Portugal is a nation with a lot going for it. A fast-growing economy which outpaces many in the EU, a host of investment opportunities, an enviable lifestyle, high-quality healthcare and a host of appealing visas.
All are available to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with clean criminal records - but which one is the best for you?
It will, ultimately, depend entirely on your lifestyle goals, financial clout and how much time you actually want to spend in the country.
The good news, is that Portugal’s range of ‘D visas’ – such as the D2, D8 or D7 – offer long or short-term options.
While the residency-by-investment Golden Visa provides perhaps the most appealing array of opportunity and flexibility – and remains the ‘Plan B’ of choice for high-net-worth-individuals (HWNIs).
Portugal’s Golden Visa
Best for: Global citizens, investors, and families who want an EU "insurance policy" without the necessity of living there full-time.
The Golden Visa is unique because it is the only path that does not require you to live in Portugal. To maintain residency, you only need to visit for seven days per year.
As long as you do not remain in Portugal for longer than 183 days a year, you keep your tax residency separate while embarking on a pathway to obtaining citizenship in Portugal.
From first obtaining your residency card, you will have visa-free access to the 29 nations which make up the EU Schengen zone for business or pleasure.
The Golden Visa programme requires a €500,000 investment into qualifying and approved alternative investment funds.
The D8 visa (Digital Nomad visa)
Best for: Remote employees, freelancers, and tech workers with good international salaries and keen to take advantage of Portugal’s lifestyle.
Launched to cater to the remote work revolution, the D8 visa is for those who earn "active" income from employers or clients outside of Portugal. In 2026, the income bar is high: you must earn at least €3,680 per month (four times Portugal’s minimum wage).
Tailored specifically for remote work (unlike the D7); it allows successful applicants to live in a lower-cost country while earning a ‘global’ salary and grants full rights to live and work in Portugal.
It does, however, require a full-time commitment to living in Portugal of in excess of 183 days per year.
There are two options – one providing a short-term one-year visa, or a longer-term, renewable, two-year option which also provides a route to eventual citizenship.
The D7 visa – aka the passive income or retiree visa
Best for: Retirees, landlords, and investors with stable, recurring ‘hands-off’ income.
The D7 visa is Portugal’s most affordable residency route. It is designed for those whose money "works for them".
Eligible income includes state pensions, rental income, or dividends. In 2026, you only need to show a minimum of €920 per month in passive income (equivalent to the Portugal minimum wage), though having a savings ‘cushion’ of at least €11,040 is highly recommended.
Your first two-year visa will expect you to be living in Portugal for at least 18 of the 24 months. Subsequent renewals – for three years – will demand you remain in Portugal for at least 28 months during the 36-month term. This will see you become tax resident in Portugal.
The D2 visa – aka the entrepreneur visa
Best for: Business founders, small business owners, and those looking to open a physical branch in Portugal.
The D2 visa is the "active" version of the D7. Instead of showing passive income, you show a viable business plan and the intent to create economic value in Portugal.
There is no fixed investment amount, but a full business plan and detailed funding and investment options are required.
Again, for those seeking global mobility, the D2 loses out in attraction to the Golden Visa.
For your first two-year residency permit, you must live in Portugal for at least 16 months of those initial 24 months.
That means, similar to the D7 visa, you can be out of Portugal for a maximum of six months in one go or eight non-consecutive months during the total validity of your visa. You will become tax resident in Portugal.
So which Portugal visa is the best for you?
Choose the Golden Visa if you are not ready to leave your home country yet but want an EU passport on a defined pathway (as of February 2026, that is five years).
Choose the D8 if you have a high-paying remote job and want to enjoy the lifestyle and cultural benefits of living in Portugal.
Choose the D7 if you have a pension or rental properties and want a peaceful, affordable life in Portugal.
Choose the D2 if you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to build a legacy – and life - within the local Portuguese economy.
Contact Portugal Pathways for a no-obligation discovery call to explore visa options in Portugal.
About Portugal Pathways
Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on luxury property, wealth management, and tax optimisation, including post-NHR tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, IFICI tax incentive applications, money transfers and bespoke relocation solutions to enhance life and investments in Portugal.
Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways website and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice.
