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VISA

This article outlines the key visa options for working, investing, or studying in Portugal, including the D1 Visa for employment, D2 Visa for entrepreneurs, and D7 Visa for retirees. It also highlights specialized visas like the Tech Visa and Startup Visa, detailing the basic requirements and benefits for each.

D1 Visa – Dependent or Independent Work Visas
This type of visa corresponds to Articles 88 and 89 of SEF and is intended for those who wish to work autonomously in Portugal or those who have an employment contract with a Portuguese company.
It can be requested by foreigners living outside of Portugal or those already residing in the country. However, this type of visa is not easy to obtain, as it requires proof of sufficient income for either self-employment or dependent work.

Investor Visa (D2 Visa)
The D2 Visa is considered ideal for foreign entrepreneurs interested in investing in the country. To apply for the document, they must meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Have previously made investment operations in the country;
  • Provide evidence of financial means in Portugal, including those resulting from financing from a local financial institution;
  • Develop a complete entrepreneurial project, from creating a business plan to integrating with a government-certified incubator.

IMPORTANT
Since it is a decision by the local authority, the more organization, credibility, and relevance the business has, the greater the chances of obtaining the visa.

Benefits

  • The right to establish a business or work as an independent professional and live in Portugal.
  • Free entry and circulation in the Schengen Area of 26 European countries without a visa.
  • The possibility of family reunification (with direct family members) in Portugal.
  • The option to apply for the NHR tax regime.
  • Low corporate tax rate compared to other countries: 21% on net profit.
  • Eligibility for permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal after 5 years.
  • Portuguese residency rights, including education and healthcare.

What documents do I need for the D2 visa in Portugal?

  • Application form.
  • Passport.
  • Two recent photos of yourself.
  • A ticket that guarantees your return.
  • Valid travel insurance.
  • Request for a Portuguese criminal record check by AIMA.
  • Criminal record from the country of origin.
  • Accommodation in Portugal (rental contract, etc.).
  • Proof of means of subsistence in the country.

For freelancers and self-employed professionals:

  • Partnership agreement, proposal, or service contract within the scope of liberal professions.
  • A statement issued by a competent entity verifying the right to exercise a profession subject to special qualifications (e.g., doctors).

Investing in Real Estate through the D2 Visa The Golden Visa was previously the designated visa for residency through real estate investment; however, in 2023, the conditions for this visa were changed by the government, and currently, you can no longer invest in real estate through the Golden Visa. But, fortunately, there are ways to circumvent these new measures—one of which is the D2 Visa. As explained, the key to obtaining your D2 Visa in Portugal is to open a business in the country—or a branch of your existing business. There is no legislation around the category of business you can open, meaning that investment in real estate companies is allowed through the D2. However, this is definitely something you will need to discuss with a lawyer and a consultant. Fortunately, at Pearls of Portugal, our Worry-Free Visa Program takes care of all these issues for you!

Visa Application Submission:

  • Obtain a NIF (Tax Identification Number).
  • Open a bank account in Portugal.
  • Signature recognition.
  • Manage the legalization of documents, when applicable, in Portugal.
  • Gather, prepare, legalize, translate, and transmit the initial documents for the visa application.
  • Manage the initial administrative formalities.
  • Provide all representation services.
  • Submit the visa application to the competent local authorities, for the principal applicant and family members, including dependents, if applicable.

What are the required documents? Before opening an account, you need to present a set of documents and information to help the bank learn more about you. Generally, your new bank will ask you for:

  • Personal identification document (valid passport or Citizen Card if you are an EU citizen);
  • Tax identification number (NIF) from your country of residence and Portugal (the provisional one is acceptable) and the respective proof;
  • Proof of address (e.g., rental contract showing evidence of registration with the tax authorities, purchase and sale deed of the property being acquired, electricity, water, or gas bill);
  • In some circumstances, if you are working in the country, proof of employment (e.g., a payslip or employment contract) or, if self-employed, the Annual Tax Return, duly validated by the Tax Authority or Proof of Services Rendered;
  • In addition to this information, you may also need to provide a photo, your contact details, as well as proof of other nationalities not shown on your identification document.

D3 Visa – Highly Qualified Work
Corresponding to Article 61-A of SEF, this is the residence visa for highly qualified activity performed by a dependent worker.

This visa applies to foreign citizens who are not nationals of EU Member States, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

Additionally, the professional must have been admitted as a higher education student at the doctoral level, or as a researcher collaborating in a research center recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science. Alternatively, the professional may be engaged in teaching at a higher education institution or a highly qualified activity.

Also included are foreign citizens who are not EU nationals, holding high professional qualifications, including talents from the IT & Digital Sector, with an employment contract in Portugal.

With the visa in hand, upon arrival in Portugal, it is necessary to apply for a Residence Permit in the country. Unlike other visas, with the D3, it is also possible to apply for the European Union Blue Card, a Residence Permit for highly qualified professionals valid in the European Union. With the D3 visa for Portugal, the professional can legally live and work in the country, in addition to applying for family reunification for family members. After 5 years of legally living in Portugal, they also acquire the right to apply for Portuguese citizenship by length of residence through the naturalization process.

Professionals who fall into this category of high qualification can occupy positions of the following types:

  • Teaching activity: positions involving teaching activities in Portugal for more than 9 months;
  • Highly qualified or cultural activity: positions involving highly qualified activities such as executive positions in large corporations or cultural activities for more than 9 months;
  • Management or leadership positions: members of the management of companies, executives, administrative managers, professionals who are part of senior management in Public Administration, among others;
  • Specialists in intellectual or scientific activities: professionals working in specific areas such as engineers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and especially in information technology (IT).

REQUIREMENTS The Portuguese government currently requires Residence Visa holders to present an amount available in a bank account in Portugal. This amount is equivalent to 12 months of the national minimum wage (in Portugal), i.e., the total of (minimum wage for the year multiplied by 12) euros. This account must be in the name of the Visa holder and have the amount deposited before the application. If there are additional family members, the government may request additional amounts to meet the required means of subsistence.

Required documents:

  • D3 visa application form, duly completed and signed;
  • Passport;
  • Proof of valid travel insurance;
  • Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Federal Police (according to the Federal Government, the certificate is issued free of charge online and is valid for 90 days). It must also have authorization for consultation of the Portuguese Criminal Record by SEF;
  • Financial proof related to your employment contract in Portugal or, in the case of a contract promise, a letter of responsibility issued by the employer in Portugal;
  • Copy of the employment contract or promise of an employment contract for a minimum period of 1 year;
  • 2 identical and current photographs, size 3 x 4 (passport-style photos);
  • Proof of professional qualification to perform the function in Portugal (in the case of regulated professions where such is required).

Study Visa (D4 Visa)
Ideal for those pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies in the country or for those wishing to participate in an exchange program during secondary education, internship, or volunteering. To apply for this type of visa to Portugal, the student primarily needs to prove enrollment and meet the admission conditions with the authorities.

Required documents: Basic documents:

  • Visa application form;
  • Original and certified copy of the passport (only identification pages and used pages); The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires;
  • Two recent color photos, size 3×4;
  • Signed declaration by the visa applicant explaining the reasons for the visa application, indicating the accommodation and period they intend to stay in Portugal;
  • Criminal record certificate: The Brazilian criminal record certificate to be presented is the one issued by the Federal Police website;
  • SEF Authorization: Authorization for the Foreigners and Borders Service to consult the applicant’s Portuguese criminal record (except for minors under 16);
  • International travel health insurance: The insurance policy must include coverage for repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, and emergency hospital treatment. Private health insurance can be replaced by PB4 if the applicant is an INSS beneficiary;
  • Declaration of awareness of the fact that they should not travel to Portugal without the proper visa;

Proof of means of subsistence in Portugal can be provided by one of the following documents:

  • Proof of the scholarship awarded to the student, including the amount granted;
  • Statement of responsibility written by a family member, stating that they will be responsible for all the student’s expenses during their stay in Portugal. The statement must be accompanied by a copy of the last income tax return of that family member and contain their notarized signature;
  • Copy of the student’s last income tax return, in cases where they are responsible for their subsistence in Portugal.

Accommodation can be proven through the presentation of one of the following items:

  • Declaration from the educational institution stating that it will provide accommodation for the student in a university residence;
  • Proof of rental of housing made by the applicant;
  • Invitation letter made by a citizen legally residing in Portugal, stating that they will host the student during the course. In this case, the declaration must be accompanied by a photocopy of the inviter’s identification;
  • If you do not have one of the above documents, you can prove temporary accommodation through a hotel reservation for a minimum period of one week;
  • Photocopy of identity card or driver’s license;
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate, if married;
  • Certified copies of the birth certificates of children, if applicable;
  • Acceptance letter issued by the Portuguese educational institution or proof of enrollment in the intended course. The document must contain the course start date and its duration.

D5 Visa – Study/Mobility Visa (for those already in Europe) This long-term visa is intended for those who are not nationals of an EU country but are already studying in Europe. Thus, this visa will allow mobility and also enable the applicant to pursue studies in Portugal. This visa is intended for students who have been studying at a higher education institution in Europe for less than 2 years and wish to transfer their studies to Portugal or continue a similar program in the Portuguese country. The D5 visa application must be made at one of Portugal’s Consulates around the world.

D6 Visa – Family Reunification Visa The family reunification visa is applicable to family members of visa holders or residence permit holders for Portugal. The aim is to allow the family to be reunited in the country. Family reunification works as follows: a person who obtains a residence permit to live in Portugal (whether for study, work, investment, etc.) has the right to reunite close family members or those under their responsibility. After applying and being approved, family members also receive authorization to live in the country and can even work if they wish. There are a series of necessary documents that must be presented, depending on each specific case. Among them, the main one would be proof that the foreign citizen has sufficient means of subsistence to meet the family’s needs.

D7 Visa – Residence Visa for Retirees or Income Holders The D7 Visa is intended for foreign professionals who are no longer working or living off income from movable assets, real estate, intellectual property, or financial investments. With this document, retirees are exempt from taxation on income or pensions earned outside Portugal, as long as they have already been taxed at the source.

Required documents: Basic documents:

  • Completed and signed Visa Application Form;
  • Original and certified copy of the passport (only identification pages and used pages); The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires;
  • Two recent color photos, size 3×4;
  • Signed declaration by the visa applicant explaining the reasons for the visa application, indicating the accommodation and period they intend to stay in Portugal;
  • Criminal record certificate: The Brazilian criminal record certificate to be presented is the one issued by the Federal Police website;
  • SEF Authorization: Authorization for the Foreigners and Borders Service to consult the applicant’s Portuguese criminal record (except for minors under 16 years of age);
  • International travel health insurance: The insurance policy must include coverage for repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, and emergency hospital treatment;
  • Declaration of awareness of the fact that they should not travel to Portugal without the proper visa;
  • Copy of identity card or driver’s license;
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate, if married;
  • Certified copies of the birth certificates of children, if applicable;

Proof of means of subsistence:

  • The applicant who will live off income from financial investments, real estate, or participation in companies must present a copy of the last income tax return from Brazil and a bank statement of an account in Portugal with a minimum balance of 7,200 Euros.
  • The amount should be higher if the visa applicant is financially responsible for their family unit (additional 50% for the second or more adults and 30% for children under 18 years old and dependent adult children);
  • The retired applicant must present a copy of the last income tax return from Brazil and copies of the last three retirement receipts;
  • The applicant must also present a document proving that they will receive their retirement in Portugal or, alternatively, a bank statement of an account in Portugal with a minimum balance of 7,200 Euros. The bank account (current account) in Portugal must have been open for at least 3 months with deposits before the application to prove at least the minimum income to support themselves in Portugal.
  • The amount should be higher if the visa applicant is financially responsible for their family unit (additional 50% for the second or more adults and 30% for children under 18 years old and dependent adult children).

Accommodation:

  • Accommodation can be proven through the presentation of one of the following items:
  • Proof of rental or purchase of property in the applicant’s name;
  • Invitation letter made by a citizen legally residing in Portugal, stating that they will host the applicant during the necessary time;

Golden Visa for Major Investors Residence Permit for those who make investments in Portugal, covering various modalities.
The Golden Visa Portugal was created in 2012 with the aim of attracting resources and investors to the country. This is done by granting a special Residence Permit to foreigners from outside the European Union who have invested in Portugal.
There are several investment modalities that qualify the holder to apply for the Golden Visa, such as:

  • Creation of at least 10 jobs;
  • Transfer of 500,000 euros for scientific research activities;
  • Transfer of 250,000 euros for artistic production or maintenance of national heritage;
  • Transfer of capital of 500,000 euros for subscription of units of participation in venture capital funds;
  • Transfer of 500,000 euros for the creation of a local company or investment in an existing company, with the creation or maintenance of 5 jobs for a minimum period of 3 years.

Startup Visa The Startup Visa Portugal is a way to encourage entrepreneurship in the country. It was created in 2018 and offers a residence permit in the country to citizens from outside the European Union who want to open an innovative company in Portugal. The Startup Visa in Portugal happens in two stages. The first is dedicated to certifying the incubators that will host the new companies in their physical spaces and support entrepreneurs to enter the Portuguese business ecosystem. The Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation is responsible for analyzing and selecting these incubators to ensure that they are really capable of helping immigrant entrepreneurs. Then, the Startup Visa process begins for the entrepreneurs themselves. It is possible to apply to be part of this selection throughout the year, as long as the visa prerequisites are met.

Tech Visa Visa for those who want to start a business in Portugal, specifically in an area of special interest and innovation, or for those working in the technology market. The Tech Visa has been in effect since 2019 and aims to make the visa issuance and residence permit process more effective and efficient for highly qualified immigrants. The program works differently from other professional visas in Portugal. Since it is a visa exclusively designed for the technology area, there is first a certification of companies operating in this market. Thus, the program starts with a prior registration of technological and innovative companies, which can attract qualified professionals. From there, the contracted workers can apply for the technology visa for Portugal. Upon arrival in the country, they will receive a residence permit linked to the Tech Visa Program.

Tech Visa – A Fast Option to Work in Portugal in IT If you are a highly qualified IT professional and intend to work in Portugal soon, you should not miss out on learning about the Tech Visa certification program. This program was created to facilitate the granting of visas and residence permits in Portugal to highly qualified professionals (from third countries) in the technological field. Currently, more and more Portuguese technological and innovative companies are actively seeking highly qualified collaborators outside the European Union. And although Tech Visa certification is not mandatory, companies with this certification are enabled to issue terms of responsibility, which streamline the process of obtaining the visa and residence permit in Portugal for their future collaborators. The Tech Visa program is managed by the Institute for Support of Small and Medium Enterprises and Innovation, known as IAPMEI. As a worker, you do not need to apply for this program, as it is up to the company to apply for the Tech Visa and meet the various requirements. However, it is normal for a Tech Visa-certified company to ask for some supporting documents. For example, the company may ask you to prove:

  • That you are 18 years of age or older;
  • Your qualifications as a highly qualified professional;
  • That you have no criminal record;
  • Proficiency in Portuguese or English;
  • And if you have worked in Portugal before, that your tax and social security situation is regularized with the authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to ask the company during the recruitment process if they have Tech Visa certification. If the answer is affirmative and you are selected, you can quickly become legally qualified to work and live in Portugal.

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