A Portuguese residence permit — matched to your situation.
Five active programmes: from the D7 for those living on passive income to the Golden Visa for investors. We run it from the first consultation to the residence card — and beyond, to permanent residence and an EU passport after 5 years.
Five routes — one outcome.
The programme is chosen around your income sources, willingness to invest and family situation. Switch between them to compare the terms.
For those living on investments and pensioners
The most popular Portuguese residence permit — for anyone with steady passive income: rental property, dividends, a pension, interest. It gives full access to Portuguese and EU residency rights.
- Minimum income (1 person)
- €870 / month
- A family of 3
- €1,565 / month (+€435 spouse, +€260 child)
- Evidence
- 6–12 months of statements, tenancy agreements, pension
- Housing in Portugal
- Required before filing
- First permit / renewal
- 2 years, then +3 years
- Residence requirement
- Min. 6 months a year, ≤8 months of absence over 2 years
- Eligible for IFICI (NHR 2.0)
- Yes — if you qualify
For IT professionals and remote workers
Launched in October 2022 specifically for remote workers. The fastest "working" EU programme for digital nomads: clear requirements, a low entry threshold, employment with a foreign company — and life in Portugal, legally.
- Minimum income
- €3,480 / month — four Portuguese minimum wages
- Savings
- €10,440 (12 × minimum wage)
- Employer
- Outside Portugal
- Types of income
- Remote contract, freelance, sole trader
- Duration of the first permit
- 2 years
- Visa processing
- Median 50 working days + 2 months for the AIMA card
- Eligible for IFICI (NHR 2.0)
- For IT professions — 20% for 10 years
Investment residency — without real estate
Since October 2023 the Golden Visa no longer involves buying property: what remains is funds, job creation, and financing science and culture. Its main advantage is minimal presence — you can keep your business and your life in another country while holding full EU resident rights.
- Investment funds (not real estate)
- €500 000
- Science
- €500 000
- Cultural heritage
- €250 000
- Jobs created
- 10 (or 8 in low-density regions)
- Min. stay, year 1
- 7 days
- Min. stay, every 2 years
- 14 days
- Family
- Spouse, children, parents
For founders of innovative ventures
A visa for founders of innovative companies. The essential condition is acceptance by one of Portugal's 19 state start-up incubators (IAPMEI): a business plan, a team, and evidence that the venture is genuinely innovative.
- Requirement for the venture
- Innovative, high-tech
- Incubator acceptance
- 1 of 19 IAPMEI incubators
- Time to acceptance
- 60 days
- Proof of income
- €5,146 for the year (12 × minimum wage)
- Number of founders
- Up to 5 people
- Permit duration
- 2 years + renewal
For families of Portuguese residents
A resident's family member is entitled to a residence permit — Law 23/2007 guarantees this right without quotas. The application is filed once the main applicant has received their first card.
- Spouse / partner
- Automatically
- Children under 18
- Automatically
- Children in higher education
- If enrolled at university
- Dependent parents
- If financially dependent
- Additional income
- 50% of the minimum wage per person
- Shared housing
- Required
Five years — from visa to citizenship.
All five programmes lead to the same goal: after 5 years of lawful residence, the right to permanent residence and an EU passport. Dual citizenship is permitted.
Visa and first card
Filing at the consulate or online through AIMA, biometrics — and a first residence card valid for 2 years.
Renewal
We renew the card for a further 3 years under the same programme. We remind you of the deadlines well in advance.
Permanent residence or citizenship
The right to permanent residence and an EU passport. The A2 Portuguese exam — we prepare you in 3–6 months.
The core pack — we assemble it together.
The exact list depends on the programme. Collection, apostilles and sworn translation into Portuguese are on us.
- NIF and a Portuguese bank accountArranged remotely, under power of attorney — before the application is filed.before filing
- Proof of income6–12 months of bank statements, tenancy agreements, pension statements or an employment contract.6–12 months
- Housing in PortugalA long-term lease or ownership — a mandatory condition for D7 and D8.required
- Criminal record certificateWith an apostille and sworn translation into Portuguese.apostille
- Medical insuranceCover for the full duration of the national D visa.D visa
What people ask before starting.
Short answers to the main questions. We'll go through the rest at the free consultation.
How long do I need to live in Portugal to keep the permit?
For D7 and D8 — at least 6 months a year and no more than 8 months of absence over 2 years. For the Golden Visa, 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period is enough.
Is the Golden Visa still running? What changed after 2023?
It is still running, but since October 2023 without buying property. What remains: €500,000 into qualifying funds, creating 10 jobs (8 in low-density regions), €500,000 into science, or €250,000 into cultural heritage.
When can I apply for citizenship, and is a language exam required?
After 5 years of lawful residence you become eligible for permanent residence and citizenship. An A2-level Portuguese exam is required — we prepare clients in 3–6 months. Portugal permits dual citizenship.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Law 23/2007 guarantees family reunification without quotas: spouse and children under 18 automatically, children in higher education while studying, parents where financially dependent. The application is filed once the first card has been issued.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the programme: the median for D8 is 50 working days at the consulate plus around 2 months for the AIMA card. For D7 it is 3–6 months at the consulate and a further 1–2 months for the card in Portugal, so 4–8 months in total.
What does the IFICI (NHR 2.0) regime give me?
A 20% rate on income from qualifying activity for 10 years. For IT professions on a D8 visa, the regime covers all income from foreign employment. We run the IFICI numbers at the first consultation.
45 minutes — and you'll have a plan.
A partner-lawyer will review your situation and pick the programme with the highest chance of approval. The first consultation is free.