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Portugal consistently ranks high in quality-of-life indices thanks to its safety, healthcare, and community spirit. Portugal is south-western Europe. Portugal is renowned for its rich history, beautiful cities like Lisbon and Porto, delicious food (including pastel de nata), and iconic wines like Port, as well as its vibrant culture, including the music genre Fado. Portugal can be a good place to work and settle, offering a high quality of life, a safe environment, and a welcoming atmosphere for expats, with many finding it a rewarding experience. Portugal can be a good place to work and settle, offering a high quality of life, a safe environment, and a welcoming atmosphere for expats, with many finding it a rewarding experience.
To immigrate to Portugal from India, Indian nationals need a residence visa before entering the country and can pursue various pathways, including the D7 visa (for passive income), job seeker visa, work visa (D1), or family reunification visa.
To immigrate to Portugal from India, you’ll typically need to obtain a Portuguese residency visa, which can be achieved through various routes like employment, investment, or family reunification, and after five years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency.
1. Skilled Work Visa: If you have a job offer in Portugal, you can apply for a skilled work visa, which can lead to a residence permit.
2. Other Work Visas: There are various other work visas, including those for independent work, highly qualified workers, and those involved in cultural activities.
3. Tech Visa: There is a specific visa for those in the tech industry.
4. Self-Employment Work Visa: You can also obtain a work visa if you plan to work independently in Portugal.
5. Golden Visa: This program allows non-EU citizens to invest in Portugal in exchange for a residence permit. Investment options include real estate, capital transfers, job creation, or supporting cultural activities.
6. Student Visa: If you plan to study in Portugal, you can apply for a student visa.
7. Family Reunification: If you have family members who are Portuguese citizens or legal residents, you may be able to join them in Portugal through family reunification.
8. D7 Visa: This visa is for individuals with passive income, such as rent, dividends, or pensions.
9. Digital Nomad Visa: If you work remotely, you can apply for a Digital Nomad visa.
To obtain a residence permit in Portugal through investment, you can participate in the Golden Visa program, requiring a minimum investment of €250,000 in various areas like real estate, investment funds, or supporting cultural heritage, with the option of applying for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
Eligibility and Requirements
1. Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
2. Have a clean criminal record
3. Make a qualifying investment
4. Spend a minimum amount of time in Portugal
5. Obtain a Portuguese NIF (Tax Identification Number)
6. Open a Portuguese bank account
7. Provide full health insurance
8. Submit your application with full biometrics
An Indian national must live in Portugal for a minimum of five years after obtaining any kind of residence permit before they can apply for permanent residence. They needed to have had a Portuguese Registration Certificate throughout this period.
1. Valid Passport
2. Passport-Sized Photographs
3. Proof of Sufficient Funds
4. Proof of Accommodation
5. Criminal Record Certificate
6. Health Insurance
7. Residence permit after 5 years of legal residency.
For international people, a Portugal residence permit allows long-term stay and work, and can be obtained through various routes, including investment, employment, or family reunification, with a temporary permit leading to the possibility of permanent residency after 5 years.
These visas are always short-term, usually only 3 or 4 months. They are issued by a Portuguese Embassy for the sole purpose of granting the applicant entry into Portugal before registering as a resident. Once a foreigner enters Portugal with their residency visa they have four months to register at the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to get their residence permit.
These permits are temporary, usually valid for a year, and can be renewed annually depending on how long the applicant needs to stay in Portugal. Holders of a temporary permit can switch to a permanent residence permit when they have lived in Portugal for at least five years.
Permanent permits are available to those who wish to continue living indefinitely in Portugal; those who don’t plan to do so can continue extending their temporary permit.
To obtain a Portugal residence permit for work, you typically need a valid job offer in Portugal, and your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf. After receiving the work permit, you’ll need to apply for a residence visa at the Portuguese embassy in your home country and then apply for a residence permit with SEF upon arrival in Portugal.
Residence Permit Application (SEF):
1. Once you arrive in Portugal with your residence visa, you can apply for a residence permit with Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF).
2. The residence permit is a legal document allowing you to stay and work in Portugal for over three months.
3. A residence permit is usually valid for one to two years, depending on the type of permit, and can be renewed.
4. After five years of holding a Portuguese temporary residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
To study in Portugal, non-EU students need both a student visa and a residence permit, which is obtained within three months of arrival and is initially valid for one year, renewable annually for the duration of studies.
Student Visa (Residence Visa):
1. You must obtain a student visa (or “residence visa”) from the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country before traveling to Portugal.
2. This visa allows you to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for a residence permit.
3. The visa application can take some time to process, so apply as soon as possible.
4. The visa is valid for a limited period (usually three months) and allows you to enter Portugal to apply for a residence permit.
You must apply for this type of residence permit if you want to move to Portugal to join a close family member who is either a resident in Portugal or a citizen. A family member includes:
The permit is valid for the same amount of time as the residence permit of the Portuguese resident. In cases of partners who have been married for 5 years then the permit initially is valid for two years and then it can be renewed every three years. The holders of this permit can work freely and study in Portugal and after five years they can apply for a permanent residence.
A Portugal residence permit can be issued based on some specific situations. These all depend on the unique situation of the applicant, however, some of the most common types of special situations residence permits include:
General Requirements:
1. Valid Passport
2. Two Recent Passport-Sized Photographs
3. Proof of Sufficient Funds
4. Proof of Accommodation
5. Health Insurance
6. Criminal Record Certificate
7. AIMA Appointment Confirmation
1. Right to Live, Work, and Study: A residence permit allows you to reside, work, and pursue education in Portugal without restrictions.
2. Visa-Free Travel within the Schengen Area: You can travel freely to and from other Schengen countries without needing a visa.
3. Access to Healthcare and Social Services: As a resident, you have access to Portugal’s public healthcare system and other social benefits.
4. Family Reunification: You can bring your family members to Portugal, including your spouse and dependents.
5. Path to Citizenship: After a period of residency (typically 5 years), you may be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
6. Unemployment Benefits: In case of job loss, you can access unemployment benefits.
A Portuguese temporary residence permit is initially valid for one year and can be renewed for two-year periods, with the possibility of applying for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residency.
1. Initial Validity: A temporary residence permit is initially issued for a period of one year.
2. Renewals: This permit can be renewed for two-year periods, provided that you still meet the requirements for which it was issued.
You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after living for a long time in Portugal. After five years of living with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for a permanent permit and one or two years later you can apply for citizenship.
1. Portuguese visas are broadly categorized as short-stay (Schengen) for up to 90 days,
2. temporary stay for up to a year,
3. long-stay (residency) for stays exceeding a year, encompassing various purposes like tourism, work, study, and family reunification.
The Short Stay visa, or Schengen Visa, is for stays of up to a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period. It can be granted for purposes of tourism, family visits, business, temporary work, airport transit, or other stays in Portugal of a temporary or seasonal nature. The Schengen Visa allows you to travel around the Schengen Area countries for the duration of the visa.
You should make a Schengen Visa application at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country no more than six months and no later than 15 days before your trip to Portugal. You can find information on Portuguese embassies and consulates worldwide here.
The following are exempt from Schengen Visa fees:
This is the 90-day visa for general purposes such as tourism, family visits, and short-term work or business. You will need to submit the following along with your application form:
This is a visa for work of a specific seasonal nature in one of the following sectors:
You will need to provide the following along with your application form:
Temporary Stay visas are Portuguese national visas that allow you to stay in Portugal for up to one year. The visa allows multiple entries, meaning that you can leave the country for short periods.
All third-country nationals staying in Portugal for more than 90 days and less than a year need a Temporary Stay visa, except family members (spouse, dependent children, adopted children, parents, or dependent minor siblings) of Portuguese residents and other EU / EGTA nationals.
The fee for the Temporary Stay visa in Portugal is €75. The following are exempt from paying:
For any employment in Portugal lasting between 90 days and one year. The Portuguese work visa can be for purposes such as long-term seasonal work, self-employed or freelance work, scientific or academic work, amateur sports activity, or any other skilled work.
Additional documentation required includes:
Portuguese study visa can be a good option for international students, offering access to quality education, diverse cultural experiences, and relatively affordable tuition and living costs compared to other European countries.
To study in Portugal, non-EU/EEA students need a student visa and a residence permit, applying through the Portuguese embassy or diplomatic mission in their home country. There are two types of student visas: short-stay (Type C) for courses under 90 days and long-stay (Type D) for studies exceeding 90 days.
Also known as the Residency Visa, this is a Portuguese national visa for stays longer than one year. With this visa, you will need to apply for a Portuguese residency permit from the Portugal Immigration Service (SEF).
Information on who needs this visa and where to apply is the same as for the Temporary Stay visa. The application form is also the same. However, the deadline for making an application is different (60 days rather than 30 days) and the cost is more expensive (€90). The exemption categories are the same as for the Temporary Stay visa.
Portugal work visas can be a good option for individuals seeking to live and work in the country, offering pathways to permanent residency and citizenship after a certain period, and access to a high quality of life.
To work in Portugal, non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a work visa, which requires a valid job offer from a Portuguese employer and meeting specific eligibility criteria, including having sufficient funds and health insurance.
This is a special Portuguese visa program that is designed to attract foreign investment into Portugal. The Portuguese golden visa scheme speeds up the process for foreign investors from non-EU countries if they buy Portuguese real estate or invest up to a certain value. Provided they meet the conditions, under this scheme non-EU citizens will receive a Portuguese residence permit and can later apply for full Portuguese citizenship.
Working in Portugal can be a good experience due to its relatively stable economy, low cost of living, and a growing job market, particularly in sectors like IT and tourism, though salaries might be lower compared to other Western European countries.
To work in Portugal, non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals generally need a work permit and a work visa, obtained after securing a job offer from a Portuguese employer. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can work in Portugal without a work permit but need to apply for a residency card within six months.
The Portuguese job market presents a mixed picture, with certain sectors and skills in high demand, while others face challenges. While the unemployment rate is relatively low, securing a job, especially for foreigners, can be competitive, and certain skill sets are in high demand.
1. Low Unemployment:
Portugal’s unemployment rate is generally lower than the EU average.
2. Thriving Sectors:
Tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and IT are among the most active sectors, offering opportunities for both Portuguese and foreign workers.
3. In-Demand Skills:
Skills in IT, engineering, tourism, and language teaching are particularly sought after.
4. High Employment Rate:
The employment rate in Portugal was 72.4% in 2023, 2 percentage points higher than the EU27 average.
Portugal’s job market is experiencing growth, with high demand for positions
Industries with High Demand
1. IT engineers with specialized profiles
2. Doctors with various specializations
3. Tourism,
4. Skilled workers
5. Construction
6. Customer Service and Support
7. Finance and Accounting
Specific Job Titles in Demand
1. Software Developers
2. Cybersecurity Professionals
3. Customer Service Representatives
4. Waiters and Bartenders
5. Chefs
Getting a job in a call centre is incredibly easy, and requires nearly no qualifications at all. All you will need is to speak English, and another language is a bonus. You’ll need to keep your nerve too, as it can be long hours and tough work cold-calling the whole day through.
Freelancing and living in Portugal is a hugely attractive option to a lot of people these days. If living in a beautiful sunny country and working flexible hours sounds like a dream, consider freelancing in Portugal.
Opportunities to freelance for Portuguese companies are mainly in:
There’s a shortage of skilled workers in:
In Portugal, the average monthly salary is around €1,540, with the minimum wage set at €870 per month as of January 2025, and the median salary in 2024 was €1,240.
International students in Portugal, the work culture generally allows part-time work during the academic year (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time work during holidays and breaks, with a focus on balancing studies and employment. It’s important to be aware of Portuguese labor laws and ensure your work schedule complies with them.
Employees in Portugal typically work 40-hour weeks (eight hours per day). Employment law does allow flexibility in certain instances up to a limit of 60 hours per week (12 hours per day).
Full-time employees are entitled to annual leave of 22 days, on top of the compulsory nine days of public holidays.
Employment contracts in Portugal work similarly to many European countries, with permanent, fixed-term, part-time, and intermittent work contracts the most common methods of employment.
Notice periods in Portugal tend to vary according to years of service. Minimum notice periods are:
Coraledu offers reliable visa services for all countries. Our team of experienced Visa experts will guide you through the process step-by-step, from verifying your documents to the submission of your visa documents to the Portugal Embassy. We also have a dedicated call center to answer all your queries regarding your Portugal work and settle visa application.
