Residency Visa for Subordinate Work
🇵🇹 Portugal visas · Work
What it is
Residency visa for subordinate (employed) work in Portugal, the standard route for taking up a job with a Portuguese employer. Residency visa: allows two entries and is valid for 4 months. During that time the holder must apply for a residence permit with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo).
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Visa valid 4 months / two entries; then a residence permit from AIMA.
- Processing time
- Up to 9 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Mixed
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (national visa fee (Order 229/2021))
- EUR 110
- Application fee (exempt from any visa fee)
- EUR 0
Key requirements
- National visa application form, signed
- Two recent passport photos
- Passport valid for 3 months beyond the intended return
- Criminal record certificate (applicants 16+), apostilled or legalised
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Valid travel insurance
- Employment contract or promise of an employment contract
- Proof of professional qualifications where required
Working on this visa
Permit requires a work contract under Portuguese law and social-security enrolment (Art 88(1)). Holder may work as an employee (Art 83(1)(b)) and may switch to independent activity by substituting the residence title (Art 88(5)).
Bringing family
Family can apply for residence visas together with the applicant (Art 58(5)). Later reunification sponsor needs a residence permit valid >=2 years (Art 98(1)); family = spouse, minor/dependent children, dependent ascendants (Art 99).
Money you must show
2026 min wage; +50% adult +30% child; contract counts
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.