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Portugal flag — visa destinationLong-Stay (Type D) — Entrepreneur / Independent (D2)Verified 2026-05-12

Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Professional Residence Visa (Informational)

The D2 Visa is Portugal's long-stay route for Indian entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent professionals — startup founders, self-employed consultants, investors with active businesses. Substantive decisions by AIMA. Informational only.

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Please note: SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal long-term residence visas (D1 Work, D2 Entrepreneur, D3 Teaching, D4 Research/Study, D7 Retiree, D8 Family Reunification, D9 Digital Nomad, CPLP Mobility, Golden Visa, etc.). This page is provided for informational purposes only. For Portugal residence visas, apply directly via the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi + AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — or consult a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where our Indian-side expertise adds the most value.

Processing

60–90 days typically (D-visa preliminary decision by Embassy + AIMA substantive review)

Stay Duration

4-month entry D-visa; residence permit by AIMA (initial 2 years, renewable)

Starting Fee

€90

Apply At

11 VFS centres

Special Instructions — Read Before Applying

These requirements apply to ALL Portugal visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.

  • 1SureshotVisa does NOT process D2 — informational only.
  • 2Portuguese-side setup (lawyer, accountant, NIF, company, bank) is the bottleneck — start 3-6 months early.
  • 3Business plan quality matters — AIMA scrutinises viability.
  • 4Police registration with AIMA within 90 days of arrival mandatory.

Who Can Apply

  • Indian entrepreneurs establishing a Portuguese company / branch
  • Startup founders with a viable business plan (often through Startup Visa Portugal)
  • Independent professionals / freelancers with Portuguese clients
  • Self-employed consultants relocating with established income stream

Fees (in INR)

ItemAmount
D2 Residence Visa — Embassy fee€90
AIMA Residence Permit fee€84
Portuguese company incorporation costs€500–1,500
VFS service charge₹2,052

Plus Portuguese company incorporation + accounting / legal advisory costs (variable). Fees change annually — verify on vistos.mne.gov.pt before applying.

Documents Required

Business Documents

  • !
    Business plan with financial projections

    Investment amount, jobs created, market viability

  • !
    Portuguese company registration (Certidão Permanente) OR clear plan for incorporation
  • !
    Investment proof (capital transfer to Portuguese business account)

    No fixed minimum but typically €5,000–50,000+ depending on business

  • Independent professional: Portuguese client contracts

    For freelancers/consultants — proof of Portuguese-source income

  • Startup Visa Portugal certification (if applicable)

    Via IAPMEI — opens an alternative D2 sub-route for innovation-focused startups

Core Documents

  • !
    National D-Visa application form (signed)
  • !
    Valid passport (full visa + permit duration validity)
  • !
    2 passport-size photos
  • !
    Criminal record certificate (PCC) from India + every country lived 1+ year past 5 years

    Apostilled

  • !
    Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract / property deed)
  • !
    Travel medical insurance (initial 4 months)
  • !
    Bank statement showing subsistence funds

! = mandatory · = optional / if applicable

The journey.

8 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.

  1. 01

    Develop business plan

    Quantify investment, jobs, market opportunity. Optionally seek Startup Visa Portugal certification via IAPMEI.

  2. 02

    Open Portuguese bank account + NIF (Tax Number)

    Often done remotely via Portuguese lawyer / accountant.

  3. 03

    Incorporate Portuguese company OR show client contracts

    Notary handles incorporation; freelancers attach signed Portuguese client contracts.

  4. 04

    Capital injection / show client revenue

    Transfer minimum capital to Portuguese business account, or demonstrate ongoing Portuguese revenue.

  5. 05

    Get PCC + apostille

    India + every country lived 1+ year past 5 years.

  6. 06

    Fill D-visa application + submit at VFS

    visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/prt.

  7. 07

    Consulate + AIMA decision

    60–90 days.

  8. 08

    Enter Portugal + AIMA appointment + residence permit

    Register with AIMA within 90 days, collect residence permit.

What works

4 levers that flip a borderline case.

  • Engage a Portuguese lawyer / accountant 3-6 months before applying — incorporation + NIF + bank account take time.
  • Startup Visa Portugal (via IAPMEI) is a faster sub-route for innovation/tech startups — pre-approved before VFS submission.
  • Independent professionals: clear Portuguese client contracts > vague consulting plans.
  • Citizenship route same as D1 — 5 years residence + A2 Portuguese.

Download Official Forms

Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.

How to download from VFS:

  1. Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
  2. Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
  3. Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
  4. Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device

VFS Application Centres

VFS Global New DelhiVFS Global MumbaiVFS Global BengaluruVFS Global ChennaiVFS Global KolkataVFS Global HyderabadVFS Global AhmedabadVFS Global PuneVFS Global ChandigarhVFS Global JalandharVFS Global Goa

Quiz not yet available for this visa type

We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Professional Residence Visa (Informational) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.

Free · No obligation · Reply in minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum investment for D2?+
There's no strict statutory minimum, but practitioners advise €5,000–€20,000+ depending on business type. For Startup Visa Portugal sub-route, IAPMEI sets requirements (innovative, scalable, jobs-creating).
Is D2 the same as the Golden Visa?+
No — Golden Visa (Article 90-A) is a separate investment-based residence route (typically €500K+ in funds / job creation post Oct 2023 reforms). D2 is for entrepreneurs actively running a business.
Can freelancers / digital nomads use D2?+
D2 was historically used by freelancers with Portuguese clients. Since Oct 2022, Portugal has the dedicated D9 Digital Nomad Visa which is the better route for remote workers with foreign employers.
What about Startup Visa Portugal?+
Innovation-focused startups can apply for Startup Visa via IAPMEI for fast-track D2 — pre-approval before VFS submission. See startupvisa.iapmei.pt.

This page is for information only

SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Portugal visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.

Other Portugal Visa Types

Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Tourism

Portugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)

Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Portugal for tourism — Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Azores — up to 90 days.

Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Business

Portugal Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Type C)

Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian business professionals attending meetings, conferences, training, or trade events in Portugal.

Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visiting Family / Friends

Portugal Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)

Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Portugal — up to 90 days.

Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Film Crew

Portugal Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)

Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew members on shooting assignments in Portugal — up to 90 days.

Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Family of EU/EEA/CH/UK National (Fee-Exempt)

Portugal Visa for EU/EEA/CH/UK Family Members (Schengen Type C — Fee-Exempt)

Fee-exempt Schengen short-stay visa for Indian close family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens travelling to or in Portugal.

Long-Stay (Type D) — Subordinate Work (D1)

Portugal D1 Subordinate Work Residence Visa (Long-Stay — Informational)

Informational guide to the Portugal D1 Residence Visa for Indian employees with a job offer from a Portuguese employer.

Long-Stay (Type D) — Highly Qualified / Teaching / Cultural (D3)

Portugal D3 Highly Qualified / Teaching / Cultural Activity Residence Visa (Informational)

Informational guide to the Portugal D3 Residence Visa for highly qualified professionals, teachers, researchers, and cultural professionals.

Long-Stay (Type D) — Research / Study (D4)

Portugal D4 Research / Study Long-Stay Visa (Informational)

Informational guide to the Portugal D4 Residence Visa for Indian students, exchange students, and unpaid trainees.

Source & Disclaimer

Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Portugal website and Embassy of Portugal. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.