Work visas in Portugal: An employer’s guide

Portugal has become a prime destination for global talent. With its growing tech sector, favorable business environment, and high quality of life, more professionals are seeking to live and work in Portugal. For employers, this means understanding how the Portugal work visa and residence permit systems function.

Foreign nationals from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland require a valid work visa or residence visa to work legally in Portugal. Employers are responsible for ensuring compliance by sponsoring employees and providing the necessary documentation. This guide explains the main types of Portuguese work visas (including the digital nomad visa), eligibility criteria, and the visa application process to help your company hire international talent smoothly.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Portugal

Who needs a work visa in Portugal?

Anyone who is not a Portuguese citizen and wants to work in Portugal generally needs a residence permit for employment, with the exceptions of:

• Citizens of European Union (EU) countries
• Citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

Note that workers in these categories must obtain a registration certificate (Certificado de Registo) within three months of entering Spain.

For employers, it’s your responsibility to confirm that every foreign national you hire has the legal right to work. This usually means checking their residence permit card, passport, or other official travel documents before employment begins.

Note that Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Portugal, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

Types of work visas in Portugal

Portugal offers several permanent and temporary stay visas, depending on the role, contract type, and worker’s qualifications. These include:

D1 work visa: Employed workers

The D1 visa is the most common route for non-EU/EEA citizens hired by Portuguese companies, and allows a foreign national to enter Portugal for the purpose of employment. To qualify, the individual must already have a valid work contract or employment contract from a registered Portuguese employer.

The visa itself grants entry into Portugal, but once in the country, the employee must apply for a residence permit with the AIMA - Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo.

D2 work visa: Entrepreneurs

The D2 visa is designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or independent contractors who want to establish or expand a business in Portugal. Applicants must present a viable business plan and proof of sufficient financial means. Employers may not use this visa for employees, but it is relevant if your company collaborates with self-employed contractors.

D3 work visa: Highly qualified activities

The D3 visa (also known as the work visa for skilled workers) targets highly-qualified workers with specialized skills, such as researchers, professors, engineers, and executives. It requires a job offer or work contract in a highly qualified field. Holders of the D3 visa may also be eligible for the EU Blue Card (see below) if salary and education thresholds are met.

D8 work visa: Digital nomads

Introduced in 2022, the D8 digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live in Portugal while working for companies outside the country. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum salary of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, a valid passport, and health insurance.

While employers based in Portugal cannot sponsor this visa, it is relevant for companies with distributed teams employing digital nomads.

EU Blue Card

The European Union Blue Card is a residence permit that enables highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in most of the 27 member states. Holders can live and work in Portugal without requiring additional visas or permits.

However, the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card are strict. Learn more about EU Blue Cards.

Temporary work visas

Unlike long-stay visas, temporary stay visas are available for short-term employment lasting less than one year. These are useful for seasonal work, project-based contracts, or urgent business needs. Employees must still present a work contract or proof of professional activity.

Job seeker visa

While not employer-sponsored, Portugal also offers a job seeker visa, allowing individuals to enter the country to look for work. Once a candidate finds a job, the employer must then sponsor them for the appropriate work permit or residence permit.

What about the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a member state of the Schengen Area (such as Portugal) for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). It does not give holders legal permission to work in Portugal.

Eligibility requirements and application process

To qualify for a Portuguese work visa and residence permit, employees typically need:

• A signed work contract or employment contract with a Portuguese company
• A valid passport (with at least six months of validity)
• Proof of health insurance covering their stay in Portugal
• A clean criminal record certificate from their country of residence
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Evidence of sufficient financial means (if required by visa type)

Employers must be registered with the Portuguese labor authorities, obtain a tax number and social security number (to make social security contributions), and demonstrate that the role meets labor law requirements.

Employees will also generally need to provide:

• A visa application form (from the Portuguese embassy or Portuguese consulate)
• Valid passport with blank pages
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Employment contract or job offer letter
• Criminal record certificate (translated and legalized)
• Proof of health insurance or travel insurance
• Proof of accommodation (rental agreement or employer-provided housing)
• Evidence of financial means (bank statements, salary slips, etc.)

Employers may need to provide:

• A copy of the work contract
• Company registration details
• Confirmation of registration with the social security office
• Documentation proving compliance with Portuguese labor law
  
  

What does the application process look like?

The application process is typically as follows:

1. Job offer and contract. The employer issues a signed employment contract or offer letter.
2. Visa application. The employee applies for the correct Portuguese work visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate, submitting the required documents. They will also likely need to undergo a visa interview.
3. Pre-approval – The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) reviews the application.
4. Visa issuance – If approved, the employee receives a residence permit, allowing them to travel to Portugal.
5. Arrival in Portugal – The employee must apply for a residence permit within 90 days of entry. This involves registering with SEF, presenting their passport, proof of address, and the signed employment contract.
6. Residence permit card – Once granted, the employee receives a residency permit (Título de Residência), allowing them to live and work in Portugal legally.

The cost of a Portuguese work visa depends on the type:

• Work visa application at consulate: ~€90
• Residence permit application (SEF): ~€85–€170
• EU Blue Card application: ~€170

Additional costs may include document translation, legalization, and travel insurance.

Average processing times are typically as follows:

• D1/D2/D3 visas: Typically 60 to 90 days
• EU Blue Card: 60 to 90 days
• Temporary stay visas: 30 to 60 days
• Digital Nomad visa (D8): 30 to 60 days

Processing times may vary depending on the consulate, time of year, and whether all documents are complete. As a result, employers should plan recruitment timelines accordingly.

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Portugal, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s EOR service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Portugal on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Portugal, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the work permit application process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.