In short — as of July 2026: There is no single "best" way to move to Portugal — the right route depends on how you earn. Live on passive income? The D7. Work remotely? The D8. Building a business? The D2 or Startup Visa. Have a Portuguese job offer? The Tech Visa or EU Blue Card. Have capital to invest and want minimal presence? The Golden Visa. EU/EEA citizens need no visa at all. Every route (except the Golden Visa) requires genuinely living in Portugal, and all of them lead to the same destination: permanent residency at 5 years and citizenship at 7 years (EU/CPLP) or 10 years (others), starting with a NIF.
Most "how to move to Portugal" pages push whichever route the writer sells. This one does not. Below is every route that exists in 2026, laid out honestly — who each genuinely suits, what it really requires, and the trade-offs — so you can find your route rather than the most profitable one for an agency. If you want the shortcut, our free route finder points you to a likely fit in 60 seconds.
Start with how you earn
The single question that determines your route is where your money comes from:
- Passive income (pension, rent, dividends) → D7
- Remote work for clients or employers abroad → D8
- Running or starting a business in Portugal → D2 or Startup Visa
- A job offer from a Portuguese employer → Tech Visa / EU Blue Card
- Still job-hunting → Job-Seeker Visa
- Capital to invest, minimal time in Portugal → Golden Visa
- EU/EEA passport → no visa; just register locally
The residence routes, honestly
D7 — passive income / retirees
For people who live on stable passive income. You show at least the minimum wage — €920/month (~€11,040/year) for the main applicant, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per child — with a matching savings cushion. Low cost, but it demands real relocation: you must genuinely live in Portugal and become a tax resident. Full detail in the D7 visa guide.
D8 — digital nomad / remote work
For non-EU nationals working remotely for clients or employers outside Portugal. You show stable income of about €3,680/month (four times the minimum wage) plus savings. Like the D7, it requires actually living here. See the D8 digital nomad visa guide.
D2 — entrepreneurs and business owners
For people starting or relocating a business in Portugal — a viable business plan, the funds to back it, and genuine operations. Broader and more traditional than the Startup Visa. See the D2 visa guide.
Startup Visa — innovative, scalable startups
For founders building an innovative, high-growth company. The route runs through a Portuguese accredited incubator that endorses your project. Best for genuinely scalable tech/innovation ideas, not lifestyle businesses. See the Startup Visa guide.
Tech Visa / EU Blue Card — skilled professionals with an offer
For qualified professionals who already have a job offer from a Portuguese employer in a skilled role. The fastest route when an employer is behind you. See what to know about the Tech Visa.
Job-Seeker Visa — come and look for work
Lets you enter Portugal legally to look for qualified employment, converting to a work permit once you find a role. For skilled people who want to job-hunt on the ground. See the Job-Seeker Visa guide.
Golden Visa — investment, minimal presence
The only route that does not require relocating. You invest — from €250,000 (arts) or €500,000 (fund, research) — and spend only about 7 days a year in Portugal. High capital, minimal presence, and the slowest processing. See the Golden Visa routes guide for every qualifying option.
EU / EEA citizens — no visa needed
If you hold an EU/EEA passport you have freedom of movement: no visa. Stay beyond three months and you simply register for a residence certificate at your local council.
Every route, side by side
| Route | Best for | Key requirement | Time in Portugal | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D7 | Passive income / retirees | ~€920/mo income | Real residence | Low |
| D8 | Remote workers | ~€3,680/mo income | Real residence | Low |
| D2 | Business owners | Viable business + funds | Real residence | Moderate |
| Startup Visa | Innovative founders | Accredited incubator | Real residence | Low–moderate |
| Tech Visa / Blue Card | Skilled with job offer | Portuguese job offer | Real residence | Low |
| Job-Seeker | Skilled job-hunters | Means to search | Real residence | Low |
| Golden Visa | Investors | €250k–€500k invested | ~7 days/year | High |
| EU / EEA | EU passport holders | Register locally | As you wish | Minimal |
The shared destination
Whichever route you take, the path afterwards is the same. Your first step is always a NIF (Portuguese tax number). Once resident, you can apply for permanent residency after 5 years, and citizenship eligibility begins at 7 years for EU/CPLP nationals or 10 years for others — counted from when your permit is issued, with an A2 Portuguese exam. So the route is really about how you get in; the destination is common to all.
How to choose
Match the route to your reality, not to a brochure. If you have steady passive income and want to live here, the D7 is hard to beat. If you work remotely, the D8. If you're building something, the D2 or Startup Visa. If an employer wants you, the Tech Visa. And if you have capital but not the time to relocate, the Golden Visa — accepting its higher cost and long timelines. Our 60-second route finder gives you a likely starting point, and every deep guide above fills in the detail.
Frequently asked questions
For most people with steady passive income it's the D7; for remote workers, the D8. Both have modest requirements but need genuine relocation. The Golden Visa avoids relocating but costs far more.
Only the Golden Visa — it requires an average of about seven days a year. Every other residence route requires you to genuinely live in Portugal.
Yes. All lead to permanent residency at 5 years and citizenship eligibility at 7 years (EU/CPLP) or 10 years (others), with an A2 Portuguese exam, counted from when your permit is issued.
It depends on the route — from proving about €920/month of passive income for the D7, to €3,680/month for the D8, to €250,000–€500,000 invested for the Golden Visa.
This guide is general information about the residency routes set out in Portuguese law, not legal or tax advice. Requirements, thresholds and timelines change. Confirm the current position with an official source and take independent professional advice before acting.
Not sure which route fits? Try our free route finder, or speak with our advisers for a clear, no-pressure assessment of your options.