is for remote workers earning at least €3,680 a month. The Portugal Golden Visa is for investors and entrepreneurs. 

• You can usually bring your spouse, children, and dependent parents through family reunification once you’ve held your permit for two years. Minor children and Golden Visa holders don’t have to wait. 

• After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence. You can apply for citizenship after 10 years, or seven if you’re a citizen of a CPLP or EU country. 

If you are not a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you must apply for a Portuguese residency visa to stay longer than 90 days.  

Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, which allows tourists and business visitors from many countries to stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a residency visa.  

But even if you don’t need a visa for short tourist or business trips (for example, US and UK passport holders), you must still get a residency visa to remain longer or establish residence. 

This now also applies to citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries.  

Under a 2022/2023 legal change aligned with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) agreement, citizens of Brazil and Timor-Leste, who can enter Portugal as tourists without a visa, were allowed to apply for a residence permit from within Portugal.  

That option ended in October 2025. CPLP citizens now need a residence visa from a Portuguese Consulate before they can apply for residence in Portugal. 

Even though EU citizens don’t need a residency visa for stays over 90 days, there is an important formality: If you remain in Portugal for over three months, you must register your residence with the local authorities. 

Residency visa for British citizens 

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, British citizens now fall under non-EU visa requirements for extended stays.  

However, the European Union Withdrawal Agreement ensured that British citizens who were lawfully residing in Portugal before the end of the Brexit transition period (31 December 2020) retain their residency rights. 

Before the end of 2020’s deadline, the Portuguese government required eligible residents to register their residency status. This involved applying for a new residency document through Portuguese authorities.  

The agreement guarantees that these residents will continue to benefit from equal treatment in areas like healthcare, social security, and employment rights.  

A residence visa and a residence permit aren’t the same thing, and you need both, in that order. The residence visa is issued by the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in your home country.  

It’s valid for four months and allows two entries, which gives you time to travel to Portugal and attend your Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) appointment. 

The residence permit is issued by AIMA after you arrive, and it’s the card that lets you live in Portugal long-term.  

The first permit is valid for two years, and you can renew it for another three. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence.  

The Golden Visa is the exception, as you apply for the residence permit directly without getting a residence visa first. 

The residency visa you need depends on why you’re moving to Portugal. These are the main routes: 

D2 Entrepreneur Visa 

The Portugal D2 Visa is a work visa designed for individuals who intend to engage in independent professional activities or plan on starting a business in Portugal.  

The Portuguese government introduced it to raise external resources and investments to boost the economy. This type of visa is suited to aspiring entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals who wish to take advantage of business opportunities in Portugal. 

To qualify for a D2 Visa, you must present a solid business plan for any industry that indicates how your business will contribute to the Portuguese economy.  

You must also demonstrate adequate financial resources in your bank account to run the business. You can apply with a business that’s already set up in Portugal or with a business plan for one you intend to start. 

D3 Qualified Workers Visa 

The Portugal D3 Visa is designed for highly skilled professionals such as scientists, researchers, and academics who are invited by Portuguese institutions or offered employment contracts.  

To be eligible for this Portuguese visa, the applicant must have a work or services contract or a promise that falls under the category of highly qualified activity.  

The contract must be for at least one year, and the salary depends on the applicant’s activity; Usually, it must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Portugal. 

D6 Family Reunification Visa 

The Portugal D6 Family Reunification Visa is the primary method for family reunification. Specifically designed with family members in mind, this visa allows individuals to reunite with their family unit in Portugal. 

This makes the transition smoother, as it allows the visa holder to fully participate in Portuguese society, contributing economically and socially to the country. 

One of the significant benefits of the D6 Visa is the prospect of permanency. After residing in Portugal for five years, visa holders can apply for permanent residency. 

It’s important to note that applying for the D6 Visa and the subsequent potential for a Portugal residence permit involves an in-depth process.  

Applicants must show they can support their family members financially and provide evidence of the family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates. 

D7 Retirement Visa 

The Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Portugal Retirement Visa or the Passive Income Visa, is an option for individuals with a consistent income source from properties, financial investments, or pensions.  

The income in your Portuguese bank account should be sufficient for you and your family members and must be at least equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage, which is currently €920 per month (€11,040 per year).  

The D7 benefits include travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, access to Portuguese public services, and a pathway to a Portuguese permanent residence permit. 

D8 Digital Nomad Visa 

In 2022, Portugal introduced the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, enabling remote workers to live and work from Portugal. This initiative is part of a growing global trend, and many countries now offer similar arrangements. 

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa targets remote workers interested in operating from Portugal. To qualify, individuals need to earn at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which is €3,680 per month. 

This Digital Nomad Visa is offered in two categories: A temporary stay visa, which is valid for up to one year, and a residency visa, which leads to a residence permit valid for two years and renewable for three.  

After five years, applicants can apply for permanent residency, provided all the necessary criteria are met. 

Portugal Golden Visa 

The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program, commonly referred to as the Portugal Golden Visa, is a residence-by-investment program designed for non-EU nationals.  

This residence permit allows holders to live, work, and study in Portugal, as well as travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

Through the Golden Visa program, qualifying investors and their families gain the right to live, work, and study in the country. The investment program also presents a pathway to more permanent ties with Portugal. 

Qualifying investors can apply for permanent residency. However, they need to maintain their investment for a minimum of five years and fully comply with Portuguese immigration law and Portuguese nationality laws.  

It’s important to note that the capital transfer and real estate investment options are no longer eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program. 

Because the Golden Visa only requires you to spend an average of seven days a year in Portugal, holding it doesn’t make you a Portuguese tax resident.  

You only become a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in Portugal in any 12-month period, or if you have a home in Portugal that you intend to keep as your habitual residence. 

Study Visa 

International students from outside the EU who have secured admission to a Portuguese educational institution can apply for a residence permit for study purposes. Portuguese student visas are typically categorized into three main types: 

Short-term student visas 

These are intended for study programs lasting up to three months. Courses fitting this category might include brief language programs or vocational training. However, only non-EU nationals need to apply. The duration of this visa is 90 days maximum within any 180 days and is not extendable, barring exceptional circumstances. 

Temporary student visas 

The temporary Portugal Student Visa caters to programs spanning three months to a year, including study courses, vocational training, student exchange initiatives, internships, or volunteer student work.  

Proof of acceptance into a study, training program, exchange, internship, or volunteer work is needed. They are usually issued for a maximum of one year. 

Long-term student visas 

The long-term Portuguese student visa applies for study programs exceeding a year, including all degree and PhD programs.  

This visa has five different categories: Higher education (covering all undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses), Researchers (scientific and academic research), Secondary school students (QNQ level 4–5), Trainees, and Student volunteers. 

Securing a placement at a university or educational institution in Portugal is typically required. For higher education students, the residence permit is valid for three years, or for the length of the course if it’s shorter, and can be renewed for equal periods.  

Residence permits are generally renewable, provided the applicant fulfills Portuguese immigration requirements. 

Take a look at our Portugal Golden Visa Guide

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The first step is to apply for your Portugal visa, which is necessary to enter the country and begin the residency process. To apply, you must submit a visa application at the Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate in your home country.  

This visa is valid for four months and permits double entry, which means you can travel in and out of Portugal within this period. 

The documents required may vary depending on the purpose of your stay, but commonly include: 

• A completed visa application form 
• Your up-to-date passport or other valid travel document 
• Proof of sufficient funds in your bank account to support your stay 
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a lease agreement or invitation to stay letter 
• Health insurance coverage 
• Police clearance certificate or proof of no criminal record 

Depending on your specific purpose of stay, additional documentation may be required; This includes, but is not limited to, an official job contract or an enrollment letter for a Portuguese educational institution. 

Once you have the residency visa, you can enter Portugal. After arrival, you need to appear for an appointment with AIMA to convert your visa into a residence permit.  

In many cases, especially for visas like the D8, you are required to book an appointment with AIMA Portugal within 120 days. Some consulates will schedule this first appointment for you in advance, whereas others require you to schedule it yourself upon arrival. 

At this appointment, you will submit your documents, any updated information, and biometric data (fingerprints, photo, signature) for the residence card. The required documents for the residency permit application include: 

• A valid passport 
• Application form 
• Valid residence visa (when applicable) 
• Two recent and identical color photographs 
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support your stay 
• Proof of accommodation 
• Proof of health and travel insurance 
• AIMA appointment confirmation 

AIMA examines your application, conducts an interview if necessary, and typically makes a decision within 90 business days.  

If approved, you’ll receive a residence permit card valid for two years and renewable for three years. After five years of legal residency in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residence. 

If you have held a Portuguese residence permit for at least two years, you can apply to bring your family members to live with you through family reunification.  

The D6 Visa allows you to apply on behalf of your spouse or partner, your minor or dependent children, and dependent parents.  

To be successful, you’ll need to prove that you have enough income to support them in Portugal, and that you have suitable accommodation. 

While there is a two-year residency requirement, it doesn’t apply to minor children or a spouse/partner who is the parent of your minor children. Golden Visa holders, people with highly qualified work permits, and EU Blue Card holders are also exempt. 

Holding a Portuguese residence permit comes with several advantages, including: 

• Schengen travel: The permit lets you travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa. It doesn’t give you the right to live or work in other EU countries. 

• Access to the workforce: The residence permit also grants non-EU nationals the right to work in Portugal. Whether you wish to be employed by a company, start your own business, or work as a freelancer, you have the same employment rights as Portuguese citizens. 

• Education access: It provides access to the Portuguese education system. This includes public schools, universities, and vocational training institutions. In addition, children of permit holders have the same rights to education and schooling as Portuguese nationals. 

• Healthcare: As a resident, you’ll have access to the Portuguese healthcare system. Public healthcare in Portugal is free or low-cost for residents, and private healthcare options are also available. 

• Family reunification: The residence permit also allows you to bring over other family members through family reunification, usually after you’ve held your permit for two years. This can include your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents. 

• Pathway to citizenship: After ten years as a legal resident (seven years for citizens of CPLP and EU countries), you become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet the requirements, and then apply for a Portuguese passport. You must pass a basic Portuguese language test and show knowledge of Portuguese culture, history, and civic life.