D2 Visa — Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed
For entrepreneurs who want to set up a company in Portugal, investors, qualified freelancers and independent professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers) who want to work in Portugal.
Documents and steps
Before you apply, you should prepare your business or professional project.
Business plan
A detailed description of the activity you will carry out in Portugal, its financial viability, and projected jobs or investment. It should be convincing and show economic value for Portugal.
Proof of financial means
Enough money to support yourself (reference: €920/month, the 2026 minimum wage) and to start the business. Bank statements showing available funds. There is no fixed minimum share capital for a private limited company (Lda.).
Qualifications and professional credentialsoptional
Diplomas, certificates and professional experience relevant to the planned activity. Regulated professions (doctor, lawyer, engineer) need recognition from the relevant Portuguese professional body (Ordem).
Valid passport (original + copies)
Valid for at least 6 months
2 passport-style photos
Detailed business plan (in Portuguese)
Including: description of the activity, target market, 3-year financial projections, jobs to be created, amount of investment
Proof of financial means
Bank statements for the last 6 months and a letter from the bank confirming available funds
Criminal record certificate
Max. 3 months old
With a Hague Apostille and a sworn translation
Health insurance
Cost: Varies
Proof of accommodation in Portugal
Visa fee
Cost: €110
National visa fee: €110 (exempt: children up to 6, among others). Paid at the consulate or the external provider (VFS). Not refunded if the visa is refused.
NIF
Tax Authority (Finanças)
Cost: Free
Setting up a company (if you create one)optional
Business Portal or Commercial Registry Office
Cost: €360 (Empresa na Hora) or less online
'Empresa na Hora' (in person): €360. 'Empresa Online': cheaper. Share capital is free (minimum €1 per partner). You must open a company bank account.
Registering with the Tax Authority as self-employedoptional
Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças)
If you are a freelancer instead of setting up a company
AIMA appointment
Proof of business or professional activity
The company's permanent certificate (if you set up a company), or proof of clients/contracts (if you are a freelancer)
Passport, NIF, proof of address, criminal record, health insurance, photos
AIMA fees
Cost: ≈ €133 (application) + €114.30 (card)
AIMA fee table in force since 1/03/2026. Amounts may change — check aima.gov.pt before paying.
📎 Need to prepare your documents as PDFs?
Free tools from pdfyr, by the creator of Portugal Imigrante. The site is in Portuguese, but the tools are simple to use. Files are processed on servers in the EU and deleted automatically.
Important notes
- •Information checked in September 2026 against the official sources listed at the end. Immigration rules changed a lot in 2025–2026 — always confirm with the consulate or AIMA before you go ahead.
- •D2 visas are assessed case by case — the consul has discretionary power. A well-prepared business plan is crucial.
- •Regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering, architecture) need recognition from the relevant Portuguese professional body before or during the process.
- •You can hire an immigration lawyer to improve your chances of approval.
- •AIMA may ask for additional documents while assessing your application.
- •Startups may benefit from the Startup Portugal programme and the Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP).
- •To keep your residence permit you cannot be outside Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, while the permit is valid (unless for justified reasons).
- •Portuguese nationality: since Organic Law 1/2026 (in force from 19/05/2026) you need 10 years of legal residence (7 for CPLP and EU citizens), counted from the date the first residence permit was issued.
Other visas and permits
Still have a question about this visa?
Ask the community — other immigrants have been through the same, and you will get an email when someone replies. Most answers are in Portuguese.
This information is based on the official AIMA and MNE requirements (2026). The Portuguese version and the official portals prevail — always check them before you act.