FAQ

The most common residence visas are the D7, for people living on their own income or pensions; the D8, for digital nomads and remote workers; work visas, for those with a job contract or promise; the study visa; and family reunification, to join a relative who already lives here. There is also the Golden Visa / ARI, based on investment. The right visa depends on your goal and your income. As a rule, the application starts at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence.

The D7 visa is for people living on their own income — pensions, rent, dividends, intellectual property or financial investments. You must show a stable, regular income at least equal to the Portuguese minimum wage (in 2026, €920 per month), with extra amounts for each dependant. You also need to open an account with a Portuguese bank and prove accommodation in Portugal. The reference amounts are updated each year, so always check the figures currently in force.

The D7 visa process has two phases and the total time depends on several factors:

Phase 1 — Consulate: The residence visa application is submitted to the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. The legal decision deadline is 60 days, but in practice it varies greatly depending on the consulate and its workload. Some consulates decide in a few weeks; others take several months.

Phase 2 — AIMA (in Portugal): After entering on the visa, you must formalise the residence permit application with AIMA. Scheduling and processing by AIMA also takes variable time, potentially adding several more months.

In total, it is prudent to allow 6 to 12 months (or more) for the whole process, depending on the consulate and AIMA's current situation. Timelines change — always check the latest situation before planning your move.

The D8 visa is for people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal, whether employed or self-employed. The main requirement is to show an average income over the last three months of at least four times the minimum wage (around €3,680 per month in 2026). You must also prove tax residence and your working relationship. It then allows you to apply for a residence permit with AIMA.

The Golden Visa / ARI (Residence Permit for Investment) still exists, but the real-estate route was abolished in October 2023. Current options include, among others, qualifying investment funds from €500,000.

As for timelines, the ARI process is typically longer than other types of residence. After submitting the application, AIMA has a legal deadline to decide, but in practice ARI cases have been taking 1 to 2 years or more given the volume of pending applications and the complexity of verifying investments.

Additionally, Organic Law 1/2026 (in force since 19 May 2026) increased the residence periods required for naturalisation. The ARI itself was not changed by these rules, but the path to citizenship is now longer for new permit holders.

Given the complexity and the amounts involved, this process requires specialist legal support from the start.

AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) replaced SEF on 29 October 2023. It is the body responsible for administrative immigration matters: residence visa applications, issuing and renewing residence permits, family reunification, asylum and migrant integration.

Border control — previously also handled by SEF — now falls to the police forces (PSP, GNR and the Judicial Police). AIMA does not perform border policing.

Most applications are started through the AIMA portal (aima.gov.pt). In-person appointments are available where required. If you have questions about your specific case, consulting a lawyer is the best next step.

Since Law 61/2025 came into force (23 October 2025), the general rule is that anyone wishing to live in Portugal must first obtain a residence visa from the Portuguese consulate in their country of origin or legal residence, before travelling.

It is no longer possible, as a rule, to convert a tourist entry (or a visa-free entry) into a residence permit from within Portugal.

There are exceptions. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can still register directly in Portugal. CPLP citizens (Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, etc.) had a simplified regime, but Law 61/2025 changed some entry rules — always confirm which route applies to your passport. There are also limited exceptions for entrepreneurs linked to certified incubators.

If you are unsure which process applies to your situation, seek advice before you travel.

The expression of interest — which allowed people to regularise their status from within Portugal after entering as a tourist and starting to pay contributions — was abolished by Law 61/2025. The current rule is to obtain the right residence visa at the consulate, in your country of origin or legal residence, before moving. If you entered Portugal relying on the old route, seek advice on the options available.

It depends on what stage your application is at. The most common situation:

If you already have a valid residence permit and have applied to renew it, the renewal payment receipt issued by AIMA (with a QR code) is valid for 180 days and serves as proof of your legal status while you wait for the new card. During that period you can generally continue working normally.

If you are waiting for your first residence permit (after entering on a residence visa), the right to work depends on the type of visa you entered on. Some residence visas allow you to work from the moment of entry; others require you to wait for the permit to be issued. Always check what your visa says before starting any professional activity.

The rules changed with Law 61/2025 — if you are unsure, consult a lawyer before acting.

Renewal is done online, on AIMA's Renewals Portal (services.aima.gov.pt). You can renew if the permit is valid or has expired less than six months ago. The system issues a payment slip (to be paid within 24 hours) and, once paid, a receipt that starts the review. Gather your up-to-date supporting documents (income, address, insurance) in advance.

Yes. Since the end of automatic extensions (15 October 2025), the renewal-request receipt issued by AIMA, with a QR code, is valid for 180 days and proves your lawful status while you wait for the new card. Keep it with you at all times, digitally or printed. If the 180 days are running out with no decision, seek advice.

Yes. A valid Portuguese residence permit lets you travel in the other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in any 180, for tourism or business. It does not, however, replace a permit to live or work in another country. Always carry your residence card and passport when you travel.

Yes. For the visa and the residence permit you generally need valid health insurance in Portugal, or proof that you are covered by the National Health Service (SNS). There are exceptions under bilateral agreements: Brazilian citizens, for example, can use the PB4, which gives access to the SNS without private insurance. Check what applies to your nationality.

Documents issued abroad (birth, marriage and criminal-record certificates, etc.) usually have to be legalised and translated. If the issuing country is party to the Hague Convention, an apostille is enough; otherwise consular legalisation is required. Most documents then need a certified translation into Portuguese. Prepare these steps well in advance, as they can take several weeks.

Yes. Most residence applications require a criminal-record certificate from the country of your nationality or where you have lived for over a year, duly apostilled/legalised and translated. You also authorise AIMA to check your Portuguese criminal record. These certificates usually have a limited validity (often 90 days), so it is best to request them close to the submission date.

The NIF (tax number) is essential for almost everything: opening an account, renting a home, working. Since March 2025 you can request the NIF, the NISS (social security) and the SNS health user number at a single counter. Residents request the NIF with a passport/ID and the residence permit; non-residents may need a tax representative in Portugal.

For visas such as the D7 and D8, in practice you need to open an account with a Portuguese bank and show that you hold the required means of subsistence in it. You can usually open the account with your NIF, passport and proof of address. It is one of the first steps to sort out in the process.

Yes, through family reunification. As a rule you can bring your spouse or de facto partner, minor children (or dependent adult children who are studying), dependent ascendants and minor siblings in your care. The rules have been tightened: there is now generally a requirement of prior legal residence (around two years) and integration measures, such as language learning and compulsory schooling for minors. The application is made to AIMA or the consulate, depending on whether the relative is inside or outside Portugal.

Under Organic Law 1/2026 (in force since 19 May 2026), the required period of legal residence is now 7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and of the EU, and 10 years for other nationalities. The period generally counts from when you obtained the residence permit. There are also new requirements to show knowledge of Portuguese culture, fundamental rights and duties, and the organisation of the State. Nationality rules are complex — get advice on your specific case.

As a rule you can apply for permanent residence after five years of legal, uninterrupted residence in Portugal, provided you meet the requirements (means of subsistence, no relevant convictions, basic knowledge of Portuguese). Alternatively, you can obtain EU long-term resident status. Permanent residence is open-ended, but the card itself is renewed periodically.

Citizens of CPLP countries (Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, etc.) benefit from a specific regime under the Mobility Agreement. As a rule you must first obtain a visa at the Portuguese consulate and then apply for the CPLP residence permit at AIMA, with an appointment for biometric data. You need a passport, a criminal-record certificate and proof of means of subsistence. Issuing the CPLP permit costs €15; under Law 9/2025 it is now issued in the uniform European format.

No. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need neither a visa nor a residence permit. If you plan to stay more than three months, you only have to request the registration certificate from the Town Hall (Câmara Municipal) of your area (within 30 days after the first three months). After five years, you can apply for the permanent residence certificate/card at AIMA.

Fees depend on the type of application (visa, grant or renewal of a permit). AIMA's fee tables were updated on 1 March 2026, with increases of around 25% to 33%. As a reference, the CPLP residence permit costs €15. There are additional costs for documents, translations and insurance. Always check the current amounts on AIMA's portal before applying.

AIMA delays are common. When an application exceeds the legal deadlines, you can take legal action — in particular an administrative injunction (under the CPTA) to compel a decision. Against a refusal, there are short deadlines to file a complaint, hierarchical appeal or judicial challenge. Because the deadlines are tight and the procedures technical, it is important to act early and with legal support.