Are you sick of your daily routine? Want to go to sunny beaches, lively cities, or cute villages? You should go to Portugal! This beautiful country has a wide range of visas to suit everyone’s needs, from early retirement to starting a tech-savvy business.
If you’re a digital traveler looking for sunny co-working spaces, a freelancer wanting to enjoy pastéis de nata in between jobs, or a businessperson ready to take on new markets, Portugal has a visa that was made just for you.
That’s not all, though! Portugal is appealing for more than just work and play. Imagine walking through buildings from the Middle Ages, hiking through beautiful scenery, or just enjoying the friendliness of the Portuguese people. Portugal could become your fixed home because you could get permanent residency or even citizenship there.
How long are you going to wait? Here are eight interesting visa choices that could help you start your adventure in Portugal in 2024.
Portugal Visa for Job Seeker 2024
D7 Visa: The Passive Income Visa
Do you want to retire in a quiet beach town or in the country, where you can live a more relaxed life? The D7 Visa, which is also called the Passive Income Visa, could be the key to your success. This visa is great for people who have a steady source of passive income, like a pension, rent from real estate, dividends, or a set bank deposit.
Eligibility
- Minimum Income: €820 per month for the main applicant.
- Family Members: You will need extra money—50% of the minimum wage for a spouse and 30% for each child.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits
- Live in Portugal: you can enjoy its beautiful scenery, rich culture, and mild weather. Live a good life in a town that is friendly and full of different kinds of people.
- Family Inclusion: You can bring your spouse and children under 18 with you, so your whole family can join you and enjoy the same perks.
- Healthcare and Education: Use Portugal’s public health care system, which provides a wide range of medical services, and give your kids a good education in the country.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: If you live in Portugal for five years, you may be able to get permanent residency. After living in Portugal for another year, you can ask for Portuguese citizenship, which will give you more options in the EU.
- Schengen Area Access: You can travel freely within the Schengen Area, which is made up of many European countries. This makes it easier to see and move around Europe.
D8 Visa: The Digital Nomad Visa
Do you want to get out of your home office and see a new country as a freelancer or while working from home? The D8 Visa, also known as the “Digital Nomad Visa,” is for people who work from home for businesses outside of Portugal.
Eligibility
- Minimum Income: Show that you make at least €3,250 a month. This makes sure that you and your family will be able to live in Portugal.
- Work Contract: Show a valid work contract from a company outside of Portugal or proof that you make money as a freelancer. This proves that you are working or are self-employed.
- Proof of Accommodation: Make sure you have a place to stay in Portugal and show proof of it. This could be a lease or ownership of property.
- Health Insurance: Get health insurance that works in Portugal so that you can get medical care while you’re there.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Show that you have never been convicted of a crime in your home country or any other country where you have lived for more than six months in the last five years.
- Valid Passport: Make sure that your passport is up-to-date and will still work during your stay.
Benefits
- Experience Portugal: While working from home, take in Portugal’s beautiful scenery, rich past, and lively culture. Portugal is known for its warm people, beautiful coastline, and historic towns.
- Family Inclusion: You can bring your spouse and children under 18 with you, so everyone in your family can enjoy the same lifestyle and possibilities.
- Care for yourself and your kids: Use Portugal’s state healthcare system, which offers full medical care, and give your kids a good education in the country.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: If you live in Portugal for five years, you may be able to apply for permanent residency (PR). After that, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, which gives you long-term security and more opportunities in the EU.
- Access to the Schengen Area: You can travel within the Schengen Area without a visa, which makes it easy to see more of Europe and learn about different cultures and places.
Job Seeker Visa: The Gateway to Employment
Are you ready to make a big move in your work and look for new chances in Portugal? Being able to enter Portugal with a Job Seeker Visa lets you look for work.
Eligibility
- Financial Means: Show that you have enough money to cover your living costs while you’re looking for work or setting up your online business.
- Health Insurance: Get health insurance that works in Portugal and will cover your medical care while you’re there.
- Proof of Accommodation: Get a place to stay in Portugal and show proof of it, like a rental deal or proof that you own the property.
- Criminal Record Certificate: You must show proof that you have no crime record from your home country or any other country where you have lived for more than six months in the last five years.
- Valid Passport: Make sure that your passport is up-to-date and will still work while you’re in Portugal.
Benefits
- Live in Portugal: You can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days while you look for work. This gives you the chance to see the country and look for work in person.
- Work Contract: You can get a residence card, which will let you live and work in Portugal permanently, once you have a job offer.
- Family Inclusion: After obtaining a residence permit, you can include your spouse and children under 18, allowing your family to join you and benefit from the same opportunities.
- Healthcare and Education: Access Portugal’s public healthcare system and educational services for your children once you are employed and have a residence permit.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Become eligible for permanent residency after five years of living in Portugal. Following an additional period of residency, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
- Schengen Area Access: Enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, facilitating easy travel to other European countries.
Entrepreneur Visa (Visto D2): For the Ambitious Business Mind
Do you have a brilliant business idea and the drive to start a new venture in Portugal? The Entrepreneur Visa (Visto D2) is tailored for individuals who wish to start or invest in a business in Portugal.
Eligibility:
- Business Plan: Submit a detailed business plan.
- Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support the business and yourself.
- Qualifications: Relevant business experience or qualifications.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits:
- Live in Portugal: Start and grow your business in a thriving economy.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and children under 18.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Eligible for permanent residency after five years and citizenship thereafter.
- Schengen Area Access: Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
Link:
Freelancer/Independent Worker Visa (Visto D2)
Are you a freelancer or self-employed person who wants to see something new? The Vista D2 Freelancer/Independent Worker Visa is for people who want to work as a freelancer or independent worker in Portugal.
Eligibility:
- Proof of Work: Contracts or proof of freelance work.
- Financial Means: Sufficient funds to support yourself.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits:
- Live in Portugal: Enjoy the flexibility of freelancing in a beautiful country.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and children under 18.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Eligible for permanent residency after five years and citizenship thereafter.
- Schengen Area Access: Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
Start-Up Visa: Innovate and Thrive
Are you a business owner with a new idea who wants to get help from other people? People who want to start tech companies in Portugal and come up with new ideas will love the Start-Up Visa.
Eligibility:
- Certified Incubator: Enroll in a certified incubator in Portugal.
- Business Plan: Present a viable and innovative business plan.
- Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support the business and yourself.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits:
- Live in Portugal: Develop your innovative project in a supportive environment.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and children under 18.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Eligible for permanent residency after five years and citizenship thereafter.
- Schengen Area Access: Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
Link:
Intra-Company Transfer Visa: Seamless Transition for Professionals
Are you an employee of a global company that is being moved to the Portugal branch? The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is made for workers like these.
Eligibility:
- Employment Contract: Valid employment contract with the multinational company.
- Proof of Transfer: Documented proof of the intra-company transfer.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits:
- Live in Portugal: Seamlessly transition to the Portuguese branch of your company.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and children under 18.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Eligible for permanent residency after five years and citizenship thereafter.
- Schengen Area Access: Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
Research and Teaching Visa: For the Academic Elites
Are you a researcher, professor, or other student looking for new jobs in Portugal? You should get the Research and Teaching Visa.
Eligibility:
- Employment Contract: Valid employment contract or invitation from a Portuguese research institution or university.
- Qualifications: Relevant academic qualifications and experience.
- Proof of Accommodation: Secure a place to stay in Portugal.
- Health Insurance: Obtain health insurance valid in Portugal.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Clean criminal record.
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up-to-date.
Benefits:
- Live in Portugal: Engage in research or teaching in a vibrant academic community.
- Family Inclusion: Bring your spouse and children under 18.
- Healthcare and Education: Access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
- Path to PR and Citizenship: Eligible for permanent residency after five years and citizenship thereafter.
- Schengen Area Access: Travel visa-free within the Schengen area.
Conclusion
Many types of visas are available for Portugal, which makes it a popular place for expats to live. You can get a visa that works for you whether you want to retire, work from home, start a business, or go to school.
Portugal is a great choice because it lets you bring your family with you, gives you access to healthcare and education, and lets you finally become a citizen and permanent resident. What kind of Portugal visa do you need in 2024? The answer will depend on your specific situation and goals, but one thing is for sure: Portugal is ready to welcome you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of visas are available for Portugal
Portugal offers a variety of visas including the D7 Visa (Passive Income Visa), D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa), Job Seeker Visa, Entrepreneur Visa (Visto D2), Freelancer/Independent Worker Visa, Start-Up Visa, Intra-Company Transfer Visa, and Research and Teaching Visa.
How does the D8 Visa differ from the D7 Visa?
The D8 Visa is for digital nomads and freelancers who work from home for businesses outside of Portugal and need to make at least €3,250 a month. The D7 Visa is for people who have passive income, like rent or salary.
