Upon learning that you have been accepted for a new job in Portugal, you may need to apply for a Portuguese work visa, depending on your nationality. For most non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who already have a job offer in Portugal, this usually means applying for a Portuguese national residence visa for work before traveling to Portugal.
Portugal is a member of the European Union (EU), which currently has 27 member states. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally do not need a work visa to work in Portugal. However, if they plan to live in Portugal for more than three months, they must apply for an EU registration certificate at the local council within 30 days after their first three months in Portugal. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals generally need a long-stay visa to enter and stay in Portugal for more than 90 days, unless an exemption applies.
Preliminary research shows that the process can be confusing and complicated. Fortunately, we have collected the information and made the process easier to understand by laying out the main items you may need and what is involved in getting a work visa in Portugal.
Steps to Apply for a Portuguese Work Visa
Here is everything you need to know, step by step:
Step 1. Check Country Pandemic Regulations
COVID-era travel rules are no longer the main issue for most applicants, but visa appointment systems, document requirements, border procedures, and local consular instructions can change. Before applying, check the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal and the website of the Portuguese embassy, consulate, or VFS Global center responsible for your country of residence.
Step 2. Download the Application Form
Once you have confirmed the visa category that applies to your case, complete and sign the national visa application form. Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the national visa form online, and applications are normally filed through the responsible Portuguese consular post or external service provider.
There is a national visa processing fee, and an external service provider may charge an additional service fee where applicable. Keep your receipts and check the latest fee and payment rules for your specific application location before your appointment.
Throughout this process, you must provide personal information about yourself, your travel, your work, and your financial situation. This will require documentation to verify the information that you provide. The following items explain the main requirements that can help complete your application process.
Step 3. Make Sure You Have a Letter of Invitation
For a standard residence visa for subordinate work, the key work-related document is usually a work contract, work promise, or other proof of interest from a Portuguese employer. If your profession is regulated in Portugal, you may also need a professional certificate or proof that you are qualified to practice that profession.
A general invitation letter may be useful in some cases, but it should not replace the official employment documents required for your visa type. Include any documents that clarify your job responsibilities, salary, employer details, and start date.
Step 4. Present a Proof of Portuguese Accommodation
Some consulates or visa application centers may ask for proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a lease, host declaration, hotel booking, or residential address. Check the checklist used by the Portuguese consular post or VFS Global center where you will apply, because local instructions can vary.
Step 5. Document Your Flight Reservations
Do not purchase nonrefundable flight tickets solely for the visa application unless your local checklist specifically requires proof of travel. Portugal’s general residence visa documentation does not list booked flight reservations as a standard requirement for the subordinate work residence visa. If your consulate or visa center asks for an itinerary, use a refundable or flexible option when possible.
Step 6. Do Your Tax Documentation
Tax documents are not listed as a universal requirement for every Portuguese work residence visa application. However, you must be ready to show proof of financial resources. For a subordinate work visa, funds from a work contract or work promise may be considered. Bank statements, payslips, tax documents, or an employer’s term of responsibility may also be useful if requested by the consulate or visa center.
Step 7. Get Your Insurance
You must have valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation, unless a specific exemption applies. The commonly cited minimum coverage of 30,000 euros applies to short-stay Schengen visas. For a national work residence visa, check the exact insurance wording required by your local Portuguese consulate or visa application center.
Step 8. Undergo Criminal Background Checks and Biometric Data
You will generally need a criminal record certificate issued by the competent authority of your country of nationality or the country where you have lived for more than one year. If required, the certificate should be apostilled or legalized. Some consulates may also ask for authorization for Portuguese authorities to consult your criminal record in Portugal.
Depending on where you apply, you may also need to attend an in-person appointment to submit your documents and provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photograph. Follow the instructions given by the responsible consular post or visa application center.
Step 9. Verify Identification
Your passport and passport-style photographs will be necessary as part of your Portugal work visa application. Portugal’s general residence visa documentation requires a passport or other travel document valid for at least three months after the estimated date of return, plus a photocopy of the passport biographical page.
- Your passport or travel document should be valid for at least three months after the estimated date of return and should include the necessary blank pages for a visa sticker.
- You should prepare two recent passport-style photographs in color and in good condition to identify you.
- Photo requirements can vary by consulate, so follow the current specifications published by the Portuguese consular post or visa application center where you apply.
Once you have gathered the required documents and completed your application, submit it through the responsible Portuguese consular post or service provider. Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the decision deadline for a residence visa application is generally 60 days, except in circumstances provided by law. If your residence visa is approved, it is normally valid for four months and allows two entries. During that period, you must apply for a residence permit with AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum.
Documents Needed for a Portuguese Work Visa
The first item on your agenda is to confirm which Portuguese consular post or visa application center has jurisdiction over your application. You can check this through the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal. Requirements can vary by country and by visa category, but for a standard residence visa for subordinate work, you should be prepared to provide:
- A completed and signed national visa application form
- Two recent passport-style photographs
- A valid passport or other travel document, plus a photocopy of the biographical page
- Proof of regular status if you are applying from a country where you are not a national
- Valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, and possible repatriation
- A criminal record certificate from the competent authority of your country of nationality or the country where you have lived for more than one year, apostilled or legalized if applicable
- Proof of financial resources
- A work contract, work promise, or demonstration of interest from a Portuguese employer
- A professional certificate or proof of professional qualification if the profession is regulated in Portugal
- Proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, or additional documents if required by the responsible consulate or visa application center
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Portugal was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
