D3 Visa

The D3 Visa is a long-term visa intended for professionals who will work in Portugal and are considered highly qualified. The highly qualified activities are:

• Leadership or management positions, including company directors, executives, professionals working in senior management of the Public Administration, administrative managers.
• Specialists in scientific and intellectual activities, namely in the fields of health, science, IT, engineers, teachers, and specialists in culture or legal matters.

The D3 Visa will allow you to travel to Portugal and apply for the Blue Card or Residence Permit, which will allow you to live, reside and work in the country for 1 year. This permit can be renewed for two successive periods of 2 years – as long as the applicant proves the continuity of their professional activities. After these first 5 years of legally authorized residence, you can request Portuguese nationality/citizenship.

WHAT ARE THE D3 VISA BENEFITS?

• Free entry and circulation within the Schengen Area of 26 European countries without a visa.
• The possibility of family reunification (with direct relatives) in Portugal.
• Shortest delay for Portuguese residence: given its priority, D3 Visas are processed in 30 days. Once you have it, you can obtain Portuguese Residence Permit within 4 months.
• Being eligible for the EU Blue Card after residing legally in Portugal for 18 months. With it, highly-qualified workers from outside the EU have the right to live and work in any of 25 EU countries, except for Ireland and Denmark.
• The option to apply for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime.
• Qualification for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal after 5 years.
• Portuguese residency rights, including education and health care.
• EU citizenship birthright for your children born after you’ve been a legal residence for 12 months in Portugal.

WHAT REQUIREMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR THE D3 VISA?

For the D3 Visa to be successfully granted, the applicant must:

• Have an employment contract or a promise of an employment contract valuable for an indefinite period or a minimum of 1 year.
• Prove that the activity to be developed is a highly qualified activity and demonstrate adequate qualification or experience for its exercise.
• Provide evidence that its expected annual salary is of at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary or 3 times the Index of Social Support (IAS), a value updated yearly (€443.20 in 2022). This requirement also applies for those who intend to apply for a EU Blue Card in the future. 

WHAT ARE THE TAX BENEFITS VISA?

• Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime eligibility – if you haven’t been on the regime before and you weren’t a resident in Portugal in the past five years. Main benefits:
• Within the NHR,  you can transfer your tax residency to Portugal and your income will not be taxed during the first 10 years in the country. 
• If your job is considered “high value” (related to activities of scientific, artistic, or technical character), you only pay a 20% flat rate on personal income tax (IRS).
• You’ll be eligible to be exempt from paying tax on pensions, dividends, royalties, rental income, real estate gains, and income from non-Portuguese sources if your country has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Portugal. You would, instead, pay taxes in your country of origin.

WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO FILL OUT THE D3 VISA FORM?

• Two identical passport photographs, in color with a plain background.
• Passport valid for an additional 3 months following the duration of the intended stay. 
• Travel reservation.
• Valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including emergency assistance and repatriation.
• Form authorizing Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) to consult your criminal record  (except for minors under 16).
• Police Clearance Certificate from the applicant’s country of origin or country of residency for over 1 year.
• Proof of accommodation. 
• Proof of means of subsistence.

For Teachers:

• Invitation letter from a recognized University or Professional Training Institute with the details of the position being offered. 

For researchers:

• An invitation letter from a recognized research center.

For highly qualified professionals:

• Term of Responsibility issued by a company certified under the terms defined by the ordinance of the Members of the Government responsible for the areas of Internal Administration and Economy. 

For cultural professionals:

• An invitation letter from the company/organization that currently is developing in Portugal a cultural activity recognized by the Ministry of Culture as being of great significance to Portugal.
• In the case of subordinate workers:
• Valid employment contract or promise of employment contract with at least 1 year duration.
• Regulated profession: proof that you are qualified to exercise it in Portugal.
• Non-regulated profession: proof that you are the holder of high professional qualifications appropriate to the activity or sector specified in the contract.

HOW TO APPLY  FOR THE D3 VISA?

• The deadline to receive a D3 Visa is 30 days. This type of visa is treated with the highest priority. The application is free of charge.
• Apply for the D3 visa from your home country outside the EU/ EEA/Switzerland (you can do this at the E-Visa Portal).
• Make an appointment with a Visa ApplicationCentre to have your fingerprints and photo taken, that is, register your biometric data.
• Get your D3 visa.