Relocate to Portugal
From choosing a residence route to settling in, this is the full Portugal path — and the paperwork you can start remotely, today, without flying over.
5,000+
Successfully relocated
3 months
Average time to relocate
99%
Successful relocations
Thinking of moving? Find the best way
Switch based on your passport. Every route below leads to a residence permit here.
D8 / Digital Nomad Visa
For non-EU remote workers, freelancers and business owners earning their income from outside Portugal.
Who is eligible
D7 / Passive Income Visa
For retirees and those with stable passive income such as pensions, rentals or dividends.
Who is eligible
D2 / Entrepreneur Visa
For entrepreneurs, freelancers and independent providers starting or growing a venture in Portugal.
Who is eligible
D9 / Golden Visa (ARI)
Residence through a qualifying investment. The real-estate route ended; fund and other routes remain, subject to current rules.
Who is eligible
D3 / Highly Qualified Activity
For highly qualified professionals recruited for specialized roles at Portuguese companies (EU Blue Card track).
Who is eligible
D1 / Work Visa
For non-EU nationals with a secured employment contract in Portugal (subordinate worker).
Who is eligible
D6 / Family Reunification
To join a family member who already holds Portuguese residence.
Who is eligible
D4 / Student Visa
For study, research, internships or volunteering at a recognized Portuguese institution.
Who is eligible
D5 / Student Mobility
For students transferring from a foreign university to a Portuguese institution for further study.
Who is eligible
Cost, processing time and complexity are VisaPath's general guidance, not official figures, and vary by applicant and current rules.
After you get residency
The essentials to set up once you're in. Each connects to our partner who handles it for you.
NIF — Portuguese tax number
The first step in Portugal, needed to open a bank account, sign a lease, get a phone or apply for residence. It can be obtained remotely through a fiscal representative. FastNIF handles it end to end.
Included:
- A NIF issued by the Portuguese tax office (Finanças)
- Registration with the tax authority
- A password for your Finanças online account
Portuguese bank account
Open a Portuguese account (IBAN PT50) from anywhere, with debit and credit cards. Commonly needed for rent, utilities and residence.
Included:
- A Portuguese account with an IBAN (PT50)
- Debit and credit cards
- Remote setup, no branch visit required
NISS — social security number
The ID for any worker or entrepreneur, used for work-related taxes, pensions and healthcare. Needed if you work, freelance or run a business.
Included:
- Registration with Portuguese Social Security
- Your NISS number
- A password for your Social Security online account
SNS — health registration
Register with Portugal's public health service (SNS) as a resident. Many also keep private cover, often required at the visa stage.
Included:
- Registration with your local health centre
- Your SNS user number
- Guidance on choosing a family doctor
Driving licence exchange
Exchange your foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one after becoming resident, within the allowed window.
Included:
- Registration of your exchange request with IMT
- Document preparation and submission
- Guidance on timelines and any medical check
Company services
Open, close or restructure a Portuguese company (LDA), or register a trademark, with lawyer and accountant handled end to end.
Included:
- Company incorporation (LDA) — €1000 all-inclusive
- Company dissolution — €800
- Trademark registration — €1000 (1 class)
Document notarization
Have documents certified and notarized by a lawyer recognised by the Portuguese Bar Association, without travelling.
Included:
- Certification or notarization by a recognised lawyer
- Handling of certified copies
- Guidance on what each step requires
Property hunter
A local partner finds the right place to rent or buy and handles the paperwork and negotiations for you.
Included:
- A search based on your budget and area
- Viewings arranged on your behalf
- Negotiation and paperwork support
Lease agreement review
A local legal expert reviews your rental contract for unfair clauses and anything that could cost you later.
Included:
- A clause-by-clause review of your lease
- Flags on unfair or costly terms
- A plain-language summary of your obligations
Update your NIF address
Update the address on your NIF once you have a home, a step in becoming a Portuguese tax resident.
Included:
- Address update on your NIF with Finanças
- Removal of the fiscal representative when eligible
- Confirmation of your updated record
IRS tax filing
Your annual Portuguese tax return prepared and filed by accountants registered with the OCC.
Included:
- Preparation of your annual IRS return
- Filing by an OCC-registered accountant
- Application of reliefs you qualify for
Expert help at every step
VisaPath matches your route, then vetted local partners handle the paperwork and your move, end to end.
Local relocation expertise
On-the-ground specialists who know the rules and run your case end to end.
A handled, seamless process
From documents to filing to follow-ups, every step is managed for you.
Multilingual support
Get help in your language, including Chinese, through the whole journey.
Your data, protected
Your information is handled carefully and shared only with the partner serving you.
Why move to Portugal?
Portugal pairs a mild Atlantic climate with a low cost of living, widely-spoken English and one of Europe's most welcoming expat communities.
See services →
Atlantic beaches and 300+ days of sun a year
Welcoming to expats
English is widely spoken in cities, and locals are famously friendly toward newcomers and immigrants.
Mild Atlantic coast, 300+ sunny days
Climate
Widely spoken in cities
English
D8 visa built for nomads & freelancers
Remote-ready
Schengen travel + long-term citizenship path
EU access
Madeira: lush island living, mild all year
Everyday life stays affordable, an espresso is about €1
Common questions
Still have questions? Chat with our team and get answers for your situation.
Chat with usReady to start your move?
Tell us your situation and we'll handle the route and the paperwork.
Aviso importante
Esta ferramenta fornece uma estimativa geral de correspondência de rotas com base nas informações que você inseriu. Não é aconselhamento jurídico, tributário, financeiro ou de imigração. Não garante elegibilidade, aprovação, emissão de visto, aprovação de residência, cidadania, abertura de conta bancária ou qualquer resultado por parte de órgãos governamentais. Recomenda-se uma avaliação profissional.