--- title: "Moving to Portugal 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Alfama's rooftops and churches running down to the Tagus, Lisbon # Moving to Portugal 28 ways to move to Portugal in our guide: 1 working holiday visa, 2 nomad / remote-work visas, 5 investor routes, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 business / startup routes, 10 work visas, 3 student visas, 2 routes by nationality or ancestry, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/), €3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110. Smallest investment: [Golden Visa · €250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/), €250k+ ≈ $279k. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visas: lowest income needed:** **€3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110** D8 nomad visa **Smallest investment needed:** **€250k+ ≈ $279k** Golden Visa · €250k arts **Longest first stay:** **3 years** Student permit Visas and tax are handled by different authorities. A residence permit does not decide how you are taxed, and the tax rules described below apply on their own terms. People with capital to place in funds, research, culture or a Portuguese company Remote employees and freelancers whose clients sit outside Portugal Retirees and people living on pension or investment income Founders and self-employed professionals building activity in Portugal Highly qualified employees and job-seekers with a concrete offer or search plan ## Working holiday · 1 ### [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) **Age limit:** Ages vary by passport Casual jobs OK Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 2 ### [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) **Income needed:** €3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110 Stay 2 yrs, renewable Remote work only [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) ### [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) **Income needed:** €3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110 Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) ## Investing · 5 ### Golden Visa - [€250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/) - [€500k funds](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-funds-500k/) - [€500k research](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-research-500k/) - 10 jobs - [€500k company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-company-500k/) ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [D7 passive income visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/retirement-own-income-visa/) **Income needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 Stay 2 yrs, renewable Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/retirement-own-income-visa/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) **Savings needed:** €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 Stay 2 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) ### [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) **Income needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 Stay 2 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) ## Work · 10 - [Highly qualified permit **Income needed:** from €1,074 a month ≈ $1,200](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/highly-qualified-art90/) - [Tech Visa **Income needed:** €1,343+ a month ≈ $1,500](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tech-visa/) - [Blue Card **Income needed:** from €1,726 a month ≈ $1,930](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) - [Job-search visa **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/job-seeker-visa-88-7/) - [Cultural activity permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cultural-art90/) - [Intra-company transfer **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ict-art124b/) - [Researcher permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/researcher-art91b/) - [Work permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/employment-residence-88-1/) - [Teaching permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/teaching-art90/) - [Volunteer permit **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/volunteer-art94/) ## Student · 3 ### [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) **Income needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 Stay 3 yrs, renewable Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) ### [Secondary school study](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-secondary-art92/) **First stay:** 1 yr Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-secondary-art92/) ### [Traineeship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/trainee-art93/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/trainee-art93/) ## For your nationality or ancestry · 2 Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application. ### [CPLP residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cplp-residence-87a/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cplp-residence-87a/) ### [Portuguese nationality for grandchildren](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/citizenship-grandchild-of-portuguese/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/citizenship-grandchild-of-portuguese/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/family-reunification/) **Income needed:** from €460 a month ≈ $510 Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/family-reunification/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 1** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Newcomers who become Portuguese tax residents are taxed on worldwide income under the general progressive IRS scale, and residence itself is decided by the tax code rather than by your permit. A special regime for scientific research and innovation applies a reduced rate to net income from listed qualifying activities for a set period, and generally exempts foreign-source income except pensions and certain low-tax-jurisdiction items. The old non-habitual resident regime has been repealed and survives only transitionally for those already registered within the closed window. Special regime ### [Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/#tax-pt-ifici-scientific-innovation) 20% tax Foreign-source income: IFICI (10 years) **Details** - On: Net Portuguese-source Category A (employment) and Category B Special 20% IRS rate on net Category A and B income from listed qualifying activities for 10 consecutive years; qualifying foreign-source income is generally exempt except Category H, with a 35% rate on certain low-tax-jurisdiction income. #### Taxed on Net Portuguese-source Category A (employment) and Category B (business/professional) income from the Art. 58-A listed activities; foreign-source income generally exempt except Category H pensions and listed low-tax-jurisdiction items. #### Who it applies to - Become Portuguese tax resident and not have been resident in Portugal in any of the five preceding years. - Carry out an activity in Art. 58-A(1): qualified research or teaching, listed highly qualified professions (doctorate, or degree plus 3 years of experience), qualified jobs under investment contracts or recognised AICEP/IAPMEI activities, R&D staff, certified startups, or Azores/Madeira activities. - A job (posto de trabalho) under paragraphs a, b, d, f and g needs an employment contract; a service contract with a higher-education institution can qualify for teaching and research. - Register on the Finance Portal by 15 January of the year after becoming resident; later registration applies from the year of registration for the remaining period. - The right applies each year only while tax resident and still earning qualifying income; a new qualifying activity must start within six months. #### Exclusions - Not available to anyone who has benefited from the NHR regime or opted for Art. 12-A IRS Code taxation. - Usable once per taxpayer. - Category H (pension) income is outside the foreign-income exemption. - Income from listed low-tax jurisdictions is taxed at 35%. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year · Portuguese tax residence if present more than 183 days, or if a dwelling is held on any day in the period in conditions suggesting intent to keep it as habitual residence. #### Tax residence Tax residence is determined under Art. 16 IRS Code; the benefit period is 10 consecutive years from the year of registration as resident. #### Visas No visa confers IFICI; it is claimed through tax residence, qualifying activity and registration. #### Other taxes IFICI concerns IRS only; VAT, social security and foreign taxes are separate. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Special regime ### [Non-Habitual Resident regime (repealed; transitional only)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/#tax-pt-nhr-transitional) Tax relief Foreign-source income: NHR (transitional) **Details** - On: Existing NHR beneficiaries keep the regime until the end of the original 10-year period - Who: Registered as NHR on 1 January 2024 NHR was repealed from 1 January 2024. It continues only for people registered as NHR on that date and for those who became tax resident by 31 December 2024 and applied; applications after 31 March 2025 start only from the year of application and still end in 2033. #### Taxed on Existing NHR beneficiaries keep the regime until the end of the original 10-year period; the 2024 registration cohort ends in 2033. #### Who it applies to - Registered as NHR on 1 January 2024. - Or became Portuguese tax resident by 31 December 2024, is 18 or older, was not resident in Portugal in the five previous years, and holds proof of a prior link to Portugal, such as a job promise, contract or posting agreement concluded by 31 December 2023, a lease concluded by 10 October 2023, or a residence visa or permit (or a started application) by 31 December 2023. #### Exclusions - Not available to people who became tax resident after 31 December 2024. - Late applications (after 31 March 2025) lose the years before the year of application. #### Tax residence Benefit period ends at the 10th consecutive year counted from the year of registration (2033 for 2024 registrants). #### Visas Not tied to a visa. #### Other taxes Social security, VAT and other taxes unaffected. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Standard rules ### [Portuguese personal income tax (IRS): general progressive rates for 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/#tax-pt-irs-general) Up to 48% tax **Details** - On: Taxable income (rendimento coletavel) of residents - Who: Tax resident under Art. 16: more than 183 days in a 12-month period - Limit: €8,342/yr ≈ $9,320 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. #### Taxed on Taxable income (rendimento coletavel) of residents; the brackets entered are the Art. 68 wording introduced by Lei 73-A/2025 of 30 December 2025 (State Budget 2026), which updated the 2025 limits by the coefficient 1.0351. #### Who it applies to - Tax resident under Art. 16: more than 183 days in a 12-month period, or a dwelling kept as habitual residence. #### Limits - EUR 8,342 a year (≈ $9,320) · Upper limit of the 12.5% band - EUR 12,587 a year (≈ $14,100) · Upper limit of the 15.7% band - EUR 17,838 a year (≈ $19,900) · Upper limit of the 21.2% band - EUR 23,089 a year (≈ $25,800) · Upper limit of the 24.1% band - EUR 29,397 a year (≈ $32,800) · Upper limit of the 31.1% band - EUR 43,090 a year (≈ $48,100) · Upper limit of the 34.9% band - EUR 46,566 a year (≈ $52,000) · Upper limit of the 43.1% band - EUR 86,634 a year (≈ $96,800) · Upper limit of the 44.6% band; above this the rate is 48% - EUR 80,000 a year (≈ $89,400) · Additional solidarity rate of 2.5% applies to taxable income above this amount, up to EUR250,000 (≈ $279,000) (Art. 68-A) - EUR 250,000 a year (≈ $279,000) · Additional solidarity rate of 5% applies to taxable income above this amount (Art. 68-A) #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year · Residence by presence. #### Tax residence Residence test in Art. 16 IRS Code. #### Visas Visa type does not change ordinary IRS rates. #### Other taxes Social security and VAT are separate regimes; the additional solidarity rate is charged on top of the Art. 68 rates. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Switch to later · 4** Business / Startup ### [Relocated company permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/relocated-company-123a/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/relocated-company-123a/) Work ### [Graduate job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/graduate-job-search-122p/) **First stay:** 1 yr [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/graduate-job-search-122p/) Work ### [Graduate work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/graduate-work-122o/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/graduate-work-122o/) For your nationality or ancestry ### [Portuguese naturalisation for great-grandchildren](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/citizenship-great-grandchild-residence/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/citizenship-great-grandchild-residence/) **Path to permanent residence · 2** - **Citizenship** · Portuguese nationality by origin for grandchildren of Portuguese nationals (Lei da Nacionalidade Article 1(1)(d)) - **Citizenship after 10 years** · Portuguese naturalisation for third-degree descendants of Portuguese nationals with five years of residence (Lei da Nacionalidade Article 6(8)) ## Arriving in Portugal: first steps 1. Arrange health cover that satisfies the requirement for your route before or alongside your application. 2. Obtain a Portuguese tax number, which appears across the document lists for both investment and employment routes. 3. Register with the social-security authorities where your route requires it, and keep the status clean. 4. Secure a Portuguese address and be ready to declare it, as several routes ask for an address declaration or evidence. 5. Open a Portuguese bank relationship if your route involves a capital transfer, since a bank attestation of the international transfer is required. 6. Keep your criminal record certificate, travel document and any honour declarations current and authenticated where needed. ## Questions people ask ### Does Portugal have a working holiday visa? Yes. Portugal has 1 working holiday visa. [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) gives a first stay of 1 year. ### What is the Portugal digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Portugal has 2 nomad or remote-work visas. [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) asks for an income of at least EUR 3,680 a month (≈ $4,110) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) asks for an income of at least EUR 3,680 a month (≈ $4,110). ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Portugal? Portugal has 5 investor routes. [Golden Visa · €250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/) asks for an investment of at least EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Golden Visa · €500k funds](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-funds-500k/) asks for an investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Golden Visa · €500k research](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-research-500k/) asks for an investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can I retire or live in Portugal on my savings or pension? Portugal has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [D7 passive income visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/retirement-own-income-visa/) asks for an income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Portugal by starting a business? Portugal has 2 business or startup routes. [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) asks for savings of at least EUR 6,445.56 (≈ $7,200) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) asks for an income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Portugal offer foreigners? Portugal has 10 work visas. [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) asks for a salary from EUR 1,725.6 a month (≈ $1,930) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Job-search visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/job-seeker-visa-88-7/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Cultural activity permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cultural-art90/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Portugal? Portugal has 3 student visas. [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) asks for an income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Secondary school study](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-secondary-art92/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. [Traineeship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/trainee-art93/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Portugal? Yes. Portugal has 2 routes by nationality or ancestry. [CPLP residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cplp-residence-87a/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. There is also [Portuguese nationality for grandchildren](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/citizenship-grandchild-of-portuguese/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Portugal? Yes. Portugal has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/family-reunification/) asks for an income from EUR 460 a month (≈ $510). There is also [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/). ## Compare with [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) [🇳🇱 Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (4)** ## Official sources 1. [Residence Authorization for Investment Activity (ARI), Art. 90-A](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10 2. [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 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. [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