Portugal D2 Visa
Move to Portugal on the D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Bring your business, or start one.
Expatsi helps founders and self-employed expats plan a D2 move to Portugal, from the business plan to the paperwork.
Why Portugal?
A better quality of life is within reach.
Portugal pairs a lower cost of living with excellent healthcare and easy access to the rest of Europe, without giving up the comforts of home.
Lower cost of living
A high quality of life for a fraction of U.S. coastal prices.
Excellent healthcare
Strong public and affordable private healthcare.
Easy access to Europe
Short, affordable trips across the continent.
Widespread public transportation
Leave car ownership behind in the U.S.
Portugal D2 Visa
For founders and the self-employed.
The D2 is for people starting or running a business in Portugal, or working for themselves. It's the most involved of the popular routes, since you'll need a solid business plan and proof you can fund it, but it's a real path to residency and, after 10 years, citizenship. If you're bringing a company or building one from scratch, this is your lane.
The Requirements
Entrepreneur Visa
For entrepreneurs and self-employment individuals who wish to start or operate a business in Portugal. Requires proof of viable business activity and sufficient financial means. Pathway to residency and citizenship after 10 years.
- Government cost
- $90
- Processing time
- ~60 days
- Timeline
- 2 years, renewable, 10 years to citizenship
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Key requirements
- Valid passport
- Viable business plan or proof of entrepreneurial activity
- Sufficient funds (approx. €10,000)
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- NIF (Portuguese tax number)
Scouting Trips
Before you move, see Portugal like a future resident.
- We walk neighborhoods
- Meet local experts
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
Portugal partners who can help
Tania Teixeira
Portugal Guide
Portugal
Holborn Assets
Portugal Golden Visa
Algarve, Portugal
Viv Europe
Portugal Relocation Specialist
Lisbon, Portugal
Simon Conn
International Mortgage Lending
United Kingdom
Pathways
Alternative Education Coach
Lisbon, Portugal
Heather L.
Portugal Local Guide
Portugal
Popular Areas
Where Americans are building a new life.
Porto
Charming, walkable, and rich in culture. A favorite for expats seeking authenticity.
Lisbon
Vibrant, international, and full of life. Perfect for those who love city living.
Silver Coast
Quiet coastal towns, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed pace of life.
Algarve
Sunshine, stunning beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle in the south of Portugal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions, answered.
Can I move my existing business to Portugal on a D2?
Yes, whether you’re relocating an existing company or starting a new one.
Who is the D2 visa for?
Entrepreneurs and self-employed people who want to start or run a business in Portugal.
Is the D2 harder than the D7 or D8?
It’s more involved because of the business plan, but it’s a genuine path to residency and, after 10 years, citizenship.
Does the D2 lead to citizenship?
Yes, after five years of legal residency.
What do I need for a D2?
A viable business plan, proof you can fund it, and the standard documents: a clean record, health insurance, and proof of accommodation.
Other ways to move to Portugal
Move to Portugal on the D7 Visa
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Move to Portugal on the D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Keep your job. Change your address.
The Portugal Golden Visa, explained
An EU base, without moving full-time.
You can move abroad.
Thousands of Americans have already done it.
Why not you?