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- Immigration, Live in Portugal
Moving to Portugal Without a Job: What Are Your Options?
⚠️ First, What Changed in 2025
- You can no longer come as a tourist and look for a job to regularise later — the manifestação de interesse route was abolished.
- The job seeker visa was replaced by a visa for qualified job seekers, which is still awaiting regulation and isn’t available in practice.
That means you need a visa that matches your situation before you move.
🏖️ Option 1: D7 – Passive Income or Pension
Ideal if you live on passive income: pensions, rental income, dividends, interest or royalties.
- Minimum income: €920/month in 2026 (more for family members)
- Savings in a Portuguese bank account are usually expected
- You don’t need a job — and you can still work in Portugal later if you want
💻 Option 2: D8 – Remote Work
Ideal if you work remotely for an employer or clients outside Portugal.
- Minimum income: four times the minimum wage — €3,680/month in 2026
- Available as a temporary stay (up to one year) or a residence visa
- You keep your job — you just do it from Portugal
💼 Option 3: D2 – Start Your Own Business
Ideal if you want to create a company or work as a freelancer with clients in Portugal.
- You’ll need a solid business plan or service contracts
- Means of subsistence to support yourself while the business grows
- For innovative tech projects, the Startup Visa is an alternative
🎓 Option 4: D4 – Study
Ideal if you want to study in Portugal — a degree, master’s, PhD or professional course.
- You’ll need acceptance from a school or university and means of subsistence
- You can work part-time while studying
- After graduating, you may be able to change to a work permit
✨ Option 5: Golden Visa – Investment
Ideal if you have significant capital to invest.
- Investments from €250,000 (culture) or €500,000 (funds, research, companies)
- Very low minimum stay — you don’t even have to live in Portugal full-time
👨👩👧 Option 6: Family-Based Routes
- Family reunification: if your spouse, parent or child already lives legally in Portugal (note the two-year rule introduced in 2025, with exceptions)
- Family member of an EU or Portuguese citizen: a more favourable regime, with the right to work from day one
🔍 What About Finding a Job From Abroad?
If you’d rather work for a Portuguese company, the best strategy is to find the job before you move:
- Apply through LinkedIn, Net-Empregos, IEFP and company websites
- Target sectors with shortages — IT, engineering, healthcare, hospitality
- Once you have a contract or promise of contract, apply for a D1 or D3 visa
- If you’re highly qualified and already in Portugal legally, the highly qualified activity permit may allow you to apply without a visa
🧭 Which Option Fits You?
- Retired or living on investments → D7
- Working remotely → D8
- Starting a business → D2 or Startup Visa
- Want to study → D4
- Have capital to invest → Golden Visa
- Have family in Portugal or the EU → Family-based routes
🚀 Final Considerations
Moving to Portugal without a local job is absolutely possible — as long as you can show how you’ll support yourself. The right visa depends on your income, your plans and your family situation.
📢 Expert Advice: Don’t pick a visa just because it seems easier. Think about how you’ll actually live and work in Portugal — your visa needs to match your real situation at every renewal.
Want to move to Portugal but not sure which route fits you? Step Inside Portugal can assess your profile and recommend the best option — 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; confirm the requirements that apply to your case.
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