PortugalNational visa for obtaining a residence permit (study, research, traineeship)

D4 study visa in Portugal

A national visa for obtaining a residence permit, for third-country nationals enrolled at a Portuguese educational institution or research centre, or on a traineeship or volunteering programme. The visa allows entry to Portugal and is valid for a set period, after which a resident card has to be arranged with AIMA for a continued stay. Students may work under certain conditions.

Source: Portal Diplomático MNE — Vistos Nacionais, Documentação instrutória: Residência

Categories of recipient

The D4 visa is intended for third-country nationals with a confirmed invitation from a Portuguese institution.

Students

Enrolment at an institution of higher or secondary education
A letter of invitation from the institution
Evidence of means of subsistence or of holding a scholarship

Researchers

A contract with a research centre
Recognition by the research centre
Evidence of research funding

Trainees and volunteers

A practical training contract from an employer
A written agreement with the organisation
A description of the programme, the dates and the terms of the stay

When the programme is not a fit

Nationals of European Union countries

EU nationals do not need a national visa and are covered by the free movement rules

A stay of less than three months

A temporary stay visa or visa-free travel may be available

What it costs

Administrative fee for processing the national visaThe charge for the consulate to consider the application	110 EUR
Minimum means of subsistence per month for one adultThe level of the guaranteed minimum monthly wage, the RMMG	920 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	1 030 EUR

Paid separately

Additional consular services — May be charged separately depending on the consulate

Documents to gather

The list of documents depends on the applicant's category and must be complete for the consulate to consider it.

A passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned return
The national visa application form (the MNE form)
Two photographs measuring 35 by 45 millimetres, on a white background
A letter of invitation and evidence of enrolment from the Portuguese institution
For students: evidence of means of subsistence or a scholarship certificate
For researchers: a copy of the contract or agreement with the research centre
For trainees: a theoretical and practical training contract with a description of the programme
For volunteers: a written agreement from the organisation setting out the terms of the stay
A criminal record certificate
A health certificate or medical insurance (where the consulate requires it)
The receipt for payment of the consular fee

How the process runs

The process involves filing the documents, consideration by the consulate and then arranging resident status in Portugal.

1
Obtaining confirmation of enrolment from the Portuguese institution
several weeks depending on the institution
The institution sends a letter of invitation confirming acceptance and setting out the terms of the stay. For students the length of the course is stated.
2
Collecting the full set of documents
one to two weeks
Prepare every document required for your category. Make sure the copies are genuine and that an apostille is in place where required.
3
Filing the application at the consulate
one day
Apply to the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence with the full set of documents. Some consulates require an appointment in advance.
4
Consideration of the application by the consulate
sixty days
The consulate checks the documents and takes a decision. Further information or an interview may be required.
5
Receiving the visa
one to three days
Where the decision is positive, the visa is affixed in the passport. The visa is valid for four months and allows two entries to the territory.
6
Entering Portugal and arranging the título de residência with AIMA
up to nine days after arrival
After entering Portugal, apply to AIMA to arrange the resident card (título de residência). This card grants resident status for the whole period of the study, research, traineeship or volunteering.

Timelines and rights

Work

A university student may work as an employee or for themselves. The migration service is notified of this and an employment contract, or a declaration of the start of activity and registration with the social insurance system, is attached. School pupils, trainees and volunteers may not work.

Who you can bring with you

Family members can accompany the main applicant, and the means of subsistence required are calculated to take each family member into account.

First adult (the main applicant)

One hundred per cent of the base sum, that is nine hundred and twenty euros

The second and each further adult

Fifty per cent of the base sum, that is four hundred and sixty euros

Children under eighteen

Thirty per cent of the base sum, that is two hundred and seventy-six euros

Adult dependants

Thirty per cent of the base sum, that is two hundred and seventy-six euros

Renewal and the grace period

The D4 national visa cannot be renewed. Once it expires, the título de residência has to be arranged with AIMA to obtain resident status. That card is issued for the whole period of the course or programme and can be renewed if needed.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

From 19 May 2026 naturalisation applications are filed after 10 years of lawful residence, and after 7 for nationals of EU and Portuguese-speaking countries. Years on a study residence permit count: the law treats any arranged status as lawful residence.

Frequently asked questions about D4 study visa

Can a student work in Portugal while studying?

Students at higher education institutions have the right to work as employees or for themselves, provided they meet the conditions the institution sets for allowing it. On taking up work, the migration service has to be notified and an employment contract provided, or a declaration of the start of activity together with registration with the social insurance system. School pupils, trainees and volunteers are not allowed to work.

How long is the D4 visa valid and how many times can it be used?

The D4 visa is valid for four months and allows two entries to Portuguese territory. Once both entries have been used or the period has expired, the visa automatically ceases to be valid. After that a resident card has to be arranged with AIMA.

How long does the consulate take to consider the application?

The consulate decides on a visa application within sixty days of the full set of documents being filed. It is advisable to apply three months before the planned date of arrival.

Are students exempt from having to evidence financial means?

Students and researchers enrolled at officially recognised Portuguese institutions are exempt from having to provide evidence of financial means and an acceptance certificate, provided they produce a scholarship or other funding from the state or the institution.

Other ways to move to Portugal

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Portugal.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.