Indian applicants · Portuguese Republic
D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) for Indian citizens
Residence visa for business owners, founders, and self-employed workers establishing activity in Portugal.
- Processing time
- 2–4 months at consulate.
- Government fees
- Visa around €90; residence permit around €170.
- Typical duration
- Same 2+3 year residence permit pattern; leads to permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years.
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai (VFS)
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Portuguese Republic. The D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
The D2 visa covers foreign nationals wishing to establish a company in Portugal, invest in an existing Portuguese business, or work as a self-employed service provider. Applicants need a credible business plan, capital to support the activity, and evidence of qualifications where relevant.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Business plan or self-employment activity evidenced.
- ✓Capital or means to support the activity.
- ✓Professional qualifications where relevant to the activity.
- ✓Accommodation in Portugal.
Common blockers
- !Business plan judged non-viable.
- !Capital insufficient for scale of planned activity.
Typical evidence
- ·Business plan.
- ·Capital evidence / bank statements.
- ·Portuguese company incorporation or service contracts.
Application pathway
Incorporate Portuguese company or prepare service contracts
Set up the business legally before or in parallel with the visa application.
Obtain NIF and open corporate bank account
Capital deposit supporting the business plan.
Apply at consulate
Submit visa with business plan, capital evidence, and accommodation.
AIMA appointment and residence card
Attend after arrival; receive 2-year residence card.
Other Portuguese Republic routes covered for Indian applicants
D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work)
Residence visa for remote workers employed by or freelancing for companies outside Portugal.
D3 visa (highly qualified activity)
Residence visa for highly qualified workers with a Portuguese employment contract.
Family reunification (residence)
Residence authorisation for family members of legal residents in Portugal.
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment)?+
Eligibility for the D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) is set by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Portugal) and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment)?+
New Delhi / Mumbai (VFS). Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Portugal) — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Portuguese Republic as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Portuguese Republic. The D2 visa (entrepreneur / self-employment) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How much capital do I need for the D2 visa?+
There is no single statutory threshold. The amount required is whatever the consulate assesses as proportionate to the business plan. Smaller service businesses have historically succeeded with €30,000–50,000 in deposited capital; capital-intensive plans need substantially more.