This article was originally published by Gabriele Culot on deel.
Key takeaways
- With its relatively low costs and high quality of life, Portugal has emerged as a popular choice for expats.
- Applying for one of the many Portuguese visas and finding jobs calls for thorough research and careful planning.
- Deel’s step-by-step guide shows you how to effortlessly navigate the Portuguese visa process and settle into your new home.
The number of foreign residents in Portugal has almost doubled in the past five years. Now remote work has become mainstream, more expats and digital nomads move there seeking a more affordable, laid-back way of life.
Portugal has also made it increasingly easier for foreigners to obtain permanent residency or even citizenship. The country is a member of the EU and the Schengen Zone and has the Golden Visa program.
While moving to Portugal can be rewarding, there are obstacles to overcome and pitfalls to avoid. Thorough preparation is key. Our guide takes you through all the necessary steps for the most successful start in Portugal.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Before you can move to Portugal, ensure you’re eligible to stay in the country and apply for a visa. Here’s what to consider:
EU countries
If you’re from an EU country or Switzerland, you can cross ‘getting a visa’ off your expat checklist. You’re free to live, work, and study wherever you’d like within Portugal.
British citizens who were living in the country before 1st January 2021 can register for residency with the Portuguese border services, Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF).
However, no matter where you’re from, you have to obtain a residence permit if you intend to stay in the country for longer than 90 days.
Visa types
The Portuguese government offers a range of visas to allow non-EU citizens to enter the country:
- Tourist visa: Visit for a maximum of 90 days over a year to get a better sense of the lifestyle and culture
- Job seeker visa: Spend up to nine months (with the possibility of extension) looking for jobs in your chosen field. You should have proof you can support yourself financially
- Seasonal work visa: Stay in Portugal for up to nine months or the length of your employment contract, whichever comes first. This visa only supports specific industries such as retail, hospitality, and construction
- Startup visa: Share your business proposal for the opportunity to launch your business in Portugal
- Self-employed visa: Register as a freelancer or sole trader with a €7,200 ($7200) application fee
- Digital nomad visa: Work online for up to two years with proof you earn around €3,040 ($3,200) a month and have €36,500 ($38,000) in savings
- Residency visa: Apply to stay in Portugal for between one and three years via a Portuguese sponsor. You have to get your residence permit within the first 90 days but you can renew this document for as long as your work contract lasts
- D7 visa: Demonstrate you have sufficient means to support yourself via passive income. Retirees are eligible
- Portugal golden visa: Invest over €250,000 ($260,000 USD) in Portuguese business to stay indefinitely
Portugal also participates in the EU Blue Card scheme to encourage global mobility. Eligible applicants have to earn at least 1.5 times the national average and have a minimum of five years of experience in their field. It’s worth considering because Blue Card Holders can travel anywhere within the European Union.
If you hold a residence permit, immediate family members can apply for a reunification visa to join you. They must be a spouse or dependent family member.
Visa sponsorship
Unless married to a Portuguese citizen, travelers from outside the EU require a legal sponsor to work in the country. The sponsor should be an employer or an employer of record (EOR).
As Portugal prioritizes jobs for EU members, employers have to prove they tried and failed to hire people from these countries.
