What do I need to know before moving to Portugal?
Portugal, located on the westernmost part of continental Eurasia, attracts millions of people with its mild climate, stunning scenery, and cultural heritage. It is a country that is literally steeped in history and tradition. It is the embodiment of a combination of several lifestyles: cozy, provincial, and modern European. Before traveling to this amazing corner of the world, it is worth knowing all types of immigration visas to Portugal. Why is it so important? It's all about the fact that it is the type of Portuguese visa that determines your status and rights in this country.
Life in Portugal: a brief summary of the main points
Portugal is ideal for people who dream of a warm climate and beautiful landscapes. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, thanks to which life in the south-west of this state is considered more comfortable. All because of the fact that here the climate is somewhat milder. If you choose to live in the northern part of the country, you should be prepared for hot summers and colder winters. In any case, Portugal is considered a sunny country, because the number of clear days here is equal to 300 per year.
If you want to come here as a tourist, you should choose a certain type of Portuguese visa. With it, you can safely visit various memorable places, but at the same time, you will not claim to work. Every visitor to the country will be able to enjoy its most interesting sights:
- Terry de Belen Tower — when visiting the capital, don't forget to go to this UNESCO-listed place. It has openwork balconies, crenelated walls, and an amazing history.
- Obidos Castle — both a tourist and Portuguese D visa will allow you to visit this amazing place. Erected back in the 13th century, it has preserved its original appearance to this day. Tourists can walk around the castle to not just explore its architecture but to dive into the past.
- Pena Palace is a magical combination of medieval fortress and romantic architecture, embodying the luxury and grandeur of the Portuguese monarchy. Located on a hilltop in Sintra, this palace offers stunning views of the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
- Alto Douro Valley — located near the city of Porto, the Alto Douro Valley is the country's wine destination. The area is famous for the production of this alcoholic beverage of exceptional quality. Not only can you enjoy the steep terrain and unique views, but you can also do some wine tasting.
- Santa Maria de Alcobaça Abbey — located in the town of Alcobaça, founded in the 12th century. A category D visa to Portugal will allow you not only to visit this place but also to work in the country. It is one of the largest churches in Portugal, which attracts the attention of many tourists every year. The graceful lines, interior, and exterior decorations of the building are impressive in their detail and historical significance. In 1989, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the most unique places in this country.
Undoubtedly, any type of Portuguese visa will allow you to move around the country seamlessly for traveling. You will be able to simply relax on the ocean or visit different cities without thinking that you are breaking any law. However, if your goal is to move to this country, you need to think about certain types of Portuguese visas. In order not to spend a lot of time collecting and analyzing information on your own, you can seek help from Move to Cascais. Here you will be helped to both select and issue the necessary type of visa.
Types of Portuguese visas: basic information
If you want to stay in this sunny country, you should carefully study not only what types of visas to Portugal exist but also understand which one is right for you. First of all, it is worth considering the most common options.
Job seeker visa is ideal for people who want to find a job. To get it, you need to submit documents to the consulate of your country, which will confirm your professional experience and qualifications. You will also need to provide a CV, a criminal record certificate, health insurance, and a return ticket. This visa entitles you to enter the country once for a period of up to 120 days, with the possibility of extending it for a further 60 days. If you conclude an employment contract during this time, you can start the procedure of applying for a residence permit.
Another popular category of visa to Portugal is the marriage visa. It is granted to people who want to move to the country if they are married to a Portuguese citizen. You will need to provide the relevant documents to the consulate of your country. Other popular types of immigration visas to Portugal are described below:
- Short term visa — allows access to short term stay in the country for up to one year, it is ideal for people who do not plan to obtain a residence permit.
- Long stay visa — entitles you to two Schengen entries as well as a residence permit, it is worth applying for if you want to live here most of the time and plan to become a Portuguese citizen in the future.
- Tourist visa — granted to people who want to visit the state as a tourist, to obtain it you need to collect a package of documents that will confirm your identity and financial stability.
These types of visas to Portugal are characterized by different conditions of application. To deal with them, you will need to spend a considerable amount of time. It is easy to make this task easier, you just need to use the services of Move to Cascais, thanks to which the success in obtaining a visa will increase several times.
Type of Portuguese D visa
This is a separate category that contains visas for different groups of people. Pensioners, students, and entrepreneurs will all be able to obtain authorization to stay in this country. The main thing is to choose the right visa option and submit the necessary documents within the established deadlines. You can find out more information about each of them from the list below:
- D1 — Work permit visa. This category of visa to Portugal is intended for foreign workers who have received an official invitation to work from a Portuguese employer. Its advantage is that you do not need to have certain qualifications. The main thing is to provide an invitation or an already signed contract with a company located in the country.
- D2 — Startup Visa. It is suitable for entrepreneurs who have already opened or only want to create a new company in Portugal. To obtain it you will need to submit a business plan, also a project that confirms its innovativeness and potential. In some cases, proof of the ability to realize it may be requested.
- D3 — HQA visa is intended for highly qualified workers and professionals with outstanding professional skills who can bring new knowledge and experience to the Portuguese labor market. It is most often required for people who are involved in IT-related activities, as well as top managers, scientists, and company executives. To obtain it, you need to have a work contract of one year or more, as well as proof of qualification.
- D4 — visa to Portugal type D 4 is intended for students who are going to receive education in Portugal. The main condition is to study in an institution for a period of one year or more. To obtain a visa, you will need to provide a number of important documents. Most often, a cover letter from the student stating his/her objectives, as well as proof of residence and livelihood is required. Don't forget the document from the university that will certify your enrollment.
- D5 — Portuguese D 5 visa is another option for students. The main difference from the previous one is that it is intended for short-term stays in the country. It is most often used by students who come for an exchange program or to obtain a double degree. The list of documents is identical to the previous variant.
- D6 — Family visa is intended for family reunification. If your close relatives have already obtained a residence permit in Portugal, you can not only visit them, but also move to live together. As far as documents are concerned, proof of family ties will be required, as well as the provision of criminal record papers.
- D7 — Portuguese D 7 visa can be obtained by financially independent people who have passive income, such as pensioners or investors. The main point is that only foreigners who are not citizens of European Union countries can apply for it. Before applying, you need to rent or buy a property, and also confirm that your income received from abroad is at least 1000 euros. You must spend at least 183 days a year in the country to maintain the status.
- D8 — Digital Nomad Visa is ideal for people who work remotely. Freelancers, self-employed entrepreneurs can also count on its receipt. The main thing is to confirm that your monthly income exceeds 3040 euros per month. You will also need to rent or buy a home in the country. There are two categories of Portuguese visas of this format: Long term and Short stay. We told you about them earlier.
- D9 — Visa golden is ideal for people who are ready to invest in order to obtain a residence permit and later citizenship. You will need to buy a property or invest in a business. The minimum amount of purchase of a house or apartment — from 280 thousand euros. As for the business, you will need to invest from 350 thousand euros, as well as create 10 jobs.
The types of visas available for Portugal will allow you to move to the country legally. Move to Cascais will help you sort out all the relevant issues so that you can get the opportunity to travel to this sunny country as soon as possible.
Types of visas for Portugal: peculiarities of choice
Before you go to the consulate, it is important to understand which types of Portuguese visas are most suitable for you. The choice should be made taking into account the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay in the country. If you just want to admire nature and enjoy the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean, you should consider a tourist visa. It does not require a residence permit and allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
Such types of visas for Portugal as D4 and D5 will be the best solution for students. If you want to move to live in this state, you need to use other options.
Advantages of moving to Portugal
To move to live in this sunny country, you will need to look into the different types of visas for immigration to Portugal. However, it will also be important to familiarize yourself with its main advantages and disadvantages. This way you will be able to understand exactly how right this decision is. As for the positive aspects of living here, you can emphasize the following:
- Warm climate with an average air temperature of 22°C and an ecologically clean environment
- Low crime, with Portugal ranking fifth in the safest countries
- Quality and affordable education
- Fairly low property prices
- Wide coastline, quick access to beaches
- Large number of cultural heritages
- Availability of active recreation for children, such as oceanariums and entertainment centers
- Well-developed transport network
All this is a reason to think about moving to this country. Of course, you can highlight some disadvantages of living here, for example — the high level of taxes and unemployment. Despite this, the number of positive sides still far exceeds the possible disadvantages.
In conclusion, Portugal is an ideal place for those who love sunshine and warm weather all year round. To move to this country, you will need to look into the different categories of Portuguese visas. This is a very complicated endeavor that requires time and diligence. It is easy to speed it up by simply using the services of Move to Cascais. Thanks to the qualified staff working here, you will be assured of success in obtaining your visa.
