Are you thinking about making Portugal your new home? The Type D Visa Portugal could be your ideal route. This picturesque European country is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage and is increasingly popular among entrepreneurs, retirees, and digital nomads. But understanding the pathway to residency is crucial.
The Type D Visa is more than just a travel document; it’s your entry point into a new lifestyle in one of Europe’s most enchanting countries. This guide aims to demystify the different categories of the Type D Visa, including the entrepreneur-focused D2, the retiree-friendly D7, and the digital nomad D8.
Let’s delve into what you need to know to transform your dream of living in Portugal into a tangible plan.
Table of contents
What is a Type D Visa in Portugal?
So what exactly is the Type D Visa Portugal anyway? It’s a long-term visa for those looking to stay in Portugal for over three months, serving as a gateway to obtaining a residence permit. Unlike short-stay visas, it’s designed for various long-term purposes like work, study, retirement, or other significant activities.
What sets the Type D Visa apart is the requirement for applicants to be in Portugal initially. This step is crucial for integrating new residents into Portuguese life and culture, emphasizing the country’s approach to welcoming and assimilating its new members.
In the following sections, we will detail the types of Type D Visas available, helping you identify the one that aligns with your plans to reside in Portugal.
Exploring Variations of the Type D Visa Portugal: Which one is right for you?
Portugal’s Type D Visa caters to a variety of individuals, each with different goals and needs. Here, we’ll explore each variant in detail to help you identify the one that aligns with your specific situation.
D1 Visa Portugal (Work Visa)
The D1 Visa is the go-to choice for professionals who have accepted an employment offer in Portugal and plan to reside for more than 12 months. It’s a specific residency visa for individuals ready to start their professional journey in Portugal.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Specifically for those with a confirmed contract employment or a promissory contract employment in Portugal.
- Duration: Valid for long-term stays, typically 2 years.
- Employment Condition: Crucially, the job must have been advertised and interviewed for within Portugal. The D1 Visa comes into play only if the position cannot be filled by a Portuguese citizen or a citizen from another EU country. This is an important consideration for employers and prospective employees alike.
How Can We Help You?
Schedule a free consultation below and one of our lawyers will be in touch.
D2 Visa Portugal (Entrepreneur Visa):
The Portugal D2 Visa is designed for emerging entrepreneurs who aim to establish innovative businesses there. It’s a strategic initiative by Portugal to attract fresh talent and ideas into the country.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Tailored for entrepreneurs planning to start an original and innovative enterprise in Portugal.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a unique or innovative business idea, supported by a robust business plan. Additionally, some level of capitalization is required to substantiate the feasibility of the business.
- Incentive: Portugal offers this visa as an incentive for entrepreneurs to contribute to the country’s economy with fresh, innovative ventures, thereby driving growth and diversification.
D3 Visa Portugal (Highly Qualified Activity Visa):
The D3 Visa, known as the Portugal HQA Visa Program, is for highly skilled professionals across various industries. It’s designed to attract top-tier talent to Portugal, contributing to key sectors of the economy.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Aimed at highly qualified foreign nationals in specified industries and activities.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Employment Offer: An offer of employment for 12 months or longer, with a salary package at least 1.5 times the national minimum wage.
- Specific Professional Qualification: Possessing a highly specific professional qualification relevant to a non-regulated profession.
- Suitability: This visa is ideal for individuals who meet these criteria and are seeking to leverage their high qualifications in Portugal’s dynamic job market.
D4 Visa Portugal (Student Visa):
The D4 Visa, also known as the Student Visa for Portugal, is for non-EEA nationals who intend to pursue educational endeavors in Portugal for more than three months. It covers a range of academic and training activities, making it the go-to visa for students and interns.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: For educational pursuits in Portugal, including academic studies, exchange programs, professional internships, and voluntary internships.
- Eligibility: Applicable to university students from non-EEA countries without a visa waiver agreement with Portugal.
- Duration: Intended for stays exceeding three months. For educational stays shorter than 90 days, you should apply for a C-Type Schengen Visa instead.
- Suitability: Ideal for those enrolled in or accepted by educational institutions in Portugal for a range of educational and training programs.
D5 Visa Portugal (Higher Education Visa):
The D5 Visa is for college or university students who wish to pursue their tertiary education in Portugal. It’s a specialized student visa category that facilitates the entry and stay of international students in Portuguese higher education institutions.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Specifically designed for students accepted into higher education programs in Portugal, including masters, postgraduate, and doctoral studies.
- Eligibility: Non-EEA nationals accepted to a college or university in Portugal. Applicants must provide proof of enrollment, sufficient financial means for the duration of their studies, and adequate accommodation in Portugal.
- Duration: Corresponds to the length of the academic program, with options for renewal based on continued enrollment and academic progress.
- Suitability: Ideal for international students seeking a quality education in Portugal’s renowned universities and colleges.
D6 Visa Portugal (Family Reunification Visa):
The D6 Visa serves as the gateway for family reunification in Portugal, allowing legal residents to bring their close family members to join them. It’s a vital visa category for maintaining family unity during long-term stays in Portugal.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Designed for family reunification, enabling legal residents in Portugal to bring their immediate family members to the country.
- Eligibility:
- Eligible family members include spouses, dependent children under 18, and financially dependent parents over 65.
- Requirements: Proof of relationship, such as marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children, evidence of financial stability of the resident in Portugal, and adequate living arrangements.
- Duration: Typically aligned with the residency period of the sponsor in Portugal.
- Suitability: This visa is essential for those who wish to have their immediate family live with them in Portugal during their residency.
D7 Visa Portugal (Retirement or Passive Income Visa):
The D7 Visa, often referred to as the Portuguese Retirement or Passive Income Visa, is a popular choice for a diverse range of applicants seeking to make Portugal their new home. This visa category is particularly attractive to those who can demonstrate sufficient income, especially from passive sources, originating outside Portugal.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Designed for individuals or couples who plan to reside in Portugal, provided they can showcase adequate income, especially passive income, derived from sources outside the country.
- Income Requirement: In 2024, the minimum income requirement for a single applicant is €820 per month (€9,840 per year).
- Stability Matters: While meeting the minimum income requirements is essential, to enhance the chances of visa approval, applicants should demonstrate a stable income substantially higher than the minimum.
D8 Visa Portugal (Digital Nomad Visa):
The D8 Visa, commonly known as the Digital Nomad Visa Portugal, is for remote workers, freelancers, and individuals embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. Portugal extends a warm welcome to those seeking to combine work and leisure while enjoying the country’s unique blend of culture, nature, and modernity.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: Designed for digital nomads and remote workers who can work from anywhere and choose Portugal as their base.
- Eligibility: To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Earn at least 4 times the minimum wage in Portugal. In 2024, this amounts to €3,280 per month on average.
- Be from a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country (for example, the UK, US, Canada or Australia)
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Duration: The D8 Visa offers two options:
- Temporary Stay: Allows you to live in Portugal for up to 1 year.
- Residence Visa: Allows you to stay for up to 5 years, with the possibility of renewal or exchange for permanent residency after. After 5 years, you will also be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
The D9 Visa (Golden Visa)
The D9 Visa, often referred to as the Portugal Golden Visa or ARI (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento), is a unique residency by investment program in Portugal tailored for non-EU citizens.
Key Aspects:
- Purpose: For non-EEA nationals, the D9 Visa is designed for significant investments in Portugal, with a minimum requirement of €250,000. One of the lowest thresholds in Europe.
- Residence: It grants long-term residence, eliminating the need for frequent renewals.
- Work: You can work in Portugal without an additional employment permit.
- Duration: Initially valid for one year, it’s renewable in two-year increments as long as your investment continues.
Applying for a Residence Permit in Portugal
You’ve landed the Type D Visa, and the charming shores of Portugal are calling your name. While the visa grants you entry into Portugal, there’s another important milestone on your journey to reside here long-term: the residence permit.
Here’s how you can smoothly transition from a visa holder to a proud resident.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Initial Preparation:
- Ensure you have a valid Type D Visa.
- Gather necessary documents, including proof of accommodation in Portugal, financial stability, and health insurance coverage.
Scheduling an Appointment with AIMA:
- Contact the Agência para a Integração Migrações (AIMA) to schedule an appointment.
- It’s advisable to do this as soon as possible after arriving in Portugal due to high demand.
Submitting the Application:
- At the appointment, submit your application along with all required documents.
- You may also need to provide biometric data.
Awaiting Approval:
- Once your application is submitted, there’s typically a waiting period for processing.
Receiving the Residence Permit:
- Upon approval, you’ll receive your residence permit.
- This permit often needs to be renewed periodically, so be mindful of the expiration date.
Important Legal Considerations:
- Each type of Type D Visa has specific requirements for transitioning to a residence permit. For instance, income thresholds may vary for D7 visa holders.
- We recommend consulting with an experienced immigration lawyer in Portugal to help determine whether you meet the legal requirements for your visa residence permit. We can ensure your new adventure in Portugal is a seamless process from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions about Type D Visas in Portugal
1. What is D2, D3, and D7 visa in Portugal?
D2, D3, and D7 are specific types of Type D visas in Portugal:
- D2 Visa: This visa is designed for emerging entrepreneurs looking to start innovative businesses in Portugal.
- D3 Visa: Also known as the Highly Qualified Activity Visa, it caters to highly qualified foreign nationals in various industries.
- D7 Visa: Often referred to as the Portuguese retirement or passive income visa, it is suitable for applicants with sufficient passive income sourced from outside Portugal.
2. What is the difference between D2 and D7 visa in Portugal?
The key difference between these two visas lies in their purpose:
- D2 Visa: Designed for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
- D7 Visa: Suited for individuals with sufficient passive income or long-term stay.
3. How long is the D visa valid for?
The duration of a Type D visa varies depending on the specific Portugal visa types and the issuing country’s regulations. It can range from a few months to several years. D7 visas for retirees, for example, can offer long-term residence.
4. What is the difference between C type and D type visa?
In Portugal, C type visas, also known as short-stay or Schengen visas, are for short visits to Schengen Area countries (up to 90 days).
D type visas, on the other hand, are national visas for long stays in a specific Schengen Area country (over 90 days). D visas are typically used for purposes like work, study, family reunification, or long-term residence.
Can Lexidy help me acquire a Type D Visa Portugal?
Whether your dreams include launching an innovative venture, retiring in Portugal, or pursuing a highly qualified career, there’s a visa that aligns with your aspirations. Our team of legal experts in Portugal specializes in immigration matters and can be your guiding light on this exciting journey, ensuring a seamless transition from visa holder to proud resident.
Ready to turn your Portuguese aspirations into reality? Simply fill out the form below, and one of our legal eagles will be in touch with you to initiate the process. Your journey to becoming a part of this captivating country starts here.
