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- Immigration, Live in Portugal
Working in Portugal: D1 Work Visa, D3 Highly Qualified, Tech Visa and EU Blue Card
💼 D1 – Work Visa (Subordinate Employment)
The D1 is for non-EU citizens who have a job offer or employment contract with an employer in Portugal.
Main requirements:
- An employment contract or promise of employment with a company in Portugal
- A salary of at least the Portuguese minimum wage (€920/month in 2026)
- In some cases, the job must first be made available to candidates in Portugal and the EU, through the employment services (IEFP)
- Accommodation in Portugal, criminal record certificate and travel/health insurance
It’s the most common route for people moving to Portugal for a job.
🎓 D3 – Highly Qualified Activity
The D3 is for professionals who will perform a highly qualified activity in Portugal, such as engineers, IT specialists, doctors, researchers, managers or university teachers.
Main requirements:
- An employment contract or promise of contract, generally for at least one year
- Higher education qualifications (usually a university degree) or equivalent professional experience
- A salary in line with a highly qualified role
- Accommodation, criminal record certificate and insurance
Advantages: faster processing in many cases, and family members can join you without waiting the two-year period that now applies to most family reunifications.
🚀 Tech Visa
The Tech Visa is a programme for highly qualified tech professionals hired by companies certified under the programme (managed by IAPMEI).
- Your employer must be certified for the Tech Visa
- You need a contract, generally for at least 12 months, with a salary above the programme’s minimum
- You need qualifications in a technical area (or relevant experience)
- The certification speeds up the visa process
If your future employer is a tech company, ask them if they’re certified — it can make the process much smoother.
🇪🇺 EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a European residence permit for highly qualified workers.
- You need a work contract (generally of at least six months) for a highly qualified job
- A higher education degree or, in some sectors, relevant professional experience
- A salary above a minimum threshold, linked to the national average gross annual salary (lower for occupations in short supply)
Advantages:
- Mobility within the EU — after some time, it can make it easier to move to another EU country
- Family reunification without the two-year wait
- A clear path to long-term residence
⚖️ Which One Should You Choose?
- Any job with a contract and at least the minimum wage → D1
- Highly qualified job with a university degree → D3
- Tech job with a certified company → Tech Visa (within the D3 route)
- Highly qualified job with a high salary, and an interest in EU mobility → EU Blue Card
📋 Documents You'll Usually Need
- Passport and visa application form, plus two photos
- Employment contract or promise of contract
- Diplomas and qualifications (for D3, Tech Visa and Blue Card), apostilled and translated where necessary
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Criminal record certificate and authorisation to check your record in Portugal
- Travel/health insurance
- Portuguese NIF (and, usually, a Portuguese bank account)
🛤️ Step by Step
- Sign your contract or promise of contract with the Portuguese employer.
- Get your NIF and prepare your documents.
- Apply at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre in your country of residence.
- Receive your visa — valid for four months with two entries.
- Travel to Portugal and start working.
- Get your NISS (social security number) — your employer will need it.
- Attend your AIMA appointment and receive your residence permit.
⚠️ Important Changes Since 2025
- You can’t come as a tourist and look for a job to regularise your situation later — the old manifestação de interesse route no longer exists.
- The job-seeker visa has been replaced by a visa for qualified job seekers, still awaiting regulation.
- People who entered or stayed in Portugal illegally may be refused a visa.
🚀 Final Considerations
A job offer in Portugal opens the door to living in the country legally — but choosing the right visa can make a big difference, especially for bringing your family and for future mobility in Europe.
📢 Expert Advice: If your job is highly qualified, compare the D3 and the Blue Card before applying. Family reunification without the two-year wait can be a decisive advantage.
Moving to Portugal for work? Step Inside Portugal can help you choose the right visa and handle every step, from NIF to AIMA — find out more about our immigration services here. ✨
This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. It reflects the rules as of October 2026; requirements can vary by consulate, so confirm the details that apply to your case.
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