A Complete Guide to Portugal Long Stay Visas

From Faro to Lisbon to Porto and everything in between, it's a dream of many to spend months in warm and sunny Portugal.

Whether you're heading to Portugal for work, to study abroad, or to spend time with a family member, there are some things you need to know before you head abroad.

Most foreigners will need to apply for a long stay visa in order to spend ample time in Portugal. But this raises some questions. Do you need one? If so, which visa should you apply for? And how do you apply?

These are all valid and common questions for those planning a trip like this.

Don't worry; we're here to help. We wrote this guide to help travelers understand the process.

Who needs a long stay visa for Portugal?

Portugal offers several long stay visas. If you are planning to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days AND are NOT an EU/Schengen country citizen, you likely need to apply for one.

There are different types, and the one that you need depends on the purpose of your travels, as well as your long term intentions.

Portugal offers temporary stay visas, residency visas, and job seeker visas.

Temporary stay visas are for those intending to stay in Portugal anywhere from 90 days to a year.

Residency visas are for foreigners looking to immigrate to Portugal long term. The validity period is shorter (4 months), but that's because this visa is meant to transition you into residency (which you have to apply for in Portugal).

Job seeker visas are a bit of an outlier. They're only for those actively looking for a job in Portugal. Once you find a job, then you must apply for residency. This visa, too, is for those looking to immigrate to Portugal.

There are several types of temporary stay visas and residency visas, and the one you need depends on the reason you're heading to Portugal.

Which long stay visa for Portugal do I need?

If you're only going to stay in Portugal for a few months (up to a year), you likely need a temporary stay visa. If you're planning to stay in Portugal long term (with no fixed end date), you should apply for a residency visa or a job seeker visa, depending on the scenario you find yourself in.

It gets more specific than that, though. You need to apply for the visa that most accurately reflects your purpose for staying in Portugal. Common types are:

• Work visas
• Student visas
• Family reunification visas
• The digital nomad visa

There are even more types, including sub-types, within each of these categories. For example, there are work visas for entrepreneurs, highly qualified individuals, etc.

You may also see Portugal long stay visas referred to as national visas and Type D visas. While the terminology is different, they all refer to the same thing: a visa that allows a foreigner to spend more than 90 days in Portugal.

As a general note, make sure that you always get actionable information from official sources, such as the Portuguese Embassy or a trusted partner (such as a visa processor). These official sites will have the most up-to-date and accurate information, especially about critical things like visas and the visa application process.

How to apply for a long stay visa for Portugal

There are several steps in the visa application process for long stays in Portugal. While it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, the process is reasonably straightforward.

We will go over the typical steps of the process here and then expand on some of them to give you more information.

• First, you need to figure out which long stay visa you need. As mentioned above, there are several types, and you will need to know which one to apply for. You need to apply for the one that matches your situation.
• Once you know which visa you need, you must make sure that you meet the visa requirements. While anyone can apply for a visa, generally speaking, there are qualifications that applicants must meet.
• Next, you will begin preparing your application. This consists of filling out the official visa application form as well as collecting all of the required documents in their requested formats.
• Once you have all of the documentation you need, it's time to book your in-person appointment in your country of residence. This appointment is mandatory and takes place at a Portuguese diplomatic mission.
• Attend your appointment. You will submit your application and all of the related documents here.
• Await a decision!

Portugal long stay visa requirements

Part of the process is making sure that you meet the necessary qualifications for obtaining a national visa.

It's important to understand that the requirements vary depending on which general type of visa you need (temporary, residency, or job seeker), as well as the specific visa type within that larger category.

Temporary long stay visa requirements

While there are specific requirements depending on the exact visa you're applying for, there is a set of basic documents that are required for all temporary long stay visa seekers.

These basic qualifications include:

• A national visa application form, completed.
• 2 recent passport-sized photographs.
• A valid passport that will remain valid for at least 3 months after you leave Portugal.
• Proof of regular status
• Proof of valid travel insurance. It must cover emergency medical costs, including hospitalization and repatriation.
• A criminal record that has been legalized.
• Proof of financial resources (to show that you can provide for yourself during the entire duration you're in Portugal).
• A return (or onward) ticket.

Again, depending on which visa you apply for, there will be additional documents that you need to supply, such as university enrollment forms, birth certificates, or work contracts. It depends on which applies to you.

Residency long stay visa requirements

For a residency long stay visa for Portugal, the basic required documents are the same as the temporary visa, but excluding the return/onward ticket (see the list directly above).

Keep in mind, however, that these lists of requirements can change. Make sure you get all actionable information about visas from the Portugal Embassy's official site (or from one of their trusted partners, such as a visa processor).

Like a temporary long stay visa, additional documents will be required, and what those documents are depends on the specific visa you're applying for. If you're establishing residency to move with an EU spouse, for example, a marriage license will likely be required.

FAQs about long stay visas for Portugal