Over the past few years, more and more people from other countries have come to Portugal. This is because there are many ways to move to Portugal. Like the Job Seeker Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, the retirement visa, and the work visa. After living officially in Portugal for 5 years, you can also apply for permanent residency. Today I’m going to talk about how to get a work visa in Portugal, the different types of visas they offer, and the standards for each.
A new type of visa also lets people from other countries come to Portugal to look for work. People who want to work in Portugal can get this visa. People who are not from the EU who want to work in Portugal need to get a work permit, a visa, and a pass to live there. You don’t need a visa to work in Portugal if you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland. But if you want to stay longer than three months, you need to get a residence card.
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Details of Portugal Work Visa Process:
For long stays, the Portuguese government gives out Residency Visas and Temporary Stay National Visas.
- Temporary Stay National Visa: This type of visa is good for a long time. Valid for the whole stay and can be used more than once.
- Residency Visas: let you enter the country twice and are good for four months.
Types of Portugal Work Visa Process:
You can do the following with a Temporary Work Visa:
- Seasonal Work: If you want to work during the summer for more than 90 days, you need a temporary stay visa.
- Temporary Work (D2 Visa): This visa is for people who have a legal work contract and a job offer in Portugal.
- Highly Qualified Activity (D3 Visa): a short-term stay visa for scientific study, teaching at a college or university, or highly qualified activities that last less than a year.
- Remote Work / Digital Nomad: Digital nomads who can work from anywhere are called “remote workers.”
- Amateur sports activity: a temporary stay visa for amateur sports activities.
- Intra-Company Transfer: This type of transfer is for employees who are moving from one branch of a global company to another branch in a different country.
Cost of Portugal Work Visa:
It costs 90€ to process an application for a national visa, but this amount can vary from country to country.
Requirements:
- You must have a Job offer from the Portuguese employer: For seasonal work or other short-term stay visas, you must have a job offer from a Portuguese company.
- Your employer needs The person you work for needs to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf. They relate to the Labor Authorities in Portugal.
- Once your work contract or work permit is approved After getting your job offer or work pass, you can apply for a Portugal Work Visa and send all of your paperwork to the Portugal Embassy or VFS Global.
- Passport-size pictures
- Your employment contract.
- Clean Criminal record
Note: Some cards, like the Digital Nomad, Job Seeker, and Retirement Visa, don’t need job offers. Here are the documents you need for each type of work visa.
Benefits of Portugal Work Visa:
- Access to the European Job Market: Employees are granted access to the job market in Portugal and the broader European Union with a Portugal work visa, which offers opportunities in a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, and information technology.
- EU Residency Pathway: Work visa holders in Portugal are eligible to apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residency. This will grant them the freedom to live and work within Portugal, as well as potentially across other EU nations.
- High Quality of Life: Portugal provides exceptional healthcare, education, and public services, resulting in a high standard of living. It is also renowned for its picturesque landscapes, friendly culture, and relaxed lifestyle, which encompasses historic cities and coastlines.
- Affordable Living Costs: Portugal’s cost of living is comparatively affordable, particularly in the areas of housing, food, and transportation, in comparison to many Western European countries. Consequently, it is an excellent choice for those seeking a comfortable lifestyle.
- Family Reunification: Portugal permits work visa holders to relocate their families through family reunification options, which offer a supportive environment for those who desire to reside with their loved ones.
- Tax Benefits for New Residents: Portugal’s non-habitual residency (NHR) tax regime provides tax incentives to qualified individuals, reducing income tax on foreign-earned income for a period of up to ten years. This is particularly advantageous for professionals.
- Work-Life Balance: The Portuguese work culture generally prioritizes a healthy work-life balance, providing employees with sufficient leisure to attend to personal interests, travel, and family.
- Accessto Portuguese Social Security and Healthcare: Portuguese social security and healthcare benefits are accessible to work visa holders, who can take advantage of public healthcare services, unemployment benefits, and retirement programs. This provides a safety net for residents.
- Multicultural Environment: Portugal is a welcoming destination for foreigners due to its expanding international community. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are home to a vibrant expatriate community that provides networking and social opportunities.
- Opportunity for Language Acquisition: Although the majority of Portuguese individuals are proficient in English, the experience of living and working in Portugal offers the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to communicate in Portuguese. This skill is particularly advantageous within the European Union.
Document Guidelines:
- You must send all of your papers in English or Portuguese. If they aren’t, you need to have a qualified translator translate them and then have them notarized.
- A diploma or a civil paper may need to be legalized before they can be used. This can be done with either an Apostille Stamp or the Portuguese Embassy in your country.
Processing Time:
- It will take about 30 days to process your application for a Temporary Stay Visa.
How to Apply for Portugal Work Visa Process?
- As soon as you get a job offer. Do what it says below.
- Work Permit: The Work Permit is bought by your company.
- Fill out the national visa application form to apply for a work visa. Once you have a work permit, you must do this. See which Portugal office is closest to you. Follow this link to find out where to send your application. Set up a meeting. Send in your papers.
- Keep waiting for the visa decision. Once you get your visa, you can go to Portugal.
- Get a permit to live in Portugal. You must apply for your Residence Permit for Work at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) once you are in Portugal. This is what lets you stay in Portugal for a long time.
National Visa Application Form:
- Please click on this page to fill out the national application form for a long stay.
Duration of a Work Visa:
For one to two years, your work visa will be good. The permission to live there will also be good for two years. You can renew this permit at the SEF before it runs out as long as you still have a job in Portugal lined up.
Does a Work Visa Lead to Permanent Residency in Portugal?
Yes, you can apply for a permanent resident permit after living in Portugal with a temporary resident permit for five years. You won’t need to apply for a work pass anymore once you become a permanent resident.
You will get the same perks as a Portuguese citizen if you have a permanent resident permit. It also lasts longer and is easier to renew.
Helpful Links:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the process of work permits in Portugal?
Once in the country, the Portuguese authorities, AIMA, require the submission of a residence permit application (work permit). The employee will receive a receipt on the day of the appointment, and the original Residence Permit card should arrive within 90 days.
Is it difficult to get a work visa in Portugal?
In general, obtaining a visa for Portugal is not too difficult—the country is known as the gateway to Europe for a reason. In this section, we focus on work and employment-based visas, so read on to learn about the requirements and application process. This guide provides further coverage on temporary residence visa
What is the work visa process in Portugal?
When applying for a Portugal Job Seeker Visa, key requirements include a valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and financial means to support oneself. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate language proficiency in English or Portuguese.
