1. Overview
Understanding the different types of residency visas available in Portugal can be challenging, particularly when determining which option best fits your situation, whether you meet the eligibility criteria, and understanding the relevant process. We offer a free consultation where we assess your visa eligibility before recommending any of our services. In the meantime, this blog post is designed to give you a general idea of how you could relocate to Portugal.
There are several pathways to obtaining residency in Portugal, whether through securing an employment contract with a Portuguese company or enrolling at an educational institution. However, this article will focus on the residency visas available for digital nomads and remote workers (D8), passive income earners (D7), and entrepreneurs (D2).
It’s easy to mix up the D7 and D8 visas since the differences between them are subtle. The main distinction lies in the type of income that you earn. Simply put, the D7 is for those earning passive income, while the D8 is for those with active income (see the individual visa sections below for examples of income types).
Before the D8 visa was introduced in October 2022, digital nomads and remote workers were often successful in applying for the D7 visa, even though their income was considered “active” (e.g., freelance work or remote salaries). This caused confusion, as the D7 visa was originally designed for individuals with passive income due to its stable and continuous nature. The introduction of the D8 visa, which specifically caters to digital nomads and remote workers, has helped clarify the situation and provide greater certainty for those seeking Portuguese residency.
The D2 visa is designed for entrepreneurs who fit one of the following categories: (1) those with an existing business in their home country looking to expand into Portugal; (2) individuals planning to establish a new business in Portugal; (3) those interested in acquiring or investing in an existing Portuguese business; or (4) individuals intending to work as self-employed professionals in Portugal.
2. D8 Visa – for digital nomads & remote workers
Portugal has been a popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers for many years. To meet the increasing demand, the Portuguese government launched the D8 visa in October 2022.
To qualify for this visa, you must be aged 18+, non-EU citizen, have a clean criminal record, and earn a minimum of €3,280 per month in active income. Examples of ‘active income’ include earnings from self-employment, freelance work, or a salary from an employer outside of Portugal.
Two Types of D8 Visa
The D8 visa comes in two forms: long-term or short-term. Both allow the holder to live in Portugal and continue exercising their professional activity, but the benefits, procedures, and obligations vary.
Long-term option: This begins with a 4-month visa, which is converted into a 2-year residency permit after you arrive in Portugal. The permit can be renewed for an additional 3 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship. A major benefit of the long-term option is family reunification, allowing you to bring your spouse, children, and other adult dependents. However, you will need to open a Portuguese bank account before applying, and you will become a tax resident of Portugal after relocating.
Short-term option: This visa is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for an additional 6 months. Unlike the long-term option, you are not required to convert this visa into a residency permit after arriving in Portugal, nor do you need to open a Portuguese bank account or become a tax resident. However, this option does not allow for family reunification, and it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.
D8 Long-Term: Main Requirements
Financial: You must earn a minimum of €3,280 per month in active income (four times the Portuguese minimum wage) and deposit a minimum of €12,000 in your Portuguese bank account.
NIF (Portuguese tax number)
Portuguese Bank Account
Accommodation: A 12-month rental agreement registered with Finanças (tax authority) or a property purchase agreement.
Travel Insurance: A sufficient policy to cover the period of your temporary visa, i.e., until you have your appointment with AIMA to convert it into a residency permit.
Criminal Record Check
Marriage Certificate (if applying with a spouse)
Other Formalities: Additional documents may be required depending on your individual circumstances. For example, remote workers must provide a remote work contract, while self-employed applicants need to show evidence of service contracts with clients. Certain documents may need to be obtained to meet the various requirements, and these may also need to be translated into Portuguese, notarised, or apostilled. Given the complexities and varying requirements across Portuguese Embassies and Consulates, navigating the process alone can be challenging. While the requirements might seem straightforward on paper, they can be challenging to meet due to ambiguous interpretations. Many clients approach us after spending significant time attempting to navigate the process alone, only to encounter obstacles. To find out how we can assist you, click here or continue reading for more details.
D8 Long-Term: Procedure
1. Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or VFS Global Office in your home country.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents to meet the D8 visa requirements.
3. Attend Visa Appointment: Bring all documents printed and organised to your appointment.
4. Wait for Approval: The visa approval process typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
5. Collect Your Visa-Stamped Passport: Once approved, your passport will be stamped with a visa valid for four months and permitting two entries into Portugal.
6. Move to Portugal: Relocate to Portugal and await your appointment with AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Authority).
7. Attend AIMA Appointment: At this appointment, your four-month visa will be converted into a two-year residency permit.
8. Renew or Apply for Permanent Residency: If you wish to remain in Portugal after the initial two years, you can renew your permit for an additional three years. After this period, you may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.
D8 Short-Term: Main Requirements
The requirements for the D8 short-term visa are similar to those for the long-term visa, with the exception of not needing to open a Portuguese bank account or obtain a NIF.
D8 Short-Term: Procedure
1. Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or VFS Global Office.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents to meet the visa requirements.
3. Attend Visa Appointment: Bring all documents printed and organised as required to your appointment
4. Wait for Approval: The visa approval process typically takes around 4-6 weeks
5. Collect Your Visa-Stamped Passport: Once approved, your passport will be stamped with a visa valid for 12 months.
6. Move to Portugal
3. D7 Visa – for passive income earners
While commonly referred to as the “retirement visa,” you do not need to be retired to apply for the D7 visa. The association with retirement stems from the fact that D7 applicants must demonstrate a stable source of passive income, with pensions being a common example. However, passive income can also include earnings from rental properties, interest, dividends, royalties, and investments. The stable nature of this type of income is why the D7’s monthly income requirement is significantly lower than that of the D8 visa.
To qualify for this visa, you must be aged 18+, non-EU citizen, have a clean criminal record, and earn a minimum of €820 per month in passive income. This amount corresponds to the current minimum wage in Portugal.
D7: Main Requirements
Financial: The main applicant must demonstrate a minimum of €820 per month in passive income. For each adult dependent, an additional 50% of this amount is required, and 30% for each child dependent. Additionally, you must deposit at least €12,000 into a Portuguese bank account, plus an extra 50% for each adult dependent and 30% extra for each child.
NIF (Portuguese Tax Number)
Portuguese Bank Account
Accommodation: A 12-month rental agreement registered with Finanças (tax authority) or a property purchase agreement.
Travel Insurance: A sufficient policy to cover the period of your temporary visa, i.e., until you have your appointment with AIMA to convert it into a residency permit.
Marriage Certificate (if applying with your spouse)
Other formalities: Additional documents may be required based on your specific circumstances. For instance, if you rely on rental income, you’ll need to provide proof of property ownership. If you earn dividends, evidence of directorship or shareholding is necessary. Pension recipients should present pension documents. Documents might also need to be translated into Portuguese, notarised, or apostilled. As mentioned, navigating the process alone can be challenging and more complex than it appears on paper. To find out how we can assist you, click here or continue reading for more details.
D7: Procedure
1. Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or VFS Global Office in your home country.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents to meet the D7 visa requirements.
3. Attend Visa Appointment: Bring all documents printed and organised to your appointment
4. Wait for Approval: The visa approval process typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
5. Collect Your Visa-Stamped Passport: Once approved, your passport will be stamped with a visa valid for four months and permitting two entries into Portugal.
6. Move to Portugal: Relocate to Portugal and await your appointment with AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Authority).
7. Attend AIMA Appointment: At this appointment, your four-month visa will be converted into a two-year residency permit.
8. Renew or Apply for Permanent Residency: If you wish to remain in Portugal after the initial two years, you can renew your permit for an additional three years. After this period, you may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.
4. D2 Visa – for entrepreneurs
As mentioned above, the D2 is aimed at entrepreneurs who fall into one of the following categories: (1) those with an established business in their home country looking to expand into Portugal; (2) individuals wanting to start a new business in Portugal; (3) those interested in acquiring or investing in an existing Portuguese business; or (4) individuals planning to work as self-employed professionals in Portugal.
For those pursuing the fourth option, it’s not necessary to establish a company in Portugal. Instead, you can continue working as a self-employed individual, which can help avoid the costs associated with setting up a company. However, this route still requires the applicant to demonstrate how their professional services can contribute and add value to society in Portugal. This is done through a detailed business plan, which will be assessed based on various factors, including economic, social, technological, and cultural impact. It is strongly recommended that you have service contracts with Portuguese clients. Additionally, you must appoint a Tax Representative in Portugal; this can be a Portuguese friend rather than an accountant.
D2: Requirements
Financial: While there are no specific minimum income requirements for the D2 visa, your business plan must demonstrate sufficient financial viability. Additionally, you must deposit at least €10,000 into a Portuguese bank account, with an extra 50% for each adult dependent and 30% for each child dependent.
Comprehensive Business Plan
NIF (Portuguese Tax Number)
Portuguese Bank Account
Accommodation: A 12-month rental agreement registered with Finanças (Portuguese tax authority) or a property purchase agreement.
Travel Insurance: A sufficient policy to cover the period of your temporary visa, i.e., until you have your appointment with AIMA to convert it into a residency permit.
Criminal Record Check
Marriage Certificate (if applying with your spouse)
Other Formalities: See the above visas for typical examples.
D2: Procedure
1. Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or VFS Global Office in your home country.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents to meet the D2 visa requirements
3. Attend Visa Appointment: Bring all documents printed and organised to your appointment.
4. Wait for Approval: The visa approval process typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
5. Collect Your Visa-Stamped Passport: Once approved, your passport will be stamped with a visa valid for four months and permitting two entries into Portugal.
6. Move to Portugal: Relocate to Portugal and wait for your appointment with AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Authority).
7. Attend AIMA Appointment: At this appointment, your four-month visa will be converted into a two-year residency permit
8. Renew or Apply for Permanent Residency: If you wish to remain in Portugal after the initial two years, you can renew your permit for an additional three years. After this period, you may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.
5. How We Can Help
Navigating Complexity: Moving to Portugal can be complex and time-consuming. Requirements frequently change, bureaucracy is often excessive, and there is rarely one straight answer. Attempting the process on your own can be overwhelming, and advice from online forums and Facebook groups may not always be reliable. Many people share their own experiences or those of others, but what worked for them may not necessarily apply to your situation. It’s important to remember that every application is distinct.
Comprehensive Packages: Our all-in-one visa packages are designed to be comprehensive and transparent. Unlike many firms that charge extra for essential services like obtaining your NIF, setting up a Portuguese bank account, or finding accommodation for your one-year lease, we include all these services and more. Our packages also cover post-move support, such as a tax consultation with a trusted Portuguese accountant.
Personalised Assistance: Relocation Simplified was founded by me, Lewis, a British lawyer living in Portugal. I work closely with clients on a personal level, ensuring clear communication and a smooth transition. My goal is to be your dedicated relocation partner, making your move to Portugal as seamless as possible.
Get in Touch: Contact us today to book your free consultation and start your journey to Portugal with confidence.