Want to Move to Portugal? Let’s Find the Residency Visa for You!

Whether you’re a sun-seeking retiree, a digital nomad chasing the perfect work-life balance, or an entrepreneur with a vision, Portugal is rolling out the welcome mat.

And the key to unlocking your Portuguese dream? That’s where residency visas come in.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Visas? Bureaucracy? Sounds like a headache!” But don’t worry. This article lays out all of the main options, broken down into different categories.

From the coveted D7 visa that’s perfect for retirees and passive income earners, to the entrepreneur-friendly D2, and the game-changing “Golden Visa” for investors, Portugal has a visa option for almost every dream and budget.

And let’s not forget the D8 visa, tailor-made for our digital nomad friends who want to code with an ocean view.

So, whether you’re dreaming of sipping vinho verde in the Douro Valley, surfing the waves of the Algarve, or starting your next big venture in the bustling streets of Lisbon, this guide is your first step towards making that dream a reality.

Buckle up, future Portugalophiles! We’re about to dive into the world of Portuguese residency visas and permits.

By the time we’re done, you’ll (hopefully) have worked out which visa is right for you.

EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens (and Family Members)

A hand holding a small European Union flag against a clear blue sky. The flag is blue with a circle of twelve gold stars.

Lucky you! If you’re from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you can skip the visa process. You’re free to live, work, and study in Portugal. Just follow these steps to make it official:

After 90 days in Portugal (but within 30 days of that 90-day mark), visit your local câmara municipal (town hall). Some councils allow you to register earlier.
Get your CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia).

Bring your passport or European ID and proof of address.
Some town halls might ask for extra documents like a NIF (tax number) or Portuguese bank account. Check with your local câmara or ask other expats in the area.

Family members? EU law allows certain family members (like spouses or dependent children) to move with you. They’ll need to register separately with AIMA.

Retirees

An older couple sits at a table, smiling and looking at a laptop screen. Both wear glasses; the woman is in a white polka-dot blouse, and the man is in a grey checked shirt. They seem to be working together, with papers and a notebook on the table.

D7 Visa

This is the go-to option for retirees. It’s perfect if you have a regular passive income like a pension, social security, dividends, or rental income.

Required income (as of 2024): €820/month for an individual
Add 50% for a spouse/partner
Add 30% for each dependent child

You’ll also need to show sufficient savings.

	Monthly passive income	Savings Requirement
Single Person	€820 per month	€9,840
Couple	€1,230 per month	€14,760
Couple Child	€1,476 per month	€17,712

Golden Visa

Got some savings to invest? The Golden Visa might be for you.

Typical investment: €500k
Donation option: €250k (less popular)
Some companies offer loans or solutions to reduce the €500k amount

Why choose the Golden Visa as a retiree?

If you don’t qualify for the D7 (e.g., not enough passive income yet)
If you want flexibility – only requires an average of 7 days per year in Portugal

Read more about the golden visa

Remote Workers & Freelancers

A person with short, wavy hair and glasses is working on a laptop at an outdoor café. They are wearing a light-colored, polka-dotted shirt. A smartphone and a red cup on a matching saucer are on the wooden table beside the laptop. Trees are in the background.

D8 Visa

Work remotely for a company outside of Portugal? Freelance with non-Portuguese clients? The D8 visa (often called the digital nomad visa) could be perfect for you.

Required income (as of 2024): €3,280/month (4x the minimum wage)
Add 50% for a spouse
Add 30% for each dependent child

This visa is popular with people in their 30s and 40s, but it’s also great for those approaching retirement who can work remotely.

Can’t work remotely? Consider:

Becoming a contractor
Checking if your company has a Portuguese office
Finding a job in Portugal

Landlords

A smiling couple stands in a modern living room as a woman hands them a set of keys. The couple is dressed casually and showing excitement. The woman is holding a clipboard, suggesting a house or apartment agreement signing. The setting is bright and welcoming.

D7 Visa

Own a property you rent out (or could rent out)? Good news! Rental income can qualify you for the D7 visa. Here’s what you need to know:

Rental income counts as passive income for this visa
Income requirements (as of 2024):
- €820/month for an individual
- Add 50% (€410) for a spouse/partner
- Add 30% (€246) for each child

Things to consider:

Authorities usually look at gross income
Factor in expenses like mortgages or property management fees
€820/month is the minimum wage in Portugal – it might be tight to live on
Consider combining rental income with other sources (e.g., freelance work)

Investors/Savers

Golden Visa

Have money sitting in savings accounts (or even retirement accounts)? Want to put it to better use? Why not invest in Portugal and obtain residency here while you’re at it.

The big selling point? You only need to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal!

As of 2024, the most common routes are:

Invest €500,000 or more in qualifying funds (e.g., venture capital funds)
Invest €500,000 or more into a company, creating 5 jobs or maintaining 10 jobs

Note: As of the end of 2023, investing in real estate is no longer an option for the Golden Visa.

Read more about the golden visa

Entrepreneurs

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D2 Visa

Got a business idea or an existing business? The D2 visa is ideal for:

Starting a business
Transferring an existing business
Buying a company
Investing in a Portuguese company

No minimum investment required, but you’ll need:

Suitable capital
A business plan showing you can support yourself (at least €820/month)
To demonstrate how your business will benefit the Portuguese economy and society

Golden Visa

Two options:

Create 10 Jobs

No minimum investment
Great way to contribute to the Portuguese economy
Access to skilled, multilingual workforce
Can be costly and time-intensive

Incorporate A Company + Create 5 Jobs

Typically requires €500,000 investment
Create or increase share capital of a Portuguese-registered company
Only need to create 5 jobs instead of 10

Both options offer paths to residency while contributing to Portugal’s economy, balancing financial investment with job creation.

Read more about the golden visa

HQA Visa

Got a big idea that needs some brainpower? The HQA (Highly Qualified Activity) Visa might be your ticket to Portugal. This visa is perfect for:

Entrepreneurs and investors with a startup idea
Those willing to develop their idea over 3+ years in an incubation setting
Projects that could benefit from input from masters and PhD students at top Portuguese universities

Key points:

Your startup operates as a company from day one
Ideal for projects needing substantial research (not immediate market-ready ideas)
Gives you access to Portugal’s academic talent pool

Startup Visa

Want to bring your whole team to Portugal? The Startup Visa might be for you. It’s similar to the D2 but with some extra perks:

You can include other team members in your application
Access to support and incentives from the StartUP Portugal Programme

What you need to know:

Your startup should have potential to create skilled jobs
Aim for €325,000 annual turnover or asset value within 5 years post-incubation
Up to five people can apply per startup
You’ll need approval from a certified Portuguese business incubator

Remember, visa requirements can change, so always check the most up-to-date information before making any decisions. Boa sorte (good luck) with your Portuguese adventure!

Employees

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D3 Visa (Highly Qualified Activity Visa)

Got unique skills and a job offer in Portugal? The D3 visa might be your golden ticket! This visa is perfect for non-EU/EEA/Swiss individuals who:

Have special (highly qualified) skills
Have a job offer or employment contract with a Portuguese employer

Perks of the D3 visa:

Apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years (or less)
Travel freely in the Schengen Area
Access Portuguese public healthcare
Bring your family through family reunification
Potential Portuguese citizenship for children born in Portugal

Salary requirement: At least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or three times the social support index (IAS). As of 2024, the minimum wage in Portugal is €820 per month.

D1 Visa

Want to work for a Portuguese company but don’t qualify for the D3? The D1 visa might be for you. It’s designed for non-EU/EEA/Swiss individuals looking to work in Portugal.

What you need:

A work contract for at least 12 months
Proof of a place to live in Portugal (lease, property deeds, or invitation letter)
Your employer must show they couldn’t find a suitable Portuguese or EU candidate

Apply at the Portuguese consulate in your home country or country of legal residence once you have a job offer.

Students

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D4 Visa

Planning to study in Portugal for a year or more? The D4 visa is your go-to option. It’s also great for:

Interns
Volunteers
Those attending professional courses lasting over a year

D5 Visa

Already studying in Europe but want to transfer to or study in Portugal? The D5 visa is designed just for you!

Family Reunification

A family of four is enjoying a sunny day at the park. The parents are lying on the grass with their two young children playfully piled on top of them. Everyone is smiling and having a good time outdoors, surrounded by greenery.

D6 Visa

Got family in Portugal? The D6 visa might be your ticket to join them! This visa is for non-EU citizens who want to bring family members to Portugal. It’s perfect if you have:

A spouse or partner in Portugal
Parents in Portugal
Children who want to join you in Portugal

Key points:

For dependent family members (spouse/partner, dependent children, dependent parents)
Typically, children must be under 18
Can be extended to around 24 for full-time students
The word “dependent” is crucial here!

Generous Benefactor

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Golden Visa

Want to invest in Portugal’s future and get residency in return? The Golden Visa program has some options for the philanthropically inclined:

Scientific Research: Transfer €500,000 into public or private scientific research institutions.
Cultural Heritage: Transfer €250,000 into projects supporting artistic production, recovery, or maintenance of Portugal’s national cultural heritage.

Remember, these investments come with the perks of the Golden Visa, including only needing to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal!

Read more about the golden visa

Citizens of Portuguese-Speaking Countries

A woman with curly hair smiles brightly at the camera, holding a green and yellow flag over her head. She is wearing a yellow top and has a joyful expression. The green and yellow colors in the flag suggest it may be the flag of Brazil.

CPLP Visa

Are you from a Portuguese-speaking country? You might be eligible for a special visa! The CPLP Visa is for citizens of:

Brazil
Angola
Mozambique
Cape Verde
São Tomé and Príncipe
Guinea-Bissau
East Timor
Equatorial Guinea

What you get:

1-year residence permit
Renewable for 2-year periods