Portugal D2 Visa and Residency
For individuals seeking to live and work in Portugal, with requirements including a viable business plan and financial sustainability.
The Visa D2 entrepreneurs
The Visa D2 objective is attracting entrepreneurs who want to invest in Portugal through the creation of companies operating in the country, with requirements including a viable business plan and financial sustainability.
Issued by the Portuguese Embassy in your country of origin, the D2 Visa is a residence visa, which is followed by the issuance of a long-term residence permit once you’re in Portugal.
It is a two entries temporary residency visa intended to allow the holder to obtain a long-term residence permit in Portugal.
The Permit is valid for 2 years, renewed for periods of 3 years.
- The Visa D2 obliges to a minimum stay of 6 months a year, plus 2 months in each period of its validity (if applicants do not leave the country for more than 6 consecutive months).
- Longer absences from Portugal might be allowed due to professional, cultural, or personal reasons.
Benefits
The holder of a D2 residence permit is entitled to:
Access to the Portuguese National Health
Access to the Portuguese National Education
Exercise of any work activity as an independent professional
Access to the Non-Habitual Tax Residence scheme with very favorable tax benefits
Family reunification, allowing spouse, dependents, and parents to live in Portugal
Apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years of residency
Visa-free entry in the Schengen countries
Procedure to Program
The ideal choice for getting a EU passport, residency, and citizenship
The Portuguese consular service of the applicant’s place of residence will request a legal opinion from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Office (SEF), which will issue their opinion, although the decision will be taken by the consulate.
To be able to apply for this visit a tax ID number (NIF) is needed and a Portuguese bank account plus a list of documents needs to be prepared:
- 1. Official D2 Visa form.
- 2. Passport valid for at least 3 months after the duration of the stay;
- 3. Two up-to-date passport photos.
- 4. Valid travel insurance, allowing medical coverage, including medical emergencies and repatriation (coverage needs to be valued at no less than €30,000).
- 5. Proof that you are residing legally in the country from which you are applying.
- 6. Request for criminal record enquiry by the SEF.
- 7. Criminal record certificate from the country of residence.
- 8. Proof of means of subsistence.
- 9. Proof of accommodation and flight reservation.
- 10. Authorization to check the Portuguese criminal record
- 11. Motivation letter stating the purpose of the visa, where does intend to live and the timeframe to live in Portugal. After the consulate approves the D2 visa, the applicant can move to Portugal and apply for the final D2 visa at the Immigration and Borders Office (SEF). The following documents will be needed:
- 1. A statement confirming that the applicant has set up, or intends to set up, a business in Portugal.
- 2. A proof that the applicant has set up a business in Portugal or proof that has the financial means available in Portugal to start a business.
- 3. A CV.
- 4. A business plan.
- 5. In case the applicant wants to exercise an independent professional activity will need to have a contract or written proposal for a service contract in a professional area that for the independent activity.
Questions and Answers
These are frequently asked questions and answers about the Visa D2 entrepreneurs
The applicants should be non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens that want to invest in Portugal through the creation of companies operating in the country.
Is also suitable to exercise of an independent professional activity.
The following documents will be needed:
- A statement confirming that the applicant has set up, or intends to set up, a business in Portugal.
- A proof that the applicant has set up a business in Portugal or proof that has the financial means available in Portugal to start a business.
- A CV.
- A business plan.
- In case the applicant wants to exercise an independent professional activity will need to have a contract or written proposal for a service contract in a professional area that for the independent activity.
The first residency card will be issued for 2 years. The second residency card will be issued for 3 years. After 5 years can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
The holder of a D2 residence permit is entitled to:
- Access to the Portuguese National Health.
- Access to the Portuguese National Education.
- Exercise of any work activity as an independent professional.
- Access to the Non-Habitual Tax Residence scheme with very favorable tax benefits.
- Family reunification, allowing spouse, dependents, and parents to live in Portugal.
- Apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years of residency.
- Visa-free entry in the Schengen countries.
The first step to apply for the D2 Visa should start with scheduling an appointment with the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate of the applicant´s country of residence.
The visa is valid for 120 days and allows the applicant to legally travel to Portugal and prepare for the second step of the procedure.
The second step of the procedure is to present to the Immigration and Borders Office (SEF) the resident permit application.
To be able to apply for this visit a tax ID number (NIF) is needed and a Portuguese bank account plus a list of documents needs to be prepared:
- Official D2 Visa form.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after the duration of the stay.
- Two up-to-date passport photos.
- Valid travel insurance, allowing medical coverage, including medical emergencies and repatriation (coverage needs to be valued at no less than €30,000).
- Proof that you are residing legally in the country from which you are applying.
- Request for criminal record enquiry by the SEF.
- Criminal record certificate from the country of residence.
- Proof of means of subsistence.
- Proof of accommodation and flight reservation.
- Authorization to check the Portuguese criminal record
- Motivation letter stating the purpose of the visa, where does intend to live and the timeframe to live in Portugal.
The holder of a resident permit cannot leave the country for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months during the validity of each residence permit.