Portugal remains one of the most sought-after destinations for those looking to relocate, buy a home or invest in Europe. But the question that almost always comes before the property decision is a different one: how do I obtain legal residency in Portugal?
The answer depends on who you are, where you come from and what you intend to do in Portugal. Since 2024, the country has become far more focused on regular entry with the appropriate visa secured before arrival. Decree-Law no. 37-A/2024 abolished the former "expressions of interest" route for those who entered as tourists and tried to regularise their status afterwards. That window has closed.
This page brings together the main visas and residence permits available in 2026, organised by profile. It does not replace legal advice — for that, I refer you to specialised partners. But it helps you understand the right starting point for your situation.
Citizens of the European Union, EEA, Andorra and Switzerland
If you are a citizen of the EU, the European Economic Area, Andorra or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to live in Portugal. However, if you stay for more than three months, you must apply for the Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registo) at the Town Hall (Câmara Municipal) of your area of residence, within 30 days of those three months elapsing.
The process is relatively simple, but it must be done — owning a home in Portugal does not replace formal registration of residence.
D7 Visa — Private income and retirees
The D7 is one of the most popular routes for those who wish to live in Portugal without depending on local employment. It is suited to retirees, financially independent individuals, owners with rental income, conservative investors and families with passive income.
The reference for means of subsistence in 2026 is the guaranteed minimum monthly wage of €920, calculated per household: 100% for the first adult, 50% for the second adult and 30% for each minor or dependent adult child. Retirees are required to provide documentary proof of their pension amount and evidence that this income will be available in Portugal.
Key point: having money in an account is not enough. The consulate assesses stability, the source of income, its availability in Portugal, accommodation and the coherence of your life plan. Careful preparation of the documentation makes an enormous difference to the outcome.
D8 Visa — Digital nomads and remote work
The D8 is intended for those who work remotely for a foreign entity or provide services to clients outside Portugal. It exists in a temporary-stay version (less than 1 year) and a residence version.
For the D8 residence visa, the financial requirement is an average monthly income over the last three months equivalent to at least four guaranteed minimum monthly wages — in 2026, around €3,680/month. Employees need a contract or a declaration from their employer. Self-employed applicants need a service provision contract or proof of services rendered.
Key point: the work must be provided to clients outside Portugal. Those wishing to work for a Portuguese company follow a different route — usually the D1 or D3.
D2 Visa — Entrepreneurs and independent activity
The D2 is for those who wish to carry out independent activity, set up a company or invest in a business in Portugal. Liberal professionals and self-employed applicants need a company incorporation agreement or a service provision proposal and, where applicable, proof of qualification to practise the activity in Portugal.
For entrepreneurs, the application requires a declaration of investment intent stating its nature, value and duration, together with proof of financial means available in Portugal. The business plan must be solid, realistic and adapted to the Portuguese market.
Key point: for physical businesses, proof of capital, viability, prior experience and tax framework weighs heavily in the consular assessment.
Golden Visa / ARI — Investment
The Residence Permit for Investment — ARI, known as the Golden Visa — still exists, but no longer includes property purchase. Eligible options in 2026 include creating at least 10 jobs, investing €500,000 in scientific research, €250,000 in artistic production or cultural heritage, €500,000 in non-property collective investment undertakings, or €500,000 to establish or reinforce a commercial company that creates employment.
The ARI allows you to reside and work in Portugal, travel within the Schengen Area, apply for family reunification, request permanent residency and eventually Portuguese citizenship. The minimum stay is low: 7 days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent years.
Key point for property buyers: buying a home in Portugal is no longer eligible for a new Golden Visa. The purchase can be part of your life and accommodation plan, but it should not be presented as a path to residency through property investment. For clients with this goal, the conversation changes completely.
Other visas available in 2026
D1 — Employed work in Portugal: for those who already have a contract or promise of a contract with a Portuguese employer. The residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for three-year periods.
D3 / Highly qualified activity: for teachers, researchers, scientists and highly qualified professionals. It requires a contract of at least six months and an annual salary equivalent to at least 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary.
Tech Visa: linked to highly qualified activity carried out for a certified Portuguese company. Especially relevant for technology professionals.
EU Blue Card: for highly qualified professionals with a high salary and a strong contract. It can be very advantageous for those who already hold a Blue Card in another Member State and wish to move to Portugal.
D4 — Study and research: for higher-education students, researchers, secondary-school students, trainees and volunteers.
Startup Visa: for innovative companies integrated into a certified incubator and validated by IAPMEI. It does not apply to traditional businesses — those fit better under the D2.
Family reunification: for family members of a legal resident in Portugal. There is an important difference between accompanying the main applicant in the initial request and applying for reunification after the resident is already legally established.
CPLP Visas: for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries — Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste. There is a specific documentary regime and the possibility of a waiver of means of subsistence under certain conditions.
Visa for qualified job-seeking: provided for in Law no. 61/2025, but not yet operational at consulates in 2026. It should not be presented as a practical option without confirming with the competent consulate.
Which visa is right for your profile?
Choosing a visa should start from a simple question: what is the main source that justifies your residency in Portugal? Passive income, remote work, Portuguese employment, entrepreneurship, study, family or investment — that answer defines almost everything.
As a quick reference:
- Retirees and financially independent individuals → D7
- Digital nomads and international freelancers → D8
- Employment with a Portuguese company → D1 / D3 / Tech Visa
- Entrepreneurs and liberal professionals → D2
- High-net-worth investors → ARI / Golden Visa
- EU citizens → Registration Certificate
- Families relocating together → Accompanying the main applicant
How I can help
I am not an immigration lawyer and I do not provide legal advice on visas. But I understand how these routes connect with the decision to buy a home in Portugal — and I refer you to specialised partners from the very first step.
If you are thinking of moving to Portugal and want to understand how the residency process fits into your property decision, talk to me. I help you organise your priorities, understand what comes first and find the right people for each part of the process.
Sources: Visa Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AIMA, Diário da República, Law no. 61/2025, Decree-Law no. 37-A/2024.
