D2 Visa – Entrepreneurs and Independent Workers
Learn how the D2 visa serves independent professionals and entrepreneurs who want to work or open a company in Portugal, and what to gather. Contact us.
If you work as an independent professional/self-employed and intend to continue that activity in Portugal, or if you intend to open a company in Portugal, this visa is for you.
But if you are retired or have your own income, your visa will be the D7.
For the D2 visa application, the applicant must prove the requirements of Article 60 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007 (Lei de Estrangeiros): for independent work, a contract or written proposal for the provision of services and qualification to carry out the activity; for entrepreneurs, having made investment operations or having financial means available in Portugal and the intention to invest, which is usually demonstrated through a well-prepared business plan.
In addition, all applicants for the D2 visa must submit:
(i) Visa application form;
(ii) Passport valid for more than 3 months;
(iii) Plain copy of the passport (identification page and pages with stamps);
(iv) Means of subsistence (financial statements / income tax return / etc.);
(v) Proof of accommodation (letter of invitation / statement of responsibility / lease agreement / loan for use (comodato) / property purchase);
(vi) Health insurance or, for those entitled to it, the Certificate of Entitlement to Medical Care (CDAM), issued in Brazil under the Brazil–Portugal social security agreement;
(vii) Travel insurance meeting European Union standards;
(viii) Criminal Record Certificate;
(ix) Two recent 3×4 color photos with a plain background;
(x) Certified copy of a valid personal identity document with a Hague apostille;
(xi) International Certificate of Vaccination (which can be requested at the airport); and
(xii) Payment of the Consulate fee slip (boleto).
Applicants applying specifically under “Independent Professional Activity” must submit, in addition to the documents listed above:
- Curriculum Vitae in the European format (e.g., Europass);
- Articles of association or a written proposal for a service agreement for liberal professions; and
- Statement issued by the competent body confirming that the applicant is qualified to carry out the activity in Portugal (if applicable).
Applicants seeking the visa as “Entrepreneurs” must submit, in addition to the common documents:
- Proof of having made investment operations (business plan / summary);
- Permanent commercial registry certificate (certidão permanente);
- Declaration of commencement of activity;
- Registration of incorporation of the company;
- Bank statement showing the balance deposited in the company's account in Portugal; and
- Proof of having financial means available in Portugal, including those obtained from a financial institution in Portugal, and of the intention to carry out an investment operation in Portuguese territory, duly described and identified; OR
- Start Up Visa – Statement from IAPMEI (Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, I.P.) certifying the execution of an incubation agreement with a certified incubator under Normative Order 4/2018 (Despacho Normativo), of February 2, and Ministerial Order 344/2017 (Portaria), of November 13.
Once the documents have been gathered, the visa application will be processed in 2 stages:
Stage 1 – Filing of the visa application with the Consulate or Embassy of Portugal in Brazil: once the documents have been properly submitted, the applicant will be notified to attend a “personal interview” at the Consulate. Once the application is approved, the “D2 Visa” will be affixed to the applicant's passport and the applicant will have up to 120 days to enter Portuguese territory. But that's not the end of it!
Stage 2 – Application for “Conversion of the Visa into the corresponding Residence Permit” with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal: upon arriving in Portugal, the applicant must attend the scheduled appointment at AIMA, bringing the documents previously submitted to the Consulate General of Portugal and also:
(i) NIF – tax identification number;
(ii) NISS – Social Security registration number; and
(iii) Official form – AIMA (Form 1).
The applicant's residence permit application is granted and, as a result, a residence card is issued for an initial period of two years from its date of issue, renewable for successive periods of three years.
Done! Your status in Portuguese territory is now regular.
After 7 years of legal residence (the period applicable to citizens of Brazil and of other Portuguese-speaking countries, under the Nationality Act (Lei da Nacionalidade)), you may apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, provided you meet the other legal requirements.
Contact us to learn how Sene & Araújo Advogados can guide you at each stage of the process.
Other services in this area
Which visa to choose
Comparison of visas and residence permits for Brazilians.
Learn more →
Employment
For those with an employment contract or a promise of employment contract.
Learn more →
Highly qualified activity
For qualified professionals and the EU Blue Card.
Learn more →
Study
For students and vocational training.
Learn more →
Higher education
Mobility of higher education students.
Learn more →
Family reunification
To bring together the family of someone residing in Portugal.
Learn more →
Own income
For retirees and people living on passive income.
Learn more →
Remote work
For those who work remotely for companies or clients outside Portugal.
Learn more →
Residence permit
Grant, renewal, CPLP, and AIMA delays.
Learn more →
Lawsuit Against AIMA
Injunction (intimação) and administrative action when the case stalls.
Learn more →
Golden Visa
Residence permit for investment, under the options currently in force.
Learn more →Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Who can apply for the D2 visa?
The D2 visa is intended for those who carry out independent professional activity (self-employment) and intend to continue it in Portugal, or who intend to open a company in Portugal. Retirees and people living on their own income should instead apply for the D7 visa.
What specific requirements must be proven for the D2 visa?
For the D2 visa, an independent worker proves a service contract or proposal and professional qualification, and an entrepreneur proves investment or financial means in Portugal.
Under Article 60 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007 (Lei de Estrangeiros):
- independent activity: a contract or written proposal for the provision of services and qualification to carry out the activity, as well as a CV in the European format;
- entrepreneurs: investment operations or financial means available in Portugal and the intention to invest, usually demonstrated by a well-prepared business plan.
What documents must all D2 visa applicants submit?
All D2 visa applicants submit, among other documents, a valid passport, means of subsistence, accommodation, health and travel insurance, a criminal record certificate and photos.
- visa application form and passport valid for more than 3 months, with a copy;
- means of subsistence and proof of accommodation;
- international health insurance and travel insurance meeting EU standards;
- criminal record certificate and two recent 3×4 photos;
- certified copy of the personal identity document with a Hague apostille;
- International Certificate of Vaccination and payment of the Consulate fee slip.
Can I apply for the D2 through an incubation program (Start Up Visa)?
Yes. As an alternative to proving financial means and the intention to invest, the entrepreneur may submit a statement from IAPMEI certifying the execution of an incubation agreement with a certified incubator, under Normative Order 4/2018 (Despacho Normativo) and Ministerial Order 344/2017 (Portaria). This option is known as the Start Up Visa.
How does the D2 visa process work, up to the residence permit?
In Stage 1, the application is filed with the Consulate or Embassy of Portugal in Brazil, with a personal interview; once approved, you have up to 120 days to enter Portugal. In Stage 2, you apply to AIMA for conversion into a residence permit, with the NIF, NISS and Form 1. The residence card is valid for two years, renewable for periods of three years.
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