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For many people, the D4 Student Visa is one of the most achievable routes to living in Portugal—whether you’re hoping to study, retrain, or simply want to experience Portuguese life from the inside. Portugal has a welcoming university system, academic programs in both Portuguese and English, and tuition that is generally far cheaper than the UK or the US.
But there’s a key point that often gets misunderstood:
The D4 visa gives you temporary residency while you study. It does not automatically provide a guaranteed path to permanent residence or citizenship.
However, if you plan well—and understand what happens after your course ends—the D4 can absolutely become the foundation of a longer life in Portugal. The time spent on a student visa counts towards permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship, and you can potentially switch to another permit once your course ends.
This guide explains everything.
What Is the D4 Student Visa?
The D4 is Portugal’s student and academic training visa, designed for people who want to:
- Study at a Portuguese university or polytechnic
- Complete a Master’s or PhD
- Attend a professional training program
- Participate in a research or academic exchange
- Engage in long-term voluntary programs (these fall under the same category)
Holders of the D4 visa are granted temporary residency in Portugal and, once they have their residence permit, can live, study, and work in the country just like other residents.
Who the D4 Visa Is Perfect For
- International students who want an affordable European degree.
- People retraining or changing careers later in life.
- Parents whose adult children need a viable residency route.
- Those considering Portugal long-term, but who aren’t able to qualify for the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa.
Key Advantages of the D4 Visa
Benefit |
Summary |
|---|---|
Right to Work |
Once your residency permit is issued, you can legally work in Portugal (but typically only 20 hours per week during term time if the permit is for higher education). |
Cost-Effective Study |
Tuition and living costs are generally much lower than in the US or UK. |
No Age Limit |
People in their 30s, 50s, 60s, or older can enroll and qualify. It isn’t just for those in their 20s. |
Possibility to Stay Long-Term |
Time spent on the D4 can count toward the 5 years needed for permanent resident and 10 years needed for citizenship — but only if you maintain continuous legal residency after studies. |
Requirements for the D4 Student Visa
To apply, you’ll need:
1. Proof of Enrollment
A letter of acceptance from a recognized institution (university, training school, etc.) or volunteering project lasting at least one year.
2. Proof of Financial Means
You must show you can support yourself.
Typically:
- Enough savings for at least one year of living costs (typically seen as €920 in 2026 OR
- Proof that a parent/relative is supporting you (with bank statements + a letter of financial responsibility)
3. Accommodation in Portugal
Examples that are accepted:
- University housing confirmation
- A signed rental contract
- A temporary Airbnb + a signed statement of continued accommodation search
4. General Documents
- Valid passport
- 2 passport photos
- Travel insurance that covers your stay
- Criminal background check (Portugal + your home country)
- A simple personal motivation statement (“Why I want to study in Portugal”)
Final Thoughts: Is the D4 a Good Way to Move to Portugal?
The D4 Student Visa is a real, practical way to live in Portugal, whether your goal is to study, experience the country up close, or lay the groundwork for something longer-term. Tuition fees are often far more affordable than in the UK or US, and Portugal’s universities are gaining in global reputation—Coimbra is one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world, while NOVA in Lisbon is increasingly popular with international students.
But it’s important to be clear about what the D4 is — and isn’t.
The D4 is not, in itself, a guaranteed path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Your residency is tied to your course. Once you finish studying, your right to stay ends, unless you:
- Continue studying (e.g., progress to a master’s or PhD), or
- Find another legal stay route, most commonly through employment in Portugal.
For many people, that’s exactly the plan: Use the D4 to get established, improve language skills, build a network, and create opportunities. Then, when the time comes, move onto a work visa or another residency pathway and continue the five-year residency timeline.
So, if you’re looking for:
- A chance to live in Portugal and truly experience life here, or
- A stepping stone that helps you build connections and open the door to staying longer,
…the D4 can be a very good choice — as long as you approach it with a clear plan for what happens after your course ends.