Portugal is a country that welcomes immigrants and has proven to be a sought-after place for foreign citizens to live, either temporarily or permanently.

The Portuguese Immigration Law has been subject to several amendments over the years, with the introduction of new types of visas and residence permits aimed at attracting more foreign citizens to Portugal and streamlining the immigration procedure; the most recent approved amendments have focused on attracting high-qualified individuals. Portugal now has a wide range of visas for foreign citizens who wish to relocate to the country, depending on whether their purpose is to study, to work (including remote working), to reunite with family or simply to enjoy life in Portugal.

There are two types of national visas in Portugal:

• the Temporary Stay Visa for stays of up to 12 months; and
• the residence visa (which is later converted into a residence permit) for those who intend to relocate to Portugal for longer than 12 months.

There are also two types of residence permits:

• the temporary residence permit, the validity of which varies from one to three years; and
• the permanent residence permit, which is valid for five years and may be applied for if a temporary residence permit has been held for at least five years, provided that the applicant meets the requirements.

Visa Requirements and High-Skilled Professionals

Previously, it was possible to apply for a residence permit directly in Portugal through a mechanism called the “Expression of Interest” (Manifestação de Interesse). This allowed individuals who entered the country as tourists or with a Schengen visa to regularise their status while already in Portugal. It was also possible to apply directly in Portugal for a residence permit instead of getting the appropriate visa.

Now, however, as a rule applicants must first obtain a residence visa in their country of origin (through a Portuguese consulate). Only after entering Portugal with this visa can they apply for a residence permit from the relevant authorities. In other words, the process has shifted from “enter first and apply in Portugal” to “secure a visa before entering, then apply for residence once in the country”.

From a policy and legal immigration perspective, Portugal has recently restructured its migration framework in a way that reflects a clearer preference for regulated and skills-based labour migration. In practical terms, the previous model, which allowed individuals to enter Portugal and subsequently regularise their status through an in-country application process, has been discontinued, and replaced by a system that requires residence procedures to begin at Portuguese consulates abroad before entry into the country.

Within this framework, Portugal has increasingly oriented its economic migration policy towards labour market needs and qualified profiles. The current structure places greater emphasis on attracting workers with demonstrable skills or higher qualifications, or to fill roles in occupations aligned with identified shortages.

The Job Seeker Visa remains available, but it is now addressed to high-qualified professionals.

Overall, the legislative and administrative direction reflects a shift away from broad in-country regularisation mechanisms towards a more selective system where entry, residence authorisation and labour integration are more tightly regulated and aligned with skilled migration objectives.

Portuguese Nationality Law – Recent Developments and Framework

Recent amendments to Portugal’s Nationality Law introduced a more restrictive framework for access to citizenship, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the link between applicants and the national community.

The minimum legal residence period required for naturalisation has been extended, generally to seven years for nationals of EU member states and Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP) countries, and to ten years for citizens of other countries. In addition, the relevant period now only begins to run from the date of issuance of a residence permit, excluding any prior period of stay while awaiting documentation (the period between application and the issuance of the residence permit).

The revised regime also reinforces the requirement of an effective connection to Portugal, granting the authorities greater discretion in assessing integration into the national community. Changes have also been introduced regarding the attribution of citizenship to children born in Portugal to foreign parents, tightening the conditions under which citizenship may be granted at birth by requiring a longer period of lawful residence by the parents.

Overall, the amendments reflect a policy shift towards a more demanding naturalisation framework, prioritising sustained lawful residence and effective integration.

In Portugal, sponsor-based employment visas as usually regulated in other countries do not exist as such, but there are several visa and residence permit types in relation to which an employment contract is the basis for the application.

Employment-Based Visa and Residence Permits

Seasonal Work Visa

Visa types

There are two types of visas for seasonal work, depending on the duration:

• a Short-Stay Seasonal Work Visa, valid for up to 90 days; and
• a Temporary Stay Seasonal Work Visa, for stays over 90 days.

This visa is valid for the duration of the employment contract and cannot exceed nine months within a 12-month period. If the visa is valid for less than nine months, it may be extended for a maximum of nine months within a 12-month period.

Seasonal workers are not bound to the activity for which the visa was granted, permitting greater flexibility when carrying out seasonal activities at one or successive employers.

Visa requirements

Seasonal Work Visas (Short-Stay or Temporary Stay) may be granted to foreign citizens who:

• have a valid travel document;
• have not been subject to a removal order and are not currently under a subsequent period of prohibition of entry and stay in Portugal, the EU or the Schengen Area;
• have valid travel insurance covering any necessary medical expenses, medical emergency and medical repatriation;
• have adequate medical protection, in similar terms to those available to national citizens, or medical insurance for the periods that may not be covered by medical protection, as well as work accidents insurance provided by the employer;
• hold an employment contract or promissory employment contract signed with a temporary work agency or an employer established in Portugal that specifies the location, time and type of work, as well as the respective duration of employment, salary and the duration of paid vacation to which they are entitled;
• have means of subsistence;
• have adequate accommodation by means of a lease or equivalent contract, or have accommodation provided by the employer, which must comply with minimum health and safety standards – if the accommodation is provided by the employer and is not free of charge, the rent must be proportional to the remuneration of the employee and under no circumstances can it be automatically deducted from the employee’s remuneration, nor exceed 20% thereof;
• fulfil Portuguese legal requirements in the case of a regulated profession;
• hold a valid transport document that guarantees their return to the country of origin (only for Short-Stay Seasonal Work Visa); and
• hold a travel document valid for the duration of the visa (only for Temporary Stay Seasonal Work Visa).

Simplified procedure

Foreign citizens who have been admitted for the purposes of seasonal work in Portugal at least once in the past five years and who have complied with the legal provisions benefit from a simplified procedure when applying for a new Short-Stay or Temporary Stay Seasonal Work Visa, with the following characteristics:

• the visa application is processed as a priority;
• decisions are issued within 15 days; and
• the following documents are exempted:
1. proof of accommodation;
2. proof of fulfilment of legal requirements in the case of a regulated profession; and
3. a valid transport document that guarantees their return to the country of origin.

Seasonal work is available in the following sectors:

• agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing;
• hospitality, restaurants and similar;
• food, liquor and tobacco;
• gross and retail commerce;
• construction; and
• land transport.

Subordinate Work Residence Permit

This is adequate for those who already have a job offer, a promissory employment contract or even an employment contract with a Portuguese company, regardless of the type of activity and the qualifications or experience of the applicants.

Highly Skilled Activity Work Residence Permit

This is applicable to those who already have a job offer, a promissory employment contract or even an employment contract with a Portuguese company for a highly skilled activity, and have the qualifications and/or experience for the execution of such activity. It is advisable to apply for this visa in the applicant’s country of residence rather than directly in Portugal.

Tech Visa Residence Permit

The Tech Visa is a certification programme that aims to simplify the visa and residence permit application for foreign highly skilled citizens to be employed by a company that is certified under the programme.

In April 2019, this programme ceased to be limited to tech and innovative companies, and became applicable to all companies that:

• have been legally incorporated;
• have no debts with the tax authority or social security;
• have no unpaid salaries;
• are not subject to a restructuring procedure;
• identify the desired areas of expertise according to the National Catalogue of Qualifications;
• have an office in Portugal and carry out an activity that requires specialised technical skills, exceptional skills or adequate qualifications;
• develop an activity of production of goods and services that can reach the international market; and
• obtain a positive evaluation of the application on:
1. market potential; or
2. focus on external markets.

If a company was incorporated more than three years ago, it is necessary to provide a copy of the last annual Simplified Company Information (IES) evidencing its positive net worth.

The Agency for Competition and Innovation (IAPMEI) is the entity competent for the certification of companies under the Tech Visa programme. Once certified, companies can then issue a digital Term of Responsibility to highly skilled third-country citizens who:

• are at least 18 years old;
• are not residing permanently in the EU;
• have fulfilled all tax obligations, when applicable;
• have no criminal record;
• have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and have five years’ experience in specialised technical functions; and
• are proficient in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish and have a language level adequate to the functions/duties to be performed.

The requirements for this type of residence visa/permit are similar to those for the Highly Skilled Activity Residence Visa/Permit, with the main difference being that the employer is a certified company and is declaring that the employee is a highly skilled professional qualified for the job when issuing the Term of Responsibility.

Note that companies may only have a maximum of 50% employees hired simultaneously through the Tech Visa programme; companies located inland have a maximum cap of 80%.

It is advisable to apply for this visa in the applicant’s country of residence rather than directly in Portugal.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that entitles its holder to live and develop a highly skilled activity in Portugal. A Portuguese EU Blue Card may also be granted to those who move to Portugal to engage in a highly skilled activity after holding another member state’s EU Blue Card for at least 12 months.

Whereas Highly Skilled Activity Residence Permits and Tech Visa Residence Permits are Portuguese highly skilled visas and only count towards the Portuguese permanent residence permit, the EU Blue Card is a highly skilled activity residence permit of the EU, and uninterrupted residence time in other member states may cumulatively count towards the five years of residence necessary to apply for an EU Long-Term Residence Permit, provided that some requirements are met.

Intra-Corporate Transfer

The Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) residence permit applies when an employee is transferred within the same company or group of companies from a non-EU country to Portugal. It is typically granted for a period of one year or for the duration of the transfer, and may be renewed for equal periods, up to a maximum of three years for managers and specialists, or one year for trainees, provided that the conditions under which it was granted continue to be met.

This type of permit is designed specifically for multinational companies seeking to temporarily relocate key personnel to Portugal. It may offer certain advantages, such as facilitated mobility within the European Union under specific conditions and a more streamlined process for intra-group transfers.

However, in practice, depending on the specific circumstances, other types of visas or residence permits – such as standard work visas – may be more flexible or better suited for long-term stays or local employment arrangements. As a result, the ICT permit is generally more appropriate in clearly defined corporate transfer situations rather than as a general pathway for foreign workers seeking to relocate to Portugal.

Visa and Residence Permit Application Procedure

With prior visa application in the country of residence

Most types of residence permits must be preceded by a residence visa application in the foreign citizen’s country of residence. Depending on the specific country, visa applications may be submitted directly to a Portuguese consulate or through a service provider. Family members may submit their Accompanying Family Member Visa simultaneously with the main visa applicant.

Once the residence visa is approved, applicants will receive a residence visa that is valid for two entries within a 120-day period, during which they should travel to Portugal and attend an appointment with the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) to submit their residence permit application. These appointments are generated automatically with the issuance of the visa, and family members might be scheduled for different dates, times or locations in Portugal. Note that the main applicant shall be present at the family member’s appointment.

In exceptional cases, if an appointment is not generated automatically, it should be scheduled by the applicant according to AIMA’s availability.

Without prior visa application in the country of residence

Highly Skilled Activity/Tech Visa Residence Permit

Applicants for residence permits under highly qualified activity schemes, including the Tech Visa framework, may in limited and specific circumstances initiate their application process from within Portugal, although this pathway is no longer widely accessible or predictable. In practice, most applicants are now expected to obtain a residence visa in their country of residence before travelling to Portugal. It may still be possible in certain cases to schedule an appointment with AIMA from within the national territory, but appointment availability is highly constrained and subject to uncertainty.

In addition, applicants can typically only apply for their family members’ residence permits after their own permit has been granted, which may result in delays. During this period, family members may face limitations regarding their legal status and access to employment. Applicants and their families are also required to obtain and legalise supporting documents from their country of origin or residence, often within specific validity periods, making co-ordination essential.

Overall, this route is currently considered less reliable and more complex than the standard procedure of applying for a residence visa prior to entering Portugal, which remains the recommended approach under the current legal and administrative framework.

Foreign nationals holding temporary residence permits for at least five years may apply for a permanent residence permit, which is valid for five years and can be renewed for successive periods of five years.

All work residence permits lead to permanent residence permits. Temporary Stay Visas, which include Seasonal Work Visas, do not qualify for permanent residence permits in Portugal due to the temporary nature of these types of visas.

The main requirements for the permanent residence permit application are:

• having held a temporary residence permit in Portugal for at least five years;
• not having been convicted, during the last five years of residence in Portugal, of a crime or crimes for which the punishment, alone or in combination, exceeds one year of imprisonment;
• having means of subsistence and adequate accommodation;
• having basic knowledge of Portuguese – namely, level A2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale (CEFR); and
• not having debts to the Portuguese Tax Authority and Social Security.

Job Seeker Visa

The Job Seeker Visa is intended for third-country nationals with specialised technical skills, and allows entry into Portugal for the purpose of searching for work, subject to the conditions established by law. It is valid for 120 days, with the possibility of a single extension of 60 days, and permits entry into the country. During this period, the holder may engage in highly qualified professional activity. The visa also includes an appointment date with the competent authorities for residence permit purposes, scheduled within the initial 120-day period.

If the holder finds employment and begins working during the validity of the visa, they may apply for a residence permit, provided they meet the general requirements for temporary residence. Once employment has started, the applicable rules are aligned with those governing temporary stay visas for highly qualified activities.

If the visa expires without the individual having secured employment and initiated the regularisation process, the person must leave Portugal, and they can only submit a new application for a Job Seeker Visa after one year.

The specific definition of what qualifies as specialised technical skills is determined by ministerial order from the relevant government departments.

This visa may only be requested in the applicant’s country of residence.

Due to the nature of this visa, family members can only begin their process once the applicant has been granted a residence permit.

Independent Professional Activity/Migrant Entrepreneur or Start-Up Visa

The following applicants may follow this route:

• independent professionals who have a service provision contract or a written proposal for liberal professions in Portugal, and have the professional competence for such activity;
• migrant entrepreneurs who intend to invest in Portugal or who have already executed investment operations in Portugal; and
• start-up owners who have signed an incubation contract with a certified incubator and have a declaration issued by IAPMEI.

Digital Nomad Visa/Residence Permit

This visa allows foreign citizens to live in Portugal, either temporarily or long term, while remotely carrying out a subordinate (under an employment contract) or independent (under a service provision contract) professional activity for their employer or clients domiciled or with headquarters outside Portugal. This type of visa is not applicable for those who wish to work remotely for an individual or entity domiciled or with headquarters in Portugal.

Digital nomads must demonstrate the existence of an employment or services provision contract, and prove average monthly income equivalent to at least four minimum monthly salaries in Portugal for the past three months prior to the visa application. In 2026, the minimum monthly salary is of EUR920, meaning that applicants must prove average monthly income of at least EUR3,680.

There are two subtypes of this visa.

• The Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Visa:
1. this may be requested by applicants who intend to live and work remotely in Portugal for up to 12 months;
2. it must be applied for in the applicant’s country of residence; and
3. once granted, applicants will receive a visa sticker that is valid for the duration of the intended stay.
• The Digital Nomad Residence Visa:
1. this may be requested by applicants who wish to relocate to Portugal for more than 12 months;
2. it must be applied for in the applicant’s country of residence; and
3. once granted, applicants will receive a visa sticker, which should be converted into a residence permit that is initially valid for two years and renewable for periods of three years.

Residence Permit for People Living Off Individual Revenue

This residence permit is preceded by a residence visa application and must be applied for in the applicant’s country of residence. It is commonly known as the D7 visa and is applicable to those who have income derived from movable or immovable property, or from intellectual or financial assets, and who intend to relocate to Portugal and live off their own resources.

For the purposes of the D7 visa application, applicants are generally required to obtain a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and open a bank account in Portugal, as part of demonstrating sufficient means of subsistence and financial stability.

Holders of a residence permit for individuals living off their own income may also carry out a professional activity in Portugal or work remotely for a foreign entity. Retirees may likewise apply for this type of residence permit.

Accompanying Family Member Visa/Residence Permit

Family members who intend to accompany a Temporary Stay or Residence Visa applicant on their relocation to Portugal may now file their visa application simultaneously with said applicant. This procedure will allow families wishing to move to Portugal to better plan their relocation, as they will be able to travel together and apply for the residence permit at the same time, avoiding any prolonged separation of family members.

Holders of Accompanying Family Member Residence Visas must attend an appointment at AIMA and convert their visa into a residence permit, which allows its holder to work in Portugal.

EU Citizens and Family Members

EU citizens who intend to live in Portugal for more than three months must register with the municipality of the area of their residence and obtain an EU Registration Certificate, which is valid for five years. This implies that the citizen shall choose the location in which to live before registering with the competent municipality.

Non-EU family members that accompany an EU citizen to Portugal for more than three months may apply for a Residence Card for Family Members of an EU citizen, which is also valid for five years. The application is submitted directly in Portugal, at AIMA, with a prior appointment. The EU Family Member Residence Card enables its holder to live and work in Portugal.

If the EU citizen does not establish residence in Portugal, the non-EU family member must apply for another type of visa in order to live and work in Portugal.

CPLP Residence Permit

The CPLP Residence Permit is based on the Mobility Agreement established by the CPLP, which aims to promote mobility among its member states, including Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Timor-Leste, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. This agreement entered into force in 2022 and led to amendments to Portuguese immigration law, introducing more favourable conditions for citizens of CPLP countries.

During the initial phase of its implementation, Portuguese authorities introduced specific mechanisms, including an online platform, to facilitate access to residence permits for CPLP nationals already present in Portugal under certain conditions.

Following recent legislative and policy developments, access to this regime has become more structured and aligned with the general immigration framework. In practice, most CPLP nationals are now expected to obtain an appropriate visa prior to travelling to Portugal. While the Mobility Agreement continues to provide certain procedural simplifications, it no longer functions as a broad or automatic pathway for in-country regularisation.

Applications for residence permits under this framework are handled by AIMA, and eligibility depends on compliance with the applicable legal requirements and procedures. The CPLP Residence Permit allows its holder to reside and work in Portugal, although access is now more controlled and typically dependent on prior authorisation.

Temporary Protection for Residents in Ukraine

Portugal has granted temporary protection to individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine, in line with the framework established at the EU level following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Under this regime, beneficiaries are issued a temporary protection certificate, which grants immediate access to residence, employment, healthcare and social support in Portugal. This includes the automatic allocation of a Portuguese tax identification number, social security number and national health service number, enabling individuals to work and access public services.

The temporary protection status was initially granted for a period of one year but has been successively extended in accordance with decisions adopted at EU level and implemented nationally. The Portuguese government has confirmed the extension of temporary protection until 4 March 2027.

Investment Visas

Golden Visa

Please note that this is a different residence permit than the Migrant Entrepreneur Visa referred to above.

The Golden Visa is a special type of residence permit that may be granted to citizens from countries outside of the EU or EEA who execute one of the following qualifying investments:

• the creation of at least ten job positions;
• a capital transfer of an amount equivalent to or greater than EUR500,000, to be used for research activities developed by public or private scientific research institutions, integrated in the National Scientific and Technological System (Sistema Científico e Tecnológico Nacional);
• a capital transfer of an amount equivalent to or greater than EUR250,000, to be used for investing in or providing support to the artistic production and recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage;
• a capital transfer of an amount equivalent to or greater than EUR500,000, for the acquisition of units in non-real estate collective investment entities, incorporated under Portuguese legislation, with a maturity of at least five years at the time of investment, if at least 60% of the value of the investments is addressed to commercial companies with a registered office in Portugal (investment funds or venture capital funds are included); or
• a capital transfer of an amount equivalent to or greater than EUR500,000, to be used for the incorporation of a company with a head office in Portugal, combined with the creation of at least five permanent jobs, or to increase the share capital of an existing company, with the creation of at least five permanent jobs or the maintenance of at least ten jobs, and for a minimum period of three years.

The residence permit is initially granted for two years and is renewed for successive two-year periods, provided that the investment is maintained and the applicant stays in Portugal for at least 14 days in every two-year period.

Holders of a Golden Visa residence permit may live and work in Portugal, and are also entitled to regroup their family members.

As a rule, the development of remunerated professional activities in Portugal requires an appropriate visa. Portugal is part of the EU, and EU citizens can live, move and work in any EU member state without restrictions.

Foreign citizens listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 are exempted from holding a visa when visiting Portugal, but will need an appropriate visa for undertaking remunerated activities in Portugal. Visitors who travel to Portugal on a visa are restricted to the purposes for which the visa was issued. Visa-exempted citizens and holders of Schengen Visas travelling to Portugal as business visitors may undertake the following activities:

• attending conferences, congresses, events or fairs;
• participating in meetings, negotiations or trade deals;
• visiting clients, partners or suppliers; and
• executing research and networking activities.

The EU continues to prepare for the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which remains under development and is not yet operational. While it is currently expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, this timeline is indicative and subject to further confirmation.

Once implemented, non-EU visa-exempt nationals will be required to obtain an ETIAS prior to travelling to the 30 European countries covered by the system. The authorisation will be linked to the traveller’s passport number, and applications will be submitted through the official ETIAS website or mobile application.

The ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to be valid for three years or until the passport to which it is linked expires, whichever occurs first.

The Digital Nomad Visa/Residence Permit (see 2.3 Unsponsored Work and Investment Visas) is the appropriate visa for individuals who wish to relocate to Portugal and work remotely for a foreign individual or entity, or as a self-employed professional.

Portugal does not impose any language requirements for obtaining a visa or residence permit. However, depending on the visa route, it may be necessary to demonstrate Portuguese, English, French or Spanish language proficiency appropriate to the job, namely in the case of a Tech Visa application.

Those who intend to apply for a permanent residence permit (those who have been on a temporary residence permit for five years are eligible) need to prove minimum Portuguese A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference scale by filing a certificate issued by an approved school or exam centre.

As a rule, medical certificates or vaccinations are not required for visa application purposes. However, depending on the country from which the applicant is applying and the circumstances at the time, Portuguese authorities might require a medical certificate to be filed together with the visa application.

Minimum Requirements

Visa and residence permits based on employment contracts have the following minimum requirements in terms of salary or qualifications.

• Work Residence Visa/Permit: Portuguese minimum monthly salary, which is EUR920 in 2026.
• Highly Skilled Activity Residence Visa/Permit:
1. employment contract or service provision contract for a highly skilled activity with a duration of at least six months;
2. academic qualifications and/or professional experience adequate for the activity to be executed;
3. minimum monthly salary of at least 150% of the national average gross annual salary or 300% of the Index of Social Support (IAS) – in 2026, with the IAS set at EUR537.13, the minimum monthly salary corresponds to EUR1,611.39; and
4. for employment in professions belonging to sectors particularly in need, the minimum monthly salary must be at least 120% of the national average gross annual salary or 200% of the IAS – in 2026, with the IAS set at EUR537.13, the minimum monthly salary corresponds to EUR1,074.26.
• Tech Visa:
1. employment contract or service provision contract for a highly skilled activity with a duration of at least 12 months;
2. academic qualifications and/or professional experience adequate for the activity to be executed; and
3. minimum monthly salary of at least 250% of the IAS – in 2026, with the IAS set at EUR537.13, the minimum monthly salary corresponds to EUR1,342.83.
• EU Blue Card:
1. employment contract or service provision contract for a highly skilled activity with a duration of at least six months;
2. academic qualifications and/or professional experience adequate for the activity to be executed;
3. minimum monthly salary of at least 150% of the national average gross annual salary – in 2026, with the national average monthly salary set at EUR1,365, the minimum monthly salary corresponds to EUR2,047.50; and
4. for employment in professions belonging to sectors particularly in need, the minimum monthly salary must be at least 120% of the national average gross annual salary – in 2026, this corresponds to EUR1,638.00

Activities Particularly in Need

The activities particularly in need mentioned above for the Highly Skilled Activity Residence Visa/Permit and the EU Blue Card are:

• senior managers of public administration;
• company directors;
• small business directors and managers;
• specialists in physical sciences, mathematics and engineering;
• life science specialists and health professionals;
• secondary and higher education teachers and similar professions; and
• other specialists of intellectual and scientific professions.

Labour Market Test or Quota Restrictions

There are no labour market test requirements nor quota restrictions for employing overseas workers.

Sponsor Requirements

There are no specific requirements that employers must meet in terms of size/structure/turnover in order to be able to hire employees from abroad. However, there are some requirements regarding the employer, depending on the type of residence permit/application procedure, as follows.

• Tech Visa: the company must meet the requirements outlined in 2.1 Sponsor-Based Employment Visas (Tech Visa Residence Permit).
• Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration: only companies with at least 150 employees, a turnover of at least EUR20 million, and no debts towards the Social Security or the Tax Authority may benefit independently from this protocol.

Holders of an employment-based residence permit (except Intra-Corporate Transfer Residence Permits) are not limited to an employer but are otherwise bound to the minimum monthly salary and activity requirements of the residence permit category, as indicated in 3.3 Sponsor Requirements. Therefore, an employee can enter into an employment contract with a different employer during the validity of the residence permit.

All applicants over 16 years of age applying for a Temporary Stay Visa, a residence visa or a Job Seeker Visa must provide a criminal record certificate from the country of nationality or from the country where the applicant has resided for over a year.

Applicants who have been convicted of a crime punishable in Portugal by imprisonment of one year or more shall be refused a visa, even if the sentence has not been served or has been suspended.

When submitting a national visa application, applicants are required to provide proof of sufficient means of subsistence to live in Portugal, or that they will be able to acquire such means upon arrival in Portugal. This means that income arising from employment contracts or promissory employment contracts, service provision contracts or scholarships is considered when assessing compliance with this requirement.

Visa applications are paper-based and submitted in hard copy during the visa application appointment. The documents are then scanned and uploaded to the system so they can be analysed by the visa officer. As a rule, residence permit applications were also paper-based, with the immigration officer scanning and uploading the documents into the immigration office’s system during the residence permit application appointment.

Focus on Digital Means to Process Applications

The Portuguese government has been working towards digitalising various procedures to make them quicker, simpler and more accessible for all individuals who wish to come and stay in Portugal.

A reformulation of the visa application system is being implemented by the Portuguese government, aiming to allow applicants to fill out the application form, submit a copy of the supporting documents, pay the visa application fee, schedule an appointment at the consulate and follow up the status of the visa application. Current usage of the visa application system is limited to filling out the application form and scheduling appointments, and does not take advantage of the system’s potential. Once fully implemented, the visa application system will make the visa application procedure more efficient for both the applicant and the government: applicants would be able to monitor the processing of the visa application through the system, and visa officers would not have to scan the documents previously uploaded by the applicant but could rather assess whether the uploaded documents are in accordance with the original document submitted by the applicant during the appointment or sent by post to the consulate.

AIMA has continued to implement changes to the procedure for several types of residence permit applications, maintaining the model whereby applicants pay the applicable fees and upload the required supporting documents prior to scheduling their appointment. As such, during the in-person appointment, immigration officers are primarily responsible for collecting the applicant’s biometrics and confirming that all mandatory documentation has been duly submitted.

This approach reflects an ongoing effort to streamline and modernise the application process. Most interactions with AIMA – particularly in the initial stages – continue to be carried out through online platforms, reducing reliance on traditional methods and limiting in-person appointments to strictly necessary situations.

Notably, this digital framework has now been extended to a broader range of residence permit categories, reinforcing AIMA’s commitment to improving efficiency and accessibility. While challenges remain, particularly in ensuring smooth communication and processing times, the continued expansion of the online portal represents a significant step towards enhancing the overall user experience and supporting AIMA’s mission to provide timely and high-quality services in the areas of documentation, reception, integration and inclusion.

Visa applications are submitted in the applicant’s country of legal residence.

If residing in a country other than the country of nationality, the applicant will have to provide proof of regular status in the country of residence, valid for a date subsequent to the date of expiry of the visa for which the applicant is applying. If the applicant cannot provide this document, the visa application must be submitted in the country of nationality.

For applicants who reside in a country without consular representation, the visa application should be submitted at the consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s country of residence.

There are no effective rules on submitting applications in conflict areas; such rules/exceptions are set out on a case-by-case basis.

Visa and residence permit processing times vary depending on the country/AIMA office where the application is filed. The current average processing times are as follows:

• Subordinate Work Visa: 60 working days;
• Independent Professional Activity/Migrant Entrepreneur or Start-up Visa: 60 working days;
• Digital Nomad Visa: 60 working days;
• Job Seeker Visa: 60 working days;
• Highly Skilled Work Visa or Tech Visa: 30 working days; and
• residence permit application: 20 to 90 working days.

These processing times are on the basis that a complete application is submitted, and are counted from the day the application is filed. The time it takes to obtain and legalise the necessary documents for the visa/residence permit application may be significant and should also be considered.

Temporary Stay Visas allow multiple entries during their validity, so temporary visa holders are free to travel in and out of Portugal.

Job Seeker Visas are only valid for one entry into Portugal, so the holder must stay in Portugal until a residence permit application is granted, whilst residence visas are valid for two entries into Portugal during the validity of the visa.

Holders of a temporary residence permit cannot leave Portugal for more than six consecutive months or a total of eight months during the validity of the residence permit (currently between one and three years).

Holders of a permanent residence permit cannot leave Portugal for more than 24 consecutive months in a period of three years or a total of 30 months during the validity of the residence permit (five years).

Exceeding these periods of leave may lead to the cancellation of the residence permit, unless a citizen can prove that their absence from Portugal was essential to carry out professional or business activities, or to engage in activities of a cultural or social nature abroad.

Holders of Golden Visa residence permits and Golden Visa family member residence permits must stay in Portugal for a minimum of 14 days during the validity of the residence permit (currently two years).

Under the Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration, the following companies may benefit from an expedited procedure when hiring from abroad:

• companies enrolled with employers’ confederations;
• companies enrolled with business associations that have more than 30 members and a turnover of at least EUR200 million; and
• companies with more than 150 employees, a turnover of at least EUR20 million and no debts to the Social Security or the Tax Authority.

In accordance with the Protocol, companies that ensure a valid employment contract, travel and health insurance for employees, professional training and teaching of the Portuguese language, and that provide adequate accommodation, may initiate the visa application process for one employee or a group of employees, through the following process:

• the employer sends the list of employees and respective supporting documents for the visa application to DGACCP;
• within two working days, DGACCP will verify if the application is complete and forward the application to the competent consular office;
• the consular office will schedule an appointment within ten days for the employee(s) to personally submit the original supporting documentation; and
• the visa application is decided within 20 days from the date of the appointment at the consulate.

Once in Portugal, applicants must deal with the following procedures upon the issuance of the residence visa and before the AIMA appointment:

• obtaining a non-resident Portuguese tax number (NIF) – as a foreign citizen not resident in the EU, the applicant needs to appoint a tax representative in Portugal and obtain a non-resident tax number;
• obtaining a social security number (NISS);
• securing long-term accommodation – it is advisable to enter into a lease agreement with a term of at least one year; and
• executing the final work contract if the visa application was based on a promissory employment contract, and registering said contract with the Social Security.

Holders of residence visas must attend an appointment at AIMA to file the residence visa application, after which a residence permit is granted and the respective card is issued. Once the applicant receives the residence permit card, the following steps are to be fulfilled:

• changing the tax residency status from non-resident to resident – this implies that applicants must transfer their tax residence to Portugal and submit an annual declaration on their worldwide income;
• obtaining a Portuguese health system number (número de utente); and
• replacing their foreign driver’s licence with a Portuguese driver’s licence (if applicable).

The visa and residence permit costs are currently as follows:

• visa application fee: EUR133;
• residence permit fee with residence visa: EUR186;
• residence permit fee without residence visa: EUR394;
• residence permit renewal fee: EUR70–160; and
• EU citizen family member residence card: EUR33.

Citizens from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe and Mozambique benefit from a reduced fee of EUR61 for most types of temporary residence permit.

The fees to be paid to AIMA are approximate amounts and are updated annually according to the consumer price index.

If the visa application is filed through a service provider, service charges may accrue to the visa fee. Applicants should also take into account the costs of travel health insurance and other personal documents that must be obtained within the procedure to apply for the residence visa/permit application.

There are no rules as to who should be responsible for the payment of the visa costs: they can be paid by the applicant, the employer or a third party.

Portuguese authorities – including AIMA, the police and the Authority for Labour Conditions – co-operate to ensure compliance with the Portuguese Immigration Law and Labour Code. These entities execute occasional inspections in workplaces to make sure employees hold a visa and/or residence permit that enables them to live and work in Portugal, and to ensure that the minimum requirements on work conditions are not being breached.

Inspections may also be executed if any information on these entities’ systems raises a red flag, such as a relevant number of residents in the same address or a sudden increase of foreign citizens submitting visa applications based on employment contracts executed with the same employer.

Enforcement actions may be taken against the use of illegal work, the facilitation of illegal immigration or the fraudulent obtention of a residence permit.

Residence permits may be cancelled in the following circumstances:

• if the holder has been the subject of a coercive removal decision or a decision of judicial expulsion from Portugal;
• if the residence permit has been granted on the basis of false or misleading statements or false or falsified documents, or through the use of fraudulent means;
• if there are serious reasons to believe that the residence permit holder has committed serious criminal acts or there are real indications that the holder intends to commit acts of that nature, namely in the territory of the EU; or
• for reasons of public order or security.

In general, employers are obliged to ensure that their employees hold a valid residence permit that enables them to work in Portugal. The employment of foreign citizens without valid entitlement to work in Portugal may be punished with imprisonment and/or a fine, depending on the number of workers employed without valid documentation.

Employers certified under the Tech Visa programme may have their certification cancelled if they do not comply with the legal obligations and requirements

The Portuguese government has abolished the requirement for employers to publish a job offer on IEFP’s website for a period of 15 days, as well as the subsequent issuance of a declaration confirming that the position has not been filled by Portuguese citizens, nationals of EU or EEA member states, or third-country nationals legally residing in Portugal. Previously, employers were only allowed to hire a foreign national following such verification.

In light of the current low unemployment rates and the shortage of manpower in Portugal, non-highly skilled Subordinate Work Visas are, as a rule, no longer dependent on this labour market test requirement. In addition, IEFP may continue to share information regarding Job Seeker Visa/residence permit holders with employers who are recruiting.

The following family relationships are recognised for the purpose of a dependant visa:

• spouses;
• unmarried partners who have been living in a relationship analogous to marriage for at least two years, duly proven;
• minor children (under 18 years of age) of either spouse or partner;
• adult children of either spouse or partner who are dependent, single and enrolled in an educational establishment in Portugal;
• adult dependent children of either spouse or partner who are single and enrolled in education, where permitted under the applicable residence regime (including, in certain cases, investment-based residence permits);
• dependent ascendants in the first degree (parents of either spouse or partner), provided economic dependency is demonstrated; and
• minor siblings under the legal responsibility of the applicant, where guardianship or custody has been legally established.

A holder of a valid residence permit for at least two years is entitled to family reunification with family members covered by the relevant legal provisions, provided that they have lived with the resident or are dependent on them. This applies regardless of whether the family ties were established before or after the resident entered Portugal.

There is a specific rule for spouses or equivalent partners: in cases where the spouse or partner has lived with the residence permit holder for at least 18 months immediately prior to their entry into Portugal, the applicable residence period required for family reunification is reduced to 15 months.

However, this general time requirement does not apply to certain categories of family members, including:

• dependent minors or incapacitated individuals, spouses or partners who are also parents or adoptive parents of a dependent minor or incapacitated person together with the residence holder; and
• family members of individuals who hold residence permits granted under specific types, such as the high-qualified residence permit.