What is a Portuguese Visa?

Obtaining a Portuguese visa will allow you to enter and remain in Portugal for a specific timeframe.

When deciding which type of Portugal visa to apply for, you’ll need to consider what you are planning to do once you arrive in Portugal. There are three main types of Portugal visa:

Portugal Schengen visa / Short stay Portugal visa - This is a short-term visa that allows you to enter Portugal and remain for a maximum period of 90 days with a 180-day period. You can also move between other countries inside the Schengen Area during this timeframe.

If you’re a citizen of India, South Africa, Pakistan, Nepal or Turkey and you want to visit Portugal as a tourist, the Schengen visa is one of the most popular options. You can apply at your closest Portuguese embassy or consulate.

Schengen visas currently cot €80 for adults (over 12’s) and €40 for children aged six to 12. There is no fee for applicants under the age of six.

Temporary Stay Visas

If you want to stay longer than 90 days but less than a year, you can apply for a temporary stay visa. Temporary stay visas are good if you want to work, study, train or complete an internship in Portugal. Temporary stay visas are also suitable for homebuyers looking to take an extended viewing trip, or people who want to undergo medical treatment and recovery in Portugal.

To apply, you need to submit an application to the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country, along with the supporting documents outlined above. 

Long Stay Visas

If you intend to stay in Portugal for a year or more, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa. These are sometimes referred to as national visas (D visas). If you’re a non-EU/EFTA national and you want to stay in Portugal for over a year, this is the type of visa you must apply for, regardless of whether your home country has a visa-free travel agreement with Portugal.

Long-stay visas are suitable for work, study, professional training, internship, retirement or anyone who can support themselves financially to live in Portugal.

To apply, you need to submit an application to the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country, along with the supporting documents outlined above.

There are several options to consider, depending on the duration and purpose of your stay. Remember, Portugal is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, which means it follows specific rules for granting visas, depending on whether you’re an EU/EFTA or non-EU/EFTA national.

Generally speaking, EU/EFTA nationals are allowed to travel to and stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without needing to apply for a visa. This is great news for EU/EFTA nationals, because it means travelling to Portugal to get a feel for where you want to live or work is relatively easy.

As part of the Schengen Area, it’s possible to travel to Portugal using only an identification document, which bypasses the need for passport control and Portugal Schengen visa requirements. However, if you want to stay more than 90 days, you’ll have to apply for a registration certificate.

On the other hand, things are slightly more complicated for non-EU/EFTA nationals, including UK and US citizens. For short-term stays, you may need to obtain a Portugal Schengen visa, but generally speaking, you’ll need to obtain a visa for a short stay (up to 90 days in Portugal) unless your home country has a visa-free travel agreement with Portugal.

Once you’re in Portugal, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit from the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) within four months of arriving. You’ll need to provide a photocopy of your passport in support of your application.

If you’re applying for a Portugal visa, you’ll need to provide the following supporting documents:

• Portugal visa application form
• Valid passport, which must be less than ten years old and valid for at least one year. It should have at least one blank page. 
• Two passport photos
• Medical certificate from an authorised doctor in your country of residence. This should confirm you do not have any disease that could pose a risk to public health in Portugal. This certificate must have been issued no more than 90 days prior to the day you submit it. 
• Evidence of appropriate health insurance cover
• Original police clearance certificate to cover the last five years. This document must have been issued no more than three months prior to the day you submit it. 
• NIE number. You can apply for this unique number through the consulate. 
• Marriage certificate/birth certificate if you are applying as a dependent

You’ll need to attend a visa interview/appointment in your country of residence, and your supporting documents must be submitted beforehand.

It’s important to set up your Portugal visa appointment in advance, as it can take several months to be given an appointment date. You can do this by phone or by completing an online form via the Portuguese embassy, consulate or a visa service centre. Fees vary according to the type of visa you are applying for.  If you apply through a visa service centre, you will need to pay an additional fee to the processing centre.

After you’ve lived in Portugal continuously for five years, you could be eligible to apply for a permanent residence certificate. After obtaining this, you’ll have the same rights and privileges as if you had Portuguese citizenship, although you won’t be eligible to vote in national elections or hold office.

Aside from the general visa categories, there are several specific visa types that are tailored to meet the needs of non-Portuguese citizens who want to live in Portugal.

 

In this article, you can learn more about the different types of long-stay visas available to people who want to live in Portugal and use this information to help you decide on the best visa for your circumstances.

For most long-term Portuguese visas, you’ll need to work through the following essential steps. 

1. Check you fulfil the relevant pre-requirements for your chosen visa. These vary between the different visas and include factors such as your age, income or savings. If you fail to meet the pre-requirements, your application will be rejected automatically.

2. Complete the appropriate application form and send it to the Portuguese Consulate or an approved visa application centre.

3. Make a Portugal visa appointment/interview. This can be made online, in person or via the telephone, depending on your current country of residence.

4. Make sure you have the required supporting documents. Here is a list of standard documents required for every visa application:

• Your original passport. It must have at least three months of validity after you leave Portugal and contain at least one blank page for the visa sticker. 
• Copies of passport information pages (the two pages containing your personal information and any pages with existing visa stamps or stickers)
• Confirmation of your flight reservation showing the inbound and outbound dates of travel. It must also show your name, arrival destination and departure destination. 
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal - this might be a hotel booking, an invitation from friends or family already living in Portugal or a rental agreement. 
• Medical insurance from an authorised provider in Portugal
• Medical certificate issued within the last three months, which must confirm you are free from any illness or health issue that could affect public health in Portugal.
• Evidence of sufficient financial means (if applicable to the visa you have applied for.) This could be bank statements, evidence of income, a job contract with salary details or a pension statement if you’re retired. 
• Clean police record covering the past five years. 
• Proof of work authorisation or a copy of your employment contract (if you’re applying for a work visa.)
• NIE number. You can apply for this unique number through the consulate. 
• Marriage certificate or birth certificate if you are applying as a dependent.

Your documents must be submitted in A4 format, and if they are not in Portuguese, you must attach a certified translation of each one. As well as the documents outlined above, some visa types require you to attach further documents. This information is detailed in the visa fact files below. 

You will need to: 

• Attend your Portugal visa appointment, which will include a short interview with a visa consular
• Submit your biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) if these are not already registered in the EU system.
• Pay the visa fee. The cost will depend on your age and the type of visa you are applying for. American and Canadian applicants are subject to higher fees than nationals from other countries. Fees vary from €80 to €674. If you submit your application at a visa application centre, you must pay a small additional fee to them.
• If you receive authorisation to stay in Portugal for a maximum of 180 days, you will not need to take any further action after you arrive. 

However, if your visa allows you to stay in Portugal for over six months, you’ll need to submit an application for a Foreigner Identity Card within one month of your arrival. You can apply for this at the Foreigners Office closest to the area you’ve settled in. To apply, follow these steps:

• Complete the application form
• Pay the €20 fee 
• Show your passport with a visa sticker
• Provide three recent passport photos
• Show evidence of your address in Portugal
• Show proof that you’ve paid the relevant administration fee

If you’re staying in Portugal for more than six months and intend to take up employment, you must register with the Social Security scheme before applying for your Foreigner Identity Card. 

Portugal D7 Visa / Passive Income Visa

What is it?
The Portugal D7/Passive Income Visa allows non-EU/EFTA citizens to live in Portugal for an extended period, provided they receive a reasonable and regular passive income. 
The D7 visa also allows you to travel freely through the Schengen Area.

Who is it for?
Retirees moving to Portugal, people with an independent source of income and anyone else who can support themselves financially (and any dependents they choose to bring along) without immediately needing to find work in Portugal. 
It’s aimed at people who intend to live in Portugal, so you’ll need to spend a minimum of six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months in Portugal per year. 

How long is it valid for?
Once approved, D7 applicants will be issued with a Portuguese residency card that’s valid for two years. In order to maintain residency, you must renew the card towards the end of the second year, at which point a three-year residency card will be issued. 
After that, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship. 

How to get one
In addition to the essential steps, you’ll need to provide evidence that the main applicant expects to receive a minimum income of  €9,120 per annum and that the spouse or parents of the main applicant expect to receive a minimum income of €4,560. A further €2,736 per annum must be received for each dependent child. It is also recommended that applicants hold savings of at least   €9,120 in a Portuguese bank account. 

Portugal Work Visa

What is it?
EU/EFTA citizens do not need to get a visa to work in Portugal. However, if you want to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days, you’ll need a Residence Certificate. You’ll also need to register your address with the city hall and apply for a tax number. 

If you’re a non-EU/EFTA national looking for work in Portugal, you’ll need to apply for the Portugal work visa. It doesn’t matter whether you’re seeking temporary work or a long-term career path; you’ll need a temporary work visa to take up employment in Portugal legally. 

There are several different types of Portugal Work visa, including:

• Tech Visa - if you are employed by a company that’s active in the areas of technology and innovation
• Work Visa for Teaching - if you have a job offer from an education or vocational training institution or a Portuguese research centre
• Work Visa for Cultural Activities
• Work Visa for Skilled Workers - for scientists, medical professionals, engineers, IT professionals or high-ranking administrative workers
• Work Visa for Highly-skilled Workers - for people with high-level qualifications in their profession and target earnings of at least 1.5 times the national average gross salary in Portugal
• Work Visa for Self-Employment - for business owners who wish to offer services in Portugal

Who is it for?
Non-EU/EFTA nationals who want to take up employment or run a business in Portugal.

How long is it valid for?
Work visas are usually valid for between three and four months. During this time, you’ll need to apply for a Residence Permit, register for social security and obtain a tax number.

Your residence permit for work will be valid for one to two years. After this, you can renew the permit before it expires, provided you still have a job offer from your employer. You can continue to live and work in Portugal until the renewed residence permit expires. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

How to get one
Before you apply, you must be in receipt of an offer of a job contract for a minimum period of one year. It’s essential to have a job offer and signed employment contract when applying for a Portuguese Work Visa. The job posting must have been open for at least a month; the company is required by law to demonstrate that no Portuguese or other EU citizens were available to fill the position.

Your employer will need to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf by submitting an application to the Portuguese Labour Authorities. They must complete this step after offering you the job but before you arrive in Portugal.

After that, you'll need to apply for a Portugal work visa at the Portuguese Embassy. You will use this to enter the country.

Once you arrive in Portugal, you’ll need to apply for a Residence Permit for Work at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).

You’ll need to follow the essential steps outlined above. It can take several months for your work visa application to be finalised, so it’s important to get the ball rolling as soon as possible after you receive a job offer.

You will have to pay the following fees when applying for a Portugal work visa:

• Entry visa fee:  €90
• Residence permit for work application fee (SEF) -  €83
• Fee to receive residence permit for work from the SEF -   €72

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa / D8 Visa

What is it?
Portugal introduced its Digital Nomad visa in October 2022 for remote workers and freelancers from non-EU countries. Designed to appeal to the growing number of people seeking remote work opportunities, this visa has distinct financial eligibility requirements compared to other Portuguese visas.
It allows people from non-EU/EFTA countries to apply for residency in Portugal.

Who is it for?
Remote workers and digital nomads who want to live and work flexibly in Portugal.

How long is it valid for?
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is a D visa. Once approved, you can live in Portugal for at least one year. It can’t be extended for residency purposes, but you can apply for it to be renewed up to four times.

How to get one
To apply, you must show evidence that your minimum monthly income is at least €3,280. You will also need to show evidence of freelance or remote jobs. Some consulates require you to show evidence of savings in a Portugal bank account.

You will need to follow the essential steps outlined above and ensure that you meet the minimum income requirements. 

The cost of a temporary stay visa is €75. If you opt for the long-term visa route, the cost is €90. The long-term visa is valid for four months and allows two entries to Portugal. Upon arrival, you will be granted a two-year residence permit.

Portugal Study Visa / D5 Visa

What is it?
This visa is suitable for people studying a long or short-term study programme.

Who is it for?
Non-EU/EFTA citizens who want to study in Portugal at an accredited institution for longer than 90 days.

How long is it valid for?
The duration of your study programme (between 90 days and one year).

How to get one
In addition to the essential steps, you’ll need to provide evidence indicating that you have been accepted to study at an accredited educational institution. Additionally, if you’re pursuing a higher-level academic course, you’ll need to demonstrate that you meet the admissions criteria for that course. 
Within three months of arriving in Portugal, you must apply for a one-year Portuguese residence permit. This can be renewed for up to five years, provided you remain in education. 

Portugal Golden Visa

What is it?
The Golden Visa is one of the most popular visas in Portugal. It’s designed to attract foreign investment by providing a streamlined visa process to non-EU investors who meet the criteria.

Who is it for?
The Portugal Golden Visa criteria changed in October 2023, so it’s important to get up to speed on the current requirements. All non-EU/EFTA nationals are free to apply for the Golden Visa. 
To be accepted, you must be at least 18 years old and have a clean criminal record from your home country and in Portugal. The funds associated with your investment must arrive from outside Portugal. 

Investment options include:

• A minimum of €500,000 investment in a qualifying Portuguese fund (excluding real estate-related funds)
• Creation of at least ten new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business that you own by yourself as the main applicant
• Creation of at least eight new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business based in a low-density area of Portugal, owned by the main applicant
• A minimum investment of €500,000 in an existing Portuguese business. The incorporated business must create at least five new full-time jobs for a minimum period of three years as a result of the investment
• A minimum investment of €250,000 to preserve natural heritage
  Invest at least €500,000 in research and development activities in Portugal

How long is it valid for?
If your application for the Golden Visa programme is accepted, you’ll be granted a Portuguese residence permit. This gives you and your family the opportunity to secure residency rights in Portugal. The Golden Visa also provides a route to full citizenship in Portugal, so it’s a great option for investors or retirees who are able to make the required minimum investment.

How to get one
You’ll need to follow the essential steps and provide evidence that you meet the minimum financial requirements outlined above. 

Portugal D7/Retirement Visa

What is it?
This is also known as the Portuguese Retirement Visa or the Passive Income Visa.  If you have a stable source of passive income (at least €824 per month in 2024), you may be eligible to apply. The funds can come from pensions, real estate, intellectual property, financial investment or transferable equity.

Who is it for?
The D7 visa is suitable for retirees moving to Portugal and anyone with the financial means to support themselves in Portugal without immediately needing to seek employment.

How long is it valid for?
If your application is successful, you’ll be granted a two-year temporary residence permit, which you can review for a further three years. After that, you can apply to convert the residence permit into a permanent residency card. 
After five years of holding a legal residence permit under the D7 rules, you can obtain permanent residency or apply for citizenship. 
The D7 visa also allows you to travel and move through the Schengen Area. It doesn’t immediately give you the right to work in Portugal, although this restriction is lifted when you obtain a residence permit.

How to get one?
You’ll need to follow the essential steps and provide evidence that you have the required level of passive income. 

Portugal Family Reunification Visa

What is it?
The family reunification visa is mandatory for anyone who’s a family member of a non-EU/EFTA resident in Portugal (and is also from outside the EU).

Who is it for?
Non-EU/EFTA residents in Portugal who want their family members to join them. Once a non-EU/EFTA resident has been granted a Portugal residence permit, they will be eligible to apply for the Family Reunion Visa for their spouse/partner, their children or their spouse/partner’s children (as long as they are under the age of 18), dependents over 18 (as long as they are not married, and they are enrolled as full-time students in Portugal) or dependent parents of either spouse/partner.

How long is it valid for?
Two years in the first instance. Most people are eligible to apply for another means of Portuguese residency or citizenship before their Family Reunification Visa expires.

How to apply
To apply, you’ll need to follow the application steps for each family member, show evidence of your relationship to the sponsoring family member and provide the required documents, including a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a clean criminal record certificate for each applicant.

What next?
After you’ve obtained a visa and established yourself in Portugal, you might decide to start thinking about more permanent options like securing residency or citizenship. The good news is, whether you’re an EU/EFTA national or a non-EU/EFTA national, there are procedures you can follow to gain residency and eventually citizenship in Portugal. 
If you’re an EU/EFTA national, you can apply for a temporary residence permit to reunite with close family members who are already Portuguese residents or citizens. 
If you’re a non-EU/EFTA national, you’ll need to acquire a temporary residence permit and keep this status for a minimum period of five years.