D2 Visa Lawyers in Portugal
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How can a lawyer help me with a D2 visa?
A lawyer can assist you with the process of obtaining a D2 visa in Portugal by providing legal guidance, ensuring that you meet all the requirements, and handling the necessary paperwork. Here’s how a lawyer can help you:
Understanding the requirements: A lawyer familiar with Portuguese immigration law can explain the specific requirements for obtaining a D2 visa. They will assess your eligibility and determine whether you meet the necessary criteria, such as having sufficient financial means, a viable business plan, or acceptance into an educational institution in Portugal.
Document preparation: Applying for a D2 visa requires gathering and submitting various documents, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, financial statements, business plans, and educational acceptance letters (if applicable). A lawyer can assist you in preparing and organizing these documents, ensuring that everything is in order and meets the requirements.
Application assistance: The D2 visa application process involves completing forms and submitting supporting documents to the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your home country. A lawyer can guide you through the application process, help you fill out the forms correctly, and ensure that you provide all the necessary information.
Legal advice and strategy: A lawyer can offer legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. They can assess the strength of your application, identify any potential challenges or weaknesses, and develop a strategy to address them effectively. They can also provide guidance on alternative visa options if your D2 visa application is not successful.
Communication and representation: Your lawyer can communicate with the relevant authorities on your behalf, such as the Portuguese consulate or embassy, to ensure that your application is progressing smoothly. They can also represent you in case of any issues or complications that may arise during the application process.
If you require assistance with obtaining a D2 visa in Portugal, we recommend reaching out to our qualified immigration lawyers specialized in Portuguese immigration law. We can provide you with personalized guidance and support throughout the application process. Feel free to contact us to discuss your situation and explore how we can assist you in achieving your immigration goals.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Our law firm has helped numerous clients successfully apply for a D2 visa and start their new lives in Portugal.
What is an Entrepreneur & Freelance (D2) Visa?
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.
Who is elegible?
The D2 visa is available to any non-EU citizen who is planning to launch a business in Portugal that can be considered of “general interest”. Typically, the project must be innovative, brings new scientific or technological advancements, has a significant economic impact or has the potential to create many new jobs in Portugal.
The visa is intended for new businesses, startups, independent professionals, immigrant entrepreneurs, company managers, shareholders, partners, and board members.
Independent professional activity means that performed by autonomous professionals, or freelancers, who offer their services to clients. These clients can be individuals or companies and there’s a fixed price for the work.
Independent professions like IT specialisation, plumber, carpenter, technicians are eligible. In this same category are also included lawyers, architects, physicians and engineers, who are independent professionals, but who exercise their professional activity bound to previous registration in the respective Professional Order.
Should I apply for an entrepreneur visa or a work visa?
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.
How does the process of obtaining an entrepreneur or freelance visa work?
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
Ready to begin your journey towards obtaining a D2 visa in Portugal? Our team of experienced immigration lawyers is here to help. Don’t navigate the complex application process alone. Contact us today to receive personalized guidance, ensure your documents are in order, and increase your chances of a successful outcome. Let us handle the legal aspects while you focus on your plans for Portugal. Reach out now to schedule a consultation with our dedicated team.
Quality Life for You and Your Business
Why Portugal?
Opening a company in Portugal can offer a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Americas, making it an attractive option for companies looking to expand their operations globally. Additionally, Portugal offers a stable economy, a highly skilled workforce, a competitive tax system, and a supportive business environment, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking growth and success.
Cultural immersion
Experience the rich Portuguese culture.
Strategic location
Explore Europe without visa restrictions.
Stable economy
Portugal has a stable and growing economy
Delicious cuisine
Taste world-renowned Portuguese food and wine.
Affordable living
Cost of living is lower compared to other European countries.
Healthcare access
Access to high-quality healthcare facilities and services.
Skilled workforce
Portugal has a highly skilled and multilingual workforce
Access to funding
a variety of financing options available for businesses of all sizes
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for a D2 visa, you will need to complete an application form and gather the necessary supporting documents. This may include your passport, proof of employment or study in Portugal, and proof of sufficient funds. You will also need to pay a fee and schedule an appointment at a Portuguese consulate or embassy.
The D2 visa process can take several months to complete, so it is important to start the process as early as possible. Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications and the specific consulate or embassy where you apply.
Yes, you can bring your family with you to Portugal on a D2 visa. Your spouse and children under the age of 18 can apply for a dependent visa to join you in Portugal.
Yes, you can work for multiple employers with a D2 visa as long as you have the necessary work permits and permissions. It is important to follow all applicable laws and regulations regarding employment in Portugal.
Yes, you can study in Portugal with a D2 visa if you are accepted into a degree program at a Portuguese university. However, you must also have a job offer or be self-employed in Portugal to qualify for a D2 visa.
Unmarried partners who can prove a long-term relationship can also apply as dependants.
Yes, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal after living in the country for a certain period of time with a D2 visa. To be eligible for permanent residency, you must have lived in Portugal for at least 5 years on a continuous basis, or for a shorter period if you are married to a Portuguese citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Team
For us, Lexidy is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful D2 Visa Process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams, whether it’s Creating a Company in Portugal or simply getting the Visa.