Portugal Visas 2025: Investment & Residency Opportunities

Your Complete Guide to Portugal’s Best Visa Options for Investors and Expats in 2025

[Updated 15th July 2025] 

Portugal remains one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for those seeking to live, invest, and build a future abroad. With flexible residency pathways for entrepreneurs, retirees, remote workers, and investors, Portugal offers a welcoming environment, a high quality of life and low cost of living. Below is your up-to-date guide for 2025, including essential tax incentives like the new NHR 2.0 scheme.

New Non-Habitual Resident Scheme (NHR 2.0) – IFICI Regime

Portugal’s updated Non-Habitual Resident program, officially called the Fiscal Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) Program, or NHR 2.0, offers a 20% flat tax rate on Portuguese based income for professionals relocating to Portugal. This scheme primarily targets individuals in high-value sectors, such as higher education, R&D, technology, strategic sectors, and Portuguese startups.

Foreign assets remain tax exempt, except foreign pension income, which is now taxed at Portugal’s standard progressive rates (up to 48%), rather than at the previous 10% flat rate.

Golden Visa (Schengen Visa): Investment-Based Residency

The Portuguese Golden Visa remains popular among non-EU investors. It offers residency with minimal stay requirements (only 14 days for every 2 years) -granting unhindered exploration across Europe’s Schengen Visa area. An ideal choice for investors who desire both a European foothold and global mobility.

Here are some of the investment options available.

• €500,000 minimum in a Portuguese investment fund.
• €500,000 in scientific research or technological development.
• €250,000 donation to support the arts or cultural heritage.
• Creation of at least 10 new jobs through a Portuguese company.

However you go about obtaining a Portuguese Golden Visa, the application process will go something like this:

Application Process

To apply for the Golden Visa, applicants need to:

• Obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF).
• Open a local bank account.
• Choose a qualifying investment and complete the necessary steps.
• Gather and legalise all required documents, ensuring translation into Portuguese.
• Submit the application with legal assistance.
• Pay the Golden Visa processing fee.
• Await preliminary approval from SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service).
• Schedule and attend a biometric appointment.
• Upon approval, receive the residence card.
• Renew every two years, with eligibility for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.

Important Note on Real Estate: Investing in real estate no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa. While you can still purchase property in Portugal, it will not grant residency under this program. Instead, the €500,000 investment fund option remains the most common and widely used route. There are alternate options to claim residency, which we have gone through in the following visa categories below.

D2 Visa: Bring Your Start-Up to Portugal

The D2 Visa is ideal for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to establish or expand their businesses in Portugal. There is no legally fixed minimum investment for the D2 Visa. However, applicants must provide a solid business plan aligned with Portugal’s economic interests and demonstrate financial viability.

Requirements and Residency

To qualify for the D2 Visa, applicants must:

• No fixed minimum investment, but applicants must show financial capacity (at least €10,440 in a Portuguese bank account for the main applicant, plus €5,220 for a spouse and €3,132 per child).
• Present a detailed, credible business plan that outlines the proposed activity and supports long-term economic contribution.
• Provide proof of company establishment in Portugal or evidence of sufficient resources to set up operations.
• Typically demonstrate share capital of around €5,000 (recommended, though not mandatory).
• Obtain an initial 120-day visa to enter Portugal.
• Apply for a residency permit upon arrival in Portugal.
• Remain eligible for permanent residency or citizenship after five years of legal residence.

HQA Visa: Fast Track Your Way to Residency

The HQA Visa targets entrepreneurs and professionals involved in research or innovation, in collaboration with a Portuguese university or research institution. Unlike other investor visas, the HQA Visa requires active involvement in business or research, making it suitable for professionals seeking a more hands-on role in Portugal’s innovation landscape.

Key Points and Requirements

• Minimum investment of €175,000 supporting a research or innovation project.
• This investment is typically managed through a Portuguese incubator or research collaboration partner, rather than paid directly to the government.
• Designed for highly qualified professionals, usually requiring a higher-than-average salary.
• Requires a higher education diploma and a work agreement or written guarantee from a Portuguese employer or incubator.
• Offers a fast-track residency approval (as quickly as 30 days).
• Family eligibility: Dependents (spouse and children under 18) can apply through family reunification if the main applicant is approved.

D7 Visa: Passive Income Visa

The D7 Visa, or Passive Income Visa, is designed for retirees and those living off stable income sources. It’s suitable for individuals with reliable income streams such as:

• Pensions
• Rental income
• Royalties
• Intellectual property earnings
• Financial investments (e.g., dividends, interest)
• Transferable equity and savings

Income Requirements

• Provide proof of accommodation.
• Meet minimum passive income thresholds:
  • Single applicants: €10,440 annually (€870/month)
  • Joint applicants: €15,660 annually (€1,305/month)
  • Each dependent child: €3,132 annually (€261/month)

Residency Obligations

To maintain D7 residency, applicants must:

• Spend at least 16 months in Portugal over two years for the initial permit.
• Meet extended stay requirements for renewal and permanent residency:
  • Renewal: 30 months in Portugal every three years
  • Permanent residency: 30 months in Portugal every five years

Tax Note for the D7 Visa

If you become a tax resident in Portugal under the D7 Visa, you’ll generally be taxed on your worldwide income. However, you may apply for the NHR 2.0 (IFICI Regime) to potentially reduce your Portuguese tax liability on certain types of income.

D8 Visa: Digital Nomad Visa

The D8 Visa allows non-EU remote workers to live and work from Portugal while earning foreign income. This visa is designed for remote working professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs seeking a high quality of life in Portugal. With options for renewal and eventual permanent residency, the D8 Visa offers a flexible pathway for remote workers interested in establishing a base in Portugal.

Base Requirements

• Valid remote work contract or freelance agreement with foreign clients.
• Evidence of stable income (bank statements, tax returns, or payslips).

Adding on to these base requirements, this visa can be divided into two types:

Short Stay Visa

For those who want to stay temporarily in Portugal for up to one year.

• Minimum monthly income: €3,480 (as of 2025).
• Family eligibility: ❌ Family reunification is not formally supported and generally not granted in practice.

Residency Permit (Long Stay Visa)

For those planning to establish a longer-term base in Portugal.

• Initially valid for four months; then you apply for a two-year residence permit.
• Renewable for three more years, leading to permanent residency and eligibility for citizenship after five years.
• Minimum monthly income: €3,480 (as of 2025).
• Family eligibility: ✅ Allowed (spouse and dependent children).

Income adjustments:

• Spouse: +50% / €1,740 (as of 2025).
• Each child: +25% / €870 (as of 2025).

Tax Note for the D8 Visa

Similarly to the D7 Visa, if you become a tax resident in Portugal (generally by spending more than 183 days in a year there), you’ll be subject to Portuguese taxation on your worldwide income. Depending on your situation, you may be able to benefit from the new NHR 2.0 scheme, which can reduce taxes on certain Portuguese-sourced income. We recommend seeking professional tax advice to fully understand your obligations and opportunities.

Your Pathway to Portugal: Residency, Real Estate & Financial Expertise

The real estate market in Portugal is flourishing magnificently. Recent economic statistics show that Portugal’s Real Residential Property Price Index Growth saw an increase of 7.476% in September 2024 [ceicdata].

Portugal’s growing popularity among property investors and diverse visa options open up exciting opportunities for residency, investment, and a better way of life.

At Worldwide Property Co, we leverage our trusted network of legal, financial, and real estate professionals to streamline your journey. From selecting the right residency visa to securing your ideal property and arranging tailored financing, we’re here to ensure a seamless transition.

Source: https://www.ceicdata.com/

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Requirements and thresholds may change; always consult an accredited Portuguese immigration lawyer or tax advisor before making any decisions.