How To Get Residency In Portugal

Foreigners receive a residence permit in Portugal by various ways: employment, business, study or research, family reunification, volunteer or internship programs, passive income, a digital nomad visa or an investor visa, and Golden visa. We tell you more about the advantages and how to get a residence permit in Portugal in this article.

The Portugal Golden Visa is a government program of residence for investment intended for citizens of countries outside the EU, EAEU and Switzerland. It allows obtaining a residence permit in exchange for financial investments in the country’s economy. The program has been in effect since 2012 and has attracted over €7B in investment since then. More than 20,000 residence cards have already been issued to families from all over the world.

Unlike the Golden visas of Greece or Spain, the Portuguese programme, after the 2023 reform that excluded direct investment in real estate, is based on investments in intangible assets: funds, science, culture. This makes it attractive to those who want to support innovation or maintain mobility without being tied to a specific property.

The following types of residence permits are available in Portugal: employment, digital nomad, business, student and academic, family reunification, passive income, internship and Golden Visa.

Residence Permit for Employment

There are 2 types of visas available to work for a Portuguese company:

• D1 — for employees without higher education.
• D3 (HQA) — for highly qualified specialists (IT, medicine, engineering).

Residence Permit for a Digital Nomad

The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live in Portugal for 2 years with the possibility of extension. Conditions:

• Monthly income of a set level;
• Renting or buying a home;
• A certain amount in a bank account.

First, a national visa D is issued, then a residence permit.

Residence Permit for Businessmen

• Startup visa – for innovative projects, with requirements for a minimum amount in the account.
• D2 — for entrepreneurs in any field. There is no fixed investment amount, but it is necessary to confirm financial stability.

Both options require accommodation in Portugal.

Residence Permit for Students, Scientists, Researches

Undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students and researchers can obtain a residence permit if they have a(n):

• Invitation from an educational institution
• Confirmation of financial security
• Rental agreements or own housing

Residency in Portugal is mandatory.

Residence Permit for Family Reunification

Suitable for close relatives of citizens and residents of Portugal:

• Spouses/partners
• Dependent children
• Parents and brothers/sisters (if financially dependent).

Proof of relationship and guarantee of financial support from the sponsor is required.

Residence Permit for Participants of Internships and Volunteer Programmes

To participate in unpaid programmes you must provide:

• Invitation from a Portuguese organisation
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
• Housing lease agreement

The visa is issued for the duration of the internship or volunteer activity.

D7 Visa

Ideal option for pensioners and rentiers. Conditions:

• Minimum income threshold: €870 per month or €10,440 per year
• Regular income
• Rental or ownership of a home

The D7 visa allows you to live in the country, work remotely and apply for citizenship after 5 years.

Golden Visa

• investment of a set amount into state-defined assets and funds;
• minimum requirements for staying in the country;
• Several investment options are available.

The simplest type of residence permit in terms of requirements.

Summary

Almost all residence permit options require owning your own home or staying in the country for a long time. If you’re looking for EU residency without the need to live full-time in the country, Portugal’s Golden visa is an ideal option — unlike other programmes, it requires minimal physical presence.

The advantages of the Portuguese Golden visa include: freedom of movement within the Schengen countries, the possibility of obtaining EU citizenship, a high standard of living, minimal residency requirements, etc.

• Freedom of movement: A resident of Portugal can travel freely to 29 countries of the Schengen area without visa restrictions.
• Residence permit for the whole family: The application may include spouses, children under 26 years of age and dependent parents.
• Path to EU citizenship: After 5 years of residence with a residence permit, you can apply for a Portuguese passport, which allows visa-free entry to 159 countries.
• Simple stay requirements: To maintain residency, it is enough to be in the country for 14 days every 2 years.
• Favorable conditions for investment: Opportunity to invest in funds with stable returns of up or develop your own business with access to EU markets.
• Variability of investment instruments: Venture and investment funds, scientific and research projects, business and cultural / heritage investment.
• High level of safety and quality of life: Portugal secured the 7th spot in the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI).
• Access to education and medicine: Residents can benefit from European education and healthcare on preferential terms.

To obtain a Portugal Golden visa, you can invest in government funds/projects, businesses, companies or buy shares in investment/venture funds.

For many years, Astons has been supporting clients in the process of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal through investment in funds. At each stage, a team of professional lawyers and consultants monitors the process and helps resolve current issues.

• 18 years old and above
• No criminal record
• Confirmation of the legality of the origin of funds
• Passing Due Diligence
• Medical insurance valid in the Schengen area
• Portuguese Tax Number (NIF)

• Copy of passport
• Portuguese Tax Number (NIF)
• Certificate of good conduct
• Medical insurance
• Documents confirming investments / respective papers by investment type
• Declaration of origin of funds
• Marriage and birth certificate (if required)
• Documents confirming the status of dependents (for relatives)
• Bank statement

The process includes selecting an investment option, completing paperwork and a bank account, making investments, applying for a residence permit, undergoing biometrics and, if approved, receiving a residence card.

1. Initial consultation and selection of investment options

Contact immigration experts to assess your situation and select the most suitable residency pathway.

2. Preparing documents and obtaining NIF

Collect your documents, obtain a Portuguese tax number and open a bank account.

3. Fulfilling visa-specific requirements

Complete the required steps for your chosen route — this may include making an investment, showing proof of income, receiving a job offer, or enrolling in an educational institution.

4. Submitting an application for a residence permit

Complete the application and attach supporting documents, including the investment agreement.

5. Submitting biometrics

Go through the fingerprinting process.

6. Obtaining a resident card

Once your application is approved, you will receive a resident card valid for 1-2 years with the possibility of extension.

Fees and Expenses

Portugal Residence Permit by Investment is an effective way to ensure freedom of movement for yourself and your family, access to European opportunities and a path to EU citizenship. Astons experts will help you with obtaining residency by fund investment from document preparation to obtaining a resident card. Start your path to a secure and happy life in Portugal today!