Relocating halfway across the world and gaining a Portugal Residency Visa might seem complicated for non-EU citizens.
This article outlines various paths to residency and makes the process a little more manageable. Establishing residency in Portugal will always be smoother with a little expert help.
We recommend seeking advice from trusted professionals such as real estate agents, immigration lawyers, and accountants.
What is Portuguese Residency?
Portuguese residency refers to the legal status granted by the Portuguese government that allows a non-citizen to live in Portugal on either a temporary or permanent basis.
Being a resident generally confers various rights—such as the right to work, access healthcare services, enroll in education, and travel within the European Schengen area (for short stays)—while also imposing obligations, such as abiding by Portuguese laws and, in some cases, paying taxes in Portugal.
However, while a Portuguese residency visa is typically what you need to enter Portugal with the intention of residing, the residence permit actually confers legal resident status once you are in the country.
The Portuguese government has enticed many foreigners to Portugal through several visa programs aimed at people from all walks of life.
These programs attract foreign capital investment and stimulate the Portuguese economy. The Golden Visa Program, for example, has attracted many non-EU nationals to Portugal.
Benefits of a Portuguese Residency Visa
A Portuguese residency visa is your initial step toward living in Portugal. It differs from a short-stay Schengen visa because it allows you to enter Portugal to establish residency. After you’ve converted it into a residency permit, there are several benefits:
- Family reunification: Your legally recognized spouse, children, and other eligible dependents may also apply for residency, allowing families to stay together in Portugal.
- Citizenship: After five years of legal residence, you may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship, which confers the right to an EU passport and associated freedoms.
- Work or Study: Certain residency visa categories (e.g., work visa, study visa) enable you to work or study legally once you obtain the corresponding residence permit in Portugal.
- Healthcare: Access to Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS) on the same terms as Portuguese citizens, though contributions and registrations may be required.
- Freedom of movement: With a Portuguese residency permit, you can typically travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days out of every 180-day period.
Applying for a Portuguese Residency Visa
Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national who wishes to live in Portugal for more than 90 days can apply for a Portuguese residency (long-stay) visa. The type of residence visa you need depends on how long and why you plan to stay in Portugal.
Your residence visa allows you to apply for a temporary residence permit in Portugal, which is the first step toward getting permanent residency.
Several options are available for applying for a residency visa, all with differing criteria, requirements, and application procedures. However, when applying for a residence permit, you’ll generally need to prepare several documents, such as:
- A valid passport
- Visa application form
- Valid residence visa (when applicable)
- Two recent and identical color photographs
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support your stay
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of health and travel insurance
- AIMA appointment confirmation
Getting a Portuguese Residency Visa
Residency by investment
Portugal has one of the most successful residency-by-investment schemes in Europe. Commonly known as the Golden Visa Program, the program gives residency permits to individuals who invest in Portugal.
Here is a summary of potential investment routes for the Golden Passport Portugal:
- Fund subscription: Make a contribution to Portuguese investment funds (such as private equity funds or venture capital funds) worth at least €500,000
- Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national cultural heritage with a donation of at least €250,000
- Scientific research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
- Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
- Share capital and job creation: Venture capital funds for a commercial company in the national territory or reinforcement of a company’s share capital. This company must have its head office in the national territory. The minimum investment of €500,000 is combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (five of them permanent).
The minimum investment amounts for options 2 and 3 may be reduced by 20% when the investment activity is carried out in low-density areas.
These regions have fewer than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer or GDP per capita of under 75% of the national average.
One advantage of obtaining residency through investment is that you do not have to relocate permanently to Portugal. As a Golden Visa holder, you have relaxed residency requirements, especially compared to other EU countries.
Residency by work
One route to Portuguese residency is through employment. This means emigrating to Portugal and then living and working in the country with an approved work visa.
Several work visas are available in Portugal, and not all of them require you to have a job lined up in Portugal before applying for a residence work visa in your home country.
D2 Entrepreneur Visa: The Portugal D2 Visa is a work visa designed for individuals who intend to engage in independent professional activities or start a business in Portugal. This type of visa is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals who wish to take advantage of the growing business opportunities in Portugal.
D3 Qualified Workers Visa: The Portugal D3 Visa is designed for highly skilled professionals such as scientists, researchers, and academics whom Portuguese institutions invite and offer employment contracts. To be eligible for this Portuguese visa, the applicant must have a work or services contract or a promise that falls under the highly qualified activity category.
D8 Digital Nomad Visa: The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa targets remote workers interested in operating from Portugal. To qualify, individuals need to earn at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, roughly amounting to €3,480.00 per month.
Citizens of some non-EU countries with bilateral agreements with Portugal are allowed to apply for a work residence visa in Portugal within 90 days of arrival into the country. These countries include:
- US
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- Israel
After entering Portugal with a Portuguese work visa, you will eventually have to change it to a residence permit.
Residency by family reunification
Portuguese law allows holders of a residence permit to be joined by their immediate family members or dependents.
The holder of a valid residence permit will apply to AIMA for family reunification (D6 Visa) to allow family members to enter the country. Some of the documents you will need to present to AIMA include the following:
- Authenticated supporting documents proving the family links involved
- Authenticated copies of the identification documents of the applicant’s family members
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of means of subsistence
- A criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where the applicant resided for more than one year
It’s important to note that applying for the D6 Visa and the subsequent potential for a Portugal residence permit involves an in-depth process.
Applicants must show financial capacity to provide and provide evidence of their direct ascendant or family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.
Residency through study
Studying in Portugal is also a great way to get Portuguese residency. There are three options: a short-term student visa, a temporary student visa and a long-term study visa.
As the name implies, a short-term student visa is only intended for studying in Portugal for up to 90 days. With this residence permit, students are only allowed to take part-time jobs depending on the approval of AIMA.
The Temporary Portugal Student Visa caters to programs spanning three months to a year, including study courses, vocational training, student exchange initiatives, internships, or volunteer student work.
Proof of acceptance into a study, training program, exchange, internship, or volunteer work is needed. They are usually issued for a maximum of one year.
The long-term Portuguese student visa applies for study programs exceeding a year, including all degree and PhD programs. Securing a placement at a university or educational institution in Portugal is typically required.
The legal residency permit is initially valid for one year but can be renewed every two years for up to five years. It can be extended if the course continues.
Residency through retirement
Retiring in Portugal is also a popular way of getting residency, thanks to the D7 Passive Income Visa. It’s for individuals who have steady financial resources—like pension payments, rental income, or investment returns—and prefer not to depend on a job in Portugal.
You apply for it at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your home country, and if you get approved, you can come to Portugal and eventually set up your official residence permit.
One of the best things about the D7 visa is that it opens the door to living in Portugal long-term, where you can enjoy the country’s laid-back lifestyle, mild climate, and generally affordable cost of living compared to many other European destinations.
After five years of continuous residency, you can even move toward permanent residency or apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the language and other requirements. Some of the common places people choose to retire to in Portugal are:
For more information on the best places to retire, check out our article here.
Residency by marriage
If you’re married to a Portuguese citizen for more than three years (or someone who already has a legal residence permit in Portugal), you generally qualify for residency.
First, if you’re living outside of Portugal, you would apply for a family reunification visa at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your country.
You’ll need to submit official proof of marriage that’s recognized under Portuguese law, along with documents like valid passports, evidence of financial support, and in some cases a clean criminal record.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive a visa to enter Portugal, where you can then formalize your residency with AIMA.
If you’re already in Portugal—legally and with the right to change status—you can usually handle the whole process directly with SEF without returning to your home country.
You’ll still need a valid marriage certificate and other supporting documents to prove the legitimacy of your relationship, but once they review and approve your case, you’ll be granted a residence permit as a spouse.
This permit generally has a one or two-year initial validity and can be renewed.
After maintaining continuous legal residence for five years, you can then apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the necessary requirements (like basic Portuguese language skills if you aim for citizenship).
Portuguese Residency Validity
It depends on the specific temporary residence permit, but in most cases, it is valid for two years. It can be renewed for two more years and again two years after that.
After five years of temporary residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (or citizenship), which must be renewed every five years.
Frequently Asked Questions on Portugal’s Residency Visa
How can I get residency in Portugal?
You can get residency in Portugal in six basic ways: Marriage, family reunification, study, work, investment, or retirement. If you live outside the EU, you’ll need to apply for the relevant visa for each of these. Once that visa is accepted, you’ll apply for residency with the Portuguese government.
Is it easy to get residency in Portugal?
It is fairly easy to get residency in Portugal. The key is to be organized and persistent. You’ll navigate a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy to get residency in Portugal, and you’ll start by applying for a visa. The visa you apply for will depend on your circumstances: student, investor, or retiree, for example.
How long does it take to get residency in Portugal?
In simplest terms, you can receive permanent Portugal residency once you’ve lived in the country for five years with a temporary residence permit. To become a permanent resident of Portugal, you need to have a long-stay visa and fulfill minimum stay requirements.
How can I settle in Portugal?
To settle in Portugal, you need a visa to establish residency. Once you have your visa, you can set up a home in Portugal and apply for your residence permit. Part of your residence permit requires that you have a Portuguese address and spend a minimum amount of time in Portugal each year.
What is the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program?
The Portugal Golden Visa is an initiative launched by the Portuguese government to attract foreign investment. In return for making a qualifying investment in Portugal (such as investing in Portuguese funds), non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can obtain a residence permit.
What are the investment options available for the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program?
Under the Golden Visa program, there are several main categories of qualifying investments. These typically include investing at least €500,000 in eligible Portuguese venture capital or private equity funds, or investing at least €500,000 in research activities conducted by public or private entities within Portugal.
What are the benefits of obtaining Portuguese residence through investment?
Golden Visa holders enjoy several key advantages. Most notably, they gain the legal right to live and work in Portugal, which is a stable EU country known for its high quality of life, mild climate, and relatively low cost of living.
What is the minimum investment required for the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program?
The minimum investment can vary based on the chosen investment route and specific criteria. The lowest threshold is €250,000 for donating to the arts or the restoration of historical buildings.
How long does it take to process an application for the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program?
The Golden Visa application process typically takes around six to nine months from initial submission to approval, though it can sometimes extend beyond that due to high demand and administrative backlogs. After the application is approved, you’ll need to attend an in-person appointment.
