Visas & Residency

Can I Move to Portugal If I Have a Criminal Record?

A hand in a green sweater is extended against a light blue background. Floating above the palm are three large, yellow question marks.

Thinking about moving to Portugal but worried your minor criminal record might be a problem? Concerned about the clean criminal record requirement for visas like the D7, Digital Nomad Visa, and golden visa? You’re not alone, and this is a common question that comes up in Portugalist webinars. The good news is that Portugal might be more welcoming than you think. Let’s break down some expert advice from Lisbon-based lawyer Sandra Gomes Pinto in a way that’s easy to understand …

A picturesque public square in Portugal with a large ornate fountain featuring statues, surrounded by historic buildings under a clear blue sky. Purple jacaranda trees are in bloom, and pedestrians walk leisurely on the intricate black and white cobblestone pattern.

Ever since Portugal doubled its citizenship timeline in May 2026, a particular reassurance has been doing the rounds: don’t worry about citizenship, you can still get permanent residency at five years. But is permanent residency really almost as good as citizenship? No. Not quite. But, I will say there a few major positives: And it’s not like there are many fast tracks to citizenship left in the EU. While Portugal was extending its citizenship requirement to ten years, Sweden went …

If you’re researching Portugal’s Golden Visa, one question comes up again and again: “How much time do I actually need to spend in Portugal?” Sometimes it’s framed as minimum stay requirements. Sometimes it’s how long can I be away? But really, everyone’s asking the same thing: I want the security of EU residency, but I don’t want to uproot my life to get it. The short answer is: the minimum requirement is an average of 7 days per year in …

person calculating costs with calculator

People ask me this constantly, and for years I gave the same unhelpful answer: it depends. It does depend. But “it depends” is a cop-out, so here’s a real number. A single person moving from the US, renting a mid-range apartment at €900 a month, handling the paperwork themselves, should expect to spend around €7,100 getting the D7. From Canada it’s around €6,000. From the UK, around €4,000. Add a lawyer and you’re looking at €1,500 to €5,000 on top …

A person sits on a white cushion next to a turquoise swimming pool, working on a laptop. They are partially shaded by large green leaves. Two teal pillows are placed by their side, and white pebbles surround the wooden deck area.

Ask most people what it takes to move to Portugal on the digital nomad visa, and they’ll tell you the same thing: meet the income requirement and you’re in. That’s the goal everyone fixates on. Hit the threshold — €3,680 per month for the main applicant, more if you’re bringing a family — and Portugal is yours. The visa is the finish line. Clear it and you’re done. Except that’s not how it actually works. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most …

If you’re a freelancer, the confusing thing about Portugal’s D2 visa and Digital Nomad Visa (D8) is that, at first glance, you can seem like a fit for either. In theory, that’s true. But in practice, the general rule is simple: if you qualify for the D8, that is usually the visa you should apply for (especially if your income comes from outside Portugal). The D8 was designed for people who already have established remote income, whether that’s from freelancing, …

a male and female entrepreneur in an office

If you’re an entrepreneur thinking about moving to Portugal — or simply wanting a foothold there — you’ll quickly find there’s more than one route available. The two main options are the D2 visa and the Golden Visa‘s company investment route. But depending on your situation, you might actually be better served by something else entirely. Here’s the quick version: For most entrepreneurs who want to actually build something in Portugal, the D2 is the right answer. The Golden Visa’s …

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A few years ago, this was a much easier question to answer. Portugal’s Golden Visa was one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. You could buy a property, spend very little time in Portugal, and still work toward citizenship after five years. Now, that equation looks very different. The big issue is citizenship. Portugal’s government announced plans to increase the residency period for naturalization from five years to 10 years for most foreigners. This means more renewals, more …

The AIMA appointment usually takes place after you have moved to Portugal on your 120-day visa. In theory, it should happen within those 120 days. In practice, that does not always happen, and many people end up staying in Portugal beyond the validity of the initial visa while waiting for the appointment. Compared to the consular stage—usually the VFS appointment in your home country—this part of the process is supposed to be more of a formality. The main decision has …

A lot of people hit the same wall. You have a remote job. Or you freelance. Or you run an online business. However you work, you decide to apply for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8)—and then you see the requirement: an average of salary of per month. That’s high! If you add a partner (+50%) or children (+30%), suddenly the numbers feel even more out of reach. And the reality is this: most people don’t qualify. Not just people from …

Can I Move to Portugal If I Have a Criminal Record?

Portuguese Permanent Residency—Not Quite As Good Citizenship, But A Major Stepping Stone

Portugal Golden Visa Stay Requirements: How Much Time Do You Actually Need to Spend Here?

How Much Does Portugal’s D7 Visa REALLY Cost in 2026?

Can You Move to Portugal as a Remote Worker? Yes, But it’s Not That Simple

D2 VS D8: Which Is Better For Freelancers & Entrepreneurs Moving to Portugal?

D2 Visa vs Golden Visa: Which Is Right for Entrepreneurs Moving to Portugal?

Is Portugal’s Golden Visa Still Worth It?

Which Documents Do You Need for Your AIMA Appointment?

Don’t Qualify for the Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa? Here Are Your Best D8 Alternatives