Types of Visas in Portugal
Portugal Residency Visas for U.S. Citizens [Updated June 2024]
Please Note: I am not an attorney or an immigration expert. The information provided here is based on research and my own experience obtaining a residency visa in Portugal. Do not rely solely on this information and be sure to conduct your own research and consult with your own immigration professionals prior to applying for a visa in Portugal, as regulations and requirements can and do change. This post focuses on people from the United States who may be interested in applying for a visa in Portugal.
Many people, when considering a move to Portugal, do not understand the different types of visas to allow stays longer than as a tourist. This article may help to clarify the types of Portugal residency visas for U.S. citizens. This is a high-level overview of the types of visas in Portugal. I have provided resources at the end of this article if you require more in-depth research and information.
Visiting Portugal as a Tourist.
If you want to visit Portugal as a U.S. (or Canadian) tourist, you don’t need a visa. However, there are certain limitations for the number of days you may stay in Portugal and/or the Schengen area:
To visit Portugal as a tourist, your U.S. passport must be valid for more than 90 days of your intended visit. So, if your passport is close to expiring within the next 6 months, you may want to renew it before traveling to Portugal or any other Schengen area country to avoid problems entering and exiting countries. Keep in mind that beginning in May 2025, people from over 60 currently visa-exempt countries (U.S. included) will be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries including Portugal. Previously, American travelers with U.S. passports had visa-free access to many foreign destinations. But starting in May, 2025, the European Union will add this new requirement for U.S. visitors. You can find more information here.
Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
You may stay in Portugal and/or the Schengen area for a total of less than 90 days within a 180-day period. A new period begins after you have been absent from Portugal and/or the Schengen area for 90 days.
So, what exactly are Residence visas and why do you need one to stay or live in Portugal?
If you want to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days as a tourist, you will need to apply for a Residence visa. Some people make the mistake of traveling to Portugal as a tourist from the U.S. or Canada, fall in love with the country, and think they can simply apply in Portugal to stay as a resident. This is not true. The visa application process for Portugal begins in your home country and in many cases, you must appear in person when you apply.
Portugal provides various visas that enable entry into the country and the opportunity to apply for residency. This is a process involving two steps - obtaining a visa to enter (from your home country) and then acquiring a residence permit for a long-term stay (once you have arrived in Portugal).
Residence visas can be known by different names which can make it confusing when looking for the correct visa to apply for. In the United States, a residence visa for a foreign country falls under the category of “Type 1 Visas” while in Portugal and other countries, residence visas are known as “D” Visas, with the D7 visa being the most common for U.S. citizens seeking a residency in Portugal.
What are the different types of “D” Visas?
D1: Work Visa - This residence visa is intended for professionals who have secured employment in Portugal. It is valid for stays exceeding 12 months.
D2: Entrepreneur or Business Visa - Portugal aims to attract emerging entrepreneurs to establish innovative enterprises within the country. To qualify for the D2 Visa, you must have an original or innovative idea, a solid business plan, and some initial capitalization. This visa is not suitable for those planning to start conventional businesses such as restaurants or bed and breakfast establishiments in Portugal.
D3: Highly qualified professionals Visa - This is a visa for specialized technical skilled workers. Some types of positions might include directors and C-Suite executives, information technology professionals, science and research professionals, education professors, health professionals, and experienced legal professionals. Applicants will need to prove they have an employment contract or other proof of employment in a highly qualified professional capacity.
D4: Student Visa - The D4 Visa is Portugal’s student visa for individuals planning to stay in the country for over three months for educational purposes. It is intended for students and exchange students enrolled in accredited programs, as well as for professional and voluntary internships.
D5: Residence Visa For the Mobility of Higher Education Students - The D5 Visa is designed for college or university students wishing to pursue their undergraduate and graduate education in Portugal. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited program.
D6: Family reunification Visa- This visa is for the family of a Portuguese citizen that has a residence permit to allow his/her family to reside with them in Portugal.
D7: Retirement/Passive Income Visa - By far the most popular visa and the one that my husband and I applied for. The D7 visa is ideal for applicants who can demonstrate sufficient assets (preferably passive income) sourced from outside Portugal. As of 2024, the minimum asset requirements for this visa are:
First adult (applicant): €820 per month (€9,840 per year)
Additional adults: €4,920 per year each
Minors and dependent children over 18: €3,280 per year each
D8: Digital Nomad Visa - In 2022, Portugal introduced a new type of visa aimed at attracting remote workers (also known as Digital Nomads). These are workers who have secured employment outside of Portugal and wish to work remotely while living in Portugal. Applicants must provide satisfactory documentation of income from their employment or self-employment (such as a freelance contract) from outside of Portugal. The income must be at least 4 times the Portuguese minimum wage (in 2024, €820/month), equating to approximately €3,280 per month.
D9: Investment Activity Visa - Also known as the Portuguese Golden Visa or ARI, offers a few investment options for applicants in 2024:
Invest in qualifying funds: You can invest €500,000 or more in qualifying funds, such as venture capital funds, provided these funds are not focused on real estate.
Invest in a company: You can invest €500,000 or more in a company that either creates 5 new jobs or maintains 10 existing jobs.
The application for this type of visa will usually involve the services of an attorney.
Can I apply for a visa on my own or do I have to hire someone?
For most “D” visa types, it is possible to gather the paperwork, documentation and apply without using professional help. The exception would be the Golden Visa where it’s advisable to have professional legal advice.
When we decided to apply for D7 visas, we did a lot of the work ourselves (after many painful hours of researching the requirements, encountering frustrations, and conflicting information during COVID-19), but we ultimately hired an immigration attorney, a Portuguese accountant, and a relocation service to help us with some of the more complex details. This was a personal choice. I know of many Americans who have successfully managed the process completely on their own.
Regardless of whether you hire someone to help, or want to do it on your own, I urge you join the Americans and Friends in Portugal Facebook Group. They have a wealth of information in their files section. Paul and I used these files extensively when we were first getting documents ready for our visa applications.
If you’re looking for vetted professionals in a variety of areas including taxation, finance, immigration, and real estate, consider joining ExpaCity.
When I become a resident in Portugal, does that mean that I must give up my U.S. citizenship?
If I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question, I’d be a wealthy woman! Residency and citizenship are two different things. Becoming a resident of a foreign country does not mean you give up your U.S. citizenship. And under most Residency visas (except for the Golden Visa), you are not eligible to become a Portuguese citizen until you have been a resident for five years and you must pass a Portuguese language proficiency test.
How do I start the residency visa process?
As mentioned above, you start the process in the United States. Once your visa is approved, you complete your application in Portugal. There are specific timeframes and documentation required for each step. To learn more about the process and documentation needed for visa applications, check out my article here.
Resources:
Here are some resources for further reading about travel and visas in Portugal.
Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Types of visas
U.S. Department of State - Travel to Portugal information
If you’re looking for other resources that can assist you with the visa application process, contact me.
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Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.