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Immigration services in Portugal

Immigration routes: Portugal

Residence permit

Residence permit in Portugal: D7Top

For financially independent people with passive or remote income.
from ≈ $1,750
3–6 months

Digital nomad residence permit in Portugal — D8

Portugal's digital nomad residence permit (D8) for remote workers: a short-stay visa or a residence visa with the residence permit issued.
from $5,720
6–8 months

Visa applications

Schengen visa to Portugal

A turnkey visa to Portugal: the appointment, the application form, bookings, insurance, covering letters, checks and status tracking. You attend in person.
from ≈ $190
1–4 weeks
Reference

Immigration routes: Portugal

13 routes to move to Portugal: grounds, requirements, documents and timelines. Each route carries a link to the official source and the date we checked it. The terms change several times a year, so we check the requirements for your case on a free consultation.

Residence permit in Portugal: D7Top

For financially independent people with passive or remote income.
from ≈ $1,750
3–6 months

Digital nomad residence permit in Portugal — D8

Portugal's digital nomad residence permit (D8) for remote workers: a short-stay visa or a residence visa with the residence permit issued.
from $5,720
6–8 months

D2 Visa

Entrepreneurs and freelancers.

D1 employment work visa (Visto de residência para exercício de atividade profissional subordinada)

A long-term national visa for obtaining a residence permit, issued for the purpose of stay «work under an employment contract». The financial threshold is taken from the MNE page «Meios de subsistência» (https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/meios-de-subsistencia).

D3 work visa for highly qualified activity (Visto de residência para atividade altamente qualificada)

A residence visa for the purpose of «highly qualified activity and teaching». Specific salary thresholds for highly qualified activity are not published on the MNE page checked — they have to be verified separately.

D4 study visa (Visto de residência para estudo, investigação, estágio ou voluntariado)

A residence visa for the purpose of «research, study and traineeship».

D6 family reunification visa (Visto de residência para reagrupamento familiar)

A foreign national holding a valid residence permit in Portugal has the right to be reunited with family members who are outside the country. From 22 October 2025 the sponsor must have held a residence permit for at least two years. For a spouse the couple lived with for 18 months before the move, the period is 15 months; it does not apply to minor dependants or dependants lacking legal capacity. AIMA decides within nine months and in complex cases extends the period by another nine.

Tech Visa (technology company certification programme)

A certification programme for technology and innovation companies, allowing visas or residence permits to be issued to highly qualified third-country nationals who will work at those companies. The Tech Visa is a certification of companies, not a separate type of visa: you look for an employer among the certified ones and file the documents under the general list for a residence visa. The programme's conditions are administered by IAPMEI.

Permanent residence permit (Autorização de Residência Permanente, art. 80.º)

An open-ended residence authorisation for a foreign national who has held a temporary residence permit for 5 years. The amount of the fee is not named on the page: the rates are set by Portaria n.º 307/2023 of 13 October, and the table is updated from 1 March each year.

Naturalisation (Aquisição da nacionalidade portuguesa por naturalização)

The government grants citizenship on the application of a foreign national, by decision of the Minister of Justice. From 19 May 2026, 10 years of lawful residence are required, and 7 years for nationals of the EU and of Portuguese-speaking countries. Applications filed before that date are considered under the previous wording of the law. Periods of residence are added together if they fall within 12 years; for the EU and Portuguese-speaking countries, within 9.

Qualified job-search visa (Visto para procura de trabalho qualificado)limited

A national visa for entry and job search under article 57.º-A of the Foreigners Act (Lei n.º 23/2007). As at August 2026 Portuguese consulates are not issuing this visa: they are waiting for the implementing regulation under article 57-A of the Foreigners Act.

Asilo / Proteção Internacional

Asylum / refugee status

Financial requirement

There is no state fee; reception conditions: accommodation, assistance, healthcare

Documents

Identity and travel documents, details of family and route, an account of the persecution, evidence, Eurodac

Timelines and rights

Review time

Admissibility within 7 working days; full consideration takes longer

Validity

Applicant status — a residence permit for 6 months, renewable; protection status — a residence permit for 3-5 years

Right to work

The right to work for applicants and for recognised beneficiaries

Residence conditions

Living in reception centres or in one's own accommodation

Golden Visa / ARI

Residence permit by investmentlimited

Grounds: Funds / culture. The property purchase route is closed.

Financial requirement

Funds from €500,000; scientific research about €500,000; culture from about €250,000; business with job creation about €500,000

Documents

Passport, application form, evidence of the investment, criminal record certificate, evidence of the source of funds, medical insurance, NIF

Timelines and rights

Review time

From filing to the first card usually 6-8 months (AIMA queues)

Validity

The first card 1 year, renewed every 2 years

Right to work

The right to reside; work is not required but is allowed

Residence conditions

At least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each 2-year period

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