---
title: "Portugal Work permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/employment-residence-88-1/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Portugal · Work

# Portugal Work permit

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Residence authorization for subordinate employment with residence visa (Art. 88(1) REPSAE)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Rule changed 18 May 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-05-18-portugal-c53a9d/) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 2 yrs (Residence permit valid two years from issue date, renewable in successive three-year periods.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children. Your spouse or partner may work in Portugal without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

Work permit is a work route for Portugal. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more
- **Processing:** Up to 60 days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 3 government fees listed below; decision: up to 60 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more**

- EUR 133 (≈ $150) Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally.
- EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally.
- EUR 110 (≈ $120) National visa processing fee.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Valid two years from issue, then renewable in successive three-year periods while subsistence, housing and tax and social-security conditions are still met. File renewal at least 30 days before expiry.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-subordinada-com-visto-de-residencia-art-88-o-n-o-1)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Permanent residence needs five years on a temporary residence authorization, no serious recent conviction, means of subsistence, housing and basic Portuguese.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence on any residence title or visa (7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU states), plus Portuguese language and culture, and means of subsistence.

[Diário da República / Assembleia da República](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf)

**Processing: Up to 60 days**

The consulate must decide a residence visa within 60 days; after arrival AIMA must decide the residence permit within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Apply for a residence visa at the Portuguese consulate for your place of residence, then book AIMA in Portugal for the residence permit.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-subordinada-com-visto-de-residencia-art-88-o-n-o-1)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

A temporary permit can be cancelled if you are away from Portugal without good reason for 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total during its validity, unless you worked or ran a business abroad.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Portugal, not after arriving
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Portugal
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant holds a residence visa for subordinate work.
- No conviction for an offence punishable by more than one year of prison in Portugal.
- No entry ban or SIS refusal alert.

#### What you must show and pay

- **A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150)** · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally.
- **A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130)** · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally.
- **A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120)** · National visa processing fee.

#### Documents

- Valid passport.
- Valid residence visa for subordinate work.
- Employer honour declaration of the employment relationship.
- Address declaration.
- Tax and social-security registration.

## What happens at day 183

How Portugal decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year** Residence by presence.
- **Foreign-source income:** Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

[All tax rules for Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Residence authorization for employees who hold a work residence visa and an employer honour declaration of the employment relationship. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150) · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. (source 3)
- A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. (source 3)
- A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · National visa processing fee. (source 4)

#### Requirements

- The applicant holds a residence visa for subordinate work. (source 1)
- No conviction for an offence punishable by more than one year of prison in Portugal. (source 1)
- No entry ban or SIS refusal alert. (source 1)
- Valid passport. (source 1)
- Valid residence visa for subordinate work. (source 1)
- Employer honour declaration of the employment relationship. (source 1)
- Address declaration. (source 1)
- Tax and social-security registration. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Residence permit valid two years from issue date, renewable in successive three-year periods.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Employment with the sponsoring employer; holder may apply to replace the permit to allow independent activity.

#### Family

Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children. Your spouse or partner may work in Portugal without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Residence authorization for subordinate professional activity with residence visa, Art. 88(1)](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-subordinada-com-visto-de-residencia-art-88-o-n-o-1) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [AIMA work index: residence authorizations for employment, self-employment and highly qualified activity](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-01
4. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
5. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
6. [Lei n.º 61/2025 of 22 October (amends Law 23/2007, Arts. 98-105)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/10/20400/0000900017.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-09-10
8. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

## Work permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Work permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) | Needs income from €1,726 a month ≈ $1,930 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Cultural activity permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cultural-art90/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Highly qualified permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/highly-qualified-art90/) | Needs income from €1,074 a month ≈ $1,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ict-art124b/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Work permit?

A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150). Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130). Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120). National visa processing fee.

### How long can I stay on the Work permit?

Residence permit valid two years from issue date, renewable in successive three-year periods.

### How long does the Work permit take to process?

The consulate must decide a residence visa within 60 days; after arrival AIMA must decide the residence permit within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases.

### Can I work on the Work permit?

Employment with the sponsoring employer; holder may apply to replace the permit to allow independent activity.

### Can I bring my family on the Work permit?

Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children, unmarried adult children studying in Portugal, dependent parents and minor siblings under guardianship can apply for family reunification once the holder's permit has been valid for two years; the wait does not apply to minor or dependent children.

### Who can apply for the Work permit?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Work permit lead to permanent residence in Portugal?

Time on the Work permit counts toward permanent residence in Portugal, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Work permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### How are Work permit holders taxed in Portugal?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Work permit. The standard rules apply: Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

## More in Portugal

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/researcher-art91b/) [Teaching permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/teaching-art90/) [Volunteer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/volunteer-art94/)

## Work visas elsewhere

[🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) [🇫🇷 Talent · Company officer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-corporate-officer/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence authorization for subordinate professional activity with residence visa, Art. 88(1)](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-subordinada-com-visto-de-residencia-art-88-o-n-o-1) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [AIMA work index: residence authorizations for employment, self-employment and highly qualified activity](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
5. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
6. [Lei n.º 61/2025 of 22 October (amends Law 23/2007, Arts. 98-105)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2025/10/20400/0000900017.pdf) · Diário da República · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
8. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.