Visas & Permits
Is it better to apply for a Business visa or a passive income visa to Portugal? Know the differences between the D2 or D7 visas and plan ahead.
Article By Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.
27 04 2024
Read the full article here
If you are wondering whether it’s better to apply for a Business visa or a Passive Income visa to Portugal? Get to know all the differences between the D2 or D7 visas and plan your relocation easily.
Portugal is an amazing place to live in, and it welcomes foreigners who want to invest and enjoy life in the country with different Visa procedures. But among so many options, knowing which Visa to apply to can be a little tricky.
In this full article, find out if your case is best suited for a Business Visa or Passive Income Visa and start planning your relocation to Portugal.
Should I apply for a Business Visa or a Passive Income Visa?
If you do not have Portuguese or European Union citizenship, you will need a residence permit to live in Portugal. That means you must apply for a residency Visa.
Depending on your goals and activities in the country, you may apply for either a Business Visa (D2 Visa) or a Passive Income Visa (D7 Visa), among many others.
Both D2 and D7 visas grant you permission to live in Portugal and bring your family with you, travelling inside the EU and enjoying the quality of life in the 7th safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2023.
How to get a Visa to Portugal?
To apply for the D7 visa, as for a D2 visa, applicants can do the procedure through the Internet or by visiting the local Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.
Depending on your country, the process may change slightly, but generally, the application will be tracked on the VFS Global website.
The visa application process will require documents proving specific visa prerequisites, proof of subsistence, income, and so on. Each visa requires specific details, and you’ll still need to address multiple issues to relocate fully.
Without further ado, learn the main differences between the D2 Visa and the D7 Visa.
Businesses and the D2 Visa to Portugal
The D2 Visa, also known as the Business visa or the Entrepreneur visa, was designed especially for those who want to live and develop a business in Portugal.
Especially in recent years, Portugal has attracted the attention of large companies that now have a head office in the country. This is the case with Google, Microsoft, Bosch, Airbnb, among others. Lisbon and Porto are the best cities to start a business in Portugal, as you can see in another article.
Even after the pandemic, sentiments among the Portuguese regarding the areas of technology and innovation are high. Many successful startups have sprung up in the country, and the number of D2 visa applicants increases every year.
Benefits
The Business Visa provides to its holder:
Permission to reside in Portugal for 2 years, renewable for another 3 years.
Permission to bring family members through family reunification.
Possibility of extension of residence for more years.
Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after completing 5 years of residence in Portugal.
Apart from the obvious benefits we’ve listed above, Portugal provides a relaxed, safe, and affordable lifestyle that’s one of the best in Europe. Living here is itself a huge improvement to your existing life.
To aid businesses and their operations, the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is a massive startup hub. Fully equipped with facilities and networking spaces, Lisbon is exactly what your business needs to grow tenfold.
Once you’re here, you’ll wish to extend your Visa for a lifetime! And then, you can benefit from these perks for a lifetime.
Business visa to Portugal
How to get a D2 Visa
To apply and successfully obtain a D2 Visa to Portugal, there are many prerequisites to be fulfilled, many documents to be delivered, and details to be clarified. Simply stated, it will be necessary to present:
Permanent Certificate of the new company registered in Portugal.
Declaration of registration of commencement of the activity.
Company bank statement with the account balance.
Applicant’s statement.
Proof of livelihoods.
Proof of accommodation.
International travel medical insurance.
Criminal record certificate.
Valid passport.
Along with these documents, we also suggest the presentation of:
A solid business plan.
Photocopy of proof of academic and professional qualifications, accompanied by curriculum vitae.
Therefore, even before submitting the visa application, there are many steps to take, such as opening a business or a bank account in Portugal from abroad.
These activities can be very difficult to handle and can take much longer than you would expect (and even cause headaches).
It is no wonder that D2 visa applicants often prefer to hire an immigration assistance company to Portugal. Processes like these need to be dealt with carefully.
After all, you’re investing your time, effort, and money into this, and it’s only right that you nail it the first time around.
Passive income and the D7 Visa to Portugal
Also known as the Retirement or Passive Income Visa, the D7 Visa to Portugal provides permission for foreigners in these conditions to reside in the country.
This type of Visa is one of the most requested by expats wishing to live in Portugal, especially those seeking peace, calm and sunny days.
The Algarve region, in southern Portugal, is often linked to foreigners with this visa. That’s because it is known for its very high quality of life and Portugal’s largest retired foreign resident population.
Expats do retiree in the North of Portugal as well as Central Portugal, but coasts are always going to be a favourite.
In addition to these famous regions, you’ll also find many retirees interested in the Madeira Islands and the Azores Islands. They’re safe, and close-knit, and offer all the peace a retiree needs in those golden years.
Quiet, equipped, and beautiful, the islands need to be given a chance if you haven’t already explored them. Recently, they’ve been in great demand because ex-pats can experience tranquillity and a fantastic standard of living.
To read the full article and to discover the benefits of the Passive income visa click here.
