Portugal offers an attractive job seeker visa for non-EU citizens looking to relocate to Portugal for employment purposes. The Portugal job seeker visa allows you to legally reside in Portugal for up to 1 year while you search for employment.
Overview of the Portugal Job Seeker Visa (D7 Visa)
The D7 visa, also known as the “passive income visa”, was originally designed for those with passive income sources. However, it can also be obtained by job seekers looking to work in Portugal.
The key benefits of the D7 visa include:
- Permission to live in Portugal for up to 1 year, with the option to renew for 2 additional years
- Ability to apply for residency after renewing the visa for 5 years
- No need for a job offer to apply
- Ability to bring dependents
- Access to Portugal’s public healthcare system
To be eligible, you must meet requirements related to character, income, health insurance, and accommodation. Read on for the full details.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Requirements
Here are the main requirements to obtain a D7 Portugal job seeker visa:
1. Valid Passport
You must have a valid passport from your home country, valid for at least 6 months from the date you submit your application.
2. Proof of Income
To qualify for the D7 visa, you must have a monthly income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage from a verifiable source.
As of 2023, the minimum monthly income requirement is €738 per month. Acceptable income sources include:
- Salary from current or previous employment
- Pension fund
- Investment income
- Income from rental properties
- Savings accounts
You’ll need to provide official documents as evidence, such as pay slips, bank account statements, pension letters, etc.
3. Accommodation
When applying, you must prove you have secured accommodation in Portugal for at least your first year. This can be through:
- Rental agreement or property purchase contract for a home
- Hotel reservations
- A notarized declaration from someone hosting you
4. Health Insurance
You must have valid international health insurance that covers you in Portugal.
5. Clean Criminal Record
To qualify for a Portuguese visa, you cannot have a criminal record with convictions punishable by 3 years or more in prison, according to Portuguese law.
You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate from your home country and wherever you’ve lived for over 1 year in the last 5 years.
6. Proof of Means of Subsistence
In addition to your regular income, you must prove you have at least the Portuguese minimum wage in savings. This equals €7,380 in savings as of 2023.
7. Application Fee
You must pay a D7 visa application fee of €102. An additional fee of €211 applies if approved.
How to Apply for the D7 Visa
Here is the step-by-step process to apply for a D7 visa:
- Gather your documents – Compile all required application documents and get certified translations if needed. Documents should be issued within 90 days of submitting the application.
- Fill out application – Complete the Schengen visa application form online. Make sure to select “Other” for reason of travel.
- Schedule biometrics appointment – Visit the Portuguese embassy/consulate in your country to schedule a biometrics appointment. This is where your fingerprints and photo will be collected.
- Attend biometrics appointment – Go to your appointment and submit your application, documents, fees, and biometrics.
- Await processing – Wait for the embassy to process your application. Processing time is around 1 month.
- Interview – In some cases, you may be called for an interview at the embassy. Be prepared to provide clarification or additional documents.
- Collect passport – If approved, you can collect your passport containing the D7 visa from the embassy. Review all details to make sure they are correct.
Once you receive your D7 visa, you must enter Portugal within 90 days from the start date. Upon arrival, you should apply for a Residence Permit within 4 months.
Living in Portugal on a D7 Visa
If approved for the visa, here are some key things to know about living in Portugal as a job seeker:
- You can reside in Portugal for up to 1 year initially. You can renew for additional 2-year periods up to 5 years total.
- Family members can apply for a “dependent” D7 visa.
- After renewing for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency.
- You must register your residence upon arrival at your local town hall.
- You have access to public services like healthcare and education.
- You can open a Portuguese bank account using your rental agreement or utility bills.
- You can get a tax identification number after registering your residence.
- You are allowed to work in Portugal if you find employment. The company will sponsor your work visa/permit.
- You must have travel health insurance, accommodation, and sufficient income/savings to renew.
Finding Employment in Portugal
Here are some tips for job seekers looking to find employment in Portugal with the D7 visa:
- Learn basic Portuguese, as this will greatly improve your prospects.
- Research the job market extensively and target growing fields like tech, tourism, and engineering.
- Tap into the expat community and networks in Portugal.
- Consider freelancing or starting an online business that allows remote work.
- Use LinkedIn, job search engines, recruiters, and social media to look for openings.
- Highlight your language abilities, tech skills, and international experience.
- Be prepared for a competitive job market, particularly if you don’t speak fluent Portuguese.
- Look beyond Lisbon and Porto to access jobs in smaller cities.
- Attend industry events, job fairs, and networking meetups.
- Enroll in a local university for further education and Portuguese language learning.
Conclusion
The Portugal D7 job seeker visa presents an attractive opportunity to gain legal residency while searching for work. Just be prepared to meet the financial, health, and background requirements. Be strategic and patient in your job search once you arrive. With the right skills and effort, you can launch a rewarding career in Portugal.