A Portuguese bank account is required to prove funds for visa applications like the D7 and D2, and to receive income or pay bills once resident. Visas.pt opens one remotely using a notarized Power of Attorney for €395, typically completing in 4–6 weeks, and requires a valid NIF first.
Who This Is For
Open your Portuguese bank account before you arrive
A Portuguese IBAN is essential for visa applications, property purchases, and everyday life in Portugal. We handle the entire process remotely via Power of Attorney.
✅ This service works if you…
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Are buying or renting property in PortugalA local bank account is required for rental agreements, utility setup, and property purchases.
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Are applying for a D7, D2, or D8 visaMost visa packages include the bank account — or you can add it on its own.
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Are still in your home countryNo need to be in Portugal. Our Power of Attorney handles everything legally.
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Need a Portuguese IBAN for salary or pensionEssential for receiving income in Portugal or transferring funds tax-efficiently.
⚠️ A few things to know first…
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You must have a NIF number firstWe can't open a bank account without a valid Portuguese tax number. Don't have one? Get your NIF →
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A Power of Attorney requires notarisationThe PoA document needs to be signed and notarised — we guide you through this step.
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Bank processing takes 4–6 weeksPortuguese banks are thorough. We manage the process and keep you updated throughout.
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You may need to visit a branch once activatedSome banks require a brief in-person visit when you arrive to activate online banking.
Pricing
Choose the right level of support
No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup, with a 50% discount for the second person and a 70% discount for dependants.
Bank Account
€395
Remote opening, no branch visit needed
Apply for Bank account
Certify documents via video call
Power of Attorney (limited timeframe)
Process typically takes over a month
(estimated time based on after we have received your documents and is not guaranteed)
I'd read that Portuguese banks can be slow and bureaucratic, so I was bracing myself. Visas.pt had my NIF ready first, then submitted everything to the bank on my behalf. My account was active two weeks before I even landed — I could transfer my deposit for my apartment straight away.
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Sarah M.
American, account opened before arriving in Lisbon
Result
Bank account opened remotely ahead of arrival. Funds transferred and available for rental deposit on day one in Lisbon.
★★★★★
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We tried two banks ourselves and got stuck both times — one wanted a Portuguese phone number we didn't have yet, the other just stopped replying. Visas.pt knew exactly which bank would work for our situation and had the account set up within a week.
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Emma & Tom W.
British couple, relocating to Porto
Result
Joint account opened with a bank suited to non-resident applicants. Account active within 7 days after two prior DIY attempts failed.
★★★★★
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The account itself was sorted quickly and the team chased the bank when things went quiet on their end, which I appreciated. My only minor gripe is that the bank's own onboarding call took longer to schedule than I expected — but that was the bank, not Visas.pt, and they kept me updated throughout.
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David K.
Canadian, D7 applicant
Result
Account opened and ready in time to demonstrate proof of funds for the D7 application. Minor delay on the bank side, well communicated.
FAQ
Questions about our Bank Account
Yes. Non-residents can legally open a Portuguese bank account before moving to Portugal — you only need a valid passport, proof of address, and a Portuguese NIF number. Our lawyers open the account remotely via Power of Attorney for €395, so you never need to visit a branch.
Through a Power of Attorney granted to our Portuguese lawyers. We prepare the PoA, certify your documents by video call, submit the application to the bank, and manage all communication in Portuguese. The account — with IBAN, debit card, and online banking — is ready before you arrive in Portugal.
We work with major Portuguese banks including Millennium BCP and Caixa Geral de Depósitos — both established, full-service banks that accept non-resident applications and are widely used for D7, D8, and Golden Visa purposes. We recommend the best fit based on your nationality, residency plans, and fees.
For most Portugal residency visas, yes. The D7, D8, and D2 visas require you to show subsistence funds held in a Portuguese bank account at the time of application — for 2026 that's at least €11,040 for a single applicant. A Portuguese account is also needed to pay rent, utilities, and Portuguese taxes.
Typically: a valid passport, your Portuguese NIF number, proof of foreign address (utility bill or bank statement), and proof of income or employment. If you don't yet have a NIF, we can obtain it first (€95, about 7 business days) or bundle both services together.
Typically 4–6 weeks from the moment we have your complete documents. Portuguese banks apply strict KYC and anti-money-laundering checks for non-residents, which we manage entirely on your behalf, keeping you updated at every stage.
Yes. US citizens can open Portuguese bank accounts, though banks apply FATCA reporting requirements, which adds paperwork. We work with FATCA-compliant Portuguese banks experienced with American clients and prepare the extra documentation, making the process smooth for US applicants.
Ready to Start?
Get your Portuguese bank account open — before you land
Book now and our team will guide you through every step. Most clients have their IBAN within 4–6 weeks.