Portugal Visa & Immigration Advice

Whether you plan on going to Portugal for an extended holiday or to work and study, you must seek the correct permission in the form of a visa. There are multiple Portuguese visas available to foreign nationals- the visa you need to apply for will depend on your personal circumstances.

If you are considering traveling or emigrating to Portugal, our team of Portugal immigration specialists at IAS can assess your needs and advise you on which route you are best suited to. For further information on how we can help, call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or reach out via our live chat function.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS‘ Portugal Immigration Advisers

When it comes to obtaining a Portugal visa or permit, IAS Portugal immigration lawyers, advisers and consultants are well-equipped to help you.

With IAS’ track record of successfully helping clients visit or immigrate to Portugal successfully, we can help you achieve your goal.

Our dedicated immigration experts provide our services through a comprehensive and personalised approach. With IAS, you enjoy:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

Confidence that your case is being handled by an experienced team.

In-house document checks done by lawyers who are well-versed in Portugal immigration matters.

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Living in or visiting Portugal

Portugal comes with an abundance of rich culture and warm, relaxing climates. For these reasons, the country has fast become a highly desirable location for those wishing to travel temporarily or emigrate on a long term basis.

With considerably low property prices and general cost of living, Portugal has attracted thousands of British citizens wishing to move abroad. Although Portuguese is widely spoken as the national language, English speakers are ample throughout the country.

Relocating to Portugal requires careful consideration. It is essential that you seek the correct permission to enter the country, therefore, it is vital that you understand which of the multiple immigration routes is best suited to your needs.

If you are considering traveling or emigrating to Portugal, IAS can assess your needs and advise you on which route you are best suited to. For further information on how we can help, call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or reach out via our live chat function.

Types of Portugal visas

There are three main types of visas in Portugal. The Portugal visa you require will depend on your personal circumstances and intentions in the country.

Short-stay visas (Schengen visa)

The Short Stay visa permits individuals to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days. This visa type is suitable for those traveling for leisure, visiting family, and airport transit.

Temporary Stay visas

A Temporary stay visa will allow you to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days. Once granted this visa type, the visa holder has permission to stay in Portugal for up to one year. During this 12-month period, you can enter Portugal whenever you wish.

Long Stay National visas

Known widely as a Residency visa, Long Stay National visas allow a foreign national to stay in Portugal for more than one year at a time. You must be able to prove your financial status in order to be considered by the Portuguese Embassy.

Which Portugal visa is most suitable for me?

There is an extensive range of Portugal visas available to foreign nationals. Ultimately, the visa you require will be based on your personal circumstances, the length of your stay, and your intentions within the country.

For those who wish to stay in Portugal for longer than one year, a Long Stay visa will be required. There are many options available. These include a Work visa, Study visa, D7 visa, D2 Entrepreneur visa, and a Portugal Golden visa.

If you are unsure on which visa type meets your requirements the best, you can get in touch with a trained immigration specialist from IAS who can advise you on your available options, for a seamless Portugal visa application process.

Call our legal experts today on: +44 (0)333 414 9244

Portugal D7 visa

Sometimes alternatively known as the Retirement or Passive Income visa, the Portugal D7 visa offers the ideal platform to enter Portugal as a remote worker or a digital nomad.

Provided that you can prove to live off a stable income, you may be eligible for the D7 visa. You must provide evidence of a regular salary, a pension, or real estate-based income. Typically, you must have an annual income of at least 8,460 euros.

If you are approved for this visa, you must actively remain in Portugal for at least 16 months during your first two months of residency.

After five continuous years of lawful residence, you may be eligible to apply for a Portuguese Residence Permit.

wooden bridge stretching out into sunset

D9 Portugal Golden Visa

Open to foreign nationals looking to make a secure investment in the country, the D9 Portugal Golden visa poses as a route to permanent residence. One of the main selling points of this visa type is that those granted it do not have to reside in Portugal full-time. In fact, you must only remain in the country for 7 days in your first 12 months, and 14 days for every year to follow.

Real estate is no longer permitted as an investment for the Golden Visa. There are four different routes to investment accepted on the Golden visa scheme. These include:

Investment fund
Job Creation
Donations
Capital Transfer

You should consider seeking expert legal advice if you intend to apply for a Golden visa. Based on your route of investment, the eligibility criteria you need to meet may vary.

Portugal D2 visa

The Portugal D2 visa is aimed at entrepreneurs with the intention of expanding their business into Portugal. Once granted, the visa allows individuals to live in Portugal whilst working on expanding their business overseas.

Such a prestigious visa comes with a strict set of criteria that must be met. One of the key requirements is that applicants are able to submit a detailed business plan to show a genuine intention of overseas expansion.

The business plan in question must demonstrate one of the following:

You have the required financial means to come to Portugal
You have intentions of investing in Portugal
You have previously invested in Portugal

After five years of holding a D2 Portugal visa, you may be able to apply for permanent residence- however, to do so, it is essential that you have spent at least 6 consecutive months in the country.

Get in touch with our immigration specialists to receive assistance with your case today.

D1 visa

Category D1 is a Portuguese visa that offers entry clearance to overseas individuals who have already accepted an offer of employment in Portugal. Sometimes labelled the Subordinate Worker visa, it will allow you to work and live in Portugal for more than 12 months.

As part of the application for D1 Portugal visas, you must be able to provide evidence that the job you have accepted was not able to be filled by a person with Portuguese citizenship.

D6 visa

The Family Reunion visa (D6) was implemented to permit immediate family members of a Portuguese citizen to come to Portugal to live, work and study in the country.

In order to become eligible, you must meet one of the following criteria:

A married or registered partner
A child under the age of 18 (including adopted children)
Dependant children enrolled in a Portuguese educational facility
Immediate relatives dependent on the Portuguese citizen
Minor siblings under legal custody

If you are unsure of whether you qualify as an immediate family member, you can seek the assistance of a trained immigration specialist at IAS who will be able to advise you on your eligibility. Call our experts today on: +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us through the chat.

D3 visa

Aimed at highly qualified professionals who wish to work in Portugal, the D3 visa permits overseas individuals to work for a national company in Portugal.

One of the key benefits of this visa type is that it allows applicants to bring their family with them whilst they work.

In order to be considered for a D3 visa, you must demonstrate the following:

The employment contract will last for a minimum of 12 months
The salary will exceed the national annual gross salary by at least 1.5 times the minimum
You have the relevant skills and qualifications to carry out the job role specified in the contract

You must have a secure offer of employment in order to qualify for a D3 visa.

Study visas

If you require a Portuguese visa for studying abroad, there are two options available to you.

The D4 and D5 Portugal visas are available exclusively to students wishing to emigrate for educational or training purposes. The key difference between the two types of Study visas is based on the length of study.

For those wishing to study on a short-term basis, the D4 visa is best suited to your needs. On the other hand, those planning on a long-term study course, should apply for a D5 visa.

As part of your application for a Portugal visa for study, you must be able to prove you have an offer of education from a Portuguese educational facility.

Portugal Schengen visa

Non-EU citizens who wish to travel to Portugal for fewer than 90 days may need to apply for a Schengen visa, or a Short Stay visa.

Typically, the Schengen visa application will cost 80 Euros for an adult and 40 Euros for minors. You must apply directly to the Portuguese embassy for a Schengen visa where your application will be assessed for approval.

The exact evidence you need to provide with your application will depend on the purpose of travelling to Portugal.

A trained immigration specialist can advise you on the documents you may need to supply. Contact our legal experts today on +44 (0)333 414 9244.

If you have any questions about your immigration application, our team is happy to assist.

Healthcare in Portugal

Unlike in the UK, healthcare under the SNS in Portugal is not free. Therefore, you should consider whether you have the means to afford healthcare.

A lot of citizens or visa holders consider accessing health insurance to cover these fees- however, this is not legally required. Although healthcare is not free, the cost is considerably lower than neighbouring countries.

How can our Portugal immigration specialists at IAS help?

Immigration Advice Service understands that applying for a Portugal visa can seem very daunting. With a lot of factors to consider, the process is often cumbersome and can require a lot of attention.

Our team of expert Portugal immigration specialists have extensive experience in visa application cases and are ready and waiting to share their expertise with you.

If you are considering traveling or emigrating to Portugal, our team at Immigration Advice Service can assess your needs and advise you on which route you are best suited to. For further information on how we can help, call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or reach out via our live chat function.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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Written by Immigration Advice Service

Editorial Team

This content was developed by a team of researchers, editors, and lawyers who provide valuable information to those with immigration queries.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly speaking, it is not too challenging to obtain a visa in Portugal, however it will depend on the visa type you are applying for. Some visas have extremely stringent eligibility criteria, meaning it can be more difficult to be granted entry clearance.

In some cases, a visa application can be processed in as little as 15 working days, however, this will vary depending on demand and the complexity of each individual application.

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Very positive professional experience. My immigration advisor Mariam Adebayo helped my wife successfully obtain her Spouse visa extension. At the very start we had a face to face meeting at their Oldham office to discuss our needs, explain the process and what evidence we would need. We later received a written confirmation of advice laying out everything from timeframes, fees and documentation needed. Through out we had video calls and regular emails for updates and when our input was needed, Mariam even uploaded all of the extensive evidence as part of the application process which I was very happy with as I know from my own experience this can take a while. I would definitely use IAS again, don't be fooled in to opting for cheaper options, I came to IAS after a poor experience with a different company and so came back as I'd had a good experience with IAS way back in the 90's so know that they have been around for a years. Thank you IAS Oldham and Mariam Adebayo.

Fatima Babar

7 days ago

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Abdul Mutee for everything he has done throughout my visa process. The past year was incredibly stressful, especially after facing two Canada visa refusals. During this difficult time, Abdul Mutee did not simply provide guidance; he actively worked on my case and supported me every step of the way when I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about my future. Thanks to his dedication, hard work, and continuous support, my UK visa has now been approved. This approval allows me to continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a dentist. I truly believe that this achievement would not have been possible without his assistance and commitment. Abdul Mutee played a significant role in making this outcome possible, and I am deeply thankful for the relief, hope, and opportunity he has given me. His efforts have made a lasting impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for everything he has done. I will never forget the support, encouragement, and professionalism he showed throughout this journey. Abdul Mutee's help has made a real difference in my future, and I sincerely appreciate all of his hard work and dedication.

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1 week ago

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I used IAS for my first visa and I must say it wasn't a pleasant experience. We didn't receive all the information, we would find out about things along the way and it made it all very stressful even though the application was successful. We were a bit reluctant to do it again for the renewal but went for it anyway due to lack of time. Anne Liu was out caseworker and she was terrific! Super on top of the case! She would review the docs very quickly after we submitted it and would immediately tell us what would be missing. She made herself available when we needed her all the way up to the appointment. Definitely made the experience more stress free!

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2 weeks ago

Anne has been nothing short of exceptional throughout mine and my husbands immigration query. From the very start, she was informative, diligent, understanding, compassionate and helpful. Any immigration matter is delicate and stressful for those involved and Anne met us with patience and kindness throughout, keeping us well informed and calm when everything felt tricky. We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better advisor and we are so grateful for everything that she did for us to get my husbands spousal visa approved. Her dedication and commitment proved enormously valuable and I will be welcoming my husband home tomorrow because of her. Without a doubt we will use her again in 2029 when required and we cannot recommend her enough for anyone going through a similar matter. Thank you Anne, from the bottom of our hearts, we will always appreciate you and remember your engagement fondly.

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2 weeks ago

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I cannot recommend Mariam Adebayo at IAS highly enough. She supported me thoroughly from A–Z throughout my UK Global Talent Visa journey, ultimately helping me successfully obtain my visa through the Exceptional Talent route. From the very beginning, Mariam was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, patient, and attentive. She guided me through every stage of the process with clarity and reassurance, always making sure that my application was as strong and comprehensive as possible. What stood out most was how consistently she went above and beyond her dedication, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me were evident throughout the entire journey. Thanks to Mariam’s exceptional support and hard work, I now have the incredible opportunity to continue developing and practicing my talent in the UK. This is a truly significant milestone in my professional and creative journey, and I am extremely grateful for the role she played in making it possible. Mariam is an outstanding caseworker and a true asset to IAS. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking immigration support, particularly those applying through the UK Global Talent route. Thank you, Mariam, for your dedication, guidance, and for helping turn this opportunity into a reality.

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3 weeks ago

Re: Kurshida Begum My wife and I cannot thank our immigration lawyer, Kurshida Begum enough for the professional help and support she gave us to obtain a successful outcome to my wife’s application for her extension visa. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone seeking help on immigration matters.

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3 weeks ago

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4 weeks ago

I had a good exchange with Saima Jabeen, she helped me and it was useful.

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4 weeks ago

My case worker Mariam Adebayo guided my fiancee, a Belarusian national and me on what documentation and translations were required and checked through everything at every stage. She then made the application on our behalf for a fiancee visa. The application was 100% successful with no other documentation required or any queries raised by UKVI. Mariam further assisted in getting our spouse visa after our marriage in May 2026. Again 100% successful. Mariam has been extremely thorough in every part of our fiancee and spouse visa. Everything went through without a hitch! I have no hesitation in recommending her. Peter and Teresa Welch.

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