Sample page

Requirements to reside, work, or do business

To reside, work, or do business in Portugal as a foreigner, there are specific requirements based on the purpose and duration of the stay. Below are the key things you might need, depending on the scenario:

1. Residence in Portugal

Short-Term Stay (less than 90 days):

Schengen Visa: If you’re from a country that requires a visa to enter the Schengen Area, you’ll need a Schengen short-stay visa. This applies to stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits.
No Visa Requirement: Citizens from many countries (such as the US, Canada, UK, and EU countries) can enter and stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business purposes.

Long-Term Stay (more than 90 days):

Residency Visa: For stays beyond 90 days, such as for work, study, or family reunification, you must apply for a long-term national visa (type D) from the Portuguese consulate in your home country.
Residence Permit: After arriving in Portugal with a visa, you must apply for a residence permit (Autorização de Residência) from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) within the first 120 days.

Common types of residence visas include:

Work Visa: For those seeking employment. –
Entrepreneur/Start-Up Visa: For starting a business. –
D7 Visa: For retirees, pensioners, or those with passive income. –
Student Visa: For attending academic programs in Portugal.

Golden Visa:

An investment-based residency program where foreigners can obtain residency by investing in real estate, creating jobs, or contributing to cultural heritage projects.

2. Work in Portugal

Work Visa (Type D): For non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to work in Portugal, you must first have a job offer from a Portuguese employer. The employer must obtain a work contract for you and request authorization from the SEF before you can apply for a work visa.
Residence Permit for Employment: Once in Portugal with a visa, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit to legally live and work in Portugal.

3. Doing Business in Portugal

Entrepreneur Visa: To start a business, non-EU citizens may apply for a specific visa known as the Entrepreneur Visa or a Start-Up Visa, which is designed for innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
Golden Visa: As part of this program, foreigners can also invest in a Portuguese business or real estate and gain residency in exchange.
NIF (Tax Identification Number): To do any form of business, you’ll need a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) from the Portuguese tax office. This number is necessary to open a bank account, sign contracts, or register a company.
Social Security: If employing people, businesses must register with Portuguese Social Security to ensure proper contributions for employees.

4. Special Notes for EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:

No Visa Required: Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not need a visa to live, work, or do business in Portugal but must register with the local authorities if they intend to stay for more than 90 days.
Registration Certificate: After three months of residency, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals should apply for a Certificate of Registration (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) from the city hall (Câmara Municipal).

Additional Requirements:

Health Insurance: Proof of valid health insurance is typically required for residence visa applications. For long-term residents, access to the Portuguese public healthcare system is available.
Proof of Accommodation and Financial Stability: When applying for a visa, you’ll need to provide proof of accommodation (rental contract or property ownership) and demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourself.

These are general guidelines, but each specific case may have variations depending on the purpose of the stay and the applicant’s nationality.