Residency and Immigration in Portugal
Portugal is one of the most accessible and strategically attractive residency destinations in the EU. It offers several routes to legal residency, a clear path to citizenship after five years, and a passport with visa-free access to more than 190 countries. Madeira, with its own reduced income tax rates, adds a further layer of personal tax efficiency.
MadeiraLab helps individuals and families pick and execute the right route, from the first eligibility check through document preparation, submission and post-approval setup.
Golden Visa, residence by investment
Portugal's Golden Visa (ARI, Autorização de Residência para Investimento) gives non-EU nationals the right to live, work and travel across the Schengen Area in return for a qualifying investment. The minimum is €250,000 through a cultural heritage donation, or €500,000 through a CMVM-regulated investment fund. Real estate no longer qualifies, as of October 2023.
Its standout feature is the minimal stay requirement: just 7 days per year in Portugal keeps the permit valid. Applications go to AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), Portugal's immigration authority. Family members (spouse, dependent children and dependent parents) can join a single application.
After five years of legal residency, Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residency.
D7 Visa, passive income residence
The D7 is for people with stable passive income (pensions, dividends, rent or investment returns) who want to move to Portugal. Unlike the Golden Visa, it requires real physical residence: at least six consecutive months, or eight non-consecutive months, per year. It leads to permanent residency and citizenship eligibility after five years.
Madeira is a strong base for D7 holders: regional income tax rates are lower than the mainland, and the cost of living is competitive next to Lisbon or Porto. Pairing a D7 with the IFICI regime can produce a highly efficient personal tax outcome for those who qualify.
D2 Visa, entrepreneur and self-employed
The D2 is for entrepreneurs, freelancers and independent professionals who want to start a business or provide services in Portugal. It is the natural partner to MIBC company formation: incorporate in Madeira, relocate personally, and combine the 5% corporate rate on qualifying business income with the personal tax efficiencies of Portuguese residency. We advise on this structure regularly.
D8 Visa, digital nomad
The D8 is for remote workers employed by, or providing services to, entities based outside Portugal. Applicants must show a monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage (€3,680 per month as of 2026). It requires physical residence and follows the same five-year path to citizenship as other long-stay visas.
IFICI, tax incentive for innovation (NHR 2.0)
Introduced in 2024 as the successor to the Non-Habitual Resident regime (closed to new applicants on 1 January 2024), IFICI grants a flat 20% personal income tax rate on qualifying Portuguese-source employment and self-employment income for up to ten years. Eligibility is limited to qualifying sectors, including technology, scientific research and innovation. Applications go to the Portuguese Tax Authority by 15 January of the year after you establish tax residency.
Path to Portuguese citizenship
You can apply for citizenship after ten years of legal residency, subject to an A2-level Portuguese language test, a clean criminal record and no outstanding Portuguese tax. Portugal allows dual nationality, so there is no need to give up your current citizenship. The Portuguese passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 190 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and every EU member state.
Contact MadeiraLab to discuss your goals and find the right route for your situation.