D3 / Highly Qualified / EU Blue Card

The D3 visa and the EU Blue Card are for highly qualified professionals: IT specialists, executives, researchers, doctors, university lecturers and other high-specialisation profiles. The minimum salary in 2026 is €1,567/month gross (1.5× the national average wage), reduced to €1,254/month in shortage occupations (mainly the technology sector). Qualification can be proved by an academic degree appropriate to the role, or by at least 3 years' professional experience in the last 7 years.

The D3 offers significant advantages: it is exempt from the consular fee and exempt from the IEFP labour market test — the employer does not need to show there is no local candidate. Professionals already in Portugal on a short-stay visa exercising a highly qualified activity may apply for a residence authorisation directly with AIMA, without a prior residence visa (Art. 90(2) of Law 23/2007).

The EU Blue Card issued gives the holder, after 18 months of residence in Portugal, professional mobility rights to other EU Member States — unique among Portuguese work visas. Consulate processing typically takes 3 to 5 months and the permit is valid for 1 to 4 years (renewable).

Always check the current salary thresholds and shortage-occupation list before starting.