Visa for Portugal: the right path starts before you pack

There's no single best one for everyone. It depends on your income, your profession and how you'll support yourself there. In the consultation, we compare the options that fit your profile and explain what each one requires.

No. Since the change to the foreigners law in October 2025, people who enter as tourists can no longer regularise their situation from inside the country. Today the safe way is to apply for the right visa before you travel.

The generic job-seeker visa has ended. The law created a visa for qualified job seekers, aimed at professionals with technical or higher qualifications, but it still depends on Portuguese government regulations before consulates can open applications. We follow this and let you know when anything changes.

The D7 is the residence visa for people with their own income, such as a pension, rental income or investments. You need to prove a regular income that's enough to support yourself in Portugal. We check whether your income and your proof meet what the consulate asks for.

The D8 visa is for people who work remotely for companies or clients outside Portugal. You need to prove the work relationship and a minimum income set by the rules in force. We confirm the current amount and the documents accepted for your case.

In general, yes, within certain limits and with some mandatory notifications. The conditions vary from case to case, so we explain what applies to your course and your type of visa.

No. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland don't need a visa or a residence permit. To live here, they register with the Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da UE, the EU citizen registration certificate, at the local câmara municipal (town hall). We help with that too.

Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) have some rules of their own. But since 2025, even CPLP citizens need to enter with a residence visa to live here legally. We explain where CPLP status helps in your case and where it changes nothing.

Almost always: a valid passport, a criminal record certificate, apostilled where applicable, and proof linked to the type of visa, such as income, a contract or enrolment. The exact list depends on the visa and the consulate. We put together your list and tell you what's missing.

It depends on the type of visa and the family reunification rules in force, which became stricter in 2025. In some cases the family can come together, in others the application comes later. It's worth planning this from the start, and we map it out with you.