Guide to Portugal Visas
A GUIDE TO THE 7 DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISAS PORTUGAL OFFERS
Portugal offers 7 primary different types of visa options. Each visa has a different purpose, requirements that must be met to qualify, and terms that they last for.
This guide will help you understand which Portuguese visa is right for you and how to get the visa do you need without disqualify yourself.
Knowing the exact rules, qualifications, and kinds of visas offered will protect you from issues while you explore Portugal. In this guide, we cover every Visa option available with Portugal.
Portugal Visas at a Glance
| Type | Purpose | Key Requirements | Residency Obligations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Stay Visa (Schengen Visa) | Tourism, family visits, or short-term business (up to 90 days) | Valid passport, purpose of visit documentation, €80 fee | Up to 90 days within a 180-day period |
| Temporary Stay Visa | Stays between 90 days and 1 year for work, study, or medical purposes | Passport, return travel, full health insurance, proof of self-sufficiency, criminal record access, €75 fee | Up to 1 year with multiple entries allowed |
| Long Stay Visa (Residency Visa) | Stays exceeding 1 year for work, family, or study | Residency permit application, financial stability proof, valid passport, €90 fee | Over 1 year, renewable, leads to permanent residency after 5 years |
| Golden Visa | Investment-based residency with minimal physical presence requirements | Qualifying investment (€500k in funds, €250k in arts, etc.), minimal physical presence | 7 days in the first year, 14 days per year thereafter |
| D7 Visa (Retirement Visa) | Residency for retirees or individuals with passive income | Proof of passive income (€9,840/year minimum), property rental/purchase, residency | 16 months in the first 2 years |
| D2 Visa (Entrepreneur Visa) | Residency for entrepreneurs or freelancers starting or transferring businesses | Viable business plan, €50k investment recommended, proof of financial stability | 6 months per year within the first 5 years |
| D8 Visa (Nomad Visa) | Residency for remote workers with location-independent jobs | Employment contract or proof of income (€3,040/month), rental agreement, NIF | 12-month minimum rental agreement, establish tax residence |
Does Portugal Require a Visa?
Before diving into what kind of visa you need, some readers will be surprised to find out that they don’t need a visa at all.
For EU/EFTA Nationals
Citizens of the EU and EFTA countries can travel to Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to register for a residency certificate.
For Non-EU/EFTA Nationals
Portugal has visa-free travel agreements with 61 countries, including the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom, for short stays of up to 90 days. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a visa tailored to your purpose before arriving.
For this reason, a Portugal visa for US citizens is often not actually necessary—unless you plan to stay a long time.
Types of Portugal Visas by Legnth of Stay
Portugal offers many visa categories, each suited to different lengths of stay and purposes. They also come with their own Portugal residency requirements.
1. Short Stay Visas (Schengen Visas)
The Schengen visa allows travel within Portugal and the broader Schengen Area, limiting you to 90 days within any 180-day period. That makes it a good choice for tourism, family visits, or short-term business. It only costs €80 for most adults, with reduced fees for children and some nationalities. Exemptions apply to children under six and specific educational or non-profit purposes.
2. Temporary Stay Visas
This is the go-to for stays that break the Schengen Visa’s 90-day rule but will last under one year. Citizens from visa-free countries must still apply for this visa for extended stays, but EU/EFTA nationals won’t need to.
3. Long Stay Visas (Residency Visas)
To stay over a year, you’ll need a residency visa. This requires you to apply for a residency permit upon arrival and demonstrate you can cover yourself financially for your entire stay.
Special Residency Visas: Golden Visa, D7 Visa, and D2 Visa
Apart from the three visas mentioned above, Portugal offers these specialty-purpose choices. They have more specific requirements but give you much more freedom once you get them.
Portugal Golden Visa
The Golden Visa program offers a streamlined residency route for investors. Although real estate investment no longer qualifies, there are alternative pathways. You’ll need to make a qualifying investment that meets one of these criteria:
- €500,000 in investment funds (including private equity or venture capital)
- Creation of 10 full-time jobs
- €500,000 in funding for scientific research
- €250,000 in funding for arts and cultural heritage
This visa requires minimal physical presence—just seven days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent years. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Check out our full guide to the Portuguese Golden Visa here.
Portugal D2 Visa (Portuguese Start-Up Visa)
The D2 Visa is tailored for entrepreneurs and freelancers. The qualifications are actually fairly lax as long as you meet some basic requirements.
For your business, you’ll need only one of the following:
- have a full business plan to launch a company in Portugal
- have a full business plan to open a Portuguese branch of a company you own in another country
- buy a Portuguese company
You’ll also need:
- proof of means to live in Portugal for a year (€9,840)
- full private health insurance
- a clean criminal record
- be over 18 years of age
Like the D7 and Golden Visa, the D2 Visa allows family reunification and eventual pathways to citizenship.
Portugal D7 Visa (the Portuguese Retirement Visa)
Known as the Portuguese Retirement Visa, the D7 Visa is a fantastic option for individuals with steady incomes from pensions, rentals, or investments. As long as you won’t take employment opportunities away from Portuguese workers, you probably qualify.
- Minimum Income: €9,840 per year in passive income for the main applicant, with additional amounts for dependents (€4,920 for a spouse or parent, €2,952 per child).
- Property: You must buy or rent Portugal property for your stay.
- Residency Requirements: Spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the first two years of the visa.
- Family Reunification: Spouses and dependents enjoy the same residency rights.
Portugal D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa)
This is a relatively new option, brought into law in late 2022. It allows professionals who are location-independent to live here on a more permanent basis in Portugal.
You’ll need:
- Employment contract (if you have an employer)
- Taxpayer ID Number (NIF)
- Bank account in Portugal
- Proof of a salary above €3,040 per month
- Proof of a rental agreement in Portugal at least 12 months long (establishing a tax residence)
This route is perfect for remote workers who can do their job from anywhere.
Help Getting Portugal Visas
Feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of all these visas? PDC helps people just like you take on the application process and tackle any challenges that come up along the way.
Get your visa to Portugal and start living your Iberian dream life!
It all begins with a free consultation call with one of our experts. They will walk through your situation and find the best path forward for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can a US citizen become a resident of Portugal?
Yes! Through the various visa programs, there are actually many ways a US citizen can live in this country. Probably the most coveted is the Golden Visa.
Has Portugal scrapped the 90-day rule?
No, not at all. But some recent headlines have been misleading as the law surrounding Portugal visas has gone through a lot of changes since COVID. Our clients have often become frustrated by the contradicting information now available online because of these recent changes. You’ll find our guides are all brought up to date.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
Portugal offers several different options. Contact us to see if you qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa. Contact us at (213) 654-2133 to help confirm your eligibility.
