Lawyer
Specializes in international migration issues – registration of documents in Ukraine and abroad (Hungary, Romania, China, Türkiye, Israel, etc.) for citizens of Ukraine and foreigners.
Visa to Portugal
Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport have the right to legally stay in Schengen area countries without obtaining additional permits for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
However, for legal long-term residence, remote or local work, study, or conducting one’s own business, the standard tourist visa-free regime is categorically insufficient. In such a case, a national visa to Portugal is a mandatory requirement.
Obtaining a visa to Portugal allows you to fully legalize your long-term stay, obtain a full residence permit (RP), and strategically claim the citizenship of this European country.
As an immigration law expert, I will explain in detail and meaningfully what the current legal requirements are, how to obtain a visa to Portugal for Ukrainians in 2026, who exactly meets the established immigration criteria, and what professional legal support for this bureaucratic process consists of.
What is a national visa?
The national D visa for Portugal is a special long-term residence visa officially issued by the consulate for the legal entry of a foreigner into the country with the sole purpose of subsequently obtaining a residence permit (RP) through the state migration service AIMA (formerly SEF).
A standard type D national visa is issued with an initial term of 120 days (4 months) and provides for the possibility of two entries. During this defined time, the foreigner is obliged to physically enter the territory of Portugal, collect the final package of papers, and personally submit their biometric data for the production of a plastic residence card.
An RP is usually issued for the first 2 years with the secured right of subsequent extension for another 3 years. Exactly 5 years of continuous and legal residence later, the migrant obtains the legal right to submit official documents for permanent residence (PR) and acquisition of citizenship. This is the most reliable and transparent legal path for relocation.
Popular visa types
There are several current government migration programs. The optimal choice depends on the structure of your capital, source of income, and type of professional activity.
- Digital Nomad Visa (D8): The popular D8 visa for Portugal is created purposefully for remote workers, independent freelancers, marketers, and IT specialists who have a valid contract with a foreign company (registered strictly outside of Portugal). The main financial requirement in 2026 is a documented, verified active monthly income of no less than 3680 euros (which is equal to four minimum wages of the country). Additionally, it is necessary to show a stable balance in a European bank account of 11040 euros or more.
- Passive Income Visa (D7): The conservative D7 visa for Portugal is ideal for financially independent individuals, pensioners, portfolio investors, or real estate landlords. Your income must be exclusively passive (paid dividends, interest on bank deposits, official income from renting out real estate, royalties, pension). The minimum established threshold for such income is 920 euros per month (equal to one minimum wage), and the minimum required amount of savings in a personal account is also from 11040 euros for the main applicant.
- Entrepreneur Visa (D2): Designed for enterprising foreigners who plan to open a company from scratch, completely transfer an existing business to the tax jurisdiction of Portugal, or legally work as an independent contractor (analogous to a sole proprietorship). The program requires the submission of a detailed business plan and proof of real economic benefit to the country.
Who can obtain a visa?
Ukrainian citizens who have officially reached the age of 18 and fully meet the strict financial and legal criteria of the chosen program can obtain a Portuguese national visa.
Basic general conditions necessarily include: complete absence of criminal records in the country of origin and in all countries where the applicant has resided for more than one calendar year, possession of a valid biometric international passport (with a minimum validity period of no less than 6 full months after the date of planned entry), as well as having arranged international medical insurance with coverage for the entire duration of the visa.
An extremely important and decisive criterion is the confirmed existence of a legal place for permanent residence in Portugal — this can be a signed and registered long-term lease agreement for residential premises (usually for a term of 1 year or more) or an official certificate of property ownership.
Procedure and stages of processing
The procedure for obtaining a national visa consists of clear, sequential steps. Failure to follow the algorithm guaranteed leads to an official refusal.
- Obtaining a tax number: Assignment of a Portuguese tax number (NIF). This is a fundamental identification document for starting financial operations.
- Opening a bank account: Opening a current account in a licensed Portuguese bank and the timely transfer of the accumulated amount of funds to confirm your financial solvency.
- Securing a place of residence: Finding a property, concluding a lease agreement (Arrendamento), or purchasing real estate. The agreement must necessarily be officially registered with the state tax service.
- Documentation package: Thorough preparation of income statements, bank statements, a police clearance certificate with an apostille stamp, a motivational letter, and completion of the visa application form.
- Application submission: A personal visit to submit the full package of documents to the consular department or visa center (VFS Global) and payment of the consular fee.
- Entry and visit to AIMA: After the visa is approved (review takes from 60 days), you legally enter Portugal. The next step is visiting the AIMA migration service for biometric data collection and receipt of the residence card.
Comparison of migration visas
| Type of visa to Portugal | Minimum monthly income (2026) | Target category of applicants |
| D8 Visa (Nomads) | From 3680 EUR of active income | Remote employees, IT specialists, freelancers |
| D7 Visa (Passive) | From 920 EUR of passive income | Pensioners, investors, rentiers, landlords |
| D2 Visa (Business) | Income not strictly fixed | Entrepreneurs, business owners, independent contractors |
| Student Visa | Proof of funds for 1 year | University students, attendees of long-term courses |
Immigration lawyer services
The independent process of European relocation is always accompanied by a significant number of complex, unpredictable bureaucratic procedures, which are objectively difficult to pass successfully without deep knowledge of local legislation.
An immigration lawyer in Portugal takes responsibility for the timely resolution of legal issues, reducing the risk of a potential refusal to an absolute minimum.
We provide exclusively substantive legal assistance without empty promises.
Our services include:
- deep primary audit of current documents;
- argumentative assistance in choosing the grounds for legalization;
- remote NIF processing;
- support during bank account opening;
- expert verification of the real estate lease agreement for compliance with strict consulate requirements;
- completion of necessary state forms, organization of document legalization;
- preparation for a potential interview.
We accompany the client until the moment of receiving the plastic residence card at AIMA.
Order a consultation, and we will analyze your data, select the visa type, and form a step-by-step legal algorithm.
Calculate the cost of services
1 question
Do you want to get a visa to Portugal?
2 question
Are you planning to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days?
3 question
Have you been denied visas before?
4 question
Are you interested in a Schengen visa?
Is a visa to Portugal required for Ukrainians in 2026 for a tourist trip?
No, if you plan to stay in the territory of Portugal for the purpose of short-term tourism, visiting relatives, or business meetings (up to 90 days within 180 days), a national visa is not required.
It is sufficient for you to have a valid biometric international passport. A national D visa is necessary exclusively for long-term relocation, obtaining an RP, legal employment, or opening your own company.
Can I obtain a D8 visa (for digital nomads) if my monthly income is 3000 euros?
According to the 2026 migration requirements, the minimum threshold of verified active income for obtaining a D8 visa is 3680 euros per month (which is equivalent to four minimum wages in Portugal).
If your income is 3000 euros, you will not qualify for this program.
You need to either increase your verified income or consider alternative options for legalization, for example, through starting entrepreneurial activity.
What specific documents does the consulate accept for confirming passive income for a D7 visa?
The consulate thoroughly checks the source and regularity of income.
Accepted for confirming passive income are: official statements of pension accrual, bank and brokerage statements demonstrating the receipt of dividends, agreements for long-term rental of real estate together with account statements confirming the actual crediting of rent for the last 6 months, as well as agreements for the receipt of royalties.
Wages or income from freelancing are not recognized as passive income.
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