A skilled professional working in Portugal
Back to Portugal

D3 Visa.

For skilled professionals with a qualified job offer from a Portuguese employer.

Who it’s for.

About the D3 Visa

Portugal's visa for highly qualified professionals with a job offer or employment contract from a Portuguese employer - tied to your role, with a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Who’s eligible

Skilled professionals with a qualified job offer or employment contract from a Portuguese employer.

What you can do

  • Work in Portugal in your qualified profession
  • Live in Portugal as a legal resident
  • Use the public healthcare system (SNS)
  • Travel freely across the Schengen area
  • Bring your family through reunification
  • Build toward permanent residency (after 5 years) and citizenship

Key facts & documents.

Our approval rate98%+
Typical duration3–6 months
ComplexityMedium
Requirement
Qualified job offer
Initial permit
1–2 years, renewable
Pathway
5 yrs → PR · 10 yrs → citizenship

Documents required

  • A job offer or employment contract from a Portuguese employer
  • Recognised qualifications (apostilled and translated)
  • NISS (Social Security number)
  • NIF (Portuguese tax number)
  • Criminal background certificate
How it works

A clear, guided process.

Six simple steps from first call to fully settled, so you always know what's next.

  1. Two ways to start

    ⏱️ ~2 min

    Get an instant proposal

    Answer a few questions about your situation and we build your personalised proposal from your answers, emailed to you and ready to sign online.

    Take the eligibility test
    ⏱️ 15 min

    Book a free call

    A free 15-minute call with a relocation specialist to go through your options together, no pressure.

    Schedule my call
  2. Get your plan

    🗺️ Within days

    Your dedicated case manager maps out the steps, documents and timeline, tailored to your situation.

  3. We handle it

    ⚙️ We drive it

    We do the legwork and coordinate every party, keeping you updated in your client app at each stage.

  4. Your secure client app

    🔒 Anytime

    Access our app to exchange information and documents safely, with all the security required at every step.

  5. We meet you there

    🤝 On arrival

    Once you arrive, your case manager meets you in person in your destination country, to welcome you and help you find your feet.

  6. You're settled

    🎉 Move complete

    You arrive ready to live, not just survive, with the essentials in place and us a message away.

What’s included.

Everything we take care of for you with your D3 Visa.

Dedicated case manager

Your dedicated expert guides you through the entire process: always available, keeping you informed and handling every relocation task with you, hand in hand.

  • Single point of contact
  • Start to finish
  • Personal follow-up

Do it with Viv, not alone.

The same move, two very different experiences.

On your own
With Viv Europe

Coordination

Chase agencies, lawyers and translators
One case manager coordinates everyone

Paperwork

Decode the rules in another language
Lawyer-reviewed docs, plain-language guidance

Appointments

Book and attend every one yourself
We book for you, stay relaxed

Approval odds

Hope you got it right, risk refusal
98%+ success, denial covered at no extra cost

Getting set up

Piece together NIF, bank and housing solo
All set up, tracked in one client app
Real Stories

Clients who made the move with us

United StatesDarrel FroelichApr 14, 2026

Viv Europe assisted my wife and I apply for a D7 Portuguese visa and residence cards. They were extremely helpful in every step of the process. I would recommend them to anyone.

United StatesAnselm A.Jan 20, 2026

Viv Europe exceeded my expectations with their professionalism, clarity, and genuine care. It's rare to find a company that combines expertise with such honesty and warmth.

United KingdomLaurenJan 6, 2026

They have gone above and beyond to assist me with my relocation process to Portugal. Their communication is fantastic, their service is friendly and professional, and they are extremely helpful and supportive.

United StatesPamela B.Dec 10, 2025

The team at Viv Europe are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I have already recommended them to several people. I couldn't have successfully completed the Digital Nomad visa process without the assistance of Viv Europe.

United StatesMike W.Nov 27, 2025

I feel very lucky that I had their help and guidance as I applied for my D7 visa. You definitely need this team on your side!

United StatesEllen LeonardNov 15, 2025

They made me feel secure in a process that feels completely out of your control. Because of them we now have our D7 Visa for Portugal, a bank account and NIF, and an apartment with working utilities.

United StatesNa'omi MclovenOct 24, 2025

The consulate didn't have a single follow-up question for us, which is a testament to Viv Europe's knowledge of this process.

JapanShintaro NishiharaOct 17, 2025

Moving to Portugal was a big step for me and my family, but Viv Europe made it so much easier. I could focus on settling in without the overwhelming stress of navigating a new country's bureaucracy.

EgyptAhmed MashhourFeb 25, 2025

They genuinely cared about making the experience as stress-free as possible. Viveurope's combination of professionalism, transparency, legal expertise, and personal support is second to none.

CanadaKenneth ColeJul 17, 2024

I am now a permanent resident of the country I had selected as my new home, Portugal, coming from Canada. The Viv Europe team is clearly very knowledgeable as well as experienced.

Why Viv Europe

We treat your move
like it's the only one.

Expert guidance with a personal, human-centered approach, so you navigate the whole process feeling supported every step of the way.

  • Personal & Digital Approach

    A dedicated representative plus a 24/7 client portal, a human touch backed by technology.

  • Pay Per Progression

    You only pay as we advance through each stage, so you see value before any payment.

  • 8 Years of Expertise

    Immigration experience and deep knowledge of local regulations.

  • 98%+ Success Rate

    We handle any denials at no extra cost, appealing or restarting as needed.

  • Everything in one app

    Your messages, documents and updates all live in your client app, so there are no emails to chase.

FAQ

Common questions.

Do I need a job offer first?

Yes. The D3 requires an employment contract or a binding job offer from a Portuguese employer, matched to recognised qualifications.

Is the visa tied to my employer?

Yes - the D3 is linked to the role and employer. The initial permit runs 1–2 years and is renewable; after 5 years you can seek permanent residency.

What documents prove my qualifications?

Apostilled and translated diplomas or certificates, plus a Portuguese Social Security number (NISS). We coordinate the recognition and translation for you.

Does the D3 lead to permanent residency and citizenship?

Yes. After five years of legal residence you can seek permanent residency, with citizenship possible in time.

Can my family join me on the D3?

Yes. Your spouse or partner, dependent children and dependent parents can be included through family reunification.

What kind of role qualifies as highly qualified?

Roles requiring specialised skills or higher qualifications - for example tech, engineering, science, health or management positions. We assess your specific offer.

Can I change employers later?

The initial permit is tied to your role and employer; changing jobs has its own process. We guide you through any change when the time comes.

Do I need to speak Portuguese for the D3?

Not for the visa itself. A basic level (A2) only becomes relevant later, if you choose to apply for citizenship.

Ready when you are.

Book a free 15-minute call and we'll map out exactly how this works for you.