Answer: The D4 is Portugal's residence visa for study and related activity lasting more than a year - higher education, research, secondary-school exchange, internships and volunteering. You need proof of admission to a recognised Portuguese institution and enough funds to support yourself: for 2026 that means showing an available bank balance of at least EUR 920 for each month of your stay. The higher-education study residence permit is issued for up to three years (or the programme's duration if shorter) and is renewable for equal periods; confirm your category's term with AIMA.
Who the D4 is for
The D4 covers degree students (bachelor's, master's, PhD), researchers, recognised secondary-school exchange students, interns at certified hosts, and volunteers. Programmes shorter than about a year usually fall under a temporary-stay visa instead. Scholarship holders and citizens of Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries benefit from several exemptions.
Financial means for 2026
Portugal's 2026 minimum wage is EUR 920/month (Decreto-Lei 139/2025). For the D4 you must show an available bank balance of at least EUR 920 for each month of the intended stay - income from a grant or contract counts as a source, but the balance still has to be there. Family members are added at 50% per extra adult and 30% per child.
| Who | Funds per month (2026) | Annualised (12-month year) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student (main applicant) | EUR 920 | about EUR 11,040 | 100% of the minimum wage |
| + each additional adult | + EUR 460 | + about EUR 5,520 | 50% |
| + each child | + EUR 276 | + about EUR 3,312 | 30% |
| Scholarship / CPLP students | May be exempt | May be exempt | Check your category |
Eligibility and documents
- Proof of admission or enrolment at a recognised Portuguese institution (or research/internship/volunteering agreement).
- Proof of accommodation; students and interns may use a confirmed booking of at least one month.
- Proof of funds (see above), unless exempt.
- National visa application form, passport valid beyond the visa period, and a personal statement.
- Travel/health insurance and a criminal-record certificate (for applicants aged 16+), apostilled and translated.
Application process and timeline
Apply at your Portuguese consulate or VFS centre. The standard processing time is 60 days, and the visa is issued for 120 days with two entries. After you arrive, you attend an AIMA appointment to collect the residence permit - bring a complete file, because incomplete AIMA appointments are rejected.
Work rights while studying
Higher-education students on a D4 permit can generally work part-time (commonly up to about 20 hours a week during term, and full-time in holidays), after notifying AIMA when they start work. Secondary-school students, unpaid trainees and volunteers cannot work on the permit. Confirm the current hours limit with AIMA before relying on it.
Costs and government fees (2026)
| Fee | 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular national visa | EUR 110 | Scholarship holders are exempt |
| AIMA reception/analysis | EUR 133 | Lower via the digital channel |
| AIMA permit grant | EUR 307.20 | Reception/analysis EUR 133 is separate; confirm the current line with AIMA |
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 the path to residence
The higher-education study permit is issued for up to three years (or the length of your programme if shorter) and renewed for equal periods (AIMA, Art. 91). Importantly, time spent on a study permit counts at half when calculating the period for permanent residence - two years of study count as one qualifying year.
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
- Treating the EUR 920 as monthly income rather than an available balance, scaled across every month of the stay.
- Applying on a conditional offer instead of a firm admission/enrolment letter.
- Short or unregistered accommodation proof, or an apostille/translation gap on the criminal record.
- Arriving at the AIMA appointment with an incomplete file (auto-rejected since April 2025).
Tuition, accreditation and setting up
Check that your institution and programme are recognised: Portuguese higher-education institutions and courses are accredited through DGES and A3ES, and the D4 requires a recognised institution. Public-university tuition for non-EU students is commonly around EUR 1,500 to EUR 7,000 per year for undergraduate and master's programmes (private institutions cost more); confirm the exact fee with your school. After you arrive you will also need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and usually a local bank account to manage rent and fees.
After your studies: staying in Portugal
A D4 is a stepping stone. On graduating you can apply for a job-search residence permit, or switch to a work or business route - the D3 (highly qualified employment), D8 (remote work), or D2 (your own business). Time on a study permit counts at half toward permanent residence, so plan the transition early to keep your residence clock moving.
Bringing your family
Family reunification is more limited for students than for workers, and is assessed case by case - it is not guaranteed on a study permit. If you plan to bring family, confirm eligibility with AIMA or a lawyer before you apply, and budget the higher means threshold (add 50% of the base per adult, 30% per child).
How Movingto helps
Movingto helps students check the funds and enrolment evidence, prepare the consular file, and coordinate the AIMA step. We are not a law firm and do not replace regulated legal or tax advice. See our D4 student visa service for what we handle.