Your move to Portugal – visa essentials

If you’re planning a move to Portugal, one of the first questions you’ll need to answer is what visa you need. For British buyers, Brexit and the end of freedom of movement has made securing the right visa a critical part of the relocation process. However, the same rules apply to North American, Australian and would-be Portugal residents from many other countries too.

To help demystify what can feel like a daunting step, Your Overseas Home recently hosted a webinar with Jessica Ramos, a Portuguese lawyer and paralegal at Matlaw, a firm specialising in real estate and immigration law. Alongside our senior editor Christopher Nye, Jessica walked viewers through the residency process and answered the most common questions. Here’s everything you need to know.

Who actually needs a visa to live in Portugal?

This depends entirely on your nationality. “If you’re a British citizen – or from countries like the United States, Canada, or Australia – you can visit Portugal visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,” Jessica explained.

But for those who want to stay longer, whether to buy a home, retire, or work remotely, a visa is essential. “That’s where we come in – helping clients identify the right visa for their circumstances,” Jessica said.

Ready to meet Matlaw? Simply click here, fill out the short form and we’ll put you in touch with Jessica and her team!

 

What happens if you accidentally overstay your 90 days?

It’s surprisingly easy to miscount your days, especially if you’re travelling between different Schengen countries. Jessica was clear about the risks: “If you overstay your 90 days, you could be considered illegal and face fines or even deportation.”

Does being married to an EU citizen help?

If your spouse or partner holds an Irish, Maltese or other EU passport, you do have an advantage – but it’s not automatic. “You would still need to apply for a family reunification visa, which allows non-EU spouses and children to join their EU citizen partner in Portugal,” Jessica explained.

Is the golden visa still available?

Once one of the most popular routes to Portuguese residency, the golden visa is still available – but the property investment element has been removed.

“Now, to apply for a golden visa, you need to invest at least €500,000 into areas like scientific research, investment funds or creating a Portuguese business,” said Jessica.

Download the golden visa guide

Why the D7 visa is the most popular option for British buyers

For most people planning a permanent move to Portugal, the D7 visa is now the obvious choice. “Some people call it the retirement visa, but its official name is the passive income visa,” said Jessica. “It’s for anyone living off passive income – whether that’s pensions, rental income or dividends.”

To qualify, you need to show an income equivalent to at least 12 times the Portuguese minimum wage, which currently means around €11,000 per year for a single applicant. For couples, you’ll need to show 50% more income, so around €16,000 per year.

Health checks and criminal records

Jessica confirmed that there’s no medical check involved in the application process. “The only health requirement is that you have private health insurance in place when you apply,” she said.

You will, however, need to provide a criminal record certificate. Jessica explained that the Portuguese authorities can refuse applications from anyone with a prison sentence of a year or more for serious crimes such as fraud or theft.

What’s the process – and how long does it take?

Applying for Portuguese residency is a two-stage process. “First, you apply for the visa from your home country through the Portuguese consulate,” said Jessica. “Once that’s approved, you move to Portugal and apply for the residence permit.”

From start to finish, Jessica advised allowing around a year to complete the process.

What counts as proof of accommodation?

One requirement that often surprises applicants is that you need to prove you already have accommodation in Portugal when applying for the visa.

“This doesn’t mean you have to buy a property straight away,” said Jessica. “You can rent, or if you have family or friends already living in Portugal, you can use their address — as long as they sign a liability term confirming you have a place to stay.”

Why you’ll need an NIF – and how to get one

Before you can do almost anything in Portugal, you’ll need an NIF – a Portuguese tax number.

“Without an NIF, you can’t buy property, open a bank account, register for utilities, or even apply for your visa,” Jessica said. “It’s one of the first things we help our clients apply for.”

How to prove your income

You’ll need to show that your income really is passive – and that it meets the minimum requirements. “Bank statements are essential, but you’ll also need documents showing where the money comes from,” Jessica explained.

“For pensions, that means a pension statement. For rental income, you’ll need tenancy agreements.”

Do you need to speak Portuguese?

For residency itself, the answer is no. “There’s no language requirement to get your visa,” said Jessica.

However, if you decide to apply for citizenship after five years, you’ll need to pass a basic Portuguese language test.

What if you want to work remotely?

The rise of remote working has led to a surge in applications for Portugal’s D8 visa, also known as the digital nomad visa.

“This visa is perfect for people working for companies outside Portugal but wanting to live here,” said Jessica.

What if you want to run a business in Portugal?

If you’re planning to open a business, such as a bed and breakfast, Jessica said the right visa depends on how hands-on you intend to be.

“If it’s purely an investment and you’re not involved in the day-to-day running of the business, the D7 might work,” she explained. “But if you plan to be actively running the business, you’ll need a D2 entrepreneurial visa.”

Final thoughts

Jessica’s parting message was one of reassurance. “Portugal wants immigration – we want people to come and make a life here. The visa process might feel daunting at first, but with good preparation and the right legal support, it’s entirely achievable.”

If you’d like tailored advice on your move to Portugal – and to speak directly with experts like Jessica – don’t forget to register for the next Your Overseas Home Virtual Event.