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.
Portugal rating from AnchorLess
⭐️ Overall Living
💶 Cost of living
7.8/10
💻 Internet
9.5/10
👍 Safety
9.1/10
👥 Community score
8.5/10
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
For a single person, the value is the annual Portuguese minimum wage, 9.840,00 €.
If you have dependents, the threshold changes accordingly.
You can bring:
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.
Preparation is critical to a successful D2 visa application.
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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.
To apply for the D2 Visa, please follow these steps:
⚠️ 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.
Ensure you have all necessary documents.
Currently, the fee is 90 euros per person, plus any administrative fees from local offices, which vary depending on the office.
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.
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.
There are several reasons for that. The most common are:
⚠️ 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.
After the approval of your visa, it's time to relocate.
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).
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.
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.
Prepare for and attend your AIMA appointment:
⚠️ 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!
The AIMA fee for a D2 visa residency card is approximately 159 euros.
Your first residency card will last two years. Subsequent ones will have a longer expiration period.
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 |
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.
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.
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