Portugal Visa Programs

Visa programs play an important role in migration, which will always be a fundamental source of human development. Within “Schengen Europe”, we are already benefiting from a free culture to live, learn, and work anywhere you like.

Portugal has a pretty advanced Visa program that allows highly qualified workers, startups, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world to live and work in the country.

Types of Visa programs in Portugal

ARI Visa (Golden Visa): The so-called Golden Visa program is a residence-by-investment program for non-EU nationals. The residence permit gives the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and allows free circulation in Europe’s Schengen Area for five years. The advantage if this program is that you only have to stay an average of seven days per year in Portugal over a five-year period. You can apply for citizenship eligibility after the complete five years.

D7 Visa: The D7 Visa – allows foreign non-EU nationals to live in Portugal on their own income, regardless of age. The visa was originally defined to attract retirees but has becomes also quite attractive for anybody that fullfills the low passive income threshold of 9120 Euro per year. This income can come from pensions, real estate rentals, and investments, among others. Salaries are no passive income. The D7 visa enables the respective holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for a period of one year, which can then be renewed for successive periods of 2 years and can be converted into a permanent residence permit after 5 years.

D3 Visa: The D3 Visa is a visa aimed to attract highly qualified professionals to the Portuguese territory. The visa category offers fast-track processing and a clear path to obtaining Portuguese permanent residency and is also eligible after 5 years for Portuguese citizenship. With this, you will be able to live in Portugal with the same basic rights as a Portuguese citizen. You can use the public health system, banks system, and even travel freely through the countries of the Schengen area. You also have the possibility of applying for EU Blue Card, after complying with its requirements.

D2 Visa: The D2 Visa allows entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent service providers to live in Portugal.  Applicants must prove that they either have founded a company operating in Portuguese territory or they have the financial resources to set up a company in Portugal. Besides the business capital, applicants should have a reliable business plan and in-depth research about future business in Portugal. Having knowledge of the business community in Portugal will always help. 

Digital Nomad Visa: The Digital Nomad Visa is aimed towards those who like to travel from country to country while remote working for a foreign company or being self-employed. As of 2023, it is valid for up to a year. However, it can be renewed after that. The main concern with this Visa is making sure you have enough earnings. Your income has to be higher than €2820 – which is 4 times the national minimum wage – and you must provide proof of it.