Contact Us

Portugal Work Visa

Residency in Portugal

  • Portugal offers multiple routes to stay long-term—ranging from traditional residency visas to investment-based (Golden Visa) and entrepreneurial pathways. After five years of lawful residence (potentially 10 years under upcoming legislation), you’re eligible to apply for permanent residency, and eventually citizenship, with visa‑free travel across the EU and Schengen Area

Work Visa in Portugal

  • Portugal offers a range of work visa options for non-EU/EEA nationals seeking employment, entrepreneurship, or high-skilled opportunities. Once issued, the visa allows the holder to live and work in Portugal, with access to healthcare, public services, and eventually permanent residency and citizenship after meeting eligibility.
Get Started

Types of Portugal Work Visas

Temporary Stay Visa (Visto de Estada Temporária)

  • For short-term work stays up to 1 year
  • Common for freelancers, short contracts, internships, seasonal work

Residence Visa for Subordinate Work (D1 Visa)

  • For individuals with a valid job offer from a Portuguese company
  • Must be for full-time employment and meet minimum wage rules

Highly Qualified Activity Visa (EU Blue Card)

  • For professionals with advanced skills or qualifications (e.g., IT, engineering, research)
  • Requires a contract offering at least 1.5x national average salary
  • Faster track to permanent residence

Tech Visa

  • For professionals hired by certified tech companies in Portugal
  • Requires a job offer in the tech/digital sector

Startup/Entrepreneur Visa

  • For those starting innovative businesses in Portugal, supported by an incubator
  • Often paired with residency under the Startup Visa program

Other Pathways

Golden Visa (Investor Route)

  • Transitioning focus from real estate to strategic investments in:
  • €500,000 into qualified investment or VC funds
  • €500,000 into scientific/technological research
  • ≥ €250,000 for cultural/heritage preservation
  • Creating 10+ jobs through business investment

Benefits & Drawbacks

  • Benefits: Enables residency for investors and families; minimal presence (7 days per year); public healthcare and EU travel; fast track to permanent residence and citizenship
  • Drawbacks: Program no longer supports real estate investments, and processing backlogs remain substantial—some Golden Visa applications are delayed years, with ~50,000 cases pending as of May 2025

Temporary Residency Visas (e.g. D7, Digital Nomad)

  • Available to non-EU individuals with passive income (e.g., pension, rent) or remote work, meeting minimum thresholds like €870/month.

Startup Visa

  • For non-EU entrepreneurs proposing innovative, scalable businesses. Approved by a certified incubator, this visa lasts 1–2 years and is renewable. Families may join, and after 5 years, permanent residency or citizenship is possible

Step-by-Step Process for residency visa

  • Choose your pathway (Golden Visa, D7, Startup, etc.)
  • Prepare documentation: passport, proof of funds/income, health insurance, proof of accommodation, clean record
  • Apply for visa at Portuguese consulate / embassy
  • Enter Portugal and book AIMA appointment within 120 days to convert visa to residence permit; submit biometrics and pay fee (€75–€170)
  • Receive initial residence permit valid for 2 years (then renewable for 3 years)
  • Maintain residency for five years, fulfill investment or presence requirements
  • Apply for permanent residence then citizenship/passport, which also requires basic Portuguese and other checks

Step-by-Step Application Process for work visa

Job Offer or Contract

  • Secure a job offer or employment contract from a Portuguese employer.

Gather Documents

  • Typical documents include:
  • Valid passport
  • Job offer letter/contract
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal
  • Criminal background check
  • Proof of qualifications (for skilled visas)
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient financial means

Apply for Work Visa at Consulate

  • Submit your application at a Portuguese consulate or VFS center in your home country.

Enter Portugal and Apply for Residence Permit

  • After visa approval, travel to Portugal and apply for a residence permit at AIMA (formerly SEF).

Biometric Appointment and Card Collection

  • Attend a biometric appointment and receive your temporary residence card, valid for 1–2 years (renewable).

Work Visa Costs (Approximate)

Service Estimated Cost
Visa Application Fee €90 – €120
Residence Permit Issuance Fee €150 – €180
Document Translation & Notary €50 – €200 (varies)
Health Insurance (if required) €50 – €100/month

Advantages of a Portugal Work Visa

  • Pathway to Permanent Residency after 5 years of legal residence
  • Eligibility for Portuguese Citizenship after 5 years (subject to language and other requirements)
  • Family reunification allowed (spouse, children)
  • Access to healthcare, education, and social benefits
  • Opportunity to work across sectors with labor demand
  • Family reunification allowed (spouse, children)

In-Demand Sectors & Employers

  • Information Technology – Lisbon, Porto, Braga are tech hubs
  • Tourism & Hospitality – especially in the Algarve and Lisbon
  • Healthcare – doctors, nurses, and elderly care workers
  • Engineering & Renewable Energy – major growth in solar and wind
  • Startups – strong ecosystem supported by government and venture capital
Visa Type For Whom Duration Leads to PR? Requires Job Offer?
D1 Visa General employment 2 years ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
EU Blue Card Highly skilled professionals 1–2 years ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Tech Visa Tech talent hired by tech firms 2 years ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (from certified company)
Startup Visa Entrepreneurs & innovators 1–2 years ✅ Yes ❌ No (business plan instead)
Temporary Work Visa Seasonal / short-term work Up to 1 yr ❌ No ✅ Yes or contract

Why Choose Portugal?

  • EU property: Live, work, study, and travel across the Schengen Area
  • Public healthcare & education accessible to residents
  • Favourable climate, safety, and culture, attracting many Americans seeking a “Plan B”
  • Tax incentives: Non-habitual resident regime, though being phased out, still offers benefits
  • Diverse residency options: from entrepreneurship to digital nomadism to passive income
  • Affordable cost of living compared to other EU nations
  • High demand for skilled workers in IT, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy
  • English-friendly workplaces, especially in tech and startups
  • Warm climate, vibrant lifestyle, and strong expat community
  • Path to EU citizenship, offering mobility and rights across all EU nations

Apply Now

Why Choose Us?

Expertise You Can Trust

  • With years of experience navigating Canada’s complex immigration system, our team of certified immigration consultants and legal experts ensures every application is prepared accurately, professionally, and in compliance with the latest IRCC policies.

End-to-End Support

  • From helping you secure a job offer or LMIA, to preparing work permit applications, to guiding you toward permanent residency — we’re with you every step of the way. No guesswork, no missed steps.

Tailored Pathways

  • We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We assess your unique background — education, work experience, goals — and match you with the best visa stream (employer-specific, open, Global Talent, IEC, etc.).

Faster Processing with Strategic Programs

  • We specialize in high-priority and fast-track programs like:
  • Global Talent Stream (2-week processing)
  • Francophone Mobility Stream
  • Post-Graduate Work Permits
  • We help you get to Canada quicker.

Strong Employer Network

  • We collaborate with reputable Canadian employers actively hiring foreign talent in tech, healthcare, agriculture, and skilled trades — increasing your job chances significantly.

Transparent Pricing

  • No hidden fees. You’ll receive a clear breakdown of service costs, IRCC fees, and timelines before you commit.

1000+ Clients Served Successfully

  • Our success rate speaks for itself. We’ve helped thousands of individuals and families realize their Canadian dream — and we’d love to help you next.

AE Square

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter Youtube

explore

VISA TYPES

contact us

Address

Copyright AE Square @2025. All Rights Reserved

Student Visa

Job Seeker Visa

Migrate Visa

Visitor Visa

Free Visa

Arab Countries

E - Visa

Visa On Arrival