The clear path to living in Portugal, step by step.

It depends on how you support yourself. D7 is for passive income (pension, rent, dividends). D8 is for remote workers and freelancers paid by foreign clients. D2 is for entrepreneurs or freelancers building activity in Portugal. ARI (Golden Visa) is for qualifying investment. Take our eligibility quiz or compare routes on the visa pages.

Thresholds follow the Portuguese minimum wage (about €920/month in 2026). D7 generally needs at least 1× that amount in stable passive income for the main applicant. D8 typically needs about 4× (€3,680/month) from remote work abroad, plus savings. Dependents increase the amounts. Always confirm the current figures with AIMA and your consulate.

Most residence routes take roughly 4-12 months end to end: consulate decision, travel on a temporary D visa, then AIMA biometrics and residence card. Golden Visa cases often plan around 9-12 months. Slots, document quality, and AIMA backlog can lengthen timelines.

AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) replaced SEF in 2023 and now handles residence permits, biometrics, and renewals in Portugal. Consulates/VFS still handle the initial national visa abroad.

Yes in practice. A NIF (tax number) is usually required early for banking, leases, and filings. It can often be obtained remotely via power of attorney with a representative in Portugal.

Expect a valid passport, apostilled criminal record (translated if needed), proof of income or investment, proof of accommodation in Portugal, health insurance covering Portugal/Schengen, and the visa/residence forms. Exact lists differ by route and consulate.

Family reunification is commonly available on D7, D8, D2, and Golden Visa routes, with higher income/savings requirements and documents for each dependent (marriage/birth certificates, etc.). Rules and evidence should be checked for your nationality and consulate.

Yes. Since the October 2023 reform, residential real estate no longer qualifies. Current ARI routes typically include qualifying funds, research, cultural heritage support (from about €250k), or company capital/job-creation options (often from about €500k). Confirm eligible categories before investing.

D7/D8/D2 residence usually expects Portugal to become your main home, with renewal rules around presence. Golden Visa has much lighter stay requirements (commonly about 7 days in year one and 14 days per subsequent two-year period), subject to the rules in force.

Permanent residence is commonly considered after about 5 years of legal residence, if conditions are met. Citizenship timelines and language/integration requirements have been changing; many non-EU nationals should plan for longer waiting periods than in prior years. Get case-specific legal advice before relying on a citizenship timeline.

Yes for most applications: private coverage valid in Portugal (often Schengen-compliant, commonly cited around €30,000 medical coverage) until you can access the SNS or another accepted arrangement after arrival.

No. 351 Visa helps you choose a likely route, organise documents, and work with licensed Portuguese lawyers. Immigration rules and fees change. Always confirm requirements on official portals (MNE, AIMA, VFS) and with a qualified attorney for your case.