Last Updated on February 18, 2022 by Lea Melo
Wondering whether it’s better to apply for a Business visa or passive income visa to Portugal? Get to know all about the differences between the D2 or D7 visas and plan your relocation at ease.
Portugal is an amazing place to live in, and it welcomes foreigners that want to invest and enjoy life in the country with different Visa procedures. But among so many options, it can be a little tricky to know which Visa to apply to.
Find out if your case is best suited for a Business Visa or Passive Income Visa in this full article and start planning your relocation to Portugal.
Should I apply for a Business Visa or Passive Income Visa?
If you do not have Portuguese or European Union citizenship, you will need a residence permit to live in Portugal. That means you must apply for a residency Visa.
Depending on your goals and activities in the country, you may apply for either a Business Visa (D2 Visa) or Passive Income Visa (D7 Visa), besides many others.
Both D2 and D7 visas grant you permission to live in Portugal and bring your family with you, traveling inside the EU and enjoying the quality of life in the 4th safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2021.
How to get a Visa to Portugal?
To apply for the D7 visa, as for a D2 visa, applicants can do the procedure through the internet or by visiting the local Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.
Depending on your country, the process may change slightly, but generally, the application will be tracked on the VFS Global website.
The visa application process will ask for a series of documents proving specific visa prerequisites, proof of subsistence, income, and so on. Each visa requires specific details, and you’ll still need to address multiple issues to fully relocate.
Without further ado, get to know the main differences between the D2 Visa and the D7 Visa.
Businesses and the D2 Visa to Portugal
The D2 Visa, also known as the Business visa or the Entrepreneur visa, was designed especially for those who want to live and develop a business in Portugal.
Especially in recent years, Portugal has attracted the attention of large companies that now have a head office in the country. This is the case with Google, Microsoft, Bosch, Airbnb, among others. Lisbon and Porto are the best cities to start a business in Portugal, as you can see in another article.
Even after the pandemic, sentiments among the Portuguese regarding the areas of technology and innovation are high. Many successful startups have sprung up in the country, and the number of D2 visa applicants increases every year.
Benefits
The Business Visa provides to its holder:
- Permission to reside in Portugal for 2 years, renewable for another 3 years.
- Permission to bring family members through family reunification.
- Possibility of extension of residence for more years.
- Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after completing 5 years of residence in Portugal.
How to get a D2 Visa
To apply and successfully obtain a D2 Visa to Portugal, there are many prerequisites to be fulfilled, many documents to be delivered and details to be clarified. Simply stated, it will be necessary to present:
- Permanent Certificate of the new company registered in Portugal.
- Declaration of registration of commencement of activity.
- Company bank statement with account balance.
- Applicant’s statement.
- Proof of livelihoods.
- Proof of accommodation.
- International travel medical insurance.
- Criminal record certificate.
- Valid passport.
Along with these documents, we also suggest the presentation of:
- Business plan.
- Photocopy of proof of academic and professional qualifications, accompanied by curriculum vitae.
Therefore, there are many steps to take even before submitting the visa application, such as opening a business or a bank account in Portugal from abroad.
These activities can be very difficult to handle and can take much longer than you would expect (and even cause headaches).
It is no wonder that D2 visa applicants often prefer to hire an immigration assistance company to Portugal.
Passive income and the D7 Visa to Portugal
Also known as the Retirement or Passive Income Visa, the D7 Visa to Portugal provides permission for foreigners in these conditions to reside in the country.
This type of Visa is one of the most requested by the expats wishing to live in Portugal, especially those seeking peace, calm and sunny days.
The Algarve region, in southern Portugal, is often linked to foreigners with this visa. That’s because it is known for its very high quality of life and the largest retired foreign resident population in Portugal.
Benefits
Spending the best time of life in Portugal is a decision that thousands of foreigners have already taken, thanks to the D7 visa. Retirees and passive income holders may not have any concern with legal documentation, and can still enjoy tax benefits in Portugal.
Take a look at some benefits of the Passive Income Visa:
- Permission to reside in Portugal for 2 years, renewable for another 3 years.
- Permission to bring family members through family reunification.
- Possibility of extension of residence for more years.
- Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after completing 5 years of residence in Portugal.
- No need to work or invest in any business in Portugal in order to live in the country.
How to get a D7 Visa
In order to apply and obtain a D7 Visa to Portugal, applicants must present:
- Applicant’s Statement.
- Proof of livelihoods.
- Proof of Accommodation in Portugal.
- International travel medical insurance.
- Criminal record certificate.
- Proof of Passive Income.
- Valid passport.
As you can see, this process can also be a bit complex. It doesn’t matter if you are going to apply for Business Visa or Passive Income Visa, you will need a lot of patience and attention to detail.
Read also: Retirement in Portugal: Find the best places to live and choose the right one for you
The other visas to Portugal
The government of Portugal has developed several residency visa programs to meet the needs of foreigners who want to develop activities and live in the country.
Besides the Business Visa and the Passive Income Visa, these are the most requested visas from Portugal:
If you have any doubts about the different types of Visa, make sure you check out our Frequently Asked Questions (answered) on the topic.
What we suggest
Now you know the biggest advantages and disadvantages and must have found out which one is best for you, the Business visa or Passive Income visa.
If you intend on investing in a new business in the country, D2 Visa it is. But if you simply wish to enjoy life in Portugal with your passive income, the D7 Visa fits you best.
The relocation process, however, involves much more.
If you need any help applying for a Visa or with any step of the move to Portugal, our team of experts is always available.
Contact Viv Europe and tell us about your plans of relocating, investing, or simply enjoying Portugal. We’ll love to turn your Portugal project into reality.
