Portugal Residency Requirements: Eligibility and Application Process Explained

Portugal allows foreigners to obtain residency permits and live in the country for an extended period. Depending on the type of visa, foreigners can secure temporary or permanent residence and eventually apply for Portuguese citizenship.

In this guide, we will outline the Portugal residency requirements for expats, focusing on the following:

• Conditions for becoming a resident of Portugal
• Visa options for obtaining temporary residency in Portugal
• Requirements and application for the Portugal permanent residence card

Obtaining Portuguese Residency: An Overview

While EU citizens can move to Portugal without a visa, individuals from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland must secure a residence permit to reside in the country legally. 

If you fall into this category, you must apply for a qualifying long-stay visa, which will enable you to get a temporary residence permit in Portugal. Such permits are valid for one or two years and can typically be renewed. 

After maintaining legal residence in Portugal for five years, you can apply for permanent residency if you meet specific requirements.

With a Portuguese permanent residence card, your residence status is valid indefinitely and is a direct pathway to applying for Portuguese citizenship.

How Long Can You Live in Portugal Without Becoming a Resident?

Most expats can visit Portugal for up to 90 days without becoming residents or obtaining a visa, provided their country has a visa waiver agreement with Portugal. Some of these countries include the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK.

After this period, non-EU nationals must leave Portugal or apply for a visa that will grant them temporary residence.

It’s important to note that being a resident in Portugal differs from being a Portuguese tax resident. Residency implies you are registered with the migration office, whereas tax residency means you are liable for tax in Portugal.

The Portuguese authorities will consider you a tax resident if you: 

1. Spend more than 183 days per year in the country
2. Maintain a habitual residence in Portugal

In the latter case, you may become a tax resident even if you don’t meet the 183-day requirement. 

What Are the Portugal Temporary Residency Requirements?

Obtaining temporary residence in Portugal requires applying for a long-stay visa. These visas are valid for four months, during which you must visit Portugal and apply for a temporary residence permit. 

A temporary residence permit isn’t the same as a temporary stay visa, although the two terms are often used interchangeably. The permit typically allows you to reside in Portugal for up to two years, and you can secure it through various long-stay visas. Meanwhile, a temporary stay visa is valid for one year and is issued for purposes like work, study, or medical treatment.

In addition to securing a qualifying long-stay visa, getting a temporary residence permit in Portugal includes providing the following:

• A clean criminal record
• A valid passport
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Health insurance coverage
• Sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay

These documents are also required to obtain a long-stay visa. However, depending on the purpose of your stay, you may have to provide additional documentation, such as a work contract or proof of investment.

Portugal Temporary Residence Visa: Options and Eligibility Requirements

Portugal offers different types of visas that enable foreigners to get temporary residence in the country before they can apply for permanent residence. 

Depending on your goals and personal circumstances, you can become a Portuguese temporary resident by securing one of the following visas: 

1. Employment Visa
2. Entrepreneur Visa
3. Startup Visa
4. Passive Income Visa
5. Digital Nomad Visa
6. Golden Visa

Employment Visa

The Portuguese Work Visa, also known as the D1 Visa, enables non-EU expats to secure residency in Portugal by working for a Portuguese employer. The primary requirement for this visa is to provide an employment contract valid for a minimum of one year. 

Those who are considered highly qualified professionals in Portugal can also apply for the D3 Visa, which grants a residence permit to individuals employed in fields like science, research, healthcare, IT, and engineering. 

Besides a work contract, which must be valid for at least a year, D3 Visa applicants must also meet specific salary requirements and provide: 

• Detailed CV
• Justification of the required work experience
• Diploma or academic certificate as proof of professional qualifications

Entrepreneur Visa

The entrepreneur visa, or the D2 Visa, is designed for non-EU freelancers, independent professionals, and entrepreneurs who intend to establish a business in Portugal. It’s available to individuals with innovative companies in sectors such as IT and engineering, as well as traditional businesses like restaurants and shops.

To qualify for the visa, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Establish a business in Portugal and provide a detailed business plan
• Purchase an existing Portuguese company or its shares
• Create a branch of an existing company in Portugal

There is no minimum investment requirement for the D2 Visa, but the chances of obtaining it are higher with a larger investment. 

Additionally, applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves while residing in Portugal. The required yearly amount in 2025 is €10,440, based on the Portuguese minimum monthly wage of €870.

Startup Visa

The Portuguese Startup Visa enables you to obtain a residence permit by starting an innovative business in Portugal. 

Unlike the D2 Visa, which applies to various types of businesses, the Startup Visa requires you to start a company that focuses on innovation and technology. These are typically companies in fields like: 

• IT
• Science
• Commerce
• Biotech

You don’t have to meet any minimum investment requirements, but you must have at least €10,440 in savings per year. You are also required to present a detailed business plan as a part of the visa application process and demonstrate how your company intends to accomplish the following:

1. Enter the international market
2. Create new job opportunities for highly skilled professionals in Portugal
3. Earn at least €325,000 in annual turnover or asset value within five years

Passive Income Visa

The Passive Income Visa is often referred to as the D7 or Retirement Visa. It allows non-EU nationals to legally reside in Portugal if they earn sufficient passive income to support themselves.

To qualify, applicants must earn regular passive income outside of Portugal. This includes income from investments, dividends, rent, and pensions, which makes the visa suitable for investors, retirees, and remote workers.

The minimum amount of passive income required to apply for a visa is equal to the minimum salary in Portugal, which is €870 per month in 2025.

Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad Visa, or D8 Visa in Portugal, is designed for remote workers who earn at least €3,480 from employment outside of Portugal. 

If you qualify as a digital nomad, you can opt for one of these two visa options:

1. Temporary stay visa: This visa is valid for one year, which allows multiple entries to Portugal, but does not enable you to apply for a residence permit.
2. Four-month residency visa: With this visa, you can enter Portugal twice and obtain a temporary residence permit within that period.

Choosing the second option means you will receive a two-year residence permit, which can be renewed for another three years.

In addition to the minimum income requirement, you must also have at least €10,440 in savings. 

Golden Visa

The Portuguese Golden Visa is aimed at non-EU high-net-worth investors willing to allocate substantial funds to Portuguese assets in exchange for a residence permit.

The D9 only requires seven days of physical presence in Portugal during the first year and a total of 14 days within the next two years. This is a significantly lower requirement compared to most other visas, such as the D7 and the Startup Visa. These require you to be physically present in Portugal for six consecutive or eight non-consecutive months per year.

However, the Golden Visa has strict minimum investment requirements. The available investment options are outlined below:

Golden Visa Investment Options	Minimum Investment Requirement
Portuguese national heritage preservation	€250,000
Scientific research	€500,000
Portuguese company	€500,000
Qualifying Portuguese funds	€500,000

You can also secure the Golden Visa without meeting any investment requirements by creating at least ten job opportunities in Portugal, or eight in a low-density area. Additionally, you may also qualify for a reduced investment requirement of €200,000 if you make a donation to the Portuguese national heritage preservation in a low-density area.

How To Get Temporary Residency in Portugal: Step by Step

The first step for securing a temporary residence permit in Portugal is to choose a visa that aligns with your goals and circumstances. The permit application process varies slightly depending on the visa, but it generally includes the following steps:

1. Gathering required documentation: This includes a valid passport, proof of accommodation in Portugal, a criminal record certificate, and health insurance. You will also need visa-specific documentation, such as evidence of sufficient income or investment
2. Obtaining the visa: You must fill out and submit a visa application form at your local Portuguese consulate. You will also have to provide the documentation listed above, as well as biometric data. Once approved, you should receive the visa in up to three months
3. Applying for a temporary residency permit: Your Portuguese visa will be valid for a period of four months. During that time, you must enter Portugal and apply for a temporary residence permit at the Portuguese immigration office, Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo (AIMA)
4. Receive a temporary residence permit: You can expect to receive a temporary residence permit within 3–6 months. The permit is valid for two years and can usually be renewed for an additional three years. After five years of holding a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal

You will also need to obtain a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF), which is required to open a bank account in Portugal. This is necessary for securing accommodation in Portugal and carrying out other fiscal activities.

What Are the Portugal Permanent Residency Requirements?

To qualify for permanent residency in Portugal, you must legally reside in the country for at least five years. This means you must renew your temporary residence permit for another three years once it expires. 

For most Portuguese temporary residence visas, you must not be absent from Portugal for more than six consecutive months or a total of eight months in any given year, or you risk non-renewal or even revocation. This does not apply to the Golden Visa, as its residency requirements are reduced to 14 days within two years, making it suitable for expats who don’t intend to take up residence in Portugal immediately.

Other requirements for permanent residency in Portugal include:

• A clean criminal record
• A Portuguese A2-level language certificate
• No tax liabilities 
• Sufficient funds to support yourself 
• Evidence of accommodation and health insurance in Portugal 

How To Get Permanent Residency in Portugal

Once you confirm that you meet the five-year legal residence requirement, you can apply for Portuguese residency by taking the following steps:

Portugal Permanent Residence Permit Application Process	Overview
Collect documentation	The primary required documents include a valid passport, your current residence permit, and proof of continuous residency in Portugal. You must also provide evidence that you meet other key requirements for the permanent residence permit, such as a clean criminal record certificate and evidence of stable income
Complete the application form	Before you start the application process, you must fill out the permanent residence application form available on the AIMA website or in person at the AIMA offices
Pay the necessary fees	You must pay the application fee before visiting the immigration office. If you submit the application form through the online AIMA portal, the fee is typically €252
Schedule and attend an AIMA appointment	Schedule an appointment online at AIMA, by phone, or in person at your local AIMA office. At the appointment, an officer will review your documents and application. They may also ask questions about your stay in Portugal
Receive the Portugal permanent residence card	After you’re approved, you will receive a permanent residence card that you must renew every five years unless you decide to apply for citizenship. Either way, your status as a permanent Portuguese resident remains valid indefinitely

Can Your Family Obtain the Portugal Residency Visa?

If one of your family members is a Portuguese permanent resident or citizen, you can obtain a temporary residence permit by applying for a Family Reunification Visa. Likewise, you can bring your family to Portugal using this visa once you secure permanent Portuguese residency.

The Family Reunification Visa is also known as the D6 Visa, and it’s usually valid for two years. The family members who qualify for it include:

• Your spouse
• Dependent children under and over 18
• Dependent parents
• Dependent minor siblings

The visa can be renewed after two years, and the eligible family members can apply for permanent residence after five years.

Portugal Residency and Citizenship Requirements: What’s the Difference?

Whether you wish to obtain permanent residence or citizenship in Portugal, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Pass an A2 language proficiency test
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be a legal resident of Portugal for five consecutive years

In June 2025, the Portuguese Council of Ministers proposed the extension of the residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years. While this proposal hasn’t come into force yet, it could extend the eligibility period for most applicants in the future.

Additionally, the application process for Portuguese citizenship is more complex, and it can take up to two years, whereas the permanent residency application process can be completed within 3–12 months.

Even if you aren’t eligible for Portuguese citizenship, you will receive many of the same benefits as a permanent resident. For instance, permanent residency enables you to live, work, and purchase property in Portugal. You can also spend up to 90 out of 180 days in the Schengen area countries. 

Meanwhile, if you qualify for Portuguese citizenship, you will receive an EU passport, which allows you to live and work anywhere in the EU for an indefinite time. 

To check whether you meet the requirements for Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship, partner with professionals at Nomad Capitalist. We will assess your circumstances and develop a course of action that aligns with your goals.

Obtain Portuguese Residency Seamlessly With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that assists high-net-worth expats with all their relocation needs. We provide specialized advice on obtaining residence overseas, minimizing global tax obligations, and ensuring cross-border asset protection.

Our personalized Action Plan considers your circumstances and financial goals, assisting you with: 

• Securing residence or citizenship in Portugal 
• Applying for Portuguese dual citizenship
• Developing a tax plan that aligns with your financial circumstances while residing in Portugal

To get started with your own comprehensive Plan, complete our online application form to check whether you’re a good fit. If you qualify, we will:

1. Schedule a one-on-one onboarding call to understand your relocation goals better
2. Develop and present a step-by-step overview of your Action Plan
3. Implement the Plan and handle the relocation-related administrative work
4. Provide ongoing support and advice

Ready to discover the best route to Portuguese residency based on your specific circumstances and needs? Build your custom international strategy today!