Portugal Visa (The Ultimate Guide)

Do you want to get a Portugal Visa and move to Portugal soon? Discover why this country has become a top destination for those looking to make a permanent move 

In this blog post, we will discuss the various types of visas available, the application process, requirements and tips for successfully obtaining a Portugal visa.

Why Portugal?

Portugal is a particularly attractive option for who want to take advantage of its warm climate, relaxed lifestyle and taxes.

Cost of living in Portugal is relatively low compared to many other European countries.

Depending on where you stay, the cost of living can range from quite affordable to moderately expensive.

Rent, groceries, and utilities are all quite reasonable, and the cost of transportation is fairly low.

Eating out is also quite affordable, with many restaurants offering delicious meals for a fraction of what you would pay in other countries, so cost of living in Portugal is still quite manageable, even if you’re on a tight budget.

Key Takeways

• Variety of visas available based on your purpose (e.g., tourist, business, student, family reunion, medical treatment).
• Special visa for digital nomads.
• Entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed with sufficient annual income eligible for D7 Visa.
• High Qualified Professionals can apply for D3 Visa with specific education and work experience.
• D1 Visa for individuals with job contract or offer from a Portuguese company.
• Online application platform available for a convenient and efficient application process.
• Essential documents: valid passport, financial stability proof, accommodation proof, health insurance.
• Application takes on average 120 days depending on visa type

Travel to Portugal

There are several types of visas available, depending on the purpose of your intention.

Tourist Visas allow visitors to stay in Portugal up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Business Visas are available for those travelling to Portugal with the purpose of conducting business activities.

Student Visas are available for those attending school in Portugal or participating in a work/study program.

Visas for medical treatment are also available for those receiving treatment in Portuguese hospitals.

Finally, those travelling for family reasons can apply for a Family Reunion Visa.

The application process for obtaining a visa for Portugal requires to gather the necessary documents and submit them to the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your area, sometimes via VFS Global.

You may need to provide documents such as a valid passport, proof of financial stability, proof of accommodation in Portugal, a round-trip ticket and a valid health insurance policy.

Once these documents are submitted, the Portuguese embassy or consulate will review the application and make a decision on the visa status.

Additional documents or information may be requested by the embassy or consulate during the application process and it is important to note that the application process takes on average 90 days, depending on the type of visa applied for.

Working in Portugal and Remote Jobs

With the rise of the gig economy and digital technologies, freelancing and remote work have become increasingly popular options for those looking to work abroad.

There are a variety of options available as Portugal is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers, with a variety of programs and incentives available to attract talent to the country.

Many companies are now offering freelance and remote work opportunities in a range of sectors, including finance, software development, marketing, and customer service around the world and most of these companies will provide a competitive salary and benefits for those working remotely.

Additionally, there are a number of startups and small businesses in Portugal that offer freelance and remote positions.

These positions are often more flexible and offer more of the autonomy that freelancers and digital nomads seek.

With Portugal’s warm climate and relaxed lifestyle, it is no wonder why so many people are choosing to work remotely from Portugal.

Portugal Visa Types

Portugal offers a large variety of options.

As the special visa for digital nomads, which allows foreign nationals to live and work in Portugal, that requires applicants to demonstrate that they have a source of income.

Obtaining the digital nomad visa Portugal can be tricky.

To apply, you need to submit a “Declaration of Intent” to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF, now AIMA), which outlines your plans to work remotely while in Portugal.

You will also need to provide evidence of health insurance, proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses while in Portugal and a criminal record certificate.

In order to be eligible for this visa you must meet certain criteria that includes having a recognized degree, and/or having professional experience in the field that you are applying for.

It is also important to be able to demonstrate that you have the funds to support yourself while in Portugal.

Proof of employment may be required.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and self employed people in Portugal who can prove an annual income with enough money to reside in the country are eligible for the D7 Visa Portugal.

As a result, seniors and others who have income sources including intellectual property (such as musicians or inventors), rental income from real estate, interest from investments, or company earnings and dividends may apply for an income visa for Portugal.

The D3 visa Portugal, commonly known as the Visa for High Qualified Professionals, in Portugal enables you to work in a highly skilled occupation on Portuguese soil.

Activities classified as high qualified are those that call for a specific level of education and work experience. You must have a job contract or engage in self-employment that calls for specialized knowledge and abilities and still possess a sufficient degree of academic training in order to qualify for the D3 visa.

The D1 visa, sometimes referred to as the Working Visa Portugal to Subordinate Professional Activity, is a kind of visa for those who want to work in Portugal as employees of Portuguese businesses and is designed for people who already have a job contract or an offer of employment.

Once all legal requirements have been satisfied, the D1 visa holder may apply for a residence permit to work on Portugal.

The availability of employment opportunities that cannot be filled by Portuguese citizens or workers from countries that are members of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or other nations with which the European Community has signed a free movement of persons agreement determines whether a D1 visa will be granted.

Those are some portugal visa types that requires a commitment to stay in Portugal for at least 183 days each year.

The residence authorization can be cancelled when the holder, without justified reasons, is absent from the country for a period of 6 consecutive months or 8 intercalated months, in the total validity period of the authorization with some exceptions.

Portugal Visa Online Application

The Portugal Visa Online Application is a convenient and secure way to apply for a Portugal visa and provides applicants with a quick, easy and secure way to submit their applications.

Through the online platform, applicants can upload the necessary documents and complete the application form and it also allows applicants to pay their visa fees online, making the entire process more efficient.

Once submitted, the application is reviewed and processed by the Embassy of Portugal in the applicant’s country of residence, who will then issue the visa. Applicants can also check the status of their applications anytime, anywhere through the online platform.

VFS Portugal Visa Checklist

The VFS Global is a company that manages an online portal that helps applicants apply for a Portugal visa. This portal provides information about the various visa types, requirements, and application process.

The VFS Portugal Visa Checklist is a comprehensive list of documents and information that applicants must submit to be eligible for their Portugal visa. The checklist includes a variety of documents that can include a valid passport, visa application form, proof of sufficient financial means, proof of travel insurance, police clearance certificate, and other documents.

The VFS Portugal Visa Checklist also includes information about the processing time, fees, and other important details that applicants must be aware of.

Tips Portugal Visa

When applying for a Portugal visa, there are several steps that must be followed to ensure the application is successful.

The first step is to ensure that all documentation is in order and all requirements have been met.

It is also important to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the visa application form and additionally, you should provide detailed information about the purpose of the visit, including a detailed itinerary, and must also provide an invitation letter from a host in Portugal.

Once all documents are in order, the application should be submitted to the Portugal Embassy or Consulate.

Finally, you should be prepared to attend an interview at the Embassy or Consulate, as this may be a requirement for visa approval.

Following these steps will help increase the chances of a successful visa application.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How can i Move to Portugal?

Portugal is a particularly attractive option for digital nomads, entrepreneurs and pensioners who want to take advantage of its warm climate, relaxed lifestyle and taxes.

Cost of living in Portugal?

Cost of living in Portugal is relatively low compared to many other European countries. Depending on where you stay, the cost of living can range from quite affordable to moderately expensive.

Is There any Travel restrictions in Portugal?

Some travel restrictions have been put in place recently in order to protect public health and you must have a visa which can be applied online or at a Portuguese Embassy.

What is Schengen Visa?

Tourist Visas allow visitors to stay in Portugal up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

How to obtain a visa to Portugal?

The application process for obtaining a visa for Portugal requires to gather the necessary documents and submit them to the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your area.

What types of visas Portugal has to offer?

Portugal offers a large variety of options as the special visa for digital nomads, which allows foreign nationals to live and work in Portugal, that requires applicants to demonstrate that they have a source of income or are self employed as a freelancer.

How to apply for a digital nomad visa to Portugal?

To apply, you will need to submit a “Declaration of Intent” to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF), which outlines your plans to work remotely while in Portugal.

What are the requirements to D7 Visa in Portugal?

Entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed people in Portugal who can prove an annual income with enough money to reside in the country are eligible for the D7 Visa Portugal.

What is D3 visa?

The D3 visa Portugal, commonly known as the Visa for High Qualified Professionals, in Portugal enables you to work in a highly skilled occupation on Portuguese soil.

What is Portugal D1 Visa?

The D1 visa, sometimes referred to as the Working Visa Portugal to Subordinate Professional Activity, is a kind of visa for those who want to work in Portugal as employees of Portuguese businesses and is designed for people who already have a job contract or an offer of employment.

How to apply online for a visa to Portugal?

The Portugal Visa Online Application is a convenient and secure way to apply for a Portugal visa and provides applicants with a quick, easy and secure way to submit their applications.

What is VFS Global?

The VFS Global is a company that manages an online portal that helps applicants apply for a Portugal visa. This portal provides information about the various visa types, requirements, and application process.

Conclusion

We looked at the various visa options available for those interested in living in Portugal, from digital nomad visas to D7, D2, and D3 visas and outlined the application process and requirements for each.

For those looking to obtain a Portugal visa, research about information on the Portugal Visa Online Application and the VFS Portugal Visa Checklist.

Do you want to know more about issues on global mobility in Portugal? 

Schedule a call with one of our lawyers in Portugal clicking in the button below to find out which portuguese visa is most suitable for you.