Portugal Residence Visas 2026: Requirements, Costs and the AIMA Residence Permit

Portugal offers seven main residence visas, and which one you need depends entirely on where your money comes from. If you live on pensions, rentals or dividends you want the D7 (about €920 a month). If you work remotely for foreign clients or employers, the D8 (about €3,680 a month). There are also visas for employment (D1), starting a business (D2), highly qualified work (D3), studying (D4 and D5) and joining family already in Portugal (D6). This guide explains each one, what it costs and how to apply in 2026.

But wait… Do UK citizens even require a Residence Visa? What about citizens from the US? How long can you stay in Portugal? There’s only one way to find out! Keep reading to know whether you need it, how long it takes to obtain one, and everything that follows. Let’s get started.

What are Portugal’s residence visas?

Portugal’s Residence Visas are your ticket to living in the seventh-safest country in the world!

While you can be a tourist in Portugal whenever you want, the Residence Visa has added perks. It’s a document that gives you the right to enter the country and establish residency. The Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your country issues it.

Are you looking for a way to grow your business and explore endless opportunities for your career? Or study at world-renowned universities in Portugal? Maybe just retire in the alluring Algarve? The Residence Visa allows you to do all of the above.

So, do you even need it?

• Read Also: Schengen Visa: How Long Can You Stay In Europe?

Who needs Portugal’s residence visas?

If you’re a non-EU citizen looking to move to Portugal, you’ll need to obtain a Residence Visa to move here. That also includes residents of EFTA countries. You can find the complete list of non-EEA countries here.

You might already know about Portugal’s agreement with certain countries that allows free movement between international borders. People living within the European Union benefit from this agreement and don’t require a visa to travel here.

So, for example, if you’re from the U.S. or Singapore, you’ll be required to go through the entire immigration process. However, if you’re from the United Kingdom or Spain, you won’t need a visa to travel here.

The different types of Residence Visas in Portugal

We’ll cover the differences between seven kinds of Portugal’s Residence Visas with their requirements and procedures.

Every one of these also needs the basics: a passport valid for three months past your planned return, two photos, travel insurance that covers medical care, and a criminal record certificate with an apostille. That's straight from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal.

Where do the numbers come from? Portugal's means of subsistence rules (Portaria 1563/2007) peg almost everything to the national minimum wage, which Decreto-Lei 139/2025 set at €920 a month from 1 January 2026. The D8 and D3 thresholds are on the visa portal. When the minimum wage goes up, so do the thresholds.

One change catches families out. Since Lei 61/2025, the resident usually needs a permit held for at least two years before bringing family over. There's no wait for minor children or the other parent of those children, and none for family of D3, Golden Visa or EU Blue Card holders. A spouse you lived with for 18 months before moving can come after 15 months. Our D7, D8, D2, D3 and family reunification pages go deeper on each one.

Not sure which fits you? Our D7 vs D8 vs Golden Visa comparison breaks down the three routes most people are choosing between.

D1 Visa: For people who are going to work in Portugal

The Portuguese Work Visa is for those brilliant minds hired by a Portuguese company to work here. It’s officially known as the D1 Visa.

To obtain this Visa, there are three steps you’ll perform before submitting your application:

1. Search and shortlist job opportunities that are available for your expertise, and also shortlist which city you’d like to work in;
2. Go through the selection process: Once your job application moves to the next stage, you will have to give an interview and be tested for your knowledge;
3. Hiring: Congratulations on reaching this step! The hiring process includes signing a Promise of Employment Contract, and getting your NIF Number and your Social Security Number.

Did you know Lisbon and Porto are the country’s top industrial and economic hubs? Many expats move here with a D1 Visa to thrive professionally and personally.

• Read Also: Move To Lisbon Or Porto? Choose Between Portugal’s Metropolis.

D2 Visa: For people who will start a business in Portugal

The D2 Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to move to Portugal and start their businesses. It’s commonly known as the Business Visa or the Entrepreneur Visa and has become extremely popular recently.

Why is it so popular, you ask?

Thanks to Portugal’s favorable business environment and high standard of living, the D2 Visa is quite in demand. It’s especially popular among the expat community because Portugal has a strategic geographical location, and it’s easy to expand a business to Europe.

However, the D2 Visa involves some additional paperwork. For example, creating a business plan, opening a bank account, or even establishing a company before applying for the visa.

If you’re unsure about your objectives, getting in touch with a professional can solve your problems.

• Interested in expanding your business? Check out our article How To Take My Business To Portugal: An Entrepreneur’s Guide.

D3 Visa: For highly qualified professionals in Portugal

Highly skilled professionals are individuals with exceptional technical skills and adequate qualifications. If you’re a scientific researcher, professor, management director, or information technology expert, this visa is for you.

Given its importance, the D3 Visa application goes through an examination, and you also need to provide an employment contract. You might want to check out our detailed article on All About The D3 Visa if you’re interested.

D4 and D5 Visas: For international students in Portugal

Both these visas are for international students who want to study in Portugal. So, what’s the differentiation? The D4 Visa is for short-term courses, while the D5 Visa is for students enrolled in long-term programs.

To apply for either of these visas, you’ll need to be accepted into a Portuguese educational institution and prove that you have enough financial resources to support yourself during your studies.

Portuguese universities provide excellent education and attract many students who later become residents after experiencing Portugal’s quality of life. A huge advantage is that private and international universities teach in English, so it’s okay if you haven’t learned Portuguese.

D6 Visa: For family reunification in Portugal

Family reunification is the process of authorizing family members of Residence Permit holders so that they may live in Portugal. The visa to apply for this process is known as the D6 Visa.

Let’s give an example; Zack moved from the U.S. to Portugal a few years ago. After living here and receiving the Residence Permit, he wants his family to move to Portugal with him. The family members that can apply for this visa are his spouse/partner, children (under 18), and dependent parents.

To apply for this visa, you’ll need to have a valid passport and proof of your relationship with the Residence Permit holder. You’ll also need to prove that you have enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Portugal.

Good news! You can now schedule appointments online for family reunification on AIMA’s website and get your family to Portugal faster! This new update was announced recently by AIMA, who are working on digitization of Visa processes.

• Go through our FAQ on Visas and Resident Permit in Portugal for answers to the most popular questions!

D7 Visa: For anyone who has passive income

The D7 Visa is the most favored when it comes to Portugal’s Residence Visas among expats. It’s meant for anyone who wants to move to Portugal and has passive income, such as investments, pensions, or rent.

Recently, many retirees have chosen to retire in the Algarve after obtaining a Passive Income Visa.

To apply for this visa, you’ll need a valid passport and proof of means of subsistence for a year, among other documents. You’ll also need to show your international health insurance.

D8 Visa: For digital nomads and remote workers

Launched in October 2022, the Visa was launched for Digital Nomads and Freelancers, who have waited too long for this update!

In 2026 you must show a monthly income of at least €3,680, which is four times Portugal's minimum wage of €920. The visa is renewable and leads to permanent residency, so it is not limited to a single year.

The applicant must show that they have a contract of employment (or proof of self-employment) and their tax residency documents.

This Visa has removed all obstacles that Digital Nomads previously faced when wanting to live and work in this beautiful country in Southern Europe. You’d be amazed by the number of freelancers who have waited for this update!

What about Portugal’s Golden Visa?

Although Portugal’s Golden Visa may lead you to think it is a residence visa, that’s just its popular name. In fact, it’s a Residence Permit that you can obtain by investing in Portugal, not a visa.

Through this, you have the luxury of traveling freely within the Schengen Area for five years. After these five years, you can renew the Residence Permit or even apply for Portuguese citizenship.

As the name suggests, the Golden Visa is your golden ticket and has many perks. But, it’s also very exclusive. To obtain this visa, you need to make one of the following investments:

Property purchase no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa, which is the single biggest change people still get wrong. Full detail is in our complete guide to the Portugal Golden Visa.

Before you begin thinking about the Golden Visa, you should know that its laws are prone to changing frequently. Get assistance from Viv Europe to ensure that you use your time and money efficiently prior to the application.

Residence visa vs residence permit: what is the difference?

People mix these two up all the time. Here's the short version: the residence visa gets you into Portugal. The residence permit is what lets you stay.

The visa comes from the Portuguese consulate in the country where you live. It allows two entries and is valid for four months. Think of it as a bridge. Within that window you apply to AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, for your residence permit.

The residence permit (autorização de residência) is issued by AIMA inside Portugal, as a physical card called the título de residência. That card is your ID as a foreign resident. A first temporary permit is valid for two years and then renews for three years at a time, as long as you still meet the conditions of your visa.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens skip all of this. They don't need a long-stay visa to live in Portugal.

From visa to residence card, step by step

1. Get your residence visa. The type (D1 to D8) decides which residence permit you'll ask AIMA for later.
2. Enter Portugal while the visa is valid. You have four months to arrive and apply for the permit, so don't leave it to the last week.
3. Attend your AIMA appointment. You apply in person at an AIMA office, with the official application form, and they take your biometrics: fingerprints and a photo.
4. Bring a complete file. Expect to show your passport, your valid residence visa, proof of your address in Portugal (a deed, a lease or a declaration from whoever houses you) and the documents for your visa type, such as the employer declaration for a D8.
5. Pay the fees. AIMA's official fee table currently lists €99.80 to receive and analyse a first temporary permit application and €85.80 to grant it.
6. Get your card and put the renewal in your calendar. Once AIMA approves you, it issues your título de residência. Renew before it expires: two years for the first card, then three years at a time.

AIMA appointments are the slowest part of the whole move. Our guide to Portugal's immigration agency explains how it works and what to expect.

How long does it take to obtain one of Portugal’s Residence Visas?

The time it takes to obtain a residence visa for Portugal varies on the type of visa you’re applying for. For example, the D7 Visa can be issued within two weeks, while the D6 can take up to six months.

Another crucial deal-maker is whether you’ve attached the correct documents properly or not. Often, people forgo the importance of Portugal’s bureaucracy and cause unnecessary delays in their visa applications.

• Read Also: Portugal Visa Processing Time: See How Long It Takes.

How much do Portugal’s Residence Visas cost?

Similar to the time of obtaining your visa, the fee depends on which visa you’re applying for. For example, most of Portugal’s national residence visas cost around €110, while the family reunification visa is free of charge.

It can depend on the duration of your stay, your purpose for obtaining one, and your country of origin. For the United States, you can take a look at the VFS Global website to check the latest prices. The website also allows you to apply for Portugal’s Residence Visas online.

How can I apply for one of Portugal’s Residence Visas?

Now we’ve reached the most enjoyable part you were eagerly waiting for! We understand your excitement; we’ve gone through the entire process, and the wait is so worth it.

The first step is locating a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate nearest you. You’ll fill out an application form with all of your details and attach the required documents there. During this step, you must be careful attaching all the necessary documents.

The last step is to pay your fee with your application and wait for its approval. The consulate will then process your application and, if approved, issue your visa.

Residency in Portugal for US citizens

Americans can visit Portugal visa-free for short trips. There's no visa waiver for living here, though. Anyone from outside the EU and EEA needs a long-stay visa to stay more than 90 days, and that includes US citizens.

You apply in person in the US, before you move. VFS Global handles Portugal's visa applications in the US, and you must book at the centre with jurisdiction over the place you live. Some consulates also take appointments for their own states: Newark, for example, only accepts residents of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Check who covers your state before you book.

What Americans need on top of the visa-specific documents:

• An FBI background check. The FBI Identity History Summary, issued no more than three months before your appointment and apostilled by the competent federal authority, the consulate says. Order it early, because the apostille adds time.
• A Portuguese tax number and bank account. The consulate asks for your NIF and a statement or declaration showing a Portuguese bank account.
• Proof of legal status in the US if you live there but aren't a US citizen, valid beyond the visa you're applying for.
• Time. The consulate's standard processing time for a residence visa is 60 days, and you can apply up to six months before you travel.

Once you land, the same visa-to-permit steps above apply. For the full picture, read our guide to moving to Portugal from the US, or take our free eligibility check to see which visa fits you.

What happens if my visa application is denied?

The Portuguese Consulate decides the fate of your application. Unfortunately, weaker applications have a higher chance of getting rejected. This is why people prefer hiring professional immigration assistance to get their visas on the first try.

In case your visa application is denied, there’s no refund fee. You may choose to appeal the decision, for which you’ll need to submit a written request to the consulate. You should proceed with this request within fifteen days of the decision. After reviewing your appeal, the consulate may or may not issue a new decision.