Visas & Immigration In Portugal
Portugal’s visa system covers short-term visits, temporary stays, and long-term relocation. Each category has its own rules and paperwork, so the process can take some time to figure out. It plays out like this: The Portugal visa system is very comprehensive, but the official information in English covering it is confusing. The prevailing standard is that if you’re a non-EU national and plan to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary or long-stay visa (national visa) based on the purpose and duration of your stay. Our resources are carefully curated with info from pages in English and Portuguese, and this site has one of the Internet’s most accurate accounts of what each Portuguese visa comes with. We are here to walk you through the main types of visas and how they work.
Types of visas
- Short-Stay Visas
- Job Seeker Visa
- Entrepreneur Visa – D2
- Passive Income Visa – D7
- Digital Nomad Visa – DR/D8
- Golden Visa – D9
These are only some of the visa options available.
Taxes in Portugal
Portugal has federal and local taxes, which apply depending on your income, expenses, and properties. Personal income tax is the main tax, and it is structured in multiple brackets that vary with your earnings. In 2025, there are 12 brackets, which is more than in most countries in Europe.
The lowest bracket only applies to income above €12,180, which gives more room for lower-income workers. But once you earn over €80,000 a year, rates become similar to those in high-tax countries like Belgium. On top of income tax, workers and employers also pay into Portugal’s social security system. Employees contribute 11% and employers 23.75%. Self-employed workers pay 21.4%.
- Personal income tax
- Social security contributions
- Property tax
- Value-added tax (VAT)
- Rental income tax
- Capital gains tax
- Investment income tax
- Pension tax
- Stamp tax (applies in place of inheritance tax
Cost of Living in Portugal
Portugal is still an affordable place to live in Europe, and that’s why many North Europeans, Scandinavians, and even Canadians choose it as a retirement or digital nomading destination. A single person spends around €1,622 per month, while a family of four can expect to pay about €4,000, including rent. That’s cheaper than many countries up north — about 20% less than in the Netherlands, and definitely lower than in the UK or the US.
Lisbon is the most expensive city, but you’ll find lower costs in places like Braga or Coimbra. Rent, groceries, eating out, and transport all tend to be more manageable than in most northern European countries. In fact, living expenses in Portugal are closer to Spain — though salaries here are generally lower than across the border.
International Companies Hiring in Portugal
Portugal’s economy has grown at a solid pace in recent years. In fact, it recorded a 1.9% GDP growth in Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023—one of the highest rates in Europe. Lisbon and Porto are the main business hubs, with places like Parque das Nações in Lisbon known for housing tech companies, financial firms, and service centres.
Many companies in Portugal hire English-speaking professionals, especially in tech, customer support, and business roles. Farfetch, a global fashion tech company, was founded in Porto and still has offices there. Outsystems, which develops low-code software tools, has business operations in Lisbon and other locations. In addition to local startups, international employers like Microsoft, Google, and Revolut have teams in Lisbon.
Jobs in Portugal
Portugal’s job market is stronger now than it was a couple of years ago. The unemployment rate is around 6.6%, the lowest since 2022. Salaries are still low compared to Northern Europe, but everyday costs like food and rent are lower too. Lisbon and Porto are the main hubs for tech and international companies, with English-speaking roles most common in IT and tourism. Outside these cities, job options can be more limited and usually require Portuguese. Remote jobs are also readily accessible in Portugal, and the country ranked 6th in Nordlayer’s 2023 Global Remote Work Index report.