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Do you want to work in Portugal? You need to apply for a work visa. The Portugal work visa from Indians is called a National Visa/Long Stay Visa. The Visa permits you to travel to Portugal as a highly skilled worker, seasonal work, business activity, and more. You can apply for it at an embassy or consulate in your home country. This blog covers everything you need to know about the Portuguese work visa in 2025; its requirements, the application process, processing fees, and more.
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Who Needs a Portugal Work Visa?
Third-country nationals (For example, Indians) need a Portugal work visa from India. The visa permits you to stay for longer than 90 days. However, citizens from certain countries are exempt from a visa requirement. They are as follows:
- Citizen of an EU member state
- State party to the EEA agreement
- Third countries with which the EU has signed a freedom of movement agreement
- Family members of foreign nationals provided above/Portuguese citizens
Basic Understanding of Portugal Work Visa from India
Long-stay visas can be either temporary or given for residency authorisation purposes. This depends on the duration, and purpose of your stay.
- Temporary stay visas– You can get this visa to enter the country for less than 1 year of stay. This visa permits multiple entries and is valid for the duration of your stay.
- Residency visas- The residency visas are valid only for 4 months. The visa permits only two entries. The visa is valid for 4 months. During this period you need to request a residency permit with the Immigration and Border Services (SEF)
- Job Seeker Visa– This visa permits you to enter the country only to seek employment. You can carry out subordinated work activities until the visa expiry. You can also hold this visa till a residency permit is granted.
Note– Most of the work visas are temporary stay visas. That is, you are allowed to stay for a maximum period of 1 year.
Types of Portugal Work Visa from India
These are some of the types of Portugal work visas.
- E3- Independent Work– Given for a stay for less than 1 year for carrying out independent business activity
- E4–scientific Research/ University Teaching Position/ Highly Qualified Activity- Give for a stay that is less than 1 year. You can get it for scientific research, academic teaching purposes, or to undertake highly qualified activity.
- Amateur Sports- Granted for less than `1 year of stay for sports purposes
- E6 – Student Exchange/ Unpaid Professional Internship/ Volunteer Work– This visa is granted in cases of student exchange volunteer work, or for unpaid professional internships for less than 1 year.
- E8 – Seasonal Work (More Than 90 Days)- Those who want to undertake seasonal work in the eligible industries. For example, hotel, housing, and restaurant industries, food, drinks and tobacco industries, and agriculture, hunting, livestock, and fishing industries.
- ER- Temporary Stay Visa Digital Nomads– You can study/work as a digital nomad for less than 1 year.
- D1 – Subordinated Professional Activity- Those who want to enter Portugal for general employment purposes.
- D2–Independent Professional Activity/Entrepreneur Immigrants/Start-up Visa– Granted to entrepreneurs and foreign nationals wanting to establish their independent business activity or have been hired as a service provider by a company in Portugal.
- D3–University Teaching Position/ Highly Qualified Activity/ Cultural Activity- This is a residence visa granted for teaching/research purposes or to highly qualified professionals.
- D4 – Research/Study/Internship (More Than One Year)– Those who want to visit Portugal for the purpose of research, high school student exchange, study in Portugal, volunteering or internship.
- DP – Residence job seeking visa- The residence job seeking vsia is granted to those who want to enter portugal for seeking employment in the country.
Learn about the Portugal study visa in detail
Documents Required for a Portugal Work Visa from India
The following documents are required for a work visa. These are just general documents that apply to all visa types. The exact visa requirements vary depending on the visa you are applying for:
| S.No | Documents |
| 1 | National Visa Application Form |
| 2 | Two Photos (35-40mm in width & not older than 6 months). Photos with eyewear are unacceptable. |
| 3 | Passport |
| 4 | Copy of return tickets |
| 5 | Valid travel insurance (at least EUR 30,000) |
| 6 | Criminal record certificate (to prove you have a clean record) |
| 7 | Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay |
| 8 | Additional documents (for example, birth certificates for minors) |
Where Can I Get the Portugal Work Visa Application Form?
The Portugal work visa application form 2025 can be downloaded online. To download the application form you can follow either of the following steps:
- Visit the official Website– At the Ministry of Foregin Affairs official website you can find the application form. The application form can be downloaded by going to the national visa section (on the home page), and choosing forms.
- Visit the VFS Website- At the VFS Page for Portugal work visa for Indians you can select the type of visa you want. Thereafter, you can go to the forms and download the application form.
Fun Fact: The application form for the residency and temporary visa is the same!
You can download the Portugal Work Visa application form 2025 from here
How to Apply for a Portugal Work Visa from India?
Indian applicants cannot apply for an e-visa to work in Portugal. The official partner for the visa application is VFS Global. Therefore, the application can be made through them. The visa application process is as follows:
| S.No | Application Process |
| 1 | Visit the VFS website for Portugal work visa from Indians & Select the Work Visa type |
| 2 | Download the visa application form and complete it |
| 3 | Gather the required documents for the specific visa |
| 4 | Schedule a visa appointment at a visa application centre. You need to bring your documents on the date of visa appointment. |
| 5 | Submit biometric information & pay the visa fees |
| 6 | Give the visa interview & wait for visa processing (an interview is mandatory for long stays) |
| 7 | After the processing time is complete you will get a decision. Thereafter, you can collect your passport |
Steps To Take After Filing Your Visa Application
After getting a Portugal work visa from Indian you are permitted to travel to the country. However, your job does not end there! These are some of the steps you must take after getting your visa.
- Apply for a residence permit- The residence permit allows you to stay in the country for a specific period. Book an appointment at SEF for the same. The embassy generally applies for a visa appointment on your behalf.
- Register for social security.– You can visit the Portugese Social Security Office and get a tax number.
To learn more about the Portugal residence card, watch this video:
What is the Portugal Work Visa From India Cost?
The cost of a Portugal work visa for Indians is as follows:
| Long Stay Visa Type | Visa Fees |
| Temporary Stay | EUR 90 (INR 8208) |
| Residence Visa | EUR 90 (INR 8208) |
| Job Seeker Visa | EUR 90 (INR 8208) |
What is the Portugal Work Visa From India Processing Time?
The application for a long-stay visa is only accepted until 30 working days before the date of intended travel. After the visa application is submitted the processing time taken is provided below:
| Long Stay Visa Type | Processing Time |
| Temporary Stay | 30 days. |
| Residence Visa | 60 calendar days |
What is the Minimum Income Requirement for a Portugal Work Visa from India?
To get a work visa it is important that you have secured a job that offers you a minimum salary. This salary is also called the minimum means of subsistence, as it is essential to cover your living costs for the duration of your stay.
| Particulars | Monthly Salary |
| Means of subsistence to get a work visa | EUR 820 (after any social security deductions). |
| The per capita increase for each family unit (1st adult) | 100% |
| The per capita increase for each family unit (2nd adult) | 50% |
| Children and young people below the age of 18 | 30% |
Learn about the cost of living in Portugal
Is IELTS Required for a Portugal Work Visa?
No. IELTS is not required to get a Portugal work visa. However, you may require langauge proficiency to get a job in Portugal. For this purpose, you will have to clear any English Proficiency exam. This can be IELTS or TOEFL. Ensure that the English language test is recognised in Portugal.
What is the Success Rate of the Portugal Work Visa?
The Portugal Embassy has not provided the success rate for the Portugal work visas. However, it is estimated that for a Job seeker visa, you have 84.9%. This means that most of the job seeker visa applications are approved as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. For a smooth visa application process ensure that all the information you have provided are accurate. Additionally, ensure that you meet the minimum financial requirements.
What Happens If My Work Visa Gets Refused?
Your visa application can be rejected due to several reasons. In case of visa refusal, you have two options:
- Reapply– You can reapply for a Portugal work visa from india This time ensure that all visa requirements are met. Also, ensure that you have corrected your previous errors. For example, if a visa application is rejected due to a lack of means of subsistence, ensure that the next job offer provides you with sufficient income.
- Appeal– An appeal can be filed within 15 days of the visa rejection. A visa appeal would cost around EUR 75.
Does a Work Visa Lead to Permanent Residency in Portugal?
Yes. A Portugal work visa from India can lead to permanent residency. However, you must live for 5 years continuously in the country. After 5 years of stay, you are permitted to apply for permanent residence. The permanent residency will give you the same rights as a citizen of the country. However, you will still not be allowed to participate in elections/hold public office. Moreover, a permanent residency in Portugal would mean that you can travel to all the Schengen states with a few restrictions.
Does a Work Visa Lead to Portuguese Citizenship?
After 5 years of residency in Portugal, you can apply for citizenship. Moreover, you need to have a clean criminal record and have A2 level (CEFR scale) Portuguese langauge proficiency. Moreover, you will have to demonstrate integration and links to the Portuguese community.
Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship
Portuguese citizenship will give the same rights as a natural citizen. For example,
- You can access new rights like paying the same amount of taxes like other citizens,, voting rights, running for local or European elections and accessing public healthcare facilities.
- If you choose to study in Portugal you can pay lower tuition fees
- Portugal has one of the most powerful passports in the world. The passport allows you visa-free entry to 188 countries.
FAQs
Yes. Bank balance is important for a visa. However, for a work visa you only need to meet the minimum income requirement. That is, you must earn the minimum monthly amount as an employee. This will ensure that you can pay for your living expenses.
Both Portuguese and English is useful for working in Portugal. If you know either of the two languages, you can easily work in the country.
Yes. Indian nationals are allowed to settle in Portugal. However, they must hold the residence permit for at least 5 years to be eligible to apply for permanent residency. As a permanent resident, you can live, study, and work in Portugal for at least 10 years.
Instead of a minimum bank balance, the country requires you to have a minimum salary. That is around EUR 820 (minimum wage) per month.
We hope you now understand what are the Pportugal work visa from India. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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