If you‘ve received a job offer or an employment contract from a Portuguese-based company and want to live in Portugal, the D1 visa is the right choice for you. 

But applying for this type of visa is hard if you’re unfamiliar with Portugal’s rules and regulations.

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about the D1 Visa Portugal, including eligibility criteria, required documents, and expected timelines. We’ll also share how you can apply for this visa with step-by-step instructions.

TL;DR – D1 Visa Portugal overview

What it is: A long-stay visa for non-EU/EEA subordinate workers who want to live and work in Portugal for more than 12 months.

Who can apply: People who already have a job offer or employment contract from a Portuguese employer.

Residence visa: 4-month visa for AIMA appointment, then receive a renewable residence permit that gives you a pathway to permanent residence or citizenship.

Proof of funds: You must provide proof of financial stability by showing at least €870/month (Portugal’s minimum wage in 2025).

Family reunification: You can apply with family members or bring them after receiving a residence permit, if you can show funds to support them. Suggested savings: €5,220/adult, €3,132/child.

Key documents: Passport, signed work contract or employment promise, visa form, photos, clean criminal record certificate, proof of accommodation, and travel insurance. 

Accommodation requirement: A signed 1-year lease agreement is required.

Timeline: D1 visa processing takes 30 to 90 days, depending on the consulate. After arrival, attend the AIMA appointment within the visa validity period to receive the residence card.

Path to citizenship: You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.

What is a D1 Visa in Portugal?

Portugal D1 visa, or the Worker Visa, is a standard visa for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a job offer or a signed employment contract from a Portuguese employer. This visa gives you a residence pathway to live and work in Portugal.

Unlike remote work visas (like the D8 visa), the D1 Visa is a national long-stay residence visa for subordinate workers or salaried employees who plan to work on-site in Portugal for more than 12 months. 

What is the difference between a D1 and a D3 visa in Portugal?

D1 is Portugal’s standard work residence visa designed for people with a general employment contract.  

D3 is for highly qualified roles, such as engineers, scientists, doctors, or tech experts. The visa requires applicants to have a higher education degree and a salary 1.5x above the national average. 

D1 vs. D3 Visa Portugal Comparison

D1 Visa Portugal eligibility criteria

Here’s all you need to know about the Portugal D1 Visa requirements:

Nationality & age

D1 Visa is for nationals who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Valid job offer or employment contract

You must have signed an employment contract or an employment promise agreement with a Portuguese company that lasts longer than 12 months.

The role should be full-time and comply with national labor laws, including minimum wage and working conditions.

Proof of financial means

You can submit income proof from a job contract or provide a signed formal letter from your employer confirming your salary, which needs to be at least 870 Euros.

Clean criminal record

You must submit proof of a clean criminal record attested by your home country or country of residence if you live outside your country of citizenship.

Proof of accommodation

You need to show where you will live in Portugal, such as a rental contract, with complete address details.

D1 Visa Portugal requirements for family members

Portugal allows you to apply with your family members or bring them later after residency under the D1 visa. Eligible family members include:

• Spouse (husband or wife)
• Minor children (under 18), including adopted children
• Adult dependent children (usually if they are financially dependent on you, often studying, and not living independently)
• Dependent parents 

To apply, you must submit marriage or partnership certificates, birth certificates, and proof of dependency.

Savings requirement for family members

You must also show additional savings to apply for your family members under the D1 visa based on Portugal’s 2025 minimum wage. You need €10,440 yearly savings (suggested) for yourself, plus 50% of that amount for your spouse and 30% for every dependent child. 

The required suggested savings are:

• €10,440: main applicant
• €5,220: per dependent adult 
• €3,132: per dependent minor child

Tax implications for D1 Visa Portugal

If you live and work in Portugal on a D1 pathway, taxes usually come down to tax residency, Portuguese payroll taxes, and basic registrations.

Here’s everything you need to know about Portugal taxes:

Become a tax resident in Portugal

You are considered a Portuguese tax resident if you either:

• Spend more than 183 days in Portugal in a 12-month period that starts or ends in the tax year, or
• Maintain a home in Portugal in conditions that suggest it is your habitual residence. 

If you become a tax resident, Portugal taxes you on worldwide income. 

Personal income tax (IRS)

Since D1 is for subordinate employment, your salary from a Portuguese employer is taxed under Portugal’s personal income tax rules.

Residents are taxed under progressive rates ranging between 12.5% and 48%. You may also pay a solidarity surcharge on higher earnings.

Social security contributions

If you work in Portugal on a D1 visa, you and your employer usually pay into Portugal’s social security system each month.

• You (the employee) usually have 11% deducted from your gross salary
• Your employer pays an additional 23.75% on top of your salary

These payments help fund things like state benefits and social protection, and they are usually handled automatically through your monthly payroll.

Special regimes may apply in specific cases

Some employees may qualify for special regimes such as NHR 2.0 (IFICI) or IRS Jovem, but they apply only to certain profiles and conditions.

IRS Jovem applies if you are under 35, have employment or self-employment income, and are a tax resident in Portugal. 

IRS Jovem can reduce the taxable portion of your income through these exemptions (up to the scheme cap):

• Year 1: 100% exemption
• Years 2 to 4: 75% exemption
• Years 5 to 7: 50% exemption
• Years 8 to 10: 25% exemption

Touchdown provides tax consultation to help you set up correctly under Portugal’s tax system once you relocate on a D1 visa. Our tax specialist reviews your employment situation and residency position. 

We help you with tax planning and check whether you may qualify for tax regimes, so you can avoid costly mistakes.

How to apply for the D1 Visa in Portugal: Step-by-step process

Here’s a step-by-step guide on the Portugal D1 Visa application process:

Step 1: Collect All Required Documents

You’ll need:

• Signed employment contract
• Passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay)
• Recent criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Health insurance (until you’re registered in the national system)
• Proof of qualifications (if your role requires it)
• Completed visa application form
• Passport photos

Note: All foreign documents should be translated and legalized/apostilled if they’re not in English.

Step 2: Apply at the Portuguese consulate

Submit your D1 visa application at a Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. You will usually need to book an appointment to file your application and supporting documents.

Step 3: Receive your visa and travel to Portugal

If your application is approved, you will receive your D1 visa in your passport. 

You will be allowed to enter Portugal with a 4-month validity period, so you can prepare and apply for your AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) residence permit appointment.

Step 4: Attend the AIMA appointment

You will attend your appointment with AIMA to convert your D1 visa into a residence permit. AIMA verifies your information and checks your documents again, so make sure to bring the originals and updated copies:

You will:

• Submit your documents again (such as your passport and visa, work contract, and any required certificates)
• Provide biometrics, including your photo and fingerprints

Once AIMA approves your request, a residence card is issued and sent to your address. This permit is valid for 2 years and can be renewed.

How long is the Portugal D1 Visa processing time?

On average, the Portugal D1 visa processing time is 30–90 days, depending on your consulate’s backlog and whether your documents are complete and error-free.

Incomplete applications or missing translations are one of the biggest causes of delays. 

How much is a D1 Visa Portugal: Full cost breakdown

Here’s a complete cost breakdown for D1 Visa Portugal:

Visa application fee

The application fee for the D1 Visa costs around €110 per person as of 2025. But some consulates may charge between €90 to €120. 

Residence permit fee

You need to pay a residence permit fee at the AIMA appointment.

Administrative fee

Some consulate centers, such as the VFS Global Center, might also charge an extra service fee of €40–€44.

Legal support

If you choose to work with an immigration lawyer or visa consultant, fees vary by provider and by how much support you need. Full application packages can cost about €1,000 to €3,000, which may include document review, guidance, and help preparing your application.

You can also opt for hourly consultations, which cost around €100 to €300 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of your case.

Benefits of the D1 Visa Portugal

Here are the benefits of applying for the Portugal D1 visa:

Affordable cost of living

According to Eurostat, Portugal’s consumer price levels are below the EU average. This means the day-to-day expenses are more affordable compared to many other European countries. 

Compare: 

• Portugal vs USA cost of living
• Portugal vs Spain cost of living
• Portugal vs UK cost of living

Travel in the Schegan area

You can travel to 29 countries in the Schengen Area. 

Access to healthcare and public services

After you receive your residence permit and complete local registrations in Portugal, you can access public services as a legal resident. 

This can include public healthcare, enrolling children in schools, and using other government services that require residency and a Portuguese address. 

Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship

The D1 visa gives you an eligible pathway to permanent residency after 5 years of stay. You can also apply for Portuguese citizenship as long as you meet the legal requirements and speak fluent Portuguese. 

How Touchdown helps you relocate and settle in Portugal

Touchdown is a Portuguese-based relocation platform built by expats for expats. Our in-house legal team supports you through each stage of the visa application process so you can focus on starting your job in Portugal.

Every case is different, so we tailor the plan to your role, setup, timeline, and personal circumstances. Whether you are moving alone or with family, Touchdown builds a clear step-by-step roadmap for your relocation.

Here is how Touchdown can support your Portugal visa application:

Eligibility and planning

Use our free Eligibility Checker to understand which visa and residence route fits your situation. We provide full guidance on the next steps based on your job contract and timeline.

Legal review

The legal team reviews your documents before submission, checks translations and apostilles, and makes sure your application meets consular requirements. We can also help prepare for your consulate appointment and track your application until a decision is issued.

Dedicated immigration lawyer

We assign a dedicated immigration lawyer who supports you from the visa application through residence permit steps, renewals, and longer-term planning.

Portuguese NIF and bank account setup

We help you obtain your Portuguese NIF and set up a Portuguese bank account, so you can handle essentials like payroll, renting a home, and tax registration.

Support after you land

After you land, Touchdown can help with practical steps such as preparing for your AIMA appointment, reviewing your rental contract, updating your NIF address, and setting up your tax profile and registrations.

Book a 1:1 consultation with us for personalized guidance on your visa application, from documents to arrival.

D1 Visa Portugal FAQs

What type of visa is D1?

The D1 is a Type D national long-stay residence visa for subordinate employment in Portugal. It is for non-EU nationals who already have a job offer or employment contract with a Portuguese employer and need a legal route to live and work in Portugal.

What is the difference between a C1 and a D1 Visa?

A C1 visa is a short-stay Schengen visa, usually for visits like tourism or business trips, and it doesn’t lead to long-term residence. 

A D1 visa is a national long-stay work visa for employed jobs in Portugal. Under the D1 visa, you can travel to the Schengen area, access public healthcare, and apply for permanent residency after 5 years. 

Who is eligible for a digital nomad in Portugal?

Digital Nomad (D8) Visa is for remote workers and freelancers who earn their income from outside Portugal. 

To be eligible, you must meet the visa requirements, like proof of remote income, a minimum income requirement of €3,480 per month, and a suggested €10,440 per year in savings.

Can a US citizen apply for the Portugal D1 Visa?

Yes, American citizens can apply for the Portugal D1 Visa if they have a job offer or employment contract with a Portuguese employer and will work as an employee in Portugal.

What if I lose my job?

If you lose your job after getting the D1 residence permit, you don’t automatically lose your status. Portugal often allows time for you to find another role.