Residency, and everything around it.
Three residency routes and the practical registrations a move actually depends on — handled in the order that makes sense for your situation.
Where would you like to start?
Residency routes first, then the setup steps that follow — or any of them on their own.
From first conversation to settling in.
We discuss your income source, work situation, and goals.
Together we identify whether the D2, the D7, the remote-work route or another option fits your circumstances.
A clear plan for the documents your specific case will need.
Guidance on NIF, NISS, SNS, and bank account preparation.
We help prepare a complete, well-organised application.
Guidance on the appointment or submission steps required.
Practical coordination as you plan the move itself.
Continued guidance after you arrive, where included in your service.
Guides worth reading first
Applying as a Family: Keeping Applicant Documents Organised
How to manage several applicants at once without losing track of whose documents are whose, or which set is complete.
How to Organise Documents for a Visa Application
A repeatable method for assembling, naming, and checking supporting documents — usable for any destination or pathway.
Portugal D7 and D8: Understanding the Difference
The D7 and D8 residency routes are often confused. The distinction comes down to where your income comes from and how it is earned.
Common questions
It depends on where your money comes from. The D7 is generally for applicants with passive or regular income — pensions, rental income, dividends. The Digital Nomad / Remote Work route, commonly called the D8, is generally for remote employees and freelancers working for clients or employers based outside Portugal. The D2 is for people carrying out an independent professional activity in Portugal, or coming as entrepreneurs to invest in or start a business there. Income you already receive, work you already do remotely, or work you intend to do in Portugal — that is the question the three routes divide on.
Not exactly. They are separate registrations with separate Portuguese bodies, and none of them is residency. A NIF is commonly needed early and is often required before other steps can move; the others depend on whether you are working, whether you are resident yet, and what your circumstances are. Our Portugal Setup Services page explains which of the four apply to whom, and we would rather tell you three of them do not apply to you yet than sell you a package.
In many cases, yes — dependants can often be included alongside the main applicant. The exact requirements depend on the pathway and your family's circumstances, which we'll review with you.
Yes — we help you prepare and coordinate your NIF (Portuguese tax identification number) request, which is typically an early step for most residency applications.
Requirements vary by pathway and individual circumstances. We can guide you through preparing the documentation typically needed if a bank account is required, or relevant, for your case.
No. Residency decisions are made solely by the relevant Portuguese authority. We help you prepare a complete, well-organised application, but we cannot guarantee an outcome.
We provide application and document-support services, not licensed legal or tax advice. For matters requiring a licensed specialist, we can point you toward one where appropriate.
What you should know before you start
- Vizabolt provides professional application and document-support services — we are not a government body.
- Decisions on visas, residency, and immigration status are made solely by the relevant government or immigration authority.
- Requirements, fees, and processing steps can change without notice, and we update our guidance accordingly.
- Individual eligibility depends on your personal circumstances, nationality, and the specific programme you are applying to.
Considering a move to Portugal?
Tell us about your situation and we will help you work out the right route.