Which Visa Do You Need to Move to Portugal?

Portugal offers several visa routes for non-EU nationals. The right one depends on your nationality, your source of income, and what you plan to do in Portugal. EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa — they register directly at AIMA within 90 days of arrival. For everyone else, the visa is step one.

Most Popular

D7 — Passive Income Visa

Retirees · Property owners · Those with passive income
Minimum income
~€1,200/month (provable passive income)
Income sources accepted
Pension, savings, dividends, rental income
  • Applied at Portuguese consulate in home country
  • Then AIMA registration after arrival
  • Eligible for NHR / IFICI tax scheme

Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

Remote workers · Freelancers
Minimum income
€3,040/month from non-Portuguese employer
Employment type
Employed or self-employed outside Portugal
  • Applied at Portuguese consulate
  • AIMA registration after arrival
  • IFICI tax scheme eligibility check included

D2 — Entrepreneur Visa

Business founders · Investors
Requirement
Viable business plan + supporting financials
Used for
Starting or transferring a business to Portugal
  • Business plan review with our accountant network
  • Legal referral to our lawyer partners
  • Company formation support available

EU/EEA & CPLP Nationals

If you hold an EU or EEA passport, you have free movement rights and do not need a visa. You are required to register at AIMA within 90 days of arrival in Portugal. We manage this appointment and all supporting documentation.

Brazilian nationals and other CPLP citizens (Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe, Timor-Leste) benefit from the Treaty of Friendship — a significantly faster residency route and a path to Portuguese citizenship in just 3 years instead of 5.

The Full Residency Process — Stage by Stage

1
Free consultation & visa route confirmation
Week 1
Carlos reviews your nationality, income, timeline and goals. We confirm the exact visa route, the consulate to apply to, and the complete document list. Nothing begins without this being right.
2
Document preparation
Weeks 2–6
We prepare, review and organise every document: criminal record certificates, proof of income, apostilles, certified translations, proof of accommodation, health insurance. We check everything before submission — missing documents are the single biggest cause of delays.
3
Consulate appointment (visa)
Months 1–3
The visa application is submitted at the Portuguese consulate in your home country. Processing typically takes 4–12 weeks. We brief you on what to expect, what to say, and how to respond to any follow-up requests.
4
Arrival in Portugal
After visa approval
You arrive in Portugal legally. We ensure your NIF, bank account and SNS registration are in place — often arranged before you land, so you're set up from day one.
5
AIMA appointment & residency card
12–24 months (current 2026 timelines)
We monitor the AIMA appointment system and secure your slot as early as possible. We attend the appointment with you, ensure all documents are correct, and manage any follow-up correspondence. The card itself arrives after processing.

Why we're upfront about AIMA timelines: Many relocation agencies avoid discussing the 12–24 month wait for residency cards. We don't. You can live, work and access services in Portugal throughout this period on your visa — but the card takes time, and you deserve to know that before you make life decisions based on it.

The IFICI / NHR Tax Scheme — Are You Eligible?

Portugal's IFICI scheme (formerly NHR) offers qualifying new residents a flat 20% income tax rate for 10 years on Portuguese-source income, and significant exemptions on foreign-source income. It is one of the most favourable tax regimes in Europe for expats.

Who qualifies for IFICI?

We assess your IFICI eligibility as part of every residency application and refer you to our trusted bilingual tax advisors if registration is appropriate for your situation.

What We Handle — So You Don't Have To