Startup Visa

The D2 Visa Portugal

The D2 Visa Portugal, also known as the "Immigrant Entrepreneur Visa," is a residency visa for people from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland who want to start a new business in Portugal, move an existing business there, or invest in a Portuguese company. The D2 Visa is different from the Golden Visa because it is more about active entrepreneurship than passive capital investment.

D2 Visa: Who Is The Right Fit And Who Is Not?

The D2 Visa Portugal is Perfect For:

• Entrepreneurs: People who have a good business idea and want to start their business in Europe.

• Existing Business Owners: People who want to open a branch or subsidiary of their foreign company in Portugal.

• Independent Service Providers: Freelancers or consultants who have turned their work into a business and have clients, even if those clients are not in Portugal.

• Those Looking for Residency: People who really want to live in Portugal for most of the year.

The D2 Visa is NOT for:

• Purely Passive Investors: The D2 Visa Portugal is not the right choice for you if you want to invest money but not run a business. You might want to look into the Golden Visa or D7.

• Remote Employees: If you work for a foreign company and don't plan to start a business in Portugal, the Digital Nomad Visa (D8) is probably a better choice.

• Absentee Residents: People who only want to spend a few weeks a year in Portugal.

Advantages of the D2 Visa Portugal

For business owners the D2 Visa has a lot of benefits:

• No Minimum Investment Cap: There is no set legal minimum investment amount (like €500k) for the Golden Visa. The investment just needs to be "related" to the business plan. A factory would need more money than a service-based business would.

• Family Reunification: The main applicant can bring their spouse, children and parents who depend on them.

• Access to the Schengen Zone: If you live in Portugal, you can travel to all 29 countries in the Schengen Area without a visa.

• Path to Citizenship: You can apply for Portuguese citizenship (and an EU passport) after living in Portugal legally for five years.

• Flexibility for Business Travel: The D2 Visa Portugal has minimum stay requirements, usually 6 months in a row or 8 months not in a row per residency permit timeframe (every 2 or 3 yers), and it allows for exceptions if you have to leave for business or professional reasons. 

• Tax Efficiency: New residents may be able to take advantage of the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, which can lower taxes on foreign income and some Portuguese-sourced income by a lot for 10 years.

D2 Visa Eligibility & Requirements

The D2 Visa is different from other visas because it is based on how well you do business. 

• Business Plan: This is the most important part of the application. You can't just say you "want" to start a business. You need to send in a full business plan. This plan needs to show that the project is economically feasible, that it has been researched in the market, that it will make money, and that it will create jobs.

• Government Assessment: Portuguese authorities look over this business plan. They look at how the plan will affect Portugal's economy and society.

• Proof of Means of Subsistence: You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay, regardless of how much money the business is expected to make.

• Business Constitution: Before your visa is approved, you usually need to have taken steps to set up the company (or at least reserved the name) and opened a business bank account in Portugal.

Get Expert Help For Your Visa Approval! 

Option A: Complete D2 Visa Assistance

Best for: Most entrepreneurs who want professional legal assurance and hands-on support throughout the entire visa process.

What's included:

• Visa Assessment: We determine the most suitable visa pathway for your specific situation

• NIF & Bank Account: Full assistance obtaining your Portuguese tax ID and opening a personal bank account

• Document Checking & Guidance: Thorough review of all documents before submission to catch errors that cause rejections

• Unlimited Email Support: Get answers to all your inquiries throughout the process

• Video Consultations: Direct access to an immigration lawyer for personalized guidance

• Live Interpreter: Professional interpretation services for your visa interviews

Price: €1,595

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Option B: Complete D2 Visa Portugal Assistance PLUS

Best for: Entrepreneurs who want not just visa approval, but a smooth transition into life and business in Portugal.

What's included:

• Everything in the Complete Visa Assistance Package

• Tax Lawyer Consultation: Strategic session on corporate tax structure and optimization for you and your Portuguese business

• Property Finder: Dedicated support locating accommodation that meets visa requirements

• File for AIMA Appointment: We handle the critical residence permit appointment scheduling on your behalf

Getting an AIMA appointment can be difficult or impossible depending on your situation. While it depends entirely on backlogs, typically, we’re about to secure an AIMA appointment in about 4 months after filing.

Price: €2,810

Book Complete Visa Assistance PLUS →