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D2 · Entrepreneur / Freelancer

D2 Visa: Entrepreneur / Freelancer

Last verified: 2026-09-28

Overview

The D2 visa is for non-EU citizens who intend to work as independent professionals or develop a business / investment activity in Portugal.

Eligibility requirements

  • General requirements

    Intend to pursue independent professional activity or develop a business/investment activity in Portugal.
  • Have sufficient means of subsistence.
  • Have accommodation arrangements in Portugal.
  • Meet the general entry and residence conditions, including no legal bar to entering/staying in Portugal.

  • If you are a freelancer / independent professional

    Have a partnership agreement, services contract, or written proposal for a services contract.
  • Be qualified to practise the profession when it is subject to specific qualifications in Portugal.

  • If you are an entrepreneur

    Have completed an investment operation or intend to carry out an investment operation in Portugal.
  • Demonstrate available financial means in Portugal, including financing from a Portuguese financial institution when applicable.
  • Concretely demonstrate the intention to carry out the investment and related project.

Required documents

General documents10
  • Completed and signed national visa application form
  • Valid passport or other travel document
  • 2 recent passport-style photographs
  • Travel ticket ensuring return
  • Copy of the passport biographical page, when required by the consulate or external provider (Optional)
  • Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country of residence for more than one year
  • Authorisation to consult the Portuguese criminal record
  • Proof of lawful status in the country where the application is filed, when applicable (Optional)
  • Valid travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation
  • Proof of accommodation arrangements in Portugal
Financial documents3

  • Means of subsistence

    Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
  • Documentation proving means of subsistence secured for at least 12 months, in the entrepreneur/investor modality (Optional)
  • Bank statements or other suitable financial evidence, when applicable (Optional)
Freelancer / independent professional2

  • If applying for independent professional activity

    Partnership agreement, services contract OR written proposal for a services contract (Optional)
  • Statement from the competent professional body confirming requirements for a regulated profession, when applicable (Optional)
Entrepreneur5

  • If applying as an entrepreneur

    Declaration regarding the investment made or intended in Portugal, stating its nature, value and duration (Optional)
  • If the investment was already made: proof of the investment operations. If still to be made: proof of financial means available in Portugal, including Portuguese bank financing when applicable (Optional)
  • If the investment is still to be made: documentation showing a genuine intention to invest, with project description and identification (Optional)
  • Business plan or detailed project description, as complementary documentation or when required by the consulate (Optional)
  • Permanent certificate, corporate documents, contracts, budgets or other project materials, when applicable (Optional)
Other documents4

  • Family and formalities

    Documents for family members/dependents, when applicable (Optional)
  • Documents proving the family relationship, when required (Optional)
  • Parental authorisation or equivalent document, when applicable to minors (Optional)
  • Foreign documents legalised/apostilled and translated, when required (Optional)

Full procedure

  1. 1
    PreparationOnline

    Confirm eligibility

    Confirm you meet the visa requirements and gather your core documents.

  2. 2
    PreparationIn person

    Secure accommodation

    Obtain proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental or ownership).

  3. 3
    ConsulateOnline

    Book Consulate / VFS

    Book your appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in your country of residence.

    https://visa.vfsglobal.com
  4. 4
    ConsulateIn person

    Submit the application

    Attend and submit the national visa application with all required documents.

  5. 5
    ConsulateOnline

    Visa decision

    Await the decision. The legal visa processing period is typically 60 days.

  6. 6
    ArrivalIn person

    Enter Portugal

    Travel on the D visa and prepare the residence-permit stage with AIMA.

  7. 7
    AIMAOnline

    Check AIMA appointment

    Confirm or await your biometrics / attendance appointment with AIMA.

    https://aima.gov.pt
  8. 8
    AIMAIn person

    AIMA appointment

    Attend AIMA for biometrics and to complete the residence-permit application.

  9. 9
    AIMAOnline

    Receive residence permit

    Receive the residence card and confirm renewal timelines.

Summary and timelines

Prazo / Timeline

Variable — legal visa period: 60 days; then the residence-permit procedure with AIMA follows.

Custo / Cost

€110 visa + approx. €247.30 AIMA + documentary/VFS and activity formalisation costs, when applicable

Renovação / Renewal

2 years → 3 years → permanent residence at 5 years

Fiscal / Tax

Assess NHR eligibility

Perfil / Profile

Startup founders, independent consultants, artists

Taxas / Fees

  • Consular visa fee€110
  • Residence authorization fee (AIMA)approx. €247.30
  • Documentary / VFS costs and activity formalisationWhen applicable