Residence Permit for Entrepreneurs (D2)

The D2 visa, also called the Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs, gives resident status to immigrants who plan to involve themselves in investment activities in Portugal. The legal basis for this ‘D’ type visa can be found in article 60(2) of Law No. 23/2007 from July 4 and regulated by article 31(2)(3) of Regulation Decree No. 84/2007 from November 5. and Paragraph 2 of this article 89 was amended by Law no. 59/2017, pf07/21 and fourth amendment to the Aliens Act in force since 1st August 2917.

In basic terms, you have to establish and invest in your company in Portugal, pay social security, have at least a minimum salary, own no debts and have no criminal records in the scope of a well-defined business plan, which will be analysed by the authorities, on an investment level, for it’s prospective economic, social, scientific, technological, or cultural relevancy.

Company formation

Public and private limited liability companies can be easily set up in Portugal by following these steps:

1. Verify the business name and make a reservation with the Portuguese Trade Register.
2. Appoint a legal representative for your company in Portugal.
3. Draft the Articles of Association with information about the owners, business activities, etc.
4. Open a bank account for depositing the minimum share capital of EUR 1,00.
5. Apply for licenses and permits for the company’s activities.
6. Register for tax purposes and social contributions in Portugal.

Documentation required:

All documents must be in English (or translated into English by a certified translator)

To be submitted to us along with proof of payment:

• Proof of address;
• Passport valid for more than six months beyond the planned departure date;
• Criminal records certificate, issued less than three months from submission (from the country of origin or where the applicant lives or has lived for more than a year), apostle, or authenticated by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Filled out the Data Protection Form.

Residency Application

The following information describes the steps we will follow for your application should you decide to keep our services and the timeline from the beginning to the end of your process.

Please take some time to review, and should you have any questions, we will be happy to help you move forward.

The entire process and timeline are divided into the following seven steps:

1) Signing a contract, paying the retainer fee, and submitting the personal information package.

• Proof of address (translated into English by a certified translator),
• Passport valid for more than six months beyond the planned departure date,
• Criminal records certificate, issued less than three months from submission (from the country of origin or where the applicant lives or has lived for more than a year), authenticated by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If you cannot come to Portugal to begin your process, we can incorporate your company and apply for the personal documentation by power of attorney; it will take up to 3 days to be issued and fully integrated.

2) Obtaining a NIF number, virtual office and opening a personal bank account.

3) Drafting the articles of association with the information about the owners, business activities, registration of a commercial company name, incorporation of the company and opening of a corporate bank account, roll with the NISS (VAT/Tax), minutes book, and registration of starting activity.

4) Obtaining the documentation response from the government. (This waiting period could take up to 15 days, it is subject to government processing times and is not under our purview.)

5) Our dedicated lawyer will create an online immigration account at S.A.P.A. and submit all the required files.

** You must be already in Portugal for this step and must remain in Portugal until step 7 is completed.

We offer relocation services that can make your transition more accessible, including help finding rentals, purchasing real estate, schooling for kids, etc.

*** If you possess multiple entry Schengen Visa, short-term travel in and out of the Portugal/Schengen Area might be possible, as long as you maintain your primary residence in Portugal.

6) Awaiting the immigration office – SEF, confirm your request and allow you to choose the location, date and time for your appointment.

Once received, you will be informed by email and proceed to choose an appointment option for presential biometrics, photo and handover of application file;

– Our dedicated lawyer will travel with you for the immigration appointment.

7) Wait 30 days to receive your Residence Permit at your Portuguese home address by mail. Time may vary, subject to government processing times.

The total process time for a residence permit is around 9 to 12 months, depending on each case.

Family reunification

The permanent or temporary resident of Portugal may also be required to provide documentation of sufficient funds to support the applicants. The Portuguese resident will also be responsible for providing accommodation for family members.

AtoZ Serwis Plud can also help you to make the family reunification and secure residency cards for your family.

How We Help 

AtoZ Serwis Plus Business Group's legal team can assist you in starting a company and getting all your residency affairs in order, providing a one-stop shop for all your needs in connection with your relocation to Portugal.

Based on your requirements, we aim to provide you with a smooth landing in Portugal,  providing guidance, information and assistance to investors and those looking to relocate to Portugal, successfully acquiring visas for families and individuals.