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Entrepreneur Visa

Portugal D2 Visa Services

Full legal coordination from company formation to residence permit. Handled by licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers who understand what consulates actually approve.

For entrepreneurs, business owners, freelancers, and independent professionals who intend to operate in Portugal.

2,500+

Successful applications across all programs

98%

Approval rate across all visa programs

3-6 mo

Typical D2 timeline

No minimum investment -- qualify through a viable business plan and proof of capital

Any business sector -- no industry restrictions, no incubator requirements

Family reunification -- spouse, children, and dependent parents eligible for residence

Licensed lawyers registered with the Portuguese Bar Association

About the D2

Portugal's Residence Visa for Entrepreneurs

The D2 visa grants residency to non-EU nationals who intend to start, acquire, or operate a business in Portugal. Unlike the Golden Visa, there is no minimum investment threshold -- eligibility is based on a viable business plan and sufficient capital to establish and sustain operations.

The D2 also covers freelancers and independent professionals providing services in the Portuguese market. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Last updated: February 2026

Read our full D2 visa guide

Qualifying Activity

Launch a new company, acquire an existing Portuguese business, open a branch of a foreign company, or work as a freelancer or independent professional. No sector restrictions and no incubator approval required.

We help structure your business plan to meet consulate expectations.

Financial Requirements

No fixed minimum investment. You must demonstrate sufficient capital to establish your business and cover at least 12 months of living expenses in Portugal. Proof can include savings, funding commitments, or a loan from a Portuguese bank.

Stay Requirements

The D2 requires habitual residence in Portugal -- typically 6 consecutive months or 8 months total per year. This is an active residency visa designed for entrepreneurs who will operate their business from Portugal.

Path to Citizenship

After 5 years of legal residence, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship and an EU passport. Requires A2 Portuguese language level and a clean criminal record. Proposed legislation may adjust timelines -- we advise on the current position.

Why MovingTo

Licensed Lawyers, Not Consultants

Your D2 application is handled by lawyers registered with the Portuguese Bar Association who manage the case directly -- from business plan review through to residence permit issuance.

Licensed Legal Team

Registered with the Portuguese Bar Association. Your lawyer manages the full process from company formation through to residence permit issuance. Direct accountability, no handoffs.

Business Plan Structuring

We know what Portuguese consulates approve. Our team reviews and structures your business plan to demonstrate economic relevance, financial viability, and alignment with consulate expectations.

Multi-Market Experience

Over 2,500 successful immigration applications across Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. We understand how consulates and AIMA evaluate entrepreneur visa applications in practice.

Service Scope

What We Handle, What We Don't

We Handle

  • Initial eligibility review and business concept assessment
  • Business plan review and structuring for consulate submission
  • Portuguese NIF (tax number) registration
  • Company formation in Portugal (or branch registration)
  • Portuguese bank account opening coordination
  • Criminal record certificates and apostilles
  • Sworn translations of all required documents
  • Consulate appointment preparation and submission
  • AIMA residence permit application after arrival
  • Family reunification documentation and coordination

We Don't

  • Guarantee visa approvals -- decisions rest with Portuguese authorities
  • Write your business plan from scratch -- we review and structure it
  • Provide ongoing business consulting or operational management
  • Provide tax advisory services unless separately contracted
  • Arrange office space, commercial property, or accommodation

From Enquiry to Residence Permit

Typical timeline: 3 to 6 months

01

Eligibility & Business Review

Free consultation to assess your business concept, financial position, and relocation timeline. We confirm whether your plan meets consulate expectations and advise on the strongest presentation approach.

02

Company & Documentation

We register your NIF, form your Portuguese company (or register a branch), coordinate bank account opening, structure your business plan, and prepare all supporting documentation including apostilles and translations.

03

Consulate Submission

Your D2 visa application is filed at the nearest Portuguese consulate to your country of residence. We prepare you for the appointment and provide the complete application dossier including business plan and proof of capital.

04

Residence Permit

After arriving in Portugal, we schedule your AIMA biometrics appointment and manage the residence permit application. Family reunification is coordinated in the same engagement.

Client Results

"Launched a hospitality business in Lisbon. The legal team handled company formation, NIF, bank account, and the consulate dossier. Residence permit issued 4 months after our first call."

T. & N. Okoro

Hospitality startup -- New company -- Applied from Nigeria, 2024

"Freelance UX designer relocating from Toronto. MovingTo structured my business plan to show economic relevance to Portugal. Consulate approved it on the first submission."

S. Tremblay

Independent professional -- Freelance -- Applied from Canada, 2024

"Opened a Portuguese branch of our UK consultancy. The lawyers handled the branch registration and all immigration paperwork simultaneously. Family of 4, all with residence permits within 5 months."

D. & A. Mahmoud

Family of 4 -- Branch registration -- Applied from UK, 2023

"Acquired a small tech company in Porto. MovingTo coordinated the business acquisition documentation alongside the visa application. Clean process, no surprises on fees or timeline."

R. Andersen

Individual applicant -- Business acquisition -- Applied from Norway, 2024

Common Questions

Working With Us

Is there a minimum investment required for the D2 visa?

No fixed minimum investment is required. However, you must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to establish and sustain your business in Portugal, along with funds to cover your living expenses for at least 12 months. We help you structure proof of capital that satisfies consulate requirements.

What type of business qualifies for the D2 visa?

Any legitimate business activity qualifies. You can launch a new company, acquire an existing Portuguese business, open a branch of a foreign company, or work as an independent professional or freelancer. There are no sector restrictions, no incubator requirements, and no job creation thresholds. The key requirement is a viable business plan demonstrating economic relevance to Portugal.

Can freelancers and independent professionals apply?

Yes. The D2 visa covers self-employed individuals, freelancers, and independent professionals who intend to provide services in Portugal. You will need a service contract or documented work proposal and, where applicable, proof of professional qualifications.

Can my family join me on the D2 visa?

Yes. Your spouse or legal partner, dependent children, and financially dependent parents can obtain residence permits through family reunification once your D2 residence permit is issued. Additional proof of financial means is required for each family member.

What are the stay requirements?

D2 visa holders must establish habitual residence in Portugal, typically spending at least 6 consecutive months or 8 months total per year in the country. This is an active residency visa -- it requires a genuine presence in Portugal, not just a nominal address.

What is the path to citizenship through the D2 visa?

After 5 years of legal residence, D2 visa holders may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. Citizenship requires an A2 Portuguese language qualification and a clean criminal record. Note that proposed legislation may extend the residency requirement -- we advise on the current position at consultation.

Get Started

Start Your D2 Visa Application

Get a personalised eligibility assessment and business plan review from our licensed Portuguese legal team.

Your Case Is Reviewed By

Ines Cabral Almeida

Licensed Immigration Lawyer

Portuguese Bar Association -- Registration No. 61676P

Specialising in entrepreneur and investment visa applications, Ines Cabral Almeida reviews every eligibility assessment and oversees the legal process from company formation to residence permit issuance.

2,500+ successful applications across all programs -- 98% approval rate -- 4 European markets

Check Your Eligibility

Free assessment with a licensed immigration lawyer. No obligation.

Your information is used only to respond to your request.

After You Submit

  • Lawyer reviews your business concept and eligibility within 24 hours
  • You receive a roadmap, timeline, and cost breakdown
  • We begin NIF registration and company formation coordination
Portugal D2 Visa Check Eligibility