# How to Move to Portugal in 2026: Every Visa & Residency Route Compared

> An honest, side-by-side comparison of every way to move to Portugal in 2026 — D7, D8, D2, Startup, Tech, Job-Seeker and the Golden Visa — with who each suits, the real requirements, costs, presence rules and the shared path to residency and citizenship.

- Source: https://www.growinportugal.com/how-to-move-to-portugal-visa-routes-compared
- Publisher: GrowIN Portugal (https://www.growinportugal.com)
- Published: 2026-07-30
- Last reviewed: 2026-08-28
- Language: en

> **In short — as of August 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 [GrowIN Advisor](/#advisor) points you to a likely fit in 60 seconds. Every threshold and legal reference below is tracked on our [verified visa data page](/data/visas).

## 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** (Art. 57.º-A — not yet operational in 2026)
- **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 (Art. 58.º of Lei 23/2007). You show at least the minimum wage — **€920/month (~€11,040/year)** for the main applicant, plus 50% (€460/month) for a spouse and 30% (€276/month) 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](/portugal-d7-visa-guide/).

### D8 — Digital Nomad / Remote Work

For non-EU nationals working remotely for clients or employers **outside** Portugal (Art. 61.º-B of Lei 23/2007). 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](/the-new-portuguese-digital-nomads-visa/).

### D2 — Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

For people starting or relocating a business in Portugal (Art. 60.º of Lei 23/2007) — 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](/portugal-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](/a-step-by-step-guide-to-portugal-startup-visa/).

### 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](/10-things-to-know-about-portugal-tech-visa/).

### Job-Seeker Visa — Not Yet Operational in 2026

The "visto para procura de trabalho qualificado" (**Art. 57.º-A of Lei 23/2007**, renamed and narrowed to *qualified* work by Lei 61/2025) is designed to let you enter Portugal legally to look for skilled employment and convert to a work permit once you find a role. As of August 2026, however, it is **not yet available at consular posts**, pending the regulation of Art. 57.º-A — the earlier 120 + 60-day duration figures are superseded, so no current duration can be stated. See the [Job-Seeker Visa guide](/portugal-job-seeker-visa/).

### 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](/portugal-golden-visa-investment-routes/) 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 (not yet operational) | 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](/tax-and-nif/)** (Portuguese tax number). Once resident, you can apply for [permanent residency after 5 years](/portugal-permanent-residency-guide/), 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 GrowIN Advisor](/#advisor) gives you a likely starting point, and every deep guide above fills in the detail.

## FAQ

**What is the easiest way to move to Portugal?** 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.

**Which Portugal visa doesn't require living there?** 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.

**Do all routes lead to citizenship?** 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.

**How much money do I need to move to Portugal?** 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 [GrowIN Advisor](/#advisor), or [speak with our advisers](/services/immigration-lawyer/) for a clear, no-pressure assessment of your options.

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© GrowIN Portugal. Cite as: GrowIN Portugal, "How to Move to Portugal in 2026: Every Visa & Residency Route Compared", https://www.growinportugal.com/how-to-move-to-portugal-visa-routes-compared