For non-EU families, the right visa is the foundation of the whole move. Here is a plain-English overview of Portugal’s main residence routes — what each is broadly for — so you can have an informed conversation with a qualified immigration lawyer.
Visa rules, thresholds and processes change frequently, and the right route depends on your nationality, income and goals. This guide is general orientation only — for your actual application, work with a qualified immigration lawyer. Calma handles language, accompaniment and settling-in admin (including AIMA appointments), and refers you to legal specialists.
For people with stable passive or regular income — pensions, rental, dividends, remote income. Popular with retirees and financially independent families.
For remote workers and the self-employed earning above an income threshold from outside Portugal. A newer, fast-growing route.
A residence-by-investment route. The rules have changed significantly in recent years (the property route was removed) — check the current eligible investment options with a lawyer.
A visa typically gets you into Portugal; you then complete residence formalities with AIMA (biometrics and your residence card). That step runs in Portuguese — our AIMA guide explains it, and Calma can attend as your interpreter. Along the way you’ll also need your NIF and NISS and, once resident, the SNS.
Once your visa route is clear, the practical move begins. Calma handles the Portuguese-language admin — NIF, bank, AIMA interpreting, NISS, SNS, schools and the hundred phone calls — often starting before you arrive. See relocation help. Planning the tax side? Our sister site Portugal Tax Calculator covers IRS and the NHR/IFICI regime.
Broadly: the D7 for passive/stable income (and retirees), the Digital Nomad/D8 for remote workers and the self-employed, and the Golden Visa for residence by investment. The right one depends on your situation — confirm with an immigration lawyer.
The D7 is built around passive or stable income; the Digital Nomad (D8) is built around active remote income above a threshold. Many families qualify for one but not the other.
It still exists but the rules changed significantly in recent years — notably the real-estate route was removed. Check the current eligible investment options with a lawyer.
For the application itself, yes — strongly recommended. Calma is not a legal practice; we handle language, AIMA accompaniment and settling-in admin, and refer you to qualified immigration lawyers.
You enter Portugal and complete residence formalities with AIMA (biometrics, residence card). You'll also sort your NIF, NISS and SNS. See our AIMA and NIF & NISS guides.
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