Expand to Europe with any business model.
The Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa is the EU's most flexible founder pathway — open to any viable commercial enterprise, from tech startups to consulting firms, import-export operations, and service businesses.
Program Advantages & Strategic Benefits
No Sector Restrictions
Valid for any legitimate commercial model — tech, consulting, import-export, services, and more. No tech-only mandate.
Direct EU Passport Path
Unlocks permanent settlement and full Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of legal residence — with dual citizenship fully permitted.
Full Family Reunification
Spouse, minor children, and dependent parents included. All family members receive immediate, unrestricted rights to work or study in Portugal.
Schengen Area Access
Visa-free travel across all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day window.
Core Eligibility & Evaluation Criteria
Your business model must be vetted by Portuguese authorities against the lenses of economic, social, scientific, or cultural utility. The evaluation covers three pillars.
Corporate Validation & Capitalization
You must have already incorporated a Portuguese business entity (Lda) or present a robust plan for imminent launch. The business must be properly capitalized relative to its sector. While there is no statutory minimum, a capital injection of €5,000–€10,000+ establishes baseline commercial viability.
Local Economic Impact
The business plan must demonstrate realistic potential for local job creation, scalability, market differentiation, and clear intent to anchor operational infrastructure — leasing a local office, unit, or commercial facility.
Founder Credentials
Immigration officials evaluate your professional profile, academic credentials, and managerial background to confirm you possess the direct technical capability and leadership experience required to steer the entity to profitability.
What the permit grants you
- 2-year initial residence card (renewable for 3 years)
- Any commercial business model permitted
- Secondary employment & freelance contracts allowed
- Full family included with immediate work rights
- Multiple co-founders under same entity permitted
- Dual citizenship fully permitted at naturalization
Portuguese bank account preferred. Authorities heavily favor liquid funds held inside a domestic Portuguese bank. Nexa secures your NIF and opens your Portuguese account remotely before file submission.
Financial Requirements
Annual personal maintenance threshold for a solo founder — pegged to Portugal's national minimum wage.
Main Applicant (100% Minimum Wage)
Personal liquid funds baseline
Spouse / Adult Dependent (+50%)
Additional per adult family member
Each Dependent Child (+30%)
Additional per minor child
Step-by-Step Application Timeline
"Nexa coordinates your D2 life-cycle into a clear, linear workflow to avoid processing rejections."
From NIF registration to collecting your physical residence card, the full consular route takes approximately 3 to 5 months. Nexa structures your preliminary setup — NIF, Portuguese bank account, and business incorporation — before file submission.
NIF, Bank Setup & Business Plan Architecture
Secure your Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) via a local fiscal representative. Open your domestic Portuguese bank account remotely and transfer personal maintenance funds (~€10,000+). Design a comprehensive, market-vetted business plan.
Corporate Incorporation & Capitalization
Formally incorporate your Portuguese entity (Lda). Deposit the corporate share capital into your business account and secure your formal company registration documents (Certidão Permanente).
Consular Submission & Entry Visa Issuance
Submit your complete D2 file to your home country's Portuguese Consulate or VFS center — business plan, corporate registry, bank statements, apostilled criminal records, and accommodation proofs. The consulate issues a 4-month, double-entry D2 Visa.
Arrival & AIMA Residency Appointment
Land in Portugal on your entry visa. Register your business with the tax authority and social security. Attend your AIMA appointment to submit biometrics and convert your entry visa into a multi-year physical residence card.
Long-Term Horizons
D2 Residence Card (2 Years)
Build and operate your venture in Portugal. Secondary employment and freelance contracts permitted. Family included with unrestricted work rights.
3-Year Renewal
Show active corporate continuity — operational business, tax compliance, clean accounting. Must maintain minimum 6 consecutive or 8 alternate months in Portugal per validity period.
Permanent Residency
After 5 continuous years, apply for permanent residence. Legal status fully uncouples from your business — complete professional freedom across Portugal and the EU.
Portuguese Citizenship
Also eligible at year 5. Requires a clean criminal record and passing the CIPLE exam at A2 Portuguese level. Dual citizenship fully permitted — no renunciation required.
Keep your passport.
Add a Portuguese one.
Portugal is one of the only EU countries that allows full dual citizenship at naturalization — no renunciation of your original nationality required.
on a Portuguese passport
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the D2 Visa limited only to tech startups?
Do I need to inject a large amount of capital to get approved?
Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply?
Can I apply for the D2 Visa directly from inside Portugal?
What happens to my visa if my business fails?
Can I work for another Portuguese company while holding a D2 Visa?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the D2 Visa limited only to tech startups?
Do I need to inject a large amount of capital to get approved?
Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply?
Can I apply for the D2 Visa directly from inside Portugal?
What happens to my visa if my business fails?
Can I work for another Portuguese company while holding a D2 Visa?
What are the physical stay requirements?
Can multiple co-founders apply under the same company?
What is a NIF and why do I need it first?
How long does the entire D2 process take?