Last updated: 2 October 2026 · By Link in Portugal
The big change: visa first
Since the Foreigners Law amendment (Law 61/2025, in force since late October 2025), you generally need to enter Portugal with the right residence or work visa, obtained at the Portuguese consulate in your country, before you can get a residence permit. Entering as a tourist and applying later through manifestação de interesse is no longer possible. Our free document checklist shows what to prepare for your type of permit. See what replaced manifestação de interesse.
General requirements
Main types of temporary permit
| Purpose | Visa you need first | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | Work visa / residence visa for work | Job contract or promise of contract |
| Qualified job search (not available yet) | Visa for qualified job seekers (visto para procura de trabalho qualificado), created by Law 61/2025 | Portuguese consulates cannot accept applications yet: the official visa portal says this visa is waiting for the regulation the law requires. Under the law it is for people with specialised technical skills (to be defined by a government order), lasts 120 days and can be extended by 60 days. The old job-seeker visa ended on 23 October 2025 |
| Self-employment / entrepreneur | Residence visa for independent work or entrepreneurs | Service contracts or business plan |
| Passive income (D7) | D7 residence visa | Stable income (pensions, rent, investments) |
| Digital nomad (D8) | D8 visa | Remote work for foreign employer with minimum income |
| Study | Study visa | Enrolment + means |
| Family reunification | Residence visa for your relative abroad, after AIMA approves your request. Some relatives who entered Portugal legally can apply in Portugal | As a general rule, you must have held a valid residence permit for at least 2 years (15 months for a spouse or partner who lived with you for at least 18 months just before you entered Portugal). No waiting time for minor or incapacitated children in your care, for a spouse or partner who is the other parent (or adoptive parent) of that child, or for the family of holders of a permit for teaching, highly qualified or cultural activity, an investment permit or an EU Blue Card. Only these relatives can apply from inside Portugal. In exceptional, well-justified cases the Government can waive or shorten the waiting time. See family reunification |
Validity
Temporary residence permits are normally issued for 2 years and renewed for periods of 3 years (see renewal). After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence. Nationality now requires much longer (see citizenship rules).
What AIMA checks at renewal
That you still meet the conditions: income, address, Social Security contributions and no tax debts. Keep your IRS and Social Security in order from day one.
Want a professional to check your case?
For advice on your own situation, speak to a certified accountant (contabilista certificado), a lawyer, or the official service. Questions or corrections about this guide? Contact Link in Portugal.
Official sources
- Diário da República – Law 61/2025 of 22 October (changes to the Foreigners Law)
- Visa portal (MNE) – Qualified job search visa: not yet available at Portuguese consulates
- Visa portal (MNE) – Change to job-seeker visa applications (22 October 2025)
- AIMA – Autorização de residência (regime geral, art. 77.º)
- AIMA – Family reunification, family member outside Portugal (art. 98(1))
- Foreigners Law (Lei 23/2007), consolidated text – Procuradoria-Geral Regional de Lisboa (art. 75: 2 years, renewable for 3)
- gov.pt – Request permanent residence (after 5 years)
- gov.pt – Renew a residence permit
This guide is general information, checked against official sources on 2 October 2026. Rules and portals in Portugal change often, so confirm the current rules with the official source before you act. It is not legal advice.
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