Portugal

The D2 is Portugal's residence route for non-EU entrepreneurs, founders, and independent professionals who want to build or run a business in Portugal.

The D2 is a national residence visa that allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to enter Portugal, set up or operate a business, and then convert that visa into a residence permit through AIMA (the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). It can cover a founder starting a company, a business owner expanding an existing operation into Portugal, or a qualifying self-employed professional. The legal basis sits in Article 89 of Portugal's immigration law, which governs residence for independent professional activity.

The visa itself is typically valid for 4 months with two entries, during which you must travel to Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment to convert it into a residence permit. The residence permit is generally issued for 2 years, renewable for successive 3-year periods while requirements continue to be met.

How It Differs from Other Routes :

The D2 is often compared to the D7 visa (passive income/retirement) and the Golden Visa (investment). The key distinction is activity. The D7 is for people who can support themselves through stable passive income — pensions, dividends, rental income — without needing to work in Portugal. The Golden Visa is for investors who want low physical presence in exchange for capital investment. The D2 is for people who will actively operate a business or independent professional activity in Portugal and genuinely reside there

Personal financial means: You must show sufficient funds to support yourself. The 2026 baseline is €920 per month — €11,040 over 12 months for a single applicant, with uplifts for family members. These funds must be accessible and traceable.

No fixed minimum investment: There is no statutory minimum investment amount written into the D2 route. In practice, the capital you show must be credible for the specific business. Service-based businesses often show €5,000–€15,000+, while retail or physical businesses may need €15,000–€50,000+. The authorities assess whether your business capital matches your business plan and demonstrates sustainability.

Business plan: A credible business plan is central to the application. It should explain what the business does, why Portugal is the right base, who the customers are, how it earns money, and what evidence already proves the plan is real.

Other requirements: Clean criminal record, valid health insurance, proof of accommodation in Portugal for at least 12 months, and a Portuguese tax number (NIF).

Physical presence: D2 holders are expected to actually reside in Portugal. The requirement is generally 183 consecutive days per year, or not being absent for more than 8 non-consecutive months during the residence permit's validity

Business plan; proof of funds (~€11,040/year); Portuguese NIF; Portuguese bank account; accommodation proof (lease or deed); criminal record certificate (apostilled + translated); health insurance; passport valid beyond the intended stay; social security registration (NISS) once operating; family relationship documents for any dependants included.