D2 Residence Visa for Entrepreneurs or Independent Activity in Portugal

D2 Residence Visa for Entrepreneurs or Independent Activity · Portugal visa route

investment · last reviewed 2026-08-08 · all Portugal routes

A residence route for people establishing a business or carrying out independent professional activity in Portugal.

Important notes

• Present a credible business or independent-activity plan and evidence of the resources needed to carry it out.
• Provide accommodation, passport, criminal-record certificate, insurance, and proof of means of subsistence.
• Apply through the Portuguese consular process and complete the residence-permit stage after arrival.
• D2 is not the same route as Portugal's investment residence permit.
• There is no single universal investment minimum for every D2 case; the plan and financial evidence must fit the activity.

Preparation checklist

• Passport and national visa form
• Business or independent-activity plan
• Proof of funds and means of subsistence
• Accommodation
• Criminal-record certificate and insurance

Entrepreneur and investor routes

These routes serve a similar purpose or sit within the same visa family, so they are shown together for comparison; each has its own page.

Portugal ARI Residence Permit for Investment A qualifying-investment residence route administered under Portugal's ARI programme. Open route →

Official source

Official source: Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal

Also look at similar visas from these countries

Higher rating for quality of life

🇬🇧 United Kingdom Innovator Founder visa A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements. Open this route → 🇩🇪 Germany Germany Self-employed Business Residence A route for establishing and running a business in Germany with economic interest, financing, and a positive economic effect. Open this route →

More accessible countries

🇬🇪 Georgia Work residence For people with local employment or business activity. Open this route → 🇪🇪 Estonia Startup visa/residence This is a route family: the startup visa, short-term employment registration and employment residence permit have different eligibility, durations and work rights. Open this route →

More affordable countries

🇭🇷 Croatia Croatia Stay and Work Permit for Self-employment A Croatia stay-and-work route for qualifying third-country nationals carrying out self-employed activity. Open this route → 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Bulgaria Self-employed Residence A route for qualifying independent activity, with the activity and supporting documents matched to the residence purpose. Open this route →

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Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.