The complete guide to visas, residence permits, and administrative procedures for EU and non-EU nationals looking to settle in Portugal.
6
Visas covered
~60 days
Average timeline
Jul. 2026
Updated
Free · Results in 3 minutes
Overview
Portugal — AIMA, minimum wage, D visas.
Portugal applies free movement for EU/EEA citizens. Non-EU nationals apply for a national visa at the consulate, then for a residence permit from AIMA after arrival.
EU / EEA
Free movement
920 €
2026 minimum wage
AIMA
Residence permit
Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area. The process has two stages: a national visa obtained at the consulate in your country of residence, then a residence permit requested from AIMA after arrival. Nearly all financial thresholds are indexed to the national minimum wage, set at €920 in 2026. Two recent changes alter the picture: the Non-Habitual Resident tax regime has been replaced by the IFICI, and naturalization timelines were lengthened in May 2026.
Which visa for your situation in Portugal?
Free assessment · Results in 3 minutes · No commitment
Available visas and permits
The main visas we support.
Click a permit to see the requirements, required documents, timelines, and practical tips. Each of these visas comes with full guidance in your nomadpass space.
D8
D8 — Digital nomad visa
Remote work for entities outside Portugal · non-EU
Non-EUHigh threshold
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate · up to 90 days at AIMA
Cost
€110 (national visa)
Min. income
€3,680 / month — 4 × the minimum wage
Duration
2-year permit, renewable for 3
The threshold is assessed as an average over the three months before the application. Your clients or employer must be established outside Portugal — otherwise the D2 applies.
D7
D7 — Passive income visa
Pensions, rental income, dividends · non-EU
Non-EUAccessible threshold
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate · up to 90 days at AIMA
Cost
€110 (national visa)
Min. income
€920 / month · +€460 per adult · +€276 per child
Means over 12 months
€11,040 in a Portuguese account (single person)
Don't confuse the D7 and D8: if your income comes from remote work, even for a foreign employer, the D7 is not the right visa. It's the number one reason for refusal.
D4
D4 — Student visa
Higher education · non-EU
Non-EUAccessible
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate
Cost
€110 — waived for Portuguese state scholarship holders
Means
€920 / month of stay (€11,040 per year)
Reduction
−50% if housing is provided · up to −90% with meals
A little-known advantage: a full-board university residence sharply reduces the amount you must prove. Check this before assembling your financial file.
D3
D3 — Highly qualified visa
Skilled employment · gateway to the EU Blue Card
Non-EUIndexed threshold
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate · up to 90 days at AIMA
Cost
€110 (national visa)
Min. salary
€1,611.39 / month — 3 × the social support index
Shortage occupations
€1,074.26 / month — 2 × the index
The threshold is an indexed formula, not a fixed amount: 1.5 × the national average salary or 3 × the index. It changes every year. After 18 months, the EU Blue Card opens mobility to other member states.
D2
D2 — Self-employment / entrepreneur visa
Activity based in Portugal · non-EU
Non-EUProject required
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate · up to 90 days at AIMA
Cost
€110 (national visa)
Means
€920 / month, secured over 12 months (€11,040)
Key document
Business plan or service contracts
In-country regularization from Portugal was revoked on June 4, 2024: entering as a tourist and then filing locally is no longer possible. The visa is obtained from your country of residence, with a complete application.
ARI
ARI — Residence authorization for investment
Golden Visa · real estate excluded since October 2023
Non-EUSubstantial capital
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Timeline
AIMA processing: several months to over a year
Entry ticket
€250,000 — cultural heritage
The funds route
€500,000 — non-real-estate vehicles
Job creation
10 positions · 8 in low-density areas
Two changes many websites ignore: real estate has been excluded since October 2023, including indirectly through funds with real-estate underlyings; and since May 2026 naturalization requires 7 years (EU and Portuguese-speaking countries) or 10 years, instead of 5.
Orientation sheet: we give you the exact, dated figures; the subscription itself requires a lawyer and a tax advisor.
This list presents the main residence permits, which cover the vast majority of relocation situations. It is not exhaustive: other specific visas exist for particular situations, available from the country's official authorities.
Not sure which permit to choose?
Our assessment identifies the right visa in 3 minutes
Competent authorities
The official bodies for your procedure.
The competent authorities vary depending on your nationality and your project.
AIMA — Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum
Assigns the NIF and manages the IFICI regime, which replaced the Non-Habitual Resident regime.
Regulatory news
Recent changes to Portugal's immigration rules.
Sep 2026
Portugal — The return/asylum decree upheld by the Constitutional Court (ruling 736/2026) was enacted on August 31: removals tightened, but no automatic expulsion (safeguards for families and children maintained).
Update
May 2026
Portugal — Law of May 18, 2026: naturalization moves from 5 to 10 years of residence (7 years for EU and Lusophone nationals). New files are affected.
Watch this
By project
Your situation, your visa.
Select your profile to access the detailed guides.
6 visas and permits are covered for Portugal, including D8 — Digital nomad visa · D7 — Passive income visa · D4 — Student visa. The free assessment identifies the one that fits your situation in 3 minutes.
How long does it take to get a visa for Portugal?
From about 3 months to about 18 months depending on the visa. For example, D8 — Digital nomad visa: Consular visa ~60 days · AIMA residence permit up to 90 days.
How much does a visa for Portugal cost?
Official fees depend on the visa. For example, D8 — Digital nomad visa: €110 national visa + AIMA residence permit fees.
Is the information on Portugal up to date?
Yes: every sheet cites its official sources (The visa portal (MNE) — Residence documentation: income ≥ 4 minimum wages, Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025 — the 2026 national minimum wage set at €920, AIMA — Residence authorization for professional activity) and carries a verification date. Last verified: 2026-10-06.
