Passport and application form
A passport valid beyond your planned stay, passport photos in the consulate's format and the completed national visa application form.
Portugal D2 visa
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa: residency through your business
The D2 lets non-EU founders, freelancers and self-employed professionals live in Portugal while running a business there. We shape the business case, prepare the file and stay with you until your AIMA residence card is issued.
Talk to an advisor- Business plan reviewed by lawyers
- Consulate, VFS and AIMA handled
- Advisors in English and Portuguese
Advisors in English and Portuguese
At a glance
The D2 visa in five figures
3–5 months Processing time
Varies with your consulate, appointment availability and how quickly your documents come together.
€920/mo Minimum net income
Shown through your business plan, in line with the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage.
€11,040 Minimum savings
Twelve months of the minimum wage, held on top of the income figure.
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 D2 entrepreneur visa is for
- Startup founders
- Small business owners
- Freelancers and self-employed
- Independent consultants
- Owners relocating a company
- Investors in a Portuguese business
- Families moving together
How it works
What is the Portugal D2 visa?
The D2 is Portugal's national visa for people who want to run a business or work independently in the country. It is designed for citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who plan to start a company, invest in or take over an existing one, or set up as a self-employed professional.
Unlike the investment-led Golden Visa, the D2 has no fixed investment amount. The consulate is judging credibility: a business plan that holds up, capital to launch the venture and enough income to support yourself. The plan should show the activity is economically viable and, ideally, that it creates jobs or adds something to the local economy.
The route has two stages. First you apply for the D2 visa at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre in your country of residence. The visa lets you enter Portugal, where you attend an AIMA appointment and receive a residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for a further 3. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
- No fixed minimum investment: the strength of the business case matters most
- Several qualifying pathways, from a new company to self-employment
- Your spouse and dependent children can apply with you or join later
- Counts towards Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residence
Eligibility
D2 visa requirements
What the consulate and AIMA expect to see in a D2 application.
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Non-EU nationality
The D2 is for citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. EU citizens can already live and work in Portugal without a visa.
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A credible business plan
A detailed plan explaining how the business will run in Portugal, why it is economically viable and how it creates jobs or contributes locally. This is the heart of the application.
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Capital to launch the business
There is no fixed minimum, but having around €5,000–€10,000 available for the business is generally recommended, on top of your living costs.
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Net income of at least €920/month
Your plan should show net income that comfortably reaches the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage of €920 per month.
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Savings of at least €11,040
Alongside the income, you need savings equal to twelve months of the minimum wage to support your first year.
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Health insurance
Private travel and health cover for all medical expenses in Portugal, valid for the full length of the visa or residence permit.
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Clean criminal record
A police certificate from your country of residence and every country you have lived in during the last 5 years, issued within the last 90 days, apostilled or legalised, and translated into Portuguese.
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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.
Documents
Documents for your D2 application
A typical D2 file. Your consulate may ask for more.
Business plan and company papers
The business plan and, where relevant, company registration documents, client contracts or proof of your stake in an existing business.
Proof of funds
Bank statements showing your savings and the capital set aside for the business, ideally including a Portuguese bank account.
Portuguese tax number (NIF)
You need a NIF to sign a lease, open a bank account and register the business. We can arrange it before you travel.
Health insurance policy
A policy covering medical expenses in Portugal for the whole visa and permit period, not just the first months.
Criminal record certificates
Issued within 90 days, apostilled or legalised and translated into Portuguese. Timing matters, so we plan when to request them.
Proof of accommodation
A Portuguese rental contract for at least six months, or another arrangement the consulate accepts.
The process
How to apply for the D2 visa
- 01
Route check and planning
We look at your business idea, finances and family situation, and confirm the D2 is the right route or point you to a better one.
- 02
NIF, bank account and business plan
You get a Portuguese tax number and bank account, and we help shape a business plan that answers the questions the consulate will ask.
- 03
Document review
Our legal team checks every document, apostille and translation so nothing causes a delay or refusal.
- 04
Visa application
You submit at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in your country of residence. A decision usually takes 3 to 5 months.
- 05
Arrival and AIMA appointment
With the visa in your passport you move to Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment to give biometrics and supporting documents.
- 06
Residence card
AIMA issues a residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for 3 more. We stay on hand for renewals and the road to citizenship.
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
D2 Entrepreneur Visa: questions answered
Get answers to common questions about visa applications, requirements, and processes.
How much money do I need for the Portugal D2 visa?
There is no fixed investment. You need to show net income of at least €920 per month through your business plan, savings of at least €11,040 and capital to launch the business, where around €5,000–€10,000 is the usual recommendation. A strong business case matters more than any single figure.
How long does the D2 visa take?
Most applications take 3 to 5 months, depending on the consulate, how quickly you get an appointment and how ready your documents are. After the visa is issued you still need an AIMA appointment in Portugal to receive your residence card.
Do I need to set up a company before applying?
Not always. The D2 has several qualifying pathways, including registering a new company, investing in an existing business or working as a self-employed professional. The right one depends on your plans, and it shapes what the consulate expects to see.
Can my family come with me on the D2?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply alongside you, or join later through family reunification once you hold your residence permit. Each family member needs their own documents, and you will need to show more funds for each person.
What is the difference between the D2 and the D8 visa?
The D2 is for a business or self-employed activity based in Portugal. The D8 digital nomad visa is for people working remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal, and asks for income of €3,680 per month in 2026. If most of your clients are abroad, the D8 may suit you better.
How long is the D2 residence permit valid?
The first permit is valid for 2 years and can then be renewed for a further 3 years, as long as the business is still active and you continue to meet the requirements.
Does the D2 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.
Can a D2 application be refused?
Yes, and no adviser can guarantee approval. Common problems are a thin business plan, unclear proof of funds and documents that are out of date or not properly apostilled and translated. If something goes wrong, we handle appeals and resubmissions with you.
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 Ready to build your business in Portugal?
Talk to an advisor about your D2 plans and leave with a clear list of next steps.