Portugal Visas: All the Different Types To Live, Work and Study

When planning a visit or a move to Portugal, choosing the right visa is a crucial first step. Portugal offers various visas, which can be broadly divided into two categories: Schengen short-stay visas (for stays of up to 90 days) and national long-stay visas (for longer stays).  

The long-stay visas can be further classified into two types: Temporary stay visas (for stays of up to one year, such as for work or study) and residence visas (for those planning to live in Portugal long-term). 

In this article, we’ll break down all the visa types for Portugal to give you a better understanding of how to start your Portugal immigration journey, the application processes, eligibility requirements, and key benefits of each visa category. 

Portugal Visas: Key Takeaways

Visits of up to 90 days need a Schengen visa, but US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens can come visa-free.

If you’re staying longer than 90 days to work, study or live in Portugal, you’ll need a national visa for that purpose.

Residence visas are valid for four months, which gives you time to apply for a residence permit with AIMA.

The Golden Visa isn’t a consular visa. It’s a residence permit you apply for directly.

Since 19 May 2026, you need 10 years of legal residence for citizenship, or 7 if you’re a CPLP or EU citizen.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you’ll need a visa to live or work in Portugal, and some nationalities also need one just to visit.  

There are some notable exceptions. For example, citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business, or family visits without a visa. 

Since Portugal is part of the EU and the Schengen Area, citizens of other EU and Schengen countries don’t need a visa and can enter and stay in Portugal freely.  

There is a caveat, though. While they don’t need a visa for stays longer than 90 days, they must register their residence with the local Portuguese authorities if they intend to make Portugal their home or stay longer than 90 days. 

If you’re visiting Portugal for 90 days or less, you’ll need a short-stay (Schengen) visa, unless your country is on the exemption list. If you’re moving to Portugal to work, study, or live, you’ll need a national visa that matches your purpose. 

Portugal tourist visa 

If you’re planning a short visit to Portugal for tourism, to see family, or just to relax, you may need a Portuguese tourist visa. This is a type of Schengen Visa for non-EU citizens who aren’t visa-exempt. 

You should apply for a Schengen visa through the consulate of the country where you will spend the most time. If you are spending equal time in multiple Schengen countries, apply through the consulate of the country you will enter first.  

Make sure you have travel insurance and enough funds in your bank account before you apply. 

If you’re a US citizen, you can visit Portugal for up to 90 days without needing a visa, whether you’re coming for tourism or business. Just make sure your US passport is valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.  

If you want to stay longer, or if you’re coming to work, study, or live in Portugal, you’ll need to apply for the right visa or residence permit before you travel. 

• Visa conditions: The visa is valid from one month to two years, but stays are limited to 90 days within 180 days 
• Application fee: €90 

Portugal business visa 

When you need to travel to Portugal for business, like attending meetings, conferences, or events such as the annual Web Summit in Lisbon, you’ll need a Portuguese Business Visa if you aren’t visa-exempt.  

This visa lets you enter Portugal and move freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days, which suits short-term business trips. 

• Visa conditions: The visa is valid for up to two years, but stays are limited to 90 days within 180 days 
• Application fee: €90 

If you’re moving to Portugal for a job, the visa depends on whether you already have an offer, how skilled the role is, and how long the work will last. 

Portugal Job Seeker Visa 

The Job Seeker Visa is designed for people who want to come to Portugal to look for work. Since October 2025, it’s only available to people with specialized technical skills, as defined by the Portuguese government.  

With this visa, you can live in Portugal and start working in a highly qualified role while you search for a long-term job or apply for a residence permit. You have 120 days to find a job and book your residence application with AIMA.  

If you do not secure a job in time, you will need to leave Portugal, and you can only apply again after one year. 

• Visa conditions: Valid for 120 days 
• Application fee: €75 

D1 Portugal Work Visa 

The D1 Visa, often called the Portugal Work Visa, lets non-EU and non-EEA citizens live and work in Portugal if they have a job offer from a Portuguese employer.  

The visa is valid for four months, which gives you time to travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit, giving you the chance to settle in Portugal for the long term. 

To apply, you’ll need to show proof of employment, such as a work contract or an invitation from a Portuguese company. You’ll also need to provide documents that show you’re qualified for the job. 

• Visa validity: Four months 
• Application fee: €90 

D3 Highly Qualified Activities Individuals Visa 

The Portugal D3 Visa, sometimes called the Highly Qualified Activities Individuals Visa, is a long-term residence option for non-EU/EEA nationals with advanced skills or experience who want to live and work in Portugal.  

It’s aimed at people with specialized skills, advanced degrees, or significant professional experience who have a job offer in Portugal in a highly qualified role, like scientific research, teaching in higher education, technical fields, or management. 

• Visa validity: Four months (the employment contract must be for at least one year) 
• Application fee: €90 

E8 Seasonal Work Visa 

The Portugal E8 Visa is designed for non-EU and non-EEA nationals who want to work in Portugal for a limited time in industries like agriculture, tourism, or hospitality, where extra help is needed during busy seasons. 

As long as the position is seasonal, you can work in Portugal for between 90 and 270 days in a 12-month period. To qualify, you’ll need a seasonal work contract or job offer from an employer in Portugal.  

• Visa validity: Up to 270 days 
• Application fee: €90 

D2 Entrepreneur Visa 

The Portugal D2 Visa is designed for entrepreneurs and independent professionals from outside the European Union who want to start or grow a business in Portugal, or work for themselves.  

Whether you’re planning to launch a new startup or invest in an existing company, this visa offers a pathway to residency while helping you contribute to the local economy.  

While there is no investment required, you must show that you have enough money to set up your business and run it successfully in the first year, as well as support yourself. 

• Visa validity: Four months, followed by a two-year residence permit once you apply in Portugal 
• Application fee: €90 

D8 Digital Nomad Visa 

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs live in Portugal while working for clients or employers abroad. 

To qualify, you must show that you are working remotely or as a freelancer for a company outside of Portugal, and that your minimum monthly salary is €3,680 per month in 2026. The amount is calculated as four times the Portuguese minimum wage. 

• Visa validity: Up to one year (temporary stay visa) or four months (residence visa, followed by a residence permit) 
• Application fee: €90 

D4 Student Visa 

The Portugal D4 Visa, often called the Portugal Student Visa, is designed for non-EU and non-EEA nationals who plan to stay in Portugal for more than a year to study, take part in a student exchange, do a professional internship, or volunteer. 

To be eligible for the Student Visa, you must be enrolled at a Portuguese university or higher education institution, or you must be joining an exchange program or professional internship. 

• Visa validity: Four months 
• Application fee: €75 

D5 Higher Education Student Mobility Visa 

The Portugal D5 Visa is for non-EU/EEA nationals who are already studying at a higher education institution in another EU country and want to continue part of their studies in Portugal. 

For example, this would be the correct visa to apply for if you have been granted archaeological research permission as part of your studies. It lets you live in Portugal for periods of up to four months at a time. 

• Visa validity: Four months 
• Application fee: €90 

D6 Portugal Family Reunification Visa 

The D6 Family Reunification Visa lets non-EU family members join you in Portugal and live here as residents. 

The D6 Visa holder can engage in regular activities in Portugal, reside with family members, and work or pursue educational opportunities throughout the country.  

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

Since October 2025, you generally need to have held your residence permit for at least two years before you can apply, although minor children, Golden Visa holders, and highly qualified workers are exempt from the wait. 

• Visa validity: Same as the residency holder 
• Application fee: €90 

Spouse visa for a Portuguese citizen 

The Portugal Visa for the spouse of a Portuguese national is a specific visa that allows the spouse of a Portuguese citizen to enter and reside in Portugal.  

The individual must be married to a Portuguese national and provide proof of their marriage and their spouse’s Portuguese citizenship. They must also provide evidence of adequate financial means and valid insurance coverage.  

Once in Portugal, the spouse applies for a residence card as the family member of an EU citizen, which is usually valid for five years. 

If your income comes from outside Portugal, either from pensions or investments, there is a route for that. 

D7 Passive Income Visa Portugal 

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

To qualify, you must earn at least €920 per month or €11,040 per year, and the amount increases when you add your spouse or dependent children.  

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.   

• Visa validity: Four months, followed by a residence permit valid for two years and renewable for three 
• Application fee: €90 

Portugal Golden Visa 

The Portugal Golden Visa allows you to live and work in Portugal if you make a qualifying investment. Unlike the visas in this article, it isn’t a consular visa. It’s a residence permit you apply for directly with AIMA. 

Among several investment options, you can qualify by investing at least €250,000 in an art or cultural heritage project, or €200,000 if the project is in a low-density area.  

The Golden Visa also puts you on the path to permanent residency, Portuguese citizenship, and a passport, as long as you meet the requirements for naturalization. 

You can include your family in your Golden Visa application, so they can live, work, and study in Portugal too. You’ll just need to provide documents like marriage or birth certificates. 

One of the main advantages is flexibility. To keep your residency, you only need to spend seven days in Portugal in the first year, and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period. 

• Permit validity: Two years, renewable for another three years 

Read our Ultimate Guide on the Portugal Golden Visa

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Non-EU nationals planning to stay in Portugal for more than three months must apply for a residence permit. The first residence permit granted is typically valid for two years and can be renewed for three years thereafter.  

While EU citizens do not need a residence visa, they must still register with their local council (Câmara Municipal) if they plan to remain in Portugal for more than three months. 

After residing in Portugal for five years, you may qualify for permanent residency. After 10 years of legal residence (seven for citizens of CPLP and EU countries), you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.  

In certain situations, such as being married to a Portuguese citizen, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship earlier.