D1 / Work Visa
Move to Portugal with a signed job offer — the residence route for salaried workers.
Cost, processing time and complexity are VisaPath's general guidance, not official figures, and vary by applicant and current rules.
Who it's for
About this route
Portugal's D1 visa is the long-stay residence route for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have already secured a paid, subordinate (employee) job with a Portuguese employer. Unlike investment or freelance routes, the D1 is built around a genuine employment relationship: you have a contract, an employer, and a salary in Portugal. It is potentially suitable for skilled and semi-skilled workers relocating for a concrete role, and it opens onto a temporary residence permit that can lead toward long-term residence over time, subject to current rules.
Who it's for
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who already hold (or have been promised) an employment contract with a Portuguese company
- Skilled and semi-skilled workers being hired for a specific salaried role rather than self-employment
- Employees whose Portuguese employer is willing to handle local labour-registration steps
- People relocating for work who eventually want a path toward long-term residence in Portugal
- Workers bringing close family members who plan to join later through family reunification
Benefits
- Legal residence in Portugal tied to genuine employment, with full work rights for the contracted role
- Visa-free short-stay travel across the Schengen Area while your status is valid
- A temporary residence permit that may be renewed and, over time, can lead toward permanent residence and a possible citizenship pathway under current rules
- Access to Portugal's public services and social-security system as a contributing worker, subject to enrolment
- Family reunification options so a spouse, children or other eligible relatives may join, typically after a qualifying period
Requirements
- A genuine employment relationship: a signed work contract or a formal promise of contract with a Portuguese employer, commonly for a longer fixed term or open-ended
- The employer's signature is typically certified (e.g. by a notary, registry office, lawyer or chamber of commerce), and the role may need to be registered with Portugal's employment authority (IEFP)
- Pay that meets or exceeds Portugal's applicable minimum wage, with figures revised periodically — confirm current thresholds
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract, property, or hosting arrangement)
- Sufficient personal savings or means of support, plus valid travel health insurance for the initial stay
- A clean criminal-record certificate and a valid passport covering the requested period
Documents commonly requested
- Valid passport plus passport-style photos meeting specifications
- Signed employment contract or formal promise of contract with the Portuguese employer
- Proof the role was registered with the employment authority (where applicable) and employer certification documents
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental agreement, property deed or hosting declaration)
- Criminal-record certificate from your country of residence (often legalised/apostilled and translated)
- Proof of financial means and valid travel health insurance for the initial period
- Completed visa application form and the applicable application fee
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How to apply
- 1
Secure a subordinate (employee) role with a Portuguese employer and obtain a signed contract or formal promise of contract
- 2
Have the employer complete any required local steps, such as labour registration of the position with the employment authority
- 3
Gather and legalise/translate your documents (contract, criminal record, accommodation, insurance, financial proof) as required
- 4
Submit the D1 visa application at the Portuguese consulate or accredited visa centre serving your country of residence and pay the fee
- 5
Wait for processing — consular timelines commonly run in the range of roughly one to three months, varying by post
- 6
Travel to Portugal on the approved visa and attend your appointment with the immigration agency (AIMA) to collect your residence permit
- 7
Renew the residence permit before expiry while you continue to meet the conditions, working toward longer-term status over the years
Good to know
- The D1 is an employee route — it requires a real, subordinate job with a Portuguese employer; it is not for freelancers or the self-employed (different categories apply).
- Minimum-salary levels, fees and document lists are revised periodically and differ by consulate, so always confirm the current requirements before applying.
- Employer-side obligations (such as job registration and certified signatures) are critical; missing or weak employer documentation is a common cause of delay or refusal.
- AIMA appointment availability and backlogs in Portugal can affect how quickly the residence permit is issued after you arrive.
- This page is general information only and not legal advice; an initial route match is not an eligibility decision — professional review is recommended before you commit.
Common questions
Start your application
Tell us your situation and our team will confirm the route and handle the paperwork.
Этот инструмент предоставляет общую оценку подбора маршрутов на основе введённой вами информации. Он не является юридической, налоговой, финансовой или иммиграционной консультацией. Он не гарантирует соответствие требованиям, одобрение, выдачу визы, одобрение ВНЖ, гражданство, открытие банковского счёта или какой-либо результат со стороны государственных органов. Рекомендуется профессиональная оценка.