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Portugal Visa Types 2026: Work, Study, CPLP and Golden Visa
Choosing the right visa among the Portugal visa types is the first step — and the most important one. The wrong visa means a refused application or, worse, arriving in Portugal with no way to get a residence permit. This guide is the general map; each type has its own detailed guide.
Main Portugal visa types
| Category | Length | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa (short stay) | Up to 90 days in any 180 | Tourism, business, visits. Brazilians are exempt |
| Temporary stay visa (visto de estada temporária) | Less than 1 year | Seasonal work, short study, medical treatment, temporary nomad |
| Residence visa (visto de residência) | Valid 4 months, 2 entries; used to apply for a residence permit | Living in Portugal |
| Visa to look for qualified work | 120 days | Looking for a qualified job (not yet available) |
All national visas cost a €110 fee and, as a rule, are decided in 60 days (residence) or 30 days (temporary stay).
What are the D1 to D8 visas?
The codes “D1”, “D2”, etc. are used informally and by external visa service providers, and they do not always match from one source to another. The official MNE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) website organises visas by purpose, not by number — so go by the purpose of your stay:
| Residence visa for… | Guide |
|---|---|
| Employed work (working for an employer) | Work visa |
| Self-employed work / immigrant entrepreneur | Work visa |
| Highly qualified activity | Work visa |
| Study (including higher education) | Student visa |
| Family reunification | Family reunification |
| Retirees and own income (known as “D7”) | D7 visa |
| Remote work / digital nomad | Digital nomad visa |
If an application centre uses a code, always confirm which purpose it refers to before you submit.
Other visas and special systems
CPLP. Citizens of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste can apply for a visa under the CPLP Mobility Agreement (CPLP is the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries) and then for the CPLP residence permit, with exemptions on proof of means.
Looking for qualified work. Since Lei n.º 61/2025 it is only for people with specialised technical skills; it is waiting for implementing rules. See the job seeker visa.
Golden visas (ARI). The Autorização de Residência para Investimento (residence permit for investment) still exists. According to AIMA, the options include, for example:
- creating at least 10 jobs;
- €500,000 in scientific research;
- €250,000 in artistic production or cultural heritage;
- €500,000 in non-real-estate investment funds;
- €500,000 to create or expand a company that creates jobs.
According to AIMA, the ARI does not require a residence visa: you apply directly to AIMA, with proof of legal entry and stay in Portugal. You must stay at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in the following years.
Other residence visas: research, internship, volunteering, sports activity, religious workers, accompanying a family member who holds a residence visa, Startup Visa.
How to choose the right Portugal visa
- What is the main purpose? Work, study, family, retirement, investment.
- How long will you stay? Less than one year → temporary stay; longer → residence.
- Where does your income come from? Portuguese employer → work visa; foreign employer → digital nomad; pension or rental/investment income → D7.
- Are you from a CPLP country? Compare the CPLP system with the general system.
- Do you have family already living in Portugal? You may qualify for family reunification (with the new time limits).
Where do you apply for the visa?
At the Portuguese consulate or the authorised external service provider in the area where you legally live. The application usually starts on the portal pedidodevistos.mne.gov.pt. After you enter with a residence visa, the next step is AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).
Before travelling, it is a good idea to get your NIF (tax number); after arriving, your NISS, your utente number and the Chave Móvel Digital.
How long does the whole process take?
| Stage | Reference time |
|---|---|
| Decision on residence visa | 60 days (MNE) |
| Decision on temporary stay visa | 30 days (MNE) |
| Residence visa validity to apply for the card | 4 months, 2 entries |
| Decision on family reunification | 9 months (Lei n.º 61/2025) |
On top of these times you must add the wait for an appointment, which varies a lot from consulate to consulate.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a Schengen tourist visa to stay and live. It does not lead to a residence permit.
- Relying on the manifestação de interesse. It was revoked.
- Choosing the visa that looks easiest, instead of the one that matches your real situation. If your stated purpose does not match reality, the renewal fails.
- Using requirements from previous years. Income thresholds change with the minimum wage (€920 in 2026).
- Paying third parties for appointments at consulates or AIMA.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
Do Brazilian citizens need a visa to go to Portugal?
For tourism up to 90 days, no. To live, work or study for longer, they need a national visa that matches the purpose of the stay.
What is the easiest visa for Portugal?
It depends on your profile: people with a job offer use the work visa; retirees, the D7; remote workers, the digital nomad visa; CPLP nationals have a system with some exemptions.
How much does a Portugal national visa cost?
A €110 fee, according to the MNE, with exemptions (children up to 6, children in family reunification, State scholarship holders, among others).
Do golden visas still exist in Portugal?
The residence permit for investment (ARI) still exists. According to AIMA, the current options include, for example, investment in funds, job creation or support for culture and research.
Can I still enter as a tourist and get legal status later?
No, as a rule. The manifestação de interesse (expression of interest) route was revoked in June 2024 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2025.