Portugal residency: The complete guide for 2025

Portugal has become one of the most sought-after destinations for expats, retirees, and digital nomads. Many EU nationals, as well as non-EU citizens from the United States, Canada, and beyond, are choosing the country for its accessible residency options and high quality of life. 

Securing Portugal residency opens the door to work opportunities, retirement in a safe and affordable country, or simply the ability to enjoy a long-term stay. It can be obtained through income-based visas, remote work, study, employment, investment, or family reunification. Each path has its own rules and benefits.

In this article, we’ll break down the main residency options, outline the requirements for each visa type, and highlight the steps you need to take to make Portugal your new home.

How Portuguese residency works

Portuguese residency is the legal status that allows a non-citizen to live in Portugal, either for a limited period or indefinitely. 

Holding residency gives you important rights: you can work, access the public healthcare system, enroll in schools or universities, and move freely across the Schengen Area for short stays. It also comes with obligations, such as respecting Portuguese laws and, in many cases, paying taxes locally.

When planning your move, it’s important to understand the difference between a residency visa and a residence permit. The visa allows you to enter Portugal with the intention of staying long-term. Once you arrive, the residence permit is what legally confirms your status as a resident.

There are two main types of residency options:

• Temporary Residency: Granted initially for two years and renewed for an additional three, allowing you to establish your life in Portugal while meeting the requirements for permanent status.

• Permanent Residency: Available after five years of continuous legal stay, giving you long-term security, fewer renewal obligations, and rights similar to those of Portuguese citizens.

Residency to citizenship in Portugal

Residency can also lead to full citizenship. Under current rules, residents may apply for Portuguese nationality after five years of legal residence. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate basic Portuguese language skills at the A2 level, show integration into the community, and maintain a clean criminal record. 

Gaining Portuguese citizenship provides all the rights of a national, including the ability to vote, hold an EU passport, and enjoy full freedom of movement across the European Union.

How to get residency in Portugal

The Portuguese government offers several residency pathways, designed for different kinds of applicants.

Residency by work

One of the most direct ways to secure residency in Portugal is through employment. If you hold a valid job offer or employment contract, you may apply for a residence visa that allows you to enter the country and then request a residence permit once in Portugal.

D1 Visa for standard employment

The D1 visa is designed for non-EU citizens with a confirmed job in Portugal. To qualify, you must show a signed contract or a promise of employment with a Portuguese company lasting at least 12 months, along with proof of sufficient income, suitable accommodation, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

The visa is valid for four months and permits two entries into Portugal. During this time, you must attend an appointment with AIMA to complete your residence permit application. Once approved, the residence permit can be renewed, giving you the right to live and work in Portugal on a long-term basis.

D3 Visa for highly qualified professionals

The D3 Visa, also called the Highly Qualified Activity Visa, is designed to attract top global talent to Portugal. It is open to professionals such as engineers, researchers, tech specialists, academics, and senior managers who hold a confirmed job offer in the country.

The D3 route also connects to the EU Blue Card, if the salary exceeds 1.5–1.8x times the national average. The EU Blue Card grants highly qualified non-EU nationals favorable work conditions, equal socio-economic rights with Portuguese citizens, and the ability to bring close family members. 

Residency for entrepreneurs & remote professionals

Portugal also offers residency routes for those who wish to work independently, build a business, or bring their remote career to Europe. 

D2 Visa for entrepreneurs & self-employed workers

The D2 visa is designed for non-EU citizens who plan to start a business, invest in an existing company, or work as a freelancer in for Portuguese based companies Portugal. While there is no legally fixed minimum investment, a solid business plan and evidence of financial capacity are key to a successful application. 

To apply, you must demonstrate that your project has economic or social value to Portugal, whether through job creation, innovation, or providing services in liberal professions. Once approved, the D2 visa allows you to enter Portugal and apply for a residence permit valid for two years, renewable for three.

D8 Visa for digital nomad residency

The D8 visa, launched in 2022, caters to remote workers who wish to base themselves in Portugal while earning income from abroad. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a stable monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, about €3,480 per month in 2025. 

The D8 Residence Visa grants a four-month entry visa, which allows you to enter Portugal and apply for a two-year residence permit. This permit can be renewed, and eligible family members are able to apply alongside the main applicant.

Residency by investment

Portugal’s Golden Visa Program is one of the most popular residency-by-investment schemes in Europe. It allows non-EU citizens to gain residency by making qualifying investments with minimal stay requirements, just seven days per year.

As of 2025, real estate is no longer eligible. Approved routes now include:

• Investment in regulated funds: €500,000 in CMVM-regulated funds, with at least 60% invested in Portuguese qualified investments, held for five years.

• Scientific research: €500,000 or more in accredited research projects in areas like health, renewable energy, or marine science.

• Arts and culture: €250,000 in cultural heritage or artistic initiatives approved by GEPAC.

• Portuguese companies: At least €500,000 in an established business, creating five permanent jobs or maintaining ten jobs.

The Golden Visa residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for permanent residency or citizenship.

Residency by family reunification

Portuguese law allows residents and citizens to bring their close family members under the D6 Visa (Family Reunification Visa). This pathway ensures that families can live together in Portugal, and the residence permit issued to family members usually matches the length of the sponsor’s permit.

Family members can also request residency at the same time the main applicant applies for their visa, making it easier for households to relocate together.

Eligible relatives include:

• A spouse or legally recognized partner

• Dependent children, including adopted minors

• Adult children who are dependent and studying in Portugal

• Parents of the resident or their spouse who rely on them for support

• Minor siblings in the applicant’s custody

Family members will need to present authenticated documents proving the family relationship, copies of identification documents, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient financial means. In most cases, a criminal record certificate from the country of residence (if more than one year) is also required.

Residency by passive income or retirement

Retiring in Portugal is one of the most popular residency routes. The D7 Passive Income visa is designed for non-EU citizens who can support themselves with stable income streams such as pensions, rental earnings, dividends, or investment returns.

To qualify, you must show a minimum passive income at or above the Portuguese minimum wage (about €870 per month, or €10,440 annually for a single applicant). Additional amounts are required for family members: 50% more for a spouse and 30% for each dependent child.

You apply for the D7 visa at the Portuguese consulate in your home country. Once approved, you can enter Portugal and convert it into a residence permit.

Residency by studying

Students who are accepted into a Portuguese university or other higher education institution can apply for a residence permit for the duration of their studies. The process begins with securing aat the Portuguese consulate in their home country. Once in Portugal, this visa can be converted into a residence permit, which is initially valid for one year and can be renewed for the same period until the course is completed.

To qualify, applicants must show proof of enrollment at a recognized institution and, where applicable, evidence of tuition fee payment. They must also demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves while living in Portugal.

This pathway provides students with the legal right to live in Portugal throughout their studies and, in many cases, the opportunity to take on part-time work to supplement their income. It also creates a potential route to long-term residency for those who remain in the country after graduation.

Portugal residency requirements

To live legally in Portugal as a non-EU national, you first need a residency visa. This visa allows you to enter the country for up to 120 days (with two entries) and apply for a Portugal residence card or permit at AIMA. 

In many cases, the visa is issued with an appointment at AIMA already scheduled. Residency visas may be granted for work, study, research, retirement, religious purposes, or passive income.

When applying, you must prepare the following:

• Passport: Valid for at least 90 days beyond your stay, issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages.

• Visa application form: Completed and signed in front of a consular officer.

• Photographs: Two recent, identical, passport-sized color photos.

• Statement of purpose: Written declaration explaining the reason for residency in Portugal.

• Criminal record check: Police clearance from your home country (issued within the past 3 months and apostilled), plus authorization for a Portuguese record check.

• Financial proof: Recent bank statements (typically last 3 months) showing sufficient funds to support your stay.

• Accommodation proof: A rental or lease agreement, property deed, or invitation letter.

• Travel insurance: Coverage valid in Portugal, including medical treatment and repatriation costs (minimum 6 months).

• Specific documentation according to the visa type

Step-by-step guide to getting residency in Portugal

Once you have figured out the right visa to enter Portugal, the next stage is to apply for a residence permit. While the process is broadly the same across visa categories, some routes (like the Golden Visa) have additional steps. 

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Get your NIF(Tax identification number)

The NIF is essential for most official transactions, including opening a bank account, signing a lease, or applying for a visa. You can obtain it at a Finanças office in Portugal or through a tax representative while abroad. 

You can also apply for your NIF through Touchdown and get the process done quickly without needing to visit a government office. 

Step 2: Open a Portuguese bank account

Most visas require proof of financial means, and a local bank account is the easiest way to provide this. To open one, you’ll need your passport, NIF, proof of address, and proof of income or savings. For Golden Visa applicants, a Portuguese account is mandatory because all qualifying investments must be made from a local bank.

Touchdown helps clients open a bank account online from abroad, making sure the setup meets Portuguese compliance requirements.

Step 3: Apply for your Visa

With your NIF, bank account, and supporting documents ready, you can submit your visa application at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. 

You’ll need to schedule an appointment, attend an interview, and present the required documents, which usually include: a valid passport, proof of income or savings, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and visa-specific evidence such as a work contract (D1), proof of passive income (D7), or an investment certificate (Golden Visa).

Step 4: Travel to Portugal

Once approved, you’ll receive a residence visa valid for 120 days (two entries). This allows you to move to Portugal and complete your residency process.

Step 5: Register with AIMA (Residence Permit)

After arrival, you must attend an appointment with AIMA. 

Here you will:

• Present your passport, visa, and proof of accommodation

• Show financial means or income documentation

• Give biometric data (fingerprints and photograph)

• Pay the residence permit fee

Your residence card usually arrives by mail within a few weeks. It is valid for two years initially and renewable for three more. Golden Visa cards are also valid for two years, with renewals requiring proof that the investment is maintained.

Step 6: Maintain & renew your residency

To keep your residency valid, you must comply with Portugal’s stay requirements. For most visas, you cannot be away for more than six consecutive months, or eight months in total, during your permit’s validity. Golden Visa holders have more flexibility, needing only to spend seven days per year in Portugal.

After five years, you may apply for permanent residency.

With the overwhelming thoughts of relocating to a new place, the paperwork and formalities can quickly add up. Touchdown, Portugal’s top relocation platform, is here to make the process simple and stress-free. Use our free Eligibility Checker to see which visa option is right for you. Or  book a 1:1 consultation with our immigration lawyer today and get a residency plan tailored to your needs.

Why choose Portugal for residency?

For expats seeking safety, opportunity, and an excellent standard of living, Portugal consistently ranks among the top choices in Europe. It ranks 31st globally for quality of life and is widely recognized for being secure, inclusive, and well-balanced.

Here’s what makes Portugal an amazing place to live:

Affordability & cost of living

Portugal offers a genuinely affordable lifestyle compared to other Western European countries. Its cost-of-living index is one of the lowest in the region. In real terms, a family of four can expect to live comfortably on about €4,000 per month, while a single person can manage on approximately €1,500.

Tax benefits for new residents

Portugal offers one of Europe’s most competitive tax regimes through NHR 2.0 (IFICI), introduced in 2024. This program replaced the old NHR scheme and is designed to attract highly skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors. 

Qualified residents pay a flat 20% tax rate on Portuguese-sourced income and enjoy exemptions on most foreign income, including dividends, rental earnings, and capital gains. These benefits are guaranteed for ten years.

NHR 2.0 provides long-term financial security for residents in Portugal. With a ten-year guarantee, you can confidently make major commitments such as buying property or starting a business without the risk of sudden tax changes. Portugal also has no annual wealth tax, and employees relocating with qualifying Portuguese entities can benefit once they become tax residents. 

Excellent healthcare, education & infrastructure

Portugal’s public healthcare is affordable and high-quality, and the country has reputable universities and world-standard secondary schools. Its efficient infrastructure with modern roads, widespread internet, and global airports support both families and businesses.

Resident rights & path to citizenship

As a resident, you gain access to essential services such as healthcare, schooling, and legal rights to rent or buy property. After five years of legal residency, you may apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship, provided you meet integration and language requirements.

Gateway to the Schengen zone

A Portuguese residence permit allows visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, granting entry to 26 European countries, ideal for both leisure travel and business.

Life after getting residency in Portugal

Once your residence card arrives, there are a few important steps to complete so you can settle in smoothly and remain compliant in Portugal.

Register for public healthcare (SNS)

Visit your local health center to obtain your SNS user number. This gives you access to Portugal’s public healthcare system. Primary care consultations at health centers are currently free of charge. You can request the number in person or through the ePortugal portal.

Confirm your tax status & update your tax address

If you spend more than 183 days in Portugal in a 12-month period, or if you maintain a habitual home in the country, you are considered a tax resident under Portuguese law. Be sure to update your tax address on the Portal das Finanças so the authorities have your current details.

Get your social security number (NISS)

If you work as an employee, your employer usually registers you with Segurança Social. If you’re self-employed, you must apply for a NISS and register your activity through Segurança Social Direta. This ensures you have access to social protections such as pensions and unemployment benefits.

Check if you need to exchange your driving license

EU/EEA licenses remain valid in Portugal, though residents must register their address with the transport authority. If you hold a licence from outside the EU/EEA, you may need to exchange it for a Portuguese one. The rules and required documents depend on your country of origin, so it’s important to check with IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes).

These first steps will help you integrate into daily life in Portugal. But if your long-term goal is permanent residency and eventually citizenship, it’s important to prepare early. Start by learning Portuguese (an A2-level exam is required for citizenship), keep your documents updated, and make sure you meet the minimum stay requirements each year.

Touchdown helps you become a resident in Portugal

Touchdown is Portugal's leading relocation platform. Backed by a veteran team of expert lawyers, we simplify the entire relocation journey by providing everything you need to set up and thrive in your new home in an integrated, easy to use platform.

We understand that every move is different, so whether you’re moving solo or with family, Touchdown is designed to build a plan around your goals and needs. 

With our free Eligibility Checker, you can quickly find the pathway that matches your profile.

For personalized support, you can book a 1:1 consultation with our immigration lawyer. 

Together, we’ll create a clear step-by-step residency plan so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare. 

With Touchdown, you can move forward with confidence and start building your new life in Portugal.

Portuguese Residency FAQs

Can I live in Portugal as a US citizen?

Yes. US citizens can live in Portugal, but you need a valid residency visa to do so. After five years of continuous legal residence, you may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. The US allows dual citizenship, and Portugal also recognizes it, meaning you can hold both nationalities if you become a Portuguese citizen.

What are the income requirements for Portugal residency?

The income requirements for Portugal residency vary by visa type. The D7 Visa requires at least €870 per month (about €10,440 per year) for a single applicant, with an additional 50% for a spouse and 30% per child. The D8 Digital Nomad Visa requires a minimum monthly income of around €3,480 in 2025, while the Golden Visa has no income threshold but requires an eligible investment starting at €250,000. 

How to get permanent residency in Portugal?

You can apply for permanent residency in Portugal after five years of legal residence, if you’ve maintained valid permits, sufficient means, and basic Portuguese (A2). Permanent residency grants indefinite stay with fewer renewals.