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D2 Entrepreneur Visa: The Complete Guide
Explore the comprehensive guide to the D2 Visa in Portugal. Ideal for entrepreneurs and independent service providers.
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Are you a businessperson who wants to relocate to a fantastic country with a great quality of life?
Moving to Portugal will be the answer to any doubt you may have. Portugal, a safe and culturally rich country, has been on the rise for investors and expats due to its low cost of living and welcoming spirit.
The Portuguese D2 Visa is the ideal solution for any entrepreneur wishing to move to a tax-beneficial country and expand or create a solid business in a thriving country.
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Quick resume about D2 Visa Portugal
Time for Application:
Financial Requirements:
💶 For a single person: +9.840€ per year
💼 Entrepreneurs
Those who want to establish a new business in Portugal or transfer their existing business to the country.
💶 Investors
People planning to make a substantial investment in an existing Portuguese business.
💻 Self-employed
Those who wish to engage in freelance or independent professional activities.
🖥️ Start-up Founders
Those planning to launch an innovative start-up in Portugal.
Get to know the D2 visa
The Portugal D2 Visa, also known as the Portugal Entrepreneur Visa, grants legal Portuguese residency to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who wish to start or expand a business in Portuguese territory.
What is the D2 visa?
Anyone intending to purchase, expand, or start a business in Portugal specifically needs the Portugal D2 Visa. Those who wish to work as freelancers for Portuguese clients or contracts can also apply.
However, it's important to inform you that, despite the seemingly simple qualifiers, the process requires a significant proof regarding the ability to sustain a business in Portugal, including an extensive business plan.
What are the benefits of the D2 visa?
The D2 visa allows you to enter Portugal and move within the Schengen Area without the need for additional visas or time restrictions, besides having a business in a country with favorable business conditions.
Another important advantage of living in Portugal on a D2 visa is access to affordable Portuguese education and medical care. After five years, you will be eligible for Portuguese citizenship (along with anyone in your family who joined you when you applied), as well as permanent residency.
What are the main requirements for the D2 Visa?
In addition to possessing non EU, EA, or Swiss citizenship and a clean criminal record, you must demonstrate that you have a robust business plan that aligns with the following options:
- Purchase a Portuguese company or a share in it.
- Owner of a company abroad wishing to expand to Portugal.
- Start a new company in Portugal.
- Freelancers with a service relevant to the country.
- Freelancers with a written proposal or work contract who wish to work in Portugal.
How much is my D2 visa application threshold?
For a single person, the value is the annual Portuguese minimum wage, 9.840,00 €.
If you have dependents, the threshold changes accordingly.
-> If you submitted your application individually 👨
-> If you submitted your application with a spouse or major family dependant 👫
-> If you submitted your application with children 👨👩👧👦
Who can I bring as a dependent on my D2 visa application?
You can bring:
- Your spouse or civil partner.
- Your minor children (above 18 qualifies if enrolled in a Portuguese educational facility).
- Dependent parents (when included at your tax return or under your care).
- Anyone whom you or your spouse may have legal guardianship (like disabled children or family members under your care, siblings you may have legal guardianship, adopted children).
What will I need to present with my D2 VISA application?
Your D2 visa will require multiple pieces of paperwork for successful issuance. Before arriving in Portugal, you must submit certain documents, like the NIF, to the authorities.
How can I get ready for my D2 visa application?
What are the steps for preparing for my D2 Visa application?
Preparation is critical to a successful D2 visa application.
1
Check your passport's expiration date
2
Get NIF Portugal for your D2 Visa application
3
Open a Portuguese bank account for your Entrepreneur Visa application
🏦 Prestige bank
4
Transfer the necessary D2 visa threshold into your Portuguese bank account.
5
Find a place to live and use it as proof of accommodation in your D2 visa application.
6
For your entrepreneur visa application, locate your regional VFS office or Portuguese Consulate and book an interview.
7
Complete the D2 Visa Form application
⏳ To Anticipate
8
Schedule your flight to Portugal.
🏦 We are the best
9
For your D2 visa application, set up travel insurance.
10
Have a couple of passport pictures for your D2 visa application.
1
Pen your Declaration of Intent for your D2 visa application.
FREE D2 checklist
What are the other steps for my D2 Visa?
Unlock for FREE your visa D2 checklist step by step and access to your personal dashboard.
How can I apply for the D2 Entrepreneur Visa?
To apply for the D2 Visa, please follow these steps:
- Gather the required documents: You've seen the step-by-step above! Compile all necessary paperwork, including proof of income, accommodation, and travel insurance.
- Fill out the visa application form: Complete the visa application form accurately.
- Schedule an Appointment: Book an appointment at the nearest Portuguese consulate or VFS Global office.
- Gather the remaining documents: especially those that must be extremely updated (such as the most recent financial reports or updated company set-up, bank statements, and criminal record).
⚠️ If you have any doubts about your documentation, you can hire our service for Visa Dossier Review, where a hired lawyer will approve it and suggest any necessary corrections.
Which documents should I bring for my D2 Entrepreneur visa appointment?
Ensure you have all necessary documents.
- Portuguese NIF;
- Portuguese bank account;
- A valid passport with three (three) months of validity after entering Portugal;
- Proof of accommodation for 12 months (Airbnb and Booking do not apply);
- Proof of funds to secure your stay in Portugal (e.g., bank extracts with the annual Portuguese minimum wage value, and additional in the case of dependents) in a Portuguese bank account;
- 2 recent photographs (3x4);
- Visa Travel insurance covering up to 30,000 euros and repatriation;
- Criminal record check from previous countries of residency (where you lived for one year or more);
- Declaration of intent to move and reside in Portugal and become a tax resident;
- Declaration of investment;
- Business viability documents;
- Visa Fee
How much is my D2 visa fee?
Currently, the fee is 90 euros per person, plus any administrative fees from local offices, which vary depending on the office.
How long will I wait for my D2 visa?
The wait time varies from office to office. Some areas will have a short waiting time—only four weeks; others will take months. Check the estimated time at the office and plan accordingly.
After submitting your visa application, there’s typically a wait time, which can extend for months. Use this period to prepare for your move and gather documents you'll need to present at your AIMA appointment when you arrive in Portugal.
Why should I gather documents for my AIMA appointment?
At your appointment, you will need to present updated documents. Your criminal record may be outside of AIMA's required timeline (same as the visa—no more than 3 months old).
Additionally, some offices may keep your visa interview documents, so be prepared to re-issue some before you go to Portugal.
⚠️ Ensure that you have all the necessary documentation in your home country: Leave a power of attorney in the name of a trusted person; bring copies of the main documents you may leave at home: birth and marriage certificates, house-owning titles, an extra copy of your POA, copies of vaccination cards, or anything else you may need at hand.
What factors could cause my D2 visa application to be rejected?
There are several reasons for that. The most common are:
- Insufficient funds.
- Invalid business documentation.
- Criminal record with annotations.
- Documentation incomplete.
⚠️ If you need any clarification regarding the D2 visa application process, AnchorLess is here for you! We have a free consultation service where you can clear up any doubt.
Is the D2 visa approved? Head to Portugal!
After the approval of your visa, it's time to relocate.
- Final Preparations: Finalize travel arrangements, inform relevant parties (e.g., tax authorities in your home country), and ensure all paperwork is in order, especially what you'll need to present to AIMA.
- Check what you can take with you to Portugal. Some items may be forbidden due to their composition (like hoverboards) or may need a baggage certificate at your local Portuguese consulate (like kitchen appliances).
- Upon arrival in Portugal, register your address with the local authorities (NIF address).
Arrived in Portugal? Schedule an AIMA appointment for your D2 visa
Your D2 Visa will have a 120-day duration period, during which you'll have time to establish yourself in Portugal. Confirm you'll stay at your new home, register yourself with Portuguese health insurance, establish finances, and become a tax resident (move your NIF address to your new home in Portugal).
You must schedule your AIMA appointment during this 120-day period to convert your D2 visa into a residence authorization and provide the necessary documentation proving your settlement in Portugal and your ability to support yourself here in accordance with your visa requirements (values explained at the beginning of this article).
What is AIMA?
Formerly known as 'SEF - Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras' (Immigration and Borders Service), AIMA, 'Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo' (or Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum), is the office responsible for handling matters related to foreigners in Portugal, including their entrance, exit, and legalization.
How can I schedule my AIMA appointment?
AIMA is a bit crowded. As a result, contacting them and scheduling your appointments may pose some difficulties.
⚠️ Be prepared! You may need to make extensive calls, visit the AIMA website frequently, and pay close attention to any information about AIMA from various sources, especially their Facebook official page. Join Facebook groups where you can find shared experiences and tips to successfully schedule your appointment.
What can I expect from my AIMA appointment?
Prepare for and attend your AIMA appointment:
- Biometric data collection (picture, signature, and fingerprints) and verification of documents.
- Documents needed for the AIMA appointment: Bring all the documents you submitted for your visa application (with proof of accommodation updated if you decide to move and business proof if established or in the works), and add to that Portuguese health insurance instead of travel insurance.
⚠️ For the criminal record, you'll need to translate and notarize it (even if it's in your mother tongue).
All set? Just wait for your residence permit to arrive at home!
How much will I pay for my D2 visa residency card?
The AIMA fee for a D2 visa residency card is approximately 159 euros.
How long does my D2 visa residency card last?
Your first residency card will last two years. Subsequent ones will have a longer expiration period.
After my residency card expires, how should I renew it, and how long will it last?
Follow the same process for your first AIMA residency card, with updated documentation, and check the table below to understand the duration period.
| Duration since issue | Minimum stay in Portugal | Renewal period | Renovation qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years |
6 consecutive months, or; 8 non-consecutive months. |
End of 2nd Year | Residency card with 3 years duration |
| 3 years |
6 consecutive months, or; 8 non-consecutive months. |
End of 3rd Year (or 5th year in total) | Residency card with 3 years duration, Permanent residency card, or Portuguese Citizenship |
The path to citizenship
Only five years after your arrival in Portugal, with a D2 visa, you can request Portuguese citizenship, allowing you to freely move between the EEA area and live in any country within the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
What are the requirements for citizenship through a D2 entrepreneur visa?
You must have lived in Portugal for five consecutive years (or five non-consecutive years in the past 15 years), have an A2 level in Portuguese, and have a clean criminal record in Portugal and any previous countries you may have lived in.
Portugal’s D2 Visa offers foreigners a fantastic opportunity to invest in an economically prolific country and enjoy a high quality of life in a beautiful and welcoming country. Understanding the requirements and preparing thoroughly can help you make the transition smoothly and start your new adventure in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions
How much money should I have for my business plan?
Can I work in Portugal with a D2 Entrepreneur Visa?
Freelancers must also present a business plan?
What businesses qualify for a D2 visa?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team of experts.
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