Portugal D2 Visa: The Honest Guide for US and UK Entrepreneurs (2027)

In short: The D2 visa is Portugal’s residence visa for self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs from outside the EU, including US and UK citizens. You qualify either with a services contract or written proposal from a client in Portugal, or by investing in a Portuguese business or holding funds for that purpose in a Portuguese bank account. There is no legal minimum investment, but you must prove means of subsistence for at least 12 months: around €11,640 for one person in 2027. The visa costs €110, is valid for four months, and during that time you apply to AIMA for a two-year residence permit.

Portugal rewards founders with fast company formation, falling corporate tax and a high quality of life. It also comes with slower bureaucracy than most Americans and Britons expect, and stricter rules on family reunification and citizenship since 2025. We cover both.

Who is the D2 visa for?

Why US and UK citizens need it

Since Brexit, British citizens are third-country nationals in Portugal and need a residence visa to live and work here, just like Americans. Tourist entry (90 days in any 180) does not allow you to work or to switch to residence from inside Portugal.

The two tracks

Track A: self-employed and freelancers. You need a services contract or a written proposal from a client in Portugal. Regulated professions (architects, engineers, lawyers, doctors) also need confirmation from the Portuguese professional order.

Track B: entrepreneurs and investors. You have already invested in Portugal, or you hold funds in a Portuguese bank account and declare your intention to invest, stating the nature, value and duration of the investment. This can be a new company, a branch of your existing business or a stake in a Portuguese company.

The legal basis is article 89 of the Foreigners Act (Lei 23/2007). The process has two stages: the visa at the Portuguese consulate, then the residence permit at AIMA in Portugal.

D2, D7, D8 or D3: which one fits?

Our rule of thumb: if almost all your clients are in the US or UK and you work remotely, the D8 is usually the easier route. Choose the D2 when your business actually happens in Portugal.

D2 visa requirements

Is there a minimum investment?

No. The law sets no figure. The consulate does judge whether your plan and your money are convincing, so a business plan showing how you will earn money in Portugal is essential in practice.

Means of subsistence

You must prove funds for at least 12 months based on the Portuguese minimum wage: €970 per month for 2027 applications (€920 in 2026).

A couple with two children needs around €24,444, on top of the capital for the business. See the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Accommodation

You need proof of accommodation in Portugal, ideally a registered lease of 12 months or more. Many consulates reject short-term rentals such as Airbnb.

Documents for US and UK applicants

Each consulate’s checklist takes priority. The basis is the MNE residence visa list.

• Application form and two passport photos
• Passport valid at least 3 months beyond the planned stay
• Portuguese tax number NIF and a Portuguese bank account holding your funds
• Travel health insurance including repatriation, in practice for at least 6 months
• Criminal record: US – FBI Identity History Summary with apostille from the US Department of State; UK – ACRO police certificate with apostille from the FCDO
• Consent for AIMA to check the Portuguese criminal record
• Proof of accommodation
• Track A: services contract or written proposal, plus professional-order confirmation if regulated
• Track B: investment declaration, proof of investment or funds in Portugal, business plan

Step by step

1. Prepare (4–8 weeks): NIF, bank account, transfer funds, lease, business plan, apostilles and certified translations.
2. Apply: at the Portuguese consulate responsible for your place of residence, usually through VFS Global in the US and UK. The legal decision deadline is 60 days.
3. Enter Portugal: the visa is valid for four months and two entries. Your AIMA appointment is usually printed on it.
4. Start your activity: before the AIMA appointment, your company must be set up, your activity registered with tax and social security, or your contract signed.
5. AIMA appointment: biometrics and document check. AIMA has 90 days to decide, 120 in exceptional cases (Lei 62/2026).
6. Residence card: first permit 2 years, then 3-year renewals. Permanent residence after 5 years.

Legal deadlines are not real waiting times. Build in a buffer and do not sell your home before the visa is in your passport.

What does the D2 visa cost?

The old €90 visa fee no longer applies since March 2025.

Family

Since Lei 61/2025 (in force 23 October 2025), family reunification normally requires two years with a valid permit, and the D2 is not exempt. Exceptions: minor children and the other parent of those children can join without waiting; childless couples can reunite after 15 months if they lived together for 18 months before entry.

Taxes: what Americans and Britons should know

• Corporate tax (IRC): 19% in 2026, legislated to 18% in 2027; SMEs pay 15% on the first €50,000 of profit.
• Freelancers: turnover up to €15,000 can be VAT-exempt; social security is 21.4% on part of your income, usually waived in the first 12 months.
• IFICI (“NHR 2.0”): the old NHR is closed to new applicants. IFICI applies only to specific qualifying activities; a typical D2 freelancer rarely qualifies.
• US citizens remain subject to US tax filing wherever they live. The US–Portugal and UK–Portugal double tax treaties help avoid double taxation, but plan this with a cross-border adviser.

We do not give tax advice ourselves, but we work with experienced tax advisers and are happy to introduce you.

Permanent residence and citizenship

After five years you can apply for permanent residence. For Portuguese citizenship, US and UK citizens now need ten years of legal residence (Lei Orgânica 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026), counted from the issue of your first permit. Many articles still say five years; that is outdated for new applications.

Our tips from the ground

I have lived in Portugal for over 20 years and went through the immigration process myself. What makes the difference:

• Write the business plan for Portugal. Portuguese prices, salaries and clients convince. A letter of intent from a Portuguese client beats ten pages of market analysis.
• Order your FBI or ACRO check at the right time. Most consulates accept records up to three months old, and the apostille takes extra weeks.
• NIF and bank account first. Without a Portuguese account there is no proof of funds in Portugal.
• Rent long-term with a registered lease. You will need it for the consulate, AIMA and almost every office afterwards. Our visa-compliant rental service focuses on exactly that.
• Hire an accountant from day one. It is mandatory for companies and avoids problems at renewal.
• Expect delays. AIMA has reduced its backlog, but appointments remain the bottleneck.

How we help

Pearls of Portugal has supported people moving to Portugal since 2010, from Porto and across the whole country:

• NIF, bank account and fiscal representation
• Visa-compliant long-term rental
• Document review before you submit
• Our partner lawyers for business plan, company formation and legal questions
• Support with the AIMA appointment and renewals
• Introductions to tax advisers, banks and insurers

The visa decision rests with the Portuguese state. Our job is to make sure your file is complete, consistent and on time. Book a free call or start with our Portugal visa overview.

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need a visa to start a business in Portugal?

Yes. US citizens can visit Portugal for 90 days without a visa, but to live and work there they need a residence visa such as the D2. It is applied for at the Portuguese consulate, usually via VFS Global, before moving.

Can UK citizens still move to Portugal after Brexit?

Yes, but they now need a residence visa like any non-EU national. For self-employed Britons and founders, the D2 is the main route; for remote workers with UK clients, the D8 often fits better.

How much money do I need for the Portugal D2 visa?

There is no legal minimum investment. You must prove 12 months of means: around €11,640 for the main applicant in 2027, plus 50% for a partner and 30% per child, on top of a business budget that matches your plan.

How long does the D2 visa take?

The consulate has 60 days by law and AIMA another 90 days for the permit, 120 in exceptional cases. Realistically, plan six to twelve months from preparation to residence card.

What is the difference between the D2 and D8 visa?

The D2 is for self-employed people and founders whose business takes place in Portugal. The D8 is for remote workers with employers or clients abroad and requires income of four Portuguese minimum wages.

Can I bring my family on a D2 visa?

Minor children and the other parent of those children can join without waiting. Other family members usually need the main applicant to hold a permit for two years first, since Lei 61/2025.

When can I get Portuguese citizenship with a D2?

US and UK citizens need ten years of legal residence, counted from the first residence permit. Permanent residence remains available after five years.

Do I have to pay US taxes if I live in Portugal?

US citizens must keep filing US tax returns wherever they live. The US–Portugal tax treaty and foreign tax credits usually prevent double taxation, but get advice from a cross-border tax adviser before you move.