Work visa for Portugal

Portugal is one of the most attractive countries in the European Union for labour migration. It has a stable economy, a rapidly developing market with a focus on the social sector, and effective social protection programmes in place. The main legal instrument for regularising this route to immigration is a work visa for Portugal.

There is no provision for obtaining such a permit in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. You will need to apply for a national entry visa – most commonly a Type D visa – at a consulate or visa centre. This initiates the process of legalising employment in Portugal for foreign nationals.

It is valid for 120 days and allows for two entries. During this time, you must submit an application to AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) to apply for a Portuguese residence permit for work purposes. If your application is successful, you will be issued with a plastic Título de Residência card, which confirms your new AR (Autorização de Residência).

A Portuguese work visa is initially issued for two years, with the option of multiple renewals for a further three years each time. You must meet all the eligibility criteria, but there is no strict requirement to remain with a specific employer. When applying for a renewal, you must still be employed.

Who is eligible for a work visa in Portugal

EU/EFTA nationals are exempt from the requirement to obtain an entry permit or residence permit. They may reside in the country freely and take up employment. The only requirement is registration at their place of residence with the local council (Câmara Municipal). Citizens of other countries must meet all the basic requirements; for them, moving to Portugal for work involves obtaining a national visa, followed by the application for a temporary residence permit. The basic criterion is a valid contract with a Portuguese employer or an officially recorded intention to enter into an employment contract (Promessa de contrato de trabalho).

Who might be interested in a work residence permit in Portugal:

Work visa for Portugal and relocation with family

Law No. 61/2025 introduced significant changes to immigration regulations. One of the key changes is the introduction of a mandatory two-year residence period in the country. Only after this period has elapsed may the holder of a Portuguese work visa submit an application to initiate the family reunification procedure (Reagrupamento Familiar). This rule is set out in Article 98 of the Act (Direito ao reagrupamento familiar).

However, the same document provides for three exceptions:

• if the family includes a minor child, an application may be submitted immediately upon receiving a residence permit;
• if the marriage or de facto partnership (União de facto) has lasted for at least 18 months, the waiting period is reduced to 15 months, provided the couple are living together;
• for HQA / Blue Card professionals, a simplified family reunification system applies.

The law provides for the possibility, in principle, for family members to obtain a special accompanying visa, known as the D6. The application is submitted at the consulate or visa centre at the same time as that of the main applicant, who is applying for a Portuguese work visa. In this case, if your application is approved, family members will be granted a D6 visa provided they meet the standard eligibility criteria; however, the financial requirements will be more difficult to fulfil. The practical, though not legal, availability of this option depends on the specific consulate.

Foreign nationals with certain in-demand specialisms and a high declared salary may be eligible for a fast-track route. If you meet these requirements, ask your Portuguese employer to draw up a contract not under the standard scheme, but as an HQA (Highly Qualified Activity; in Portuguese, AAQ, or Atividade Altamente Qualificada).

A general recommendation following changes to immigration legislation is to avoid separating the procedures for obtaining a visa or work permit in Portugal from those for family reunification, where possible. If you choose the standard route for migrant workers, a two-year waiting period will begin immediately after you move.

Financial requirements

These outline the documentation required to work in Portugal with a residence permit, the need for health insurance, proof of qualifications and certain other eligibility criteria. However, the main requirement concerns the applicant’s income and financial standing.

All calculations are based on the RMMG (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida) figure, which is the name given to the minimum wage in Portugal. This threshold is reviewed annually, and the term is used in all official documents. In everyday life, people more often refer to the SMN (Salário Mínimo Nacional), but both terms mean the same thing.

The RMMG / SMN is regularly revised; for 2026, the rate for mainland Portugal is €920 per month. However, there is a subtle point to bear in mind during the preliminary planning stage. In Portugal, a system of 14 annual payments is in place; in addition to the standard 12, there are two further bonuses – one for Christmas and one for annual leave.

When assessing the main applicant’s application for a work visa in Portugal, it is this 14-payment system that will be taken into account; the minimum is €12,880 per year under the contract, which is 14 × €920. If a monthly income is stated, the minimum is €920. For a husband, wife or partner, 50 per cent must be added to the total amount; these funds must be held in a personal bank account. The standard 12-month payment system is applied, i.e. €460 per month, or €5,520 per year. For children, the allowance is lower – 30 per cent – but the rules are the same: €276 per month, or €3,312 per year.

When making a decision, the consulate assesses the applicant’s financial standing. For the main applicant, the key piece of evidence is an employment contract. Family members must demonstrate a financial reserve covering one year’s expenses in a personal bank account. It is advisable not to base this on the minimum requirements. Other legal assets, savings or confirmed additional income will be a significant factor in favour of the application being approved.

Preparing and submitting a visa application to work in Portugal

The procedure consists of two main stages. The first is carried out in the country of citizenship or permanent residence, whilst the second takes place in Portugal itself.

Before visiting the consulate or visa centre, you must prepare a basic set of documents:

• a contract or letter of intent; approval from the IEFP (Employment and Professional Training Institute) may be required;
• a passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least the expiry date of the visa plus three months;
• health insurance valid for at least 120 days with cover of at least €30,000; however, once you have obtained a Portuguese residence permit for work purposes, you may switch to the state-run National Health Service (SNS, Serviço Nacional de Saúde);
• a certificate of no criminal convictions from any countries where you have resided for more than one year since the age of 16; documents must have been issued no earlier than three months prior to submission; requirements regarding translation into Portuguese and apostille certification depend on the country in which the application is submitted;
• for professions requiring a compulsory state licence or accreditation within Portugal, proof of professional qualifications is required, as the job role specified in the contract must correspond to these qualifications.

All documents not in Portuguese must be translated and certified by a notary or at a consulate. Before applying for a Category D national visa, you must provide evidence of a financial safety net. To do this, you will effectively need a Portuguese bank account, which cannot be opened without a tax identification number (NIF – Número de Identificação Fiscal).

During your visit to the consulate or visa centre, you will need to pay the government fee and submit the full set of documents. Your fingerprints will also be taken. The official processing time is no more than 60 days; in practice, it takes between 1 and 3 months. If your application is successful, a D visa will be affixed to your passport, specifying the date of your visit to the AIMA office in Portugal, where your biometric data will be taken again and a digital photograph will be taken for your Título de Residência residence card.

Once you have actually moved to Portugal for work, you will need to visit the AIMA office in person; the set of documents required is almost the same. An additional requirement is proof of permanent accommodation in the country. A long-term tenancy agreement (Contrato de arrendamento) or a document from the local council (Junta de Freguesia) will suffice. It will take several weeks to produce the plastic card, which you will receive by post.

After at least five years of legal residence in the country, you will be entitled to apply for permanent residence; for citizenship, the naturalisation period is longer – from seven or ten years. However, provided you meet all the conditions, a work residence permit in Portugal can become your primary residence permit, and further immigration steps are not mandatory.

If you have any further questions or require a personalised consultation, please contact our specialists.