Portugal D2 Visa for Entrepreneurs

Like Portugal’s other visa pathways, the Portugal D2 visa is aimed at third country nationals from outside the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland.  

The Portugal D2 visa is designed for people who want to open a new business in Portugal, set up a Portuguese branch of an existing business, or move to Portugal to run a business that already exists.  In light of that, the D2 is also known as the Entrepreneur Visa.

Unlike the Golden Visa, you won’t need to make a hefty investment in Portugal to get the D2 visa. And unlike the D7 visa, you don’t need to prove a source of regular passive income.

Instead, getting the Portugal D2 visa mainly depends on having a viable business that you can run in Portugal. The business can be anything from a coffee shop to a wellness retreat to a real estate agency – there are no restrictions. 

If you plan to start your own business or work as a freelancer while in Portugal, you will need a visa to legally perform independent professional activity or entrepreneurial work. This is called a D2 visa and there is one for entrepreneurs and another for freelancers. 

You may will be free to work in the field of your choice in Portugal and register with Portugese Social Security for benefits like parental and sickness leave.

You must be able to demonstrate the viability of your project in Portugal with a business plan for an entrepreneur visa. You must also incorporate a company by registering it in the Commercial Register. Our Corporate law Department can help you set up the company remotely by means of a simple power of attorney before you move to Portugal.

In Portugal, there is some discretion when verifying and assessing the economic and employment benefit that the business activity will bring. However, most of the time, the application’s chances of success are enhanced by how qualified the service provider is or the scale of need for the business in the country. 

For the Freelance visa, it is necessary to register with the Tax Office and pay contributions directly to the Social Security Service.

The D2 visa is for independent workers or those who will incorporate a company in Portugal. If you are moving to Portugal with an employment contract, you would need a highly-qualified activity work visa, or D3 visa. 

With the D2 visa, you can either incorporate a company or work as an independent worker and in both cases, no need for a contract with a Portuguese company. 

We recommend this visa if your priority is to work on your activity, project or idea from the day you arrive in Portugal and you consider you can fulfil the “general interest” requirement.

First of all, the applicant has to either create a company, which we can advise on and execute, or enrol with the correct professional organization for freelancers. 

Once the applicant established the company or has signed a contract delivering services as a liberal professional, they can apply for a visa at the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in their home country. 

After the respective D2 visa has been issued, the applicant can travel to Portugal and make an appointment at the Portuguese Border and Immigration Service, called SEF. At this appointment, the applicant will submit their residence permit application, collect biometric data and deliver the documentation. 

After the appointment, the application is analyzed internally and the applicant is notified of the decision of approval. They then receive the residence card. 

The Entrepreneur route for the D2 visa: 

– Get a NIF (tax number in Portugal) 

– Set up a business bank account at a Portuguese bank

– Create a Portuguese limited company (LDA) 

– Appoint an accountant who understands the Portuguese tax system 

– Show evidence of having sufficient financial means to set up and run the company.  Incorporating a company in Portugal requires paying corporation tax every year as well as social security contributions.

The Independent service provider route for the D2 visa: 

– Get a NIF (tax number in Portugal) 

– Set up a bank account at a Portuguese bank

– Show proof of relevant experience or qualifications in your field, like an academic degree or CV 

– Show proof of a contract with one or more clients