🇵🇹Portugal Visa for Nicaraguan Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Schengen Seasonal Work Visa

Allows third-country nationals to engage in subordinate seasonal employment in Portugal for a period of up to 90 days.

This is a Schengen-category visa for short-term seasonal work (90 days or less). For seasonal work exceeding 90 days, a national Temporary Stay Visa for seasonal work is required instead.

National Visa - Subordinate Work (Temporary Stay)

Allows third-country nationals to enter and remain in Portugal for subordinate (employed) work for stays of more than 90 days and up to one year.

Temporary Stay Visa valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. Standard national visa fee EUR 110. Processing deadline 30 days. A separate Residency Visa for subordinate work (valid 4 months, 2 entries) is available for those seeking to obtain a full residence permit through AIMA.

National Residency Visa - Subordinate Work

Allows third-country nationals to enter Portugal and apply for a residence permit for subordinate employment through AIMA.

Residency visa valid 4 months (approximately 120 days) with 2 entries. Holder must apply for a residence permit with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) within Portugal during validity. Processing deadline 60 days. Fee EUR 110.

National Visa - Independent Work / Self-Employment (Temporary Stay)

Permits third-country nationals to enter Portugal to carry out independent professional work or self-employed activity for up to one year.

Covers freelancers and independent contractors. Also available as a Residency Visa (4 months, 2 entries) for applicants intending to obtain a full residence permit.

National Visa - Highly Qualified Activity (Temporary Stay)

Allows highly qualified third-country nationals to enter Portugal for scientific research, higher education, or highly qualified professional activity for up to one year.

Fee waived for highly qualified researchers. Covers university professors, researchers, and senior professionals. Also available as Residency Visa (4 months, 2 entries). Tech Visa program (IAPMEI-certified companies) provides fast-track access to this category.

D8 Digital Nomad / Remote Work Visa (Temporary Stay)

Allows remote workers and digital nomads who earn income from sources outside Portugal to reside in Portugal and work remotely for up to one year.

Established under Article 60(2)(c) of the Foreigners Law. Minimum income approximately EUR 3,480/month (4x national minimum wage as of 2025) for the preceding 3 months. Applies to both salaried employees working remotely and self-employed/freelancers. Also available as Residency Visa D8 (valid 4 months, 2 entries) for those seeking a 2-year residence permit from AIMA. Minimum stay for maintaining D8 residence permit: 183 days/year.

D8 Digital Nomad / Remote Work Residency Visa

Allows remote workers to enter Portugal and apply for a 2-year residence permit through AIMA, establishing long-term residency as a digital nomad.

Residency visa valid 4 months with 2 entries. Holder must apply to AIMA for a 2-year residence permit within Portugal. Renewable; leads to permanent residency after 5 years. Processing deadline 60 days. Fee EUR 110.

National Visa - Study (Temporary Stay)

Permits third-country nationals to enter Portugal for secondary education, bachelor's, master's, PhD, or post-doctoral study programs for more than 3 months.

Fee waived for holders of Portuguese government study scholarships. Covers all levels of formal education. Also available as a Residency Visa (4 months, 2 entries) for students intending to apply for a student residence permit through AIMA.

National Visa - Professional Training / Internship / Volunteer Work (Temporary Stay)

Allows third-country nationals to enter Portugal for professional training programs, formal internships, or volunteer work for more than 3 months.

Covers structured training programs, accredited internships, and recognised volunteer schemes. Also available as a Residency Visa (4 months, 2 entries).

D7 Passive Income / Retirement Visa (Temporary Stay)

Allows retirees and persons living from passive income (pensions, property income, dividends, or financial assets) to reside in Portugal for up to one year.

Applicant must demonstrate sufficient regular passive income. No statutory minimum income amount is specified on the official page - documentary evidence of income/assets required. Also available as a Residency Visa D7 (4 months, 2 entries) for those intending to obtain a long-term residence permit. Leads to permanent residency after 5 years.

D7 Passive Income / Retirement Residency Visa

Allows retirees and passive income holders to enter Portugal and apply for a long-term residence permit through AIMA.

Residency visa valid 4 months with 2 entries. Holder must apply for a residence permit with AIMA within Portugal. Renewable; leads to permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence. Processing deadline 60 days. Fee EUR 110.

ARI - Autorização de Residência para Investimento (Golden Visa)

Grants residency to third-country nationals making qualifying investments in Portugal, including capital transfers, job creation, cultural heritage, or scientific research.

Regulated under Article 90-A of the Aliens Act (Law 23/2007), as amended by Law 56/2023 ('Mais Habitação', in force from 7 October 2023). Real estate purchase routes were eliminated by Law 56/2023. Current qualifying routes: (1) EUR 500,000 capital transfer into qualifying non-real estate investment funds; (2) EUR 500,000 to establish or reinforce a Portuguese company with job creation; (3) EUR 500,000 for scientific research; (4) EUR 250,000 for artistic production or national cultural heritage; (5) Creation of at least 10 job positions. Minimum physical presence: 7 days in year 1, 14 days per subsequent 2-year renewal. Path to permanent residency and citizenship after 5 years. Applications managed by AIMA.

National Residency Visa - Family Reunification

Allows family members of residents legally residing in Portugal to join them and apply for a residence permit through AIMA.

Fee waived for family reunification descendants of residency permit holders and family members exempt under EU legislation. Residency visa valid 4 months with 2 entries; holder must apply to AIMA for a residence permit within Portugal. Processing deadline 60 days.

National Visa - Medical Treatment (Temporary Stay)

Allows third-country nationals to enter Portugal for medical treatment and permits accompanying family members of patients undergoing treatment.

Covers both the patient and accompanying family members. Fee waived for patients and companions under health cooperation agreements. Temporary Stay Visa valid up to 1 year with multiple entries. Processing deadline 30 days.

National Visa - Amateur Sports (Temporary Stay)

Allows third-country nationals to enter Portugal for amateur sporting activities and competitions for stays of more than 90 days and up to one year.

Specifically for amateur athletes; professional sporting activities would fall under work visa categories. Temporary Stay Visa valid up to 1 year with multiple entries. Processing deadline 30 days. Fee EUR 110.

National Visa - Religious Purposes (Temporary Stay)

Permits third-country nationals to enter Portugal for religious activities or ministry for more than 3 months in exceptional cases.

Available in exceptional cases only. Temporary Stay Visa valid up to 1 year with multiple entries. Processing deadline 30 days. Fee EUR 110.

Skilled Job Seeker Visa

Allows specialised technical professionals to enter Portugal to seek qualified employment, permitting highly qualified work until visa expiration or residence permit issuance.

Exists in Portuguese legislation under Article 57-A of the Foreigners Law but was not yet operational at consular posts as of the last official page update. Not currently accepting applications - awaiting regulatory implementation. Processing deadline would be 60 days once operational.

Youth Mobility (Work and Holiday) Visa - Temporary Stay

Allows young people from partner countries to spend an extended holiday in Portugal of up to 12 months with authorisation to work on a secondary basis.

Temporary stay visa issued under bilateral Youth Mobility / Work and Holiday Memoranda of Understanding. Eligible nationalities: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of Korea, United States, and Uruguay. Age range varies by country (18-30 Argentina/Chile/Japan/New Zealand; 18-31 Australia/Peru; 18-34 Republic of Korea; 18-35 Canada/Uruguay; 18+ USA). Stay of up to 12 months with no possibility of extension (Uruguay: up to 6 months). Purpose must be primarily holiday; paid work is allowed but the holder may not hold a permanent contract or work more than 3 months for the same employer, and may attend training/study of up to 6 months. Annual quotas apply per country (e.g. Australia 500, Canada 600, USA 400).

EU Blue Card (Cartão Azul UE) - Highly Qualified Employment Residence Permit

Residence permit allowing highly qualified third-country nationals with a qualifying job offer and salary to live and work in Portugal, with intra-EU mobility rights.

Granted under Articles 121-A et seq. of the Foreigners Law (Law 23/2007), transposing EU Directive 2021/1883, and administered by AIMA. Requires a work contract of at least one year offering a gross annual salary of at least 1.5x the national average (approximately EUR 35,000+ as of 2026) plus higher-education qualifications or equivalent professional experience. Initially valid for 2 years and renewable for 3-year periods; no labour-market test is applied. During the first 12 months of residence the holder is restricted to the employer/activity that justified the card, after which they may change employer freely. Maximum processing time 60 days. Entry to Portugal is obtained via the National Visa for Highly Qualified Activity; this permit is distinct from the Article 90 national highly-qualified residence permit.

Diplomatic / Service / Official Visa

Issued to diplomatic personnel, official government representatives, and their dependants travelling to Portugal on official duty.

Holders of diplomatic passports are exempt from airport transit visa requirements under Article 3(5)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. Bilateral diplomatic and service passport waiver agreements exist with numerous countries (Turkey confirmed: service and special passports exempt from Schengen short-stay requirement under agreement signed 14 July 2010). Diplomatic visas are issued outside standard procedures and fees are typically waived.