D2 Visa
The Portugal D2 Visa, also known as the Entrepreneur Visa, is aimed at providing residence authorization to non-EU entrepreneurs, freelancers and independent workers.
For the D2 Visa to be granted you must make investment operations in Portugal or prove to have financial means available in the country. This mostly applies to people either opening up a new company in Portugal, or a branch of their already existing business.
Who can apply for the Portugal D2 Visa?
- Entrepreneurs who want to open a company in Portugal;
- Entrepreneurs who already have their business in their country of origin and would like to follow up on it in Portugal;
- Self-employed people – independent/liberal professionals that want to work in Portugal and already have a work contract or written work proposal. Freelancers and digital nomads can also apply, as long as they prove that they offer differentiated services that are relevant to the country.
BENEFITS of the D2 Visa
- The right to establish a business or work as an independent professional and live in Portugal
- 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
- The option to apply for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime
- Low corporate tax rate compared to other countries: 21% on net profit
- Qualification for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal after 5 years
- Portuguese residency rights, including education and health care
With the D2 visa, you can apply for and receive the Portuguese 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.
WHAT DOCUMENTS do i need for the D2 Visa in Portugal?
- Application form
- Passport
- Two recent head shot-type photographs of yourself
- A ticket that guarantees your return
- Valid travel insurance
- Request for consultation of the Portuguese criminal record by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF)
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin
- Evidence of accommodation conditions
- Proof of means of subsistence in the country
For freelancers and liberal professionals:
- Partnership contract, proposal or service provision contract within the scope of liberal professions
- A declaration issued by a competent entity that verifies the right to exercise a profession that is subject to special qualifications (e.g.: doctors)
Conditions for entrepreneurs
If you plan on bringing your business to Portugal, the evaluators will take into account the conditions and the potential of the company’s contribution to the country. You must prove your organization’s value through the following elements:
- A declaration that you have carried out or intend to carry out an investment operation in Portugal, indicating its nature, value, and duration.
- A structured business plan, along with the reasons that led to the creation of the business.
- Demonstrate that you have the financial capacity for your proposed business venture during the time you will be living in the country and the viability of the business. Proof of financial resources for scaling will be an advantage.
- Social capital for your company – an initial capital that ensures that the company can function, even if it’s not making profits. In Portugal, small companies have an average social capital of €5,000, a reference value to consider in your application.
- A consolidated CV, with demonstrated networking and experience as a business manager, is a plus.
The D2 Visa application will be assessed by taking into account the economic, social, scientific, technological and cultural relevance of the investment. The perspective of the creation of jobs in Portugal will also count in your favor.
HOW TO APPLY FOR the D2 VISA?
The time it takes to analyze the request is, on average, 90 days. Your D2 Visa allows you to stay for 4 months in Portugal, during which time you must schedule an appointment with the SEF to get a valid Portuguese residency.
You can apply for the D2 visa either in the Portuguese consulate of your home country or through the E-Visa Portal. You can then book an appointment with SEF to be interviewed and register your biometric data.
1. Submission of Visa application
- Obtaining a NIF (Tax Identification Number)
- Opening a bank account in Portugal.
- Acknowledgment of signatures.
- Manage the legalization of documents, where applicable, in Portugal.
- Manage the legalization of documents, when applicable, in Switzerland.
- Collect, prepare, legalize the translation, and transmission of the initial documents for the visa application.
- Manage the initial administrative formalities.
- Provide all representation services.
- Submit the visa application to the competent local authorities, for the main applicant and family members, including dependants, if applicable.
2. Visa Application Follow-up
- Follow-up and coordinate the administrative processing with local authorities.
- After the request is accepted, collect and transmit the residence permits.
- Orientation and accompaniment during visits to Portugal.
- Organize the necessary appointments (namely for the biometric process) and provide all the necessary guidance during the stay in the country.
3. Services after obtaining the Visa
- Submit the residence permit application.
- Follow-up of residence permit renewals (after two years).
- Various administrative and support services (Numero de Utente and NISS).
- “Orientation Program”: The goal of this program is to offer orientation about Portugal, giving an overview of the lifestyle, cultural activities, infrastructure, transportation, health services, and commercial areas.
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