D3 vs Tech: D3 – Highly qualified activity visa vs Tech Visa (certified companies)
Figures last checked 2026-10-14. Items marked check could not be fully confirmed on an official page.
| D3 – Highly qualified activity visa | Tech Visa (certified companies) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Holders of a contract for highly qualified work, teaching or research (includes the EU Blue Card route). [MNE Vistos – Residency visa documents] | Highly qualified workers hired by companies certified under the Tech Visa programme. [IAPMEI – Tech Visa (gov programme)] |
| Minimum income / savings | Means at least €920/month baseline. Salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card are set separately and are not reproduced here.check [MNE Vistos – Means of subsistence] | Salary/qualification conditions set by the programme. Not confirmed on an official page; check the source.check [IAPMEI – Tech Visa (gov programme)] |
| Fees | Per MNE fee table. Not confirmed on an official page; check the source.check [MNE Vistos – Fees] | Visa fees per MNE fee table. Not confirmed on an official page; check the source.check [MNE Vistos – Fees] |
| Processing time | D3 is processed with priority according to MNE; check deadlines.check [MNE Vistos – Deadlines] | Faster processing is advertised for certified companies; not confirmed.check [IAPMEI – Tech Visa (gov programme)] |
| Initial permit & renewal | Residency visa: 4 months, 2 entries; then apply to AIMA for a residence permit. [MNE Vistos – Type of visa] | Leads to a residency visa/permit like D3.check [MNE Vistos – Type of visa] |
| Path to PR / citizenship | Permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence; citizenship by naturalisation after 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU nationals) under rules in force since 19 May 2026 [Justiça – new nationality rules from 19 May 2026] | Permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence; citizenship by naturalisation after 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU nationals) under rules in force since 19 May 2026 [Justiça – new nationality rules from 19 May 2026] |
| Family members | Highly qualified/Blue Card holders may have reunification exceptions to the 2-year rule (Lei 61/2025).check [Lei 61/2025 (Diário da República)] | Per Lei 61/2025.check [Lei 61/2025 (Diário da República)] |
| Tax notes (IFICI / NHR 2.0) | May qualify for IFICI ("NHR 2.0"): 20% flat IRS on eligible Portuguese-source employment/self-employment income for 10 years, if the activity is eligible. Highly qualified roles are a core IFICI category. [EBF art. 58.º-A (IFICI)] | May qualify for IFICI ("NHR 2.0"): 20% flat IRS on eligible Portuguese-source employment/self-employment income for 10 years, if the activity is eligible [EBF art. 58.º-A (IFICI)] |
| Where to apply | Consulate, then AIMA. [MNE Vistos – Type of visa] | Employer certification with IAPMEI, then consulate and AIMA. [IAPMEI – Tech Visa (gov programme)] |
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