Long-stay visas · Portugal
Portugal: long-stay visa options
When 90 days isn't enough — the 4 national long-stay routes that legally extend a visit to Portugal beyond the Schengen short-stay limit.
Portugal has been the most popular long-stay destination in the EU for English-speaking and Brazilian applicants for nearly a decade, driven by an unusually accessible immigration regime, the world's lowest income threshold for a passive-income visa (D7), and one of the shortest naturalization timelines in Europe at 5 years.
The D7 visa remains the dominant route for retirees and passive-income earners. Its income threshold — roughly Portuguese minimum wage, currently around €820 per month — is achievable for most American, British, and Canadian retirees with even modest pensions or investment income. The pathway from D7 to permanent residence to citizenship is well-trodden, with established legal and relocation industries supporting applicants.
The D8 Digital Nomad Visa, launched in October 2022, captured the remote-working cohort. Its higher income threshold (≈ €3,480/month) selects for upper-middle-class professionals, but the lifestyle appeal of Lisbon and Porto has made it Portugal's fastest-growing visa category. Many D8 holders explicitly target the 5-year citizenship path.
The Golden Visa landscape shifted significantly in October 2023 when the property-purchase route — historically the most popular pathway — was eliminated. The remaining fund-investment routes are less attractive for many applicants, and total Golden Visa volume has dropped substantially. For high-net-worth applicants, the D8 has partially absorbed the demand.
The NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, which offered substantial tax advantages for high-income foreign residents, also closed to new applicants at the end of 2023. The replacement IFICI regime is significantly narrower, focused on scientific and technical activity. The combination of D7/D8 visa accessibility plus the absence of NHR has reshaped the financial calculus of Portugal residency — but the underlying lifestyle and citizenship pathway remain compelling.
Quick facts
- Country
- Portugal 🇵🇹
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Currency
- EUR
- In Schengen since
- 26 March 1995
Long-stay visa options in Portugal
D7 Visa (Passive Income)
Leads to residencyRetirees, savers, anyone with stable passive income above Portuguese minimum wage (≈ €820/month)
- Duration
- 2 years initially; renewable; permanent residence after 5
- Approval time
- 1–4 months
- Cost
- ≈ €90 visa fee + apostilles + insurance + NIF registration
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Leads to residencyRemote workers earning ≥ €3,480/month (4× Portuguese minimum)
- Duration
- 1 year initially; renewable
- Approval time
- ≈ 60–90 days
- Cost
- ≈ €90 visa fee
Launched October 2022. Has rapidly become Portugal's most-applied-for long-stay visa.
Golden Visa (post-2023 form)
Leads to residencyInvestors via fund investment (≥ €500K) or capital-transfer routes
- Duration
- 5 years, renewable; path to citizenship in 5
- Approval time
- 6–12 months
The property-purchase route was ended in October 2023. Fund-investment and other routes remain.
Tech Visa / D3
Leads to residencyHighly qualified workers employed by certified Portuguese tech companies
- Duration
- 2 years initially
- Approval time
- ≈ 30 days
Frequently asked questions
- Is the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime still available?
- The original NHR program closed to new entrants on 31 December 2023. A replacement regime — IFICI, or 'Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation' — launched in 2024 with narrower eligibility focused on scientific, technical, and innovation-sector activity. The blanket 20% flat rate for high-income foreigners is no longer available.
- Did the Golden Visa really end?
- The property-purchase route ended in October 2023, which was the most popular pathway. Fund-investment routes (≥ €500K in Portuguese-domiciled investment funds), capital transfers, and job-creation routes remain available. The total Golden Visa volume dropped sharply after the property route closed.
- Why is Portuguese citizenship attractive to long-stay residents?
- Portugal naturalizes after 5 years of legal residence (one of the shortest timelines in the EU) and accepts dual citizenship. Portuguese citizenship grants full EU free movement, which is why so many D7/D8/Golden Visa applicants pursue the residence with citizenship as the explicit goal.
- Does AIMA (Portugal's new immigration authority) handle applications differently from SEF?
- AIMA replaced SEF in October 2023. The transition has been administratively turbulent, with significant processing backlogs through 2024. By 2025–2026 processing times have improved but vary by region.
- Can I open a Portuguese bank account during the 90-day visa-free stay?
- Yes — and you should, before applying for a long-stay visa. Most Portuguese banks require a NIF (tax identification number) plus passport plus proof of address. Several banks now offer non-resident accounts that can be opened remotely.
Track your Schengen days while planning
Long-stay visa applications take weeks. Stay within the 90/180 rule on visa-free entries in the meantime.
Open the Schengen tracker