D1 visa Portugal

Residence permit for the exercise of subordinate professional activity

This visa category is intended for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Switzerland) who hold a signed employment contract with a Portuguese employer for a period exceeding 12 months.

Main Requirements:

The applicant must be over 18 years of age and have a valid and properly registered employment contract with a Portuguese employer, with a salary not lower than the national minimum wage in Portugal (€870/month in 2025, €920/month in 2026).

Required Documents:

1. Completed visa application form
2. Passport or other travel document valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended return date; copy of the passport (biographical data)
3. Proof of legal residence status if the applicant is not a citizen of the country where the visa application is submitted; validity must exceed the visa duration
4. Two recent passport-type photographs (3.5×4.5 cm)
5. Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 per person, covering necessary medical expenses, including emergency care and possible repatriation for the entire visa period in Portugal
6. Criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship and any country of residence for over 1 year, with apostille and notarized translation into Portuguese
7. Tax residency certificate
8. Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and registration with the Portuguese social security system (NISS)
9. Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental agreement, property ownership documents, or a declaration of accommodation from a Portuguese citizen who owns the property and can provide it to the applicant) — required for Step 3

10. Employment Verification Documents:

Employment contract with a Portuguese employer (minimum 12 months), stating a salary not lower than the national minimum wage (€870/month in 2025 / €920/month in 2026), registered with the social security system (NISS) and tax authority (NIF).

* Additional (if applicable):

1. Declaration from IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) confirming that the vacancy is not filled by Portuguese, EU, EEA citizens or persons with residence rights (www.iefp.pt)
2. Copy of diploma or qualification certificate (if the profession is regulated)
3. Cover letter explaining the purpose of relocation and professional activity

11. Proof of Income:

1. Bank statements dated at the time of application — covering the last 3 months, confirming income deposits according to the required limits for this visa category (€870/month in 2025 / €920/month in 2026)
2. Bank statements showing account balances at the time of application, confirming sufficient funds for subsistence (€10,440 in 2025 / €11,040 in 2026)

*All documents must be apostilled, translated into Portuguese or English, and notarized.

*The employer must confirm payment of social security contributions and have no outstanding tax or contribution debts.

Visa is issued for 4 months. Followed by issuance of a residence permit valid for 2 years, or a 1-year visa without residence permit.

Application Steps:

Step 1. Booking an appointment at the consulate

After collecting all required documents, the appointment is scheduled via the E-Visa portal or by email in countries where separate applications are submitted.

To apply online, the form must be correctly filled out with personal data and documents attached. This visa category allows joint applications with spouse and/or children. In such cases, the monthly income requirement increases. Each family member, including minors, must submit a separate application form and document package.

Step 2. Visit to the consulate

On the scheduled date, the applicant must present original documents and certified translations at the Portuguese consulate or VFS. Processing time is up to 60 days.

Consulates may request additional documents beyond the listed items. Incomplete applications may be rejected. After review, the visa will be approved or denied. In case of unjustified refusal, the applicant has 15 days to appeal.

Step 3. Appointment with AIMA

After receiving the visa (valid for 120 days), the applicant must schedule an appointment with AIMA to submit biometric data and additional documents, after which the residence card will be issued. Required documents include: a new criminal record certificate, rental agreement in Portugal for at least 12 months, notarized declaration from the property owner, and bank statements for the last 3 months. Additional documents may be requested.

Step 4. Receiving the residence card (Título de residência)

Within 15–90 days after the AIMA appointment, the residence permit card will be mailed or can be collected in person at the AIMA office. To collect it in person, an additional €25 must be paid at the time of submission.