Learn how you can apply for a Portugal D2 visa.

While many people are familiar with Portugal's D7 or golden visa, the D2 visa is less well recognized. This is intended for entrepreneurial third-country citizens (those from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland) who want to start a business, expand an existing firm, or operate in Portugal as a freelancer or independent service provider.

There are no restrictions on the kind of business. So, if you want to create a shop, cafe, or modeling agency, or work as an independent contractor in Portugal, this could be your passport to a brilliant new life. It also provides the normal privileges of residency that everyone desires, such as the possibility to seek Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of residency, access to the Portuguese health system, simpler travel throughout the Schengen Area, and family reunification.

When applying for the D2, you have the option of applying as an entrepreneur or an independent service provider.

 

Applying as an Entrepreneur

The D2 allows people to start any form of business in Portugal or to open a branch of an existing firm, which may be a more convenient option for those who already have a business. Unlike the startup visa, there are no constraints on the type of business you can start: you could open a hotel or a technology company, for example.

Entrepreneurs will require:

• A NIF, also known as a fiscal number
• A business bank account in Portugal
• To establish a limited corporation in Portugal, known as an LDA, with one or more partners.

Other requirements include:

• Proof of financial ability to operate such a business, a document demonstrating prior successful initiatives, or a loan from a Portuguese institution.
• When applying for the startup program, an IAPMEI statement proving membership in a certified incubator is required.

Each of these things has an initial cost, and then there are the continuous costs of running a business, hiring an accountant, and paying taxes (both corporate and personal) as well as social security.

 

Applying as Independent Service Provider

Another category of people who can apply for the D2 is independent service providers, who provide services to Portuguese or international clientele. There is slightly less setup required here than for entrepreneurs. There is no requirement, for example, to form a corporation or hire an accountant, yet hiring an accountant is always suggested in Portugal.

The following are some of the requirements for independent service providers:

• A job contract
• Proof of academic qualifications or related experience in the field where you will give your skills
• Proof proving you are qualified to practice this profession in accordance with the regulations of Portugal.

Previously, many independent service providers were eligible to apply for the D7 instead and were recommended to do so by their lawyers. It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue, or whether they will be encouraged to apply for Portugal's new digital nomad visa.

Another option is the golden visa, which has one or two routes for entrepreneurs. The golden visa has an advantage over the D2 in that it just requires you to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal (14 days every 2 years in practice).

 

The D2 Visa Application Process

Create your firm strategy first, then gather all of the necessary documents. A D2 Visa application must then be submitted to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your country.

To support your application, you will need the following documents:

• Form for applying for a visa (minimum 3 months validity for the duration of the stay)
• Two recent passport photos of great quality
• Adequate medical coverage, including emergency medical assistance and repatriation, as well as valid travel insurance
• If you do not have citizenship in the country where you are living, you must provide proof that your status is legal.
• You and any dependents who are at least 16 years old must have a criminal history certificate issued within the recent three months.

• Evidence of survival capacity. This usually amounts to a minimum annual full income of €2,160 for each child and €500 for your spouse. The minimum wage in Portugal is around €7,200, however, it varies annually.

 

Would you love to migrate to Portugal?

Pelican Migration Consultants can assist you with planning and management for your immigration to Portugal. We offer professional one-on-one advice to make sure you present yourself to the Portugal Immigration Department in the best possible way. Each of our cases is handled by knowledgeable and skilled immigration consultants. Our experts are skilled and totally knowledgeable about the Portuguese immigration procedure.

We also help our clients with the areas of their immigration applications that they need to complete as well as the required paperwork by making sure the papers are checked. Finally, we work hard to help our clients from the start with every aspect of Portuguese immigration.