Moving to Portugal

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8, residence version)

Visto de residencia para exercicio de atividade profissional prestada de forma remota (D8)

Employees or freelancers earning at least 4x the Portuguese minimum wage from clients or employers outside Portugal who want to move for 2+ years.

What you need

• Average monthly income over the last 3 months of at least 4x the minimum monthly guaranteed remuneration (RMMG), from remote work for employers/clients outside Portugal. (EUR 3,680 a month)
• Many consulates also ask for savings held in a Portuguese bank, typically 12 months of the minimum wage. This is consulate practice, not a figure on the MNE page. (EUR 11,040 a lump_sum)
• Employment contract or employer declaration (employees); company contract, service contracts or proof of services to one or more clients (freelancers); proof of tax residence.
• Travel/health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation for the visa period.
• Criminal record certificate from country of nationality and countries of residence over 1 year, apostilled (US: FBI check).
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal is commonly requested by consulates.

Not for

• Income mainly from Portuguese clients or a Portuguese employer
• Income below 4x minimum wage
• Passive income only (use D7)

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Apply at the Portuguese consulate with jurisdiction over your place of legal residence (US applicants usually via VFS Global centres). The visa (4 months, 2 entries) is then converted into a residence permit at AIMA in Portugal.

How long it takes

Not officially stated on the MNE page. Secondary sources report the consulate stage takes weeks to a few months and the AIMA permit stage 6-9 months in 2026 due to backlogs (secondary estimate).

First permit

Residence visa valid 4 months; AIMA residence permit for 2 years (standard temporary residence permit term; not re-checked on AIMA in this pass).

Renewal

Renewable for 3-year periods while conditions are met (standard Law 23/2007 rule; verify with AIMA).

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Law 61/2025 (22 Oct 2025): a sponsor must normally hold 2 years of legal residence before reunifying family already outside Portugal. Exceptions: minor or disabled children in the sponsor's care, and the spouse/partner who is the parent of such a minor. Spouses can apply together at the consulate with the main applicant in many cases; confirm with the consulate. Income requirement per dependant is not stated on the MNE page.

Portugal Digital Nomad temporary stay visa

Visto de estada temporaria para exercicio de atividade profissional prestada de forma remota

Remote workers who want up to about a year in Portugal without committing to residence.

What you need

• Average monthly income over the last 3 months of at least 4x the minimum monthly guaranteed remuneration, from remote work. (EUR 3,680 a month)
• Employment contract/employer declaration or service contracts; proof of tax residence.
• Travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled.

Not for

• People who want a path to permanent residence or citizenship
• Local Portuguese employment

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Portuguese consulate for your place of residence (VFS in the US).

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Up to 1 year, multiple entry (secondary sources; the MNE page does not state a duration).

Renewal

Secondary sources disagree on whether extensions are possible; it does not lead to a residence permit.

Family

Family temporary stay visas exist (AIMA fee table lists 'VET - Familiares de Estadas Temporarias'); confirm with the consulate.

Portugal D7 passive income / retirement visa

Visto de residencia para reformados, religiosos e pessoas que vivam de rendimentos (D7)

Retirees and people with regular passive income (pensions, rent, dividends, royalties) at least equal to the Portuguese minimum wage.

What you need

• Regular passive income (pension, rental, financial or intellectual property income) of at least the minimum wage for the main applicant. The MNE page refers to means 'defined by government decree' (Portaria 1563/2007) without stating the figure. (EUR 920 a month)
• Commonly applied add-ons under Portaria 1563/2007: +50% of RMMG for a second adult, +30% for each child. Not shown on the MNE page. (EUR 460 a month)
• Consulates commonly want 12 months of the required income in a Portuguese bank account; practice varies. (EUR 11,040 a lump_sum)
• Proof of pension amount or of income from movable/immovable property or intellectual/financial assets.
• Travel/health insurance.
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled.
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal (lease or deed) is commonly required.

Not for

• People whose main income is active work (use D8 or a work visa)
• Income below the minimum wage

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Portuguese consulate with jurisdiction over your residence (VFS in the US, UK and Canada). Visa then converted into an AIMA residence permit.

How long it takes

Not officially stated; AIMA appointment backlogs of several months reported in 2025-2026 (secondary).

First permit

Residence visa 4 months; residence permit 2 years (standard rule; verify with AIMA).

Renewal

Renewable for 3-year periods (standard rule; verify).

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Law 61/2025 (22 Oct 2025): a sponsor must normally hold 2 years of legal residence before reunifying family already outside Portugal. Exceptions: minor or disabled children in the sponsor's care, and the spouse/partner who is the parent of such a minor. Spouses can apply together at the consulate with the main applicant in many cases; confirm with the consulate. Extra income per dependant: see requirements.

Portugal D2 entrepreneur / independent professional visa

Visto de residencia para exercicio de atividade profissional independente ou para imigrantes empreendedores (D2)

Founders investing in a Portuguese business, or independent professionals with a contract or proposal from Portuguese clients.

What you need

• Independent professionals: a service contract or written proposal; for regulated professions, proof of professional competence.
• Entrepreneurs: evidence of investment operations already executed or intention to invest in Portugal, plus proof of financial means available in Portugal. No fixed minimum is stated on the MNE page.
• Means of subsistence; the MNE page does not state an amount. Consulates commonly apply the minimum wage (EUR 920/month in 2026) as the benchmark.
• Startup Visa variant: IAPMEI declaration of an incubation contract with a certified incubator.
• Travel/health insurance.
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled.

Not for

• Remote work for foreign clients only (D8 fits better)
• People without a credible Portuguese business plan or client

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Portuguese consulate for your place of residence. Law 61/2025 also created an in-country entrepreneur permit that does not need an employment contract; details not verified.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Residence visa 4 months, then a 2-year residence permit (standard rule; verify).

Renewal

Renewable for 3-year periods (standard rule; verify).

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Law 61/2025 (22 Oct 2025): a sponsor must normally hold 2 years of legal residence before reunifying family already outside Portugal. Exceptions: minor or disabled children in the sponsor's care, and the spouse/partner who is the parent of such a minor. Spouses can apply together at the consulate with the main applicant in many cases; confirm with the consulate.

Portugal highly qualified work visa (D3)

Visto de residencia para atividade altamente qualificada (D3)

People with a Portuguese job offer of 6+ months in a highly qualified role.

What you need

• Work contract or promise of a contract of at least 6 months.
• Salary of at least 1.5x the national average annual gross salary, or 3x the IAS, per the MNE wording. For professions in particular need of foreign workers: 1.2x the average salary or 2x the IAS (EUR 1,074.26/month in 2026). (EUR 1,611.39 a month)
• Regulated professions: authorisation to practise in Portugal. Unregulated: proof of high qualifications for the role.
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled.

Not for

• People without a Portuguese employer
• Roles not requiring higher qualifications

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Portuguese consulate for your place of residence; then AIMA residence permit.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Residence visa 4 months, then residence permit (2 years; verify).

Renewal

Renewable (3-year periods; verify).

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Holders of highly qualified permits are exempt from the 2-year waiting period for family reunification introduced by Law 61/2025.

Portugal EU Blue Card

Autorizacao de residencia Cartao Azul UE

Graduates or experienced professionals with a Portuguese job offer meeting the Blue Card salary floor, who want EU mobility.

What you need

• Work contract for a highly qualified job (secondary sources say 6+ months).
• Annual gross salary of at least 1.5x the national average gross annual salary (1.2x for shortage occupations). Secondary sources give EUR 21,030 for 2026; no official 2026 euro figure found. (EUR 21,030 a year)
• Higher-education qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Not for

• Self-employed or remote workers

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Residence visa from the consulate, then the Blue Card permit at AIMA.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Not verified.

Renewal

Not verified.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Blue Card holders are exempt from the 2-year family reunification wait (Law 61/2025).

No current official euro threshold found; Expatica notes the EU portal shows a 2023 figure. Permit length and renewal not verified.

Portuguese citizenship for grandchildren

Atribuição da nacionalidade portuguesa a netos (Lei da Nacionalidade 37/81, art. 1(1)(d), as amended by Lei Orgânica 1/2026)

Grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen by origin who can show knowledge of Portuguese language and culture.

What you need

• A grandparent who is (or was) Portuguese by origin and did not lose that nationality. Grants original nationality (from birth). No residence in Portugal required.
• For applications from 19 May 2026: sufficient knowledge of Portuguese language, culture, history and national symbols, plus knowledge of fundamental rights and duties and state organization (art. 1(3) applying art. 6(1)(c)-(h)). No level set by law; the implementing regulation was still not updated as of Sept 2026. CIPLE (A2) has been the usual proof.
• Solemn declaration of adherence to the democratic rule of law; no disqualifying criminal conviction; no national-security threat; not under UN/EU sanctions. 'Effective ties' to the national community still required, method of proof unsettled.
• Birth certificates of applicant, parent and grandparent; marriage certificates; criminal records from each country lived in; apostilles and translations (not verified on IRN page).

Not for

• Great-grandchildren (separate 5-year residence naturalization only)
• Applicants without Portuguese language knowledge

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Portuguese consulate or Conservatória / IRN in Portugal (not verified on an official page).

How long it takes

No official published processing time; backlogs at IRN are long (secondary sources withdrew their estimates).

First permit

Not a permit.

Renewal

Not applicable.

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Family

Each grandchild applies; their own children then claim through them as children of a Portuguese citizen.

Portuguese naturalization for great-grandchildren after 5 years' residence

Naturalização de bisnetos de portugueses originários (Lei 37/81 art. 6(8), added by Lei Orgânica 1/2026)

Great-grandchildren of a Portuguese citizen by origin who will live legally in Portugal for 5 years.

What you need

• Great-grandchild of a Portuguese citizen by origin with at least 5 years' legal residence in Portugal (instead of the general longer periods). Discretionary: the Government 'may' grant it.
• Portuguese language and civic knowledge under art. 6(1); level pending regulation.

Not for

• People who cannot live in Portugal for 5 years first

Where you apply

From inside the country. Requires a Portuguese residence permit first (e.g. D7 or D8).

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Not a permit.

Renewal

Not applicable.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.

Family

Not stated.

Secondary sources only; how residence is counted and the language level are unsettled.

Portugal Golden Visa

Autorizacao de Residencia para Investimento (ARI), art. 90-A Lei 23/2007

Investors who want EU residence with minimal time in Portugal (7 days in year 1, 14 days a year after).

What you need

• Units of Portuguese non-real-estate collective investment funds: maturity at least 5 years at investment, at least 60% invested in companies headquartered in Portugal (subalinea vii). (EUR 500,000 a lump_sum)
• Capital transfer to research activities of public or private scientific research institutions in the national system (subalinea v). (EUR 500,000 a lump_sum)
• Capital transfer for artistic production or recovery/maintenance of national cultural heritage through listed public or public-interest bodies (subalinea vi). Secondary sources report a 20% reduction (EUR 200,000) in low-density areas; AIMA's form shows a different reduced figure. (EUR 250,000 a lump_sum)
• Capital to set up a Portuguese company creating 5 permanent jobs, or to recapitalise one creating 5 permanent jobs or keeping 10 jobs (5 permanent) for 3 years (subalinea viii). (EUR 500,000 a lump_sum)
• Creation of at least 10 jobs (subalinea ii); no minimum amount.
• Hold the investment for at least 5 years from permit grant; stay in Portugal at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later year.
• Health cover (SNS or internationally recognised health insurance).
• Criminal record from country of origin and countries of residence over 1 year.

Not for

• Real estate purchase (removed Oct 2023)
• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and Portuguese citizens
• People seeking a fast route to citizenship (now 10 years from first permit)

Where you apply

From inside the country. Applied for with AIMA after legal entry (visa-free entry is fine for US, Canadian, UK and Australian citizens); no residence visa needed. Renewals via AIMA Renewals Portal (from Feb 2026, secondary).

How long it takes

Not officially stated; backlogs of a year or more reported (secondary).

First permit

2 years from issue of the card.

Renewal

Renewable while the investment and stay requirements are met (3-year renewals under current law; verify with AIMA).

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.

Family

Spouse, minor children, dependent children 18-25 who are single and studying, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can be included. ARI holders are exempt from the 2-year reunification wait (Law 61/2025). Each family member pays permit fees.