What is the Portugal Tech Visa?
The Tech Visa is a specialised version of the Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3) for tech and innovation companies. The employer must be certified by IAPMEI (Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação), which pre-verifies the company's legitimacy, financial standing and tech credentials.
Once certified, the employer issues a digital term of responsibility through the IAPMEI system, which you use to apply for the D3 visa. This streamlines the process — no labour market test, no IEFP involvement, and faster consular processing (typically around 30 days).
The salary, qualification and residence requirements are the same as the standard D3. Like the D3, it can convert to an EU Blue Card after 18 months for EU-wide mobility.
Note:This information is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet two requirements: a job offer from an IAPMEI-certified employer meeting the salary threshold, and the right qualifications. Certification pre-verifies the employer — if they issue you a term of responsibility, the company side is already cleared.
The employer must be certified by IAPMEI as a tech or innovation company (generally 3+ years of operation with positive financials, or demonstrated innovation credentials for newer firms). Once certified, they issue a digital term of responsibility. The salary must meet the D3 threshold: 3× IAS (€1,611/month) or 1.5× the national average gross salary, with the reduced ~€1,074/month rate for in-demand professions.
You must have completed a Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) with at least 5 years' experience in specialised technical functions. You also need to be at least 18, have no criminal record, be a third-country national not permanently resident in the EU, and be proficient in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish at a level suitable for the role.
The 2026 salary requirements
The Tech Visa uses the same thresholds as the standard D3. With the 2026 IAS at €537.13/month, the standard threshold of 3× IAS is €1,611/month.
The reduced threshold (2× IAS, about €1,074/month) applies to the same in-demand professions as the D3. Tax note: salaries are paid in 14 instalments; income tax (IRS) runs 13%–48% and employee social security is 11%.
What you need to apply
Same documents as the D3, with one addition: the IAPMEI term of responsibility from the certified employer.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From signing the contract to arriving in Portugal typically takes 5–10 weeks — slightly faster than the standard D3 because IAPMEI certification pre-clears the employer. The AIMA appointment after arrival adds 2–6 months.
Most common delay: AIMA backlogs, the same as all Portugal routes. The Tech Visa streamlines the pre-arrival consular stage but does not bypass the AIMA residence-permit appointment.
The IAPMEI-certified employer issues a digital term of responsibility through the IAPMEI system, and the employment contract is signed.
Handled by: your employer
Apply at the Portuguese consulate with the IAPMEI term of responsibility, employment contract and all standard documents. Processing typically takes around 30 days — faster than the standard D3 in practice.
Handled by: you
Enter Portugal and register with the Tax Authority (NIF) and Social Security (NISS), then begin work.
Handled by: you
Schedule an AIMA appointment for the 2-year residence permit. Current backlogs apply.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
IAPMEI maintains a public list of certified companies, and the employer can confirm directly. If they are not certified, they can apply through the IAPMEI portal — there is no government fee for certification, but the company must meet financial and innovation criteria.
The visa itself is the same — both are D3 Highly Qualified Activity visas. The difference is on the employer side: IAPMEI-certified companies issue a digital term of responsibility that pre-verifies their eligibility, which speeds up the consular process. If the employer is not certified, the standard D3 route applies with slightly more employer documentation.
No. It targets established companies in technology and innovation broadly — not only software. Firms in biotech, cleantech, fintech, healthtech, advanced manufacturing and other innovation sectors can be certified. The role must be highly qualified, but it doesn't have to be a coding job.
Yes. Unlike the standard D3, the Tech Visa requires you to be proficient in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish, at a level suitable to the duties of the role. In practice, most tech roles are conducted in English, so English proficiency is usually sufficient. You must also be at least 18, have a clean criminal record, and be a third-country national who is not already permanently resident in the EU.
You cannot apply for the Tech Visa without a job offer from an IAPMEI-certified employer. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Portugal. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority to find roles that match your criteria.
Find visa sponsored tech jobs in Portugal
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Portugal. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles with IAPMEI-certified and other sponsoring employers.
New to the country? See the Portugal destination guide.
Other visas you may qualify for
Portugal's standard employer-sponsored work visa covering all occupations. The employer must obtain authorisation from IEFP, including a labour market test. Processing takes 2–4 months total.
Portugal's fast-track route for highly qualified professionals — no labour market test, a €1,611/month salary threshold (reduced for in-demand roles), and conversion to an EU Blue Card after 18 months.
Portugal's EU Blue Card for highly qualified professionals — the lowest salary threshold in Western Europe at €1,611/month, with EU-wide mobility after 12–18 months and no labour market test.
Portugal's D8 visa for non-EU remote workers earning income from outside Portugal — no local job offer, €3,680/month plus ~€11,040 savings, in temporary-stay and residence versions.