D1 Work Visa
For employees hired by a Portuguese company in any qualifying role. Salary from the €920/month minimum wage, contract of at least 12 months.
Portugal D1 visa
Portugal D1 Work Visa: move for a Portuguese job
The D1 is the visa for non-EU nationals who have been offered a job by a Portuguese employer. We check the contract, prepare your file and guide you from the consulate to your AIMA residence card.
Talk to an advisor- Contract checked against Portuguese law
- Consulate, VFS and AIMA handled
- Advisors in English and Portuguese
Advisors in English and Portuguese
At a glance
The D1 work visa in five figures
2–4 months Processing time
Depends on where you apply, appointment availability and how quickly your documents are ready.
€920/mo Minimum salary
The 2026 Portuguese minimum wage. Skilled roles often carry a higher benchmark.
12 months Minimum contract length
Your employment contract with the Portuguese employer must run for at least a year.
2 years First residence permit
Renewable afterwards for a further 3 years.
5 years Path to citizenship
Years of legal residence before you can apply for Portuguese nationality.
Who it suits
Who the D1 work visa is for
- Employees with a Portuguese job offer
- Hospitality and tourism staff
- Skilled trades
- Healthcare and care workers
- Logistics and construction workers
- Workers hired by Portuguese companies
- Families relocating together
How it works
What is the Portugal D1 work visa?
The D1 is Portugal's residence visa for subordinate employment: you come to work for a Portuguese employer under a local contract. It is open to citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, and it is the standard route for roles that do not qualify as highly qualified work under the D3.
The job comes first. You need a signed employment contract or a binding offer for at least 12 months, paying at least the national minimum wage of €920 per month in 2026, or the higher salary set for your sector. The position must be one that could not be filled by a candidate from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, and the contract must comply with Portuguese labour law.
Once the visa is approved you travel to Portugal, register with Social Security through your employer and attend an AIMA appointment. AIMA then issues a residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for a further 3. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
- Built around a contract with a Portuguese employer
- Open to a wide range of roles and skill levels
- Your spouse and dependent children can join you
- Counts towards Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residence
Eligibility
D1 work visa requirements
The conditions the consulate and AIMA check before granting a D1.
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Non-EU nationality
The D1 is for citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. EU citizens can already work in Portugal without a visa.
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A valid job offer or contract
A signed employment contract or binding job offer from a Portuguese employer, lasting at least 12 months and drafted in line with Portuguese labour law.
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A role open to non-EU hires
The position must be one that could not be filled by an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen. Your employer is usually best placed to evidence this.
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Salary of at least €920/month
Pay must meet the 2026 national minimum wage or the sector-specific salary standard, whichever is higher. Highly skilled positions may face higher thresholds.
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Health insurance
Private travel and health insurance covering all medical expenses in Portugal until you are registered with Social Security and the national health service.
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Clean criminal record
A recently issued police certificate from every country you have lived in, translated and notarised or apostilled where the consulate requires it.
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Accommodation in Portugal
A Portuguese rental contract valid for at least six months. If you have not found a home yet, we explain which arrangements are accepted.
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Consulate-specific documents
Each consulate adds its own supporting documents depending on where you apply from and your circumstances. We confirm the exact list before you file.
Compare routes
D1 work visa or another Portugal visa?
The D1 is not the only way to work in Portugal. How it compares with the neighbouring routes:
D3 Highly Qualified Visa
For specialised, managerial, academic or technical roles. Needs a degree of at least 3 years, 5 years of comparable experience and a higher salary benchmark.
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers employed by companies or clients outside Portugal. Requires income of €3,680 per month in 2026.
D2 Entrepreneur Visa
For people who want to run their own business or work self-employed in Portugal, backed by a business plan rather than a job contract.
The process
How to apply for the D1 work visa
- 01
Contract review
We check your offer or contract for length, salary and labour-law compliance, and confirm the D1 is the right route rather than the D3.
- 02
Document preparation
You gather your passport, criminal records, insurance and accommodation proof. We review each document, translation and apostille before filing.
- 03
Visa application
You submit at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in your country of residence. Decisions usually take 2 to 4 months.
- 04
Arrival and registration
With the visa issued you travel to Portugal, start work and register with Social Security and the health service.
- 05
AIMA appointment and residence card
You attend AIMA for biometrics and receive a residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for 3 more. We stay with you for renewals.
What's included
How we help
At OlaVisa, we take on the bureaucracy so you can concentrate on the move itself. Our legal team owns your application from the first document to the final decision, making sure it is accurate, complete and aligned with what the consulate expects. We make a complicated process simple, so your attention stays on your next chapter rather than on paperwork.
Talk to an advisorFull-Service Visa Support
We run your application from beginning to end, so every step is done correctly, without wasted time and to the exact requirements of the consulate that will decide it.
Residency Permit Support
The visa is only the first milestone — the residence card is the real goal. Our support carries on until you hold it, and one fee covers the whole journey to your new life in Portugal.
Thorough Document Review
Each document is checked for accuracy and compliance before it is submitted, which prevents the delays and refusals small errors cause. A secure client portal keeps your files and our updates in one place.
Consulate Scheduling
We book and coordinate your VFS, consulate and AIMA appointments as quickly as availability allows, on dates that fit around your plans.
Appeals & Revisions
If something does not go to plan, we handle the appeal or correction to put your application back on course. It is never one attempt and done — we stay with you until there is an outcome.
Uncapped Access to Our Legal Team
Ask as many questions as you need, with no cap of one or two calls. Our legal team is available by email and phone throughout your case, with clear and timely answers.
Strategic Legal Planning
The most obvious route is not always the one with the best chance of success. We take the time to understand your whole situation and point you towards the path we believe serves you best.
After the visa
Legal & Financial Setup
Our support carries on once your visa is granted. From your Portuguese NIF number to your bank account, we take care of the details so you can settle in with confidence and peace of mind.
Taxes
Start compliant from day one, with tax guidance built around expats and businesses.
NIF / Bank
Get your Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account quickly and without the hassle.
Learn moreCompany Formation
Launch your business in Portugal with full legal support, from setting it up to registering it.
Employee Relocation
Move your team smoothly, with visa, tax and legal support at every step.
Portugal questions
D1 Work Visa: questions answered
Get answers to common questions about visa applications, requirements, and processes.
What is the minimum salary for a Portugal D1 work visa?
Your pay must reach at least the national minimum wage, which is €920 per month in 2026, or the higher standard that applies to your sector. Highly skilled positions may be held to a higher salary threshold.
How long does the D1 visa take?
Most D1 applications take 2 to 4 months, depending on the consulate, appointment availability and how quickly your documents are prepared. After that you still need an AIMA appointment in Portugal for your residence card.
Do I need a job offer before applying for the D1?
Yes. The D1 is built on a signed employment contract or binding job offer from a Portuguese employer, lasting at least 12 months. If you are still looking for work, talk to us about which route fits your situation.
What is the difference between the D1 and D3 visas?
The D1 covers employment in general, from the minimum wage upwards. The D3 is for highly qualified roles and asks for a degree of at least 3 years, 5 years of relevant experience and a higher salary. If you meet the D3 criteria, it is usually worth considering.
Can my family join me on a D1 work visa?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply with you or join later through family reunification once you hold your residence permit. Each family member needs their own documents and you must show you can support them.
How long is the D1 residence permit valid?
The first residence permit lasts 2 years and can then be renewed for a further 3 years, provided you still meet the conditions, such as continuing employment.
Does the D1 lead to Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. After 5 years of legal residence you become eligible to apply for Portuguese nationality, and you can also apply for permanent residence. Nationality rules have been under review in Parliament, so we confirm the rule in force when you reach that point.
Right here with you, wherever you're headed
Local offices. Global support.
Relocating is easier with people on your side. With offices in Portugal, the UK, the UAE, Turkey and Australia, our team is on the ground to help you settle in with confidence.
- PT
Coimbra, Portugal
Praça da República 9, Sala 8, 3070-304 Mira, Coimbra, Portugal +351 938 599 748 - GB
London, United Kingdom
30 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6EF, UK +44 (0) 203 393 1028 - AE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Silicon Oasis, Digital Park, IFZA Buildings A2, Dubai +971 56 00 65 007 - TR
İstanbul, Turkey
Bostancı Mah, Bağdat Cad. No: 472/A, Kadıköy / İstanbul +90 530 754 35 67 - AU
Melbourne, Australia
Suite 329/98-100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia +61 1300 440 170
Other services
More ways we help in Portugal
Ready to go?
Talk to an advisor Got a job offer in Portugal?
Talk to an advisor and we will map out your D1 application from contract to residence card.