Guide to Portugal Visa Types (2025): Which One Do You Need?

Portugal has various visa options for those looking to move or invest there. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone looking to start a business, Portugal has a visa to suit your needs. One popular choice is the Golden Visa, which offers residency in exchange for investment.

This guide will help you understand the different types of visas available in Portugal, including what you need to apply for and the benefits they offer. We’ll cover critical visas like Short Stay Visas (Schengen Visas) and their types, Temporary Stay National Visa and their types, Long Stay National Visas (Residency Visas), Portugal Golden Visa, D2 and D7 Visas, etc.

Learn about these Portugal visa types and find the right one.

All Portugal Visa Types

1. Short Stay Visas (Schengen Visas)

The Short Stay visa, or a Schengen visa, is for short visits to Portugal lasting up to 90 days. This Portugal visa type isn’t needed by EU/EFTA nationals or travellers from 61 countries with visa-free agreements for short stays. It’s primarily used for tourism, visiting family, airport transits, and other temporary reasons, allowing holders to move around the Schengen area. Depending on the embassy’s decision, Schengen visas can be either single-entry or multiple-entry, with varying validity periods for each applicant.

The cost of a Schengen visa is generally €80. However, children aged 6 to 12 pay €40, and visitors from certain countries, such as Albania, Armenia, and Russia, are charged only €35. Children under six are exempt from the fee.

Types of Short Stay Visas

The Short Stay visas available in Portugal cater to various purposes and include:

General Short Stay visa: This is a 90-day Portugal visa for tourism, family visits, or short-term work/business. Required documents include a valid ID, passport photo, health insurance, proof of financial support, return ticket reservation, accommodation details, and evidence of the visit’s nature.
Seasonal Work visa: This visa is for seasonal work in agriculture, hospitality, retail, etc. The documents needed are similar to those for the General short-stay visa, along with a work contract/offering, compliance with legal requirements, and accommodation details.
Airport Transit visa: Allows transit within the international area of an airport without entering the Schengen Area. Required documents include valid ID, passport photo, entry visa for the destination country (if applicable), proof of means of subsistence, and return ticket reservation.

2. Temporary Stay National Visas

Temporary stay visas allow you to stay in Portugal for up to one year. They enable multiple entries so you can leave and return for short periods. This visa is needed for third-country nationals who plan to stay more than 90 days but less than a year, except for family members of Portuguese or other EU/EFTA residents and the residents themselves.

You should apply for this visa at your home country’s Portuguese embassy or consulate. You can use it several months in advance, but Portugal’s immigration authorities usually decide on these applications 30 days before your travel date. Application forms are available on the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

The fee for a Temporary Stay visa is €75. However, some people do not have to pay this fee, including children who are family members of Portuguese or EU/EFTA residents, those with a Portuguese study scholarship, highly qualified researchers, and patients or accompanying persons traveling under health cooperation agreements with Portugal.

Documents You Need for a Temporary Stay Portugal Visa Type

To apply for a Temporary Stay visa in Portugal, you’ll need the following documents, along with the completed application form:

Passport or another valid form of identification.
Two passport photos.
Details of your return travel ticket.
Valid health insurance.
Access to your criminal records, which Portuguese immigration authorities will check.
Proof of accommodation during your stay.
Evidence that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your visit.

Types of Temporary Stay Visas

Here are the different Portugal Visa Types of Temporary Stay visas available:

a) Temporary Work Visa

You can apply for this visa if you plan to work in Portugal for 90 days to one year. The Portuguese work visa covers various purposes, such as:

Long-term seasonal work
Self-employed or freelance work
Scientific or academic work
Amateur sports activities
Any other skilled work

In addition to the standard documents, you’ll need to provide specific paperwork for certain types of Temporary Stay Portugal Visa Types:

For a Temporary Work Visa: Work contract or service agreement.
For Scientific or Academic Work: Letter from the academic or research institution detailing the nature of work.
For Regulated Professions: Compliance with national legal requirements.
For Amateur Sports Activities: Document issued by the sports federation or association detailing the purpose of the visa.

b) Professional Training, Internship, or Volunteering Visa

For the Professional Training, Internship, or Volunteering visa, which covers professional training, unpaid internships, or volunteering for a charity or NGO in Portugal, you’ll need:

General documentation is required for all visas.
Proof of engagement in activities lasting 3–12 months, such as details of training courses or a letter from the organization hosting your placement.

c) Study Visa

For the Study visa, which is for study programs in Portugal lasting between 90 days and one year, including secondary, graduate, or postgraduate education, you’ll need:

General documentation is required for all visas.
Confirmation of acceptance into a study course at an accredited Portuguese educational institution.
Proof that the course duration is one year at maximum.

d) Youth Mobility Visa

The Youth Mobility visa is open to individuals from nine countries, offering stays of up to 12 months for activities like study, training, internships, volunteering, and cultural exchange. It’s available for those aged 18 to 30, with extended limits for some countries (35 for Canada, 31 for Australia and Peru, and no upper age limit for the United States).

Conditions and criteria differ between countries, but typically, participants can engage in up to six months of paid work as part of the agreement.

e) Medical Treatment Visa

For the Medical Treatment visa, whether it’s for your treatment or accompanying a family member, you’ll need:

A medical report from a doctor or specialist in the patient’s home country detailing the treatment required.
Proof of the treatment to be performed by a medical service in Portugal.
Provide evidence of the relationship if you’re accompanying a family member.

f) Religious Purposes Visas

For the Religious Purposes visa, which covers religious training or studies with a recognized institution or congregation, you’ll need the following:

General documentation is required for all visas.
Proof of activity, such as a letter from the religious organization detailing your purpose for travel.

g) Self-Support Visa

For the Self Support visa, aimed at working-age or retired individuals who can financially support themselves for a 12-month stay in Portugal, you’ll need:

· General documentation is required for all visas.

· Evidence of financial stability, such as bank statements or proof of savings.

· Provide details of your reason for wanting to live in Portugal temporarily, as this visa is typically granted in exceptional circumstances.

3. Long Stay National Visas (Residency Visas)

Long Stay Portuguese visas, also known as Residency Visas, are national visas for stays longer than one year in Portugal. With this visa, you must apply for a Portuguese residency permit from the Portuguese immigration agency AIMA. The information on who needs this visa and where to use it is the same as for the Temporary Stay visa. The application form (PDF) is also the same. However, the application deadline is different (60 days instead of 30 days), and the cost is higher (€90). The exemption categories are the same as for the Temporary Stay visa.

Documents You Need for a Long-Stay Visa

For a Long Stay visa application in Portugal, you’ll need to provide the following documents, along with the completed application form:

Passport or valid ID.
Two passport photos.
Proof of medical insurance.
Access to your criminal records is to be checked by Portuguese immigration authorities.
Proof of accommodation.
Evidence that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your stay.

Types of Long-Stay Visas

The types of long-stay visas available include:

1. Work Visa

For long-term or permanent work placements lasting over one year. Additional documentation needed includes:

Work contract or service agreement.
Letter from an academic or research institution detailing the nature of work, if applicable for scientific or scholarly research.
Compliance with national legal requirements for regulated professions.
Document issued by sports federation or association if the visa is for amateur sports.

2. Study Visa

For the Study visa, granted for periods of study longer than a year at all educational levels from secondary school upwards, you’ll need:

You must provide proof of acceptance into a course or the school, such as a formal letter from an accredited institution. You may also need to show evidence that you meet the admissions criteria for higher-level academic courses.

3. Professional Training, Internship, or Volunteering visa

For the Professional Training, Internship, or Volunteering visa covering activities lasting longer than 12 months, you’ll need the following:

General requirements.
Full details of your placement, including a letter of acceptance and the program’s duration.

4. Family Reunion Visa

For the Family Reunion visa, available to relatives of non-EU/EFTA residents in Portugal, including spouses, dependent children, parents, and minor siblings, you’ll need:

Notification of family reunion authorization by the Portugal Immigration Service.
Proof of family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificate.

5. D7 Visa (Retirement or Passive Income Visa)

The D7 Visa, or the Retirement or Passive Income Visa, is ideal for remote workers and digital nomads. Introduced in 2007, it requires no investment. It is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens seeking residence in Portugal with a reasonable passive income, including real estate, retirement pensions, or salaries.

To qualify, the principal applicant needs a minimum passive income of €8,460 per year, with additional amounts required for spouses and dependent children. For example, a couple with one child needs around €15,300 annually.

Applicants must spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the first 2 years and have a clean criminal record. Proof of address in Portugal (rental or purchase) is also required. This visa allows family reunification, granting family members the same residency rights.

6. Portugal D2 Visa

The Portugal D2 Visa is perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or service providers outside the EU who want to live in Portugal. With this visa, you can start a business, transfer an existing one, or invest in a Portuguese company, contributing to the country’s economy. You’ll need a solid business plan evaluated for its impact to apply.

Investing around €50,000 in share capital is recommended, though more investment could improve your chances. You’ll also need to prove financial stability to sustain yourself. Family reunification is possible, and after 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency. To qualify, you must spend at least 6 consecutive months in Portugal within those 5 years.

7. Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa offers European residency through investment, making it an attractive option. To qualify, you must invest in the country, whether in real estate, funds, or capital transfer. Families appreciate this visa as it allows the inclusion of family members. Plus, you can travel freely within Schengen countries with this visa. After five years, you might even be eligible to apply for citizenship. Requirements include:

Having a clean criminal record.
Making a qualifying investment.
Paying the necessary fees.
Committing to stay requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a passive income can apply for a Portugal D7 Visa. While it’s often called a retirement visa, freelancers and digital nomads who can work remotely for employers outside Portugal may also qualify.

Visa requirements for Portugal depend on whether you are a citizen of the EU/EFTA or a third-country citizen.

EU/EFTA citizens refer to individuals who hold citizenship in European Union (EU) member states or countries that are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Non-EU/EFTA citizens are individuals who do not hold citizenship in any of the European Union (EU) member states or countries that are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Individuals from other countries can stay in Portugal without a visa for up to 90 days within 180 days.

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