Answer: The D2 is Portugal's residence visa for entrepreneurs, sole traders and independent service providers - people who will earn an active income in Portugal by running a business or working freelance. Its legal basis is Article 89 of Law 23/2007. Unlike the D7 (which is for passive income such as pensions or rent), the D2 expects a real, viable activity in Portugal. There is no statutory minimum investment, but you must show a credible business and enough savings to support yourself: for 2026 that baseline is EUR 11,040 for a single applicant (12 x the EUR 920 minimum wage).
Who the D2 is for
The D2 covers three overlapping situations: independent professionals in a liberal profession working under a services contract; migrant entrepreneurs investing in or starting a business; and founders going through the Startup Visa programme (a D2 sub-track that needs an incubation contract certified by IAPMEI). If your income is passive, the D7 is the better fit; if you have a job offer from a Portuguese employer, look at the D3 (highly qualified activity) instead.
Eligibility requirements
| Requirement | What to prove |
|---|---|
| Activity in Portugal | A registered Portuguese business, or a written service-provider proposal/contract for a liberal profession |
| Viability | A credible business plan showing the activity's economic relevance; consulates assess this at their discretion |
| Financial means | Savings of at least EUR 11,040 for the main applicant (see the table below) |
| Investment | No fixed legal minimum; show capital appropriate to your activity |
| Accommodation | Proof of housing in Portugal (deed, registered lease, or a host's term of responsibility) |
| Clean record | Criminal-record certificate, apostilled and translated |
| Insurance | Travel/health insurance valid for the visa period |
Financial means for 2026
Portugal's 2026 minimum wage is EUR 920/month (Decreto-Lei 139/2025). The means test for a residence visa scales from it: 100% for the first adult, 50% for each further adult, and 30% for each child, multiplied across the 12-month visa period.
| Household | Savings to show (2026) | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | EUR 11,040/year | EUR 920 x 12 |
| + each additional adult | + EUR 5,520 | 50% of the base |
| + each child | + EUR 3,312 | 30% of the base |
Documents checklist
- National visa application form, signed, with two passport photos and a personal statement.
- Passport valid beyond the visa period, plus proof of legal status if you apply outside your country of nationality.
- Proof of financial means (usually the last three months of bank statements).
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal.
- Criminal-record certificate, apostilled and translated; plus authorisation for a Portuguese check.
- Travel/health insurance covering the visa period.
- Activity evidence: company registration or a service-provider proposal, an investment/financial-means proof, or an IAPMEI declaration for the Startup Visa track.
Application process and timeline
You apply for the D2 at the Portuguese consulate (or VFS centre) for your area. The visa is issued for 120 days with two entries, and the legal decision target is up to 60 days. Inside that window you attend an AIMA appointment in Portugal to collect your residence permit. Note a 2026-relevant change: the old in-country 'expression of interest' route that let people regularise without a residence visa was revoked in June 2024 (Decreto-Lei 37-A/2024), so a consular D2 obtained before arrival is now required.
Costs and government fees (2026)
| Fee | 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular national visa | EUR 110 | Per applicant |
| AIMA reception/analysis | EUR 133 | Discount for fully digital submission |
| AIMA permit grant | EUR 307.20 | On approval of the residence permit |
Government fees shown are 2026 figures; AIMA updated its fee table on 1 March 2026, so confirm current amounts before you apply.
Duration, renewal and citizenship
Path to settlement: a temporary permit is typically issued for 2 years, then renewed for 3-year periods. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residence (with A2-level Portuguese). Citizenship rules changed in 2026: under Lei Orgânica 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026), naturalisation now needs 10 years of legal residence in general, or 7 years for citizens of EU and Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries, counted from the date your first residence permit is issued. Applications filed on or before 18 May 2026 keep the previous 5-year rule.
Common pitfalls
- A thin or generic business plan with no clear market, revenue model or relevance to Portugal.
- Financial proof below the threshold, or a large unexplained recent deposit.
- Un-apostilled or untranslated documents, or expired insurance.
- Trying to use the revoked in-country route instead of obtaining the consular D2 first.
How the D2 compares to other Portugal routes
| Route | Best for | Income or means (2026) | Read the guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | Entrepreneurs and independent professionals | ~EUR 11,040 savings + a viable business | This page |
| D7 | Passive income (pension, rent, dividends) | ~EUR 11,040/year passive income | D7 guide |
| D8 | Remote workers for non-Portuguese employers/clients | EUR 3,680/month remote income | D8 guide |
| Startup | Founders of innovative, scalable startups | Certified-incubator endorsement | Startup guide |
| Golden Visa | Investors | From EUR 500,000 | Golden Visa guide |
Taxes for D2 holders (2026)
Most new residents can apply for Portugal's inbound-worker tax regime, the IFICI (the successor to NHR), which can tax qualifying Portuguese-source professional income at a flat 20% and largely exempt foreign-source income, for up to 10 years. It is not automatic, depends on your activity qualifying, and you become tax-resident once you spend more than 183 days in Portugal (or have your habitual home there). This is general information, not tax advice; confirm your position with a Portuguese tax adviser.
Bringing your family
D2 holders can apply for family reunification for a spouse or partner, dependent children, and dependent parents - either together with the main application or once you hold the permit. Plan for the higher means threshold (add 50% of the base for each extra adult and 30% for each child) and budget the per-person AIMA reunification fee. See our Portugal family reunion service for help.
How Movingto helps
Movingto helps you check route fit (D2 vs D7 vs D3), build the business and evidence file, and coordinate the practical steps and legal handoff. We are not a law firm and do not replace regulated legal or tax advice. See our D2 application service for what we handle.