Understanding Portugal’s Work Visa Requirements

For companies seeking opportunities to grow in the global market, Portugal is one of many enticing options. If your company is planning to extend operations in Portugal, it’s possible that some employees will need to obtain visas and work permits.

Types of work visas in Portugal

Portugal is a member of the European Union (EU). Citizens of other EU member states, as well as EFTA citizens, are free to work in Portugal without a permit.

Other third-country nationals must obtain a visa. In Portugal, there are three main types of visas:

Type 1: Temporary stay visas allow entry and stays in Portugal for more than 90 days but less than one year. This includes multiple entries.
Type 2: Residency visas allow two entries and are valid for four months. During that time, the holder of a residency visa is required to request a residency permit with the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
Type 3: The jobseeker visa entitles its holder to enter and remain in Portugal for the purpose of looking for a job. It authorizes its holder to carry out a subordinated work activity until the visa expires or until the residence permit is granted.

After obtaining the relevant visa, the worker can travel to Portugal. They must apply for the residence permit, or attend the scheduled AIMA appointment, before the residence visa expires. Such additional permit is required to work in Portugal legally.

Citizens of Community of Portuguese Language Countries can apply through a facilitated residence-permit route, subject to immigration requirements. Initial permits are valid for up to two years. To be eligible they must:

Not be in the Serviço de Informações de Segurança system.
Submit a criminal record for each country they have lived in for more than 1 year.
Have proof of a stable, livable income.

Requirements to obtain Portugal work visas

Along with a completed visa application, the following documents must be submitted in order to obtain a visa:

• Original passport with at least 3 blank pages or additional travel document valid for at least 1 year
• 2 original passport-size photos
• Proof of address in the country of origin
• Police Clearance Certificate issued in the country of origin or in the country where the employee has been residing officially for the last year
• Proof of address in Portugal (rental agreement or hotel reservation for 120 days)
• Proof of means of subsistence (bank statements or last 3 salary pay slips)
• CV
• Original duly legalized and sworn translated (to Portuguese) degree
• Flight reservation
• Valid international travel insurance
• Original visa form
• Visa fees

After arriving to the country, a Residence permit application (work permit) must be submitted to the Portuguese authorities AIMA. On the day of the appointment, the employee will be issued a receipt, and the original Residence Permit card usually arrives within four to eight weeks after a completed AIMA appointment. To apply for a work permit, or Autorização de Trabalho, employees will need to provide the following documents:

Original valid passport with visa stamped
Original proof of residence in the form of lease agreement plus rental receipts
Proof of means of subsistence in the form of a work contract and salary pay slips
Health insurance / Health Centre Registration
NISS – Social Security Number
NIF – Tax Number
Employment contract

Application process

To obtain a visa, workers must submit an application through the consulate of Portugal in their country of origin or country of official residence. They will need to provide the documents listed above. Officials typically process a complete D1 work residence visa application within 60 days. This visa will grant entrance into Portugal.

After the visa has been issued, the professional will need to apply for a work permit as well. Individuals from non-EU countries will have a better chance of obtaining a work permit if they have specialized skills.

Employers are tasked with submitting the work permit application, which will go through the AIMA.

After obtaining a visa and work permit, the worker may travel to Portugal and begin working after obtaining a tax number. They’ll need to get their Residency Card from the AIMA, receive a tax code from their branch of the Director-General of Taxes (Direcçaõ-Geral dos Impostos), and register with social security.

Other important considerations

Employees are entitled to apply for permanent residency after five years of living in Portugal.

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For this particular location, G-P may offer support processing certain work visas and permits.

Disclaimer

THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). G-P does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect G-P's product delivery in any given jurisdiction. G-P makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.

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