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Portugal Residence for Highly Qualified Professionals
A residence permit for professionals hired by a Portuguese company for a skilled position. It suits IT specialists, engineers, scientists, doctors and other professionals.
The Portugal highly qualified visa is for professionals with a university degree who hold a contract or a binding job offer from a Portuguese company. There are two main routes: the visa for highly qualified activity and the EU Blue Card. In both cases the authorities look at your qualifications, the level of the position and the salary, which must be above the threshold set for the category. You first get a national visa, and after you arrive, a residence permit from the AIMA agency. Your family can move with you or join later.
Technology companies that take part in special programs can bring in employees through a faster procedure. We review your contract and qualifications, choose the right route and prepare the documents so the consulate does not send them back for corrections. We handle your family's paperwork in parallel, so everyone can move without a long gap.
Who it is for
- IT specialists, engineers and analysts
- Scientists, university lecturers and researchers
- Doctors and other professionals with recognized qualifications
- Managers and experts hired by a Portuguese company
- Families of skilled professionals
Requirements
- A university degree or proven high-level qualifications
- An employment contract or a binding job offer from a Portuguese company
- A salary above the threshold set for the category
- Diploma recognition for regulated professions
- A clean criminal record and health insurance
What we do
- Review your contract, salary and qualifications
- Choose the route: the highly qualified activity visa or the EU Blue Card
- Explain to your employer what is needed on their side
- Gather documents: apostilles, translations and insurance
- File the visa application and then the residence application with AIMA
- Prepare the documents for your family
Key documents
- Passport
- Employment contract or job offer
- Diploma with an apostille and translation
- Proof of work experience
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Health insurance
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is moving with you
How it works
- Reviewcontract, salary, diploma and choice of route
- Documentsapostilles, translations, insurance and a NIF tax number
- Visafiling at a Portuguese consulate
- Residence permitentry to Portugal, filing with AIMA and biometrics
- Familydocuments for your spouse and children, together with you or later
Timeline
Document preparation usually takes a few weeks, then the consulate reviews the visa and the AIMA steps follow in Portugal; a fast-track employer program can shorten this.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A salary below the threshold for the category is a reason for refusal
- Without diploma recognition you cannot work in a regulated profession
- AIMA appointments can take a long time to get, so we build in extra time
- Inaccurate translations of your diploma or contract send the file back for corrections
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $13,500. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Who counts as highly qualified for the Portugal highly qualified visa?
A professional with a university degree or proven high-level qualifications who is hired for a position at a matching level, with a salary above the set threshold. Typical examples are IT, engineering, science, medicine and senior management roles.
Which is better: the highly qualified visa or the EU Blue Card?
It depends on your contract and salary. The Blue Card gives more mobility within the EU, but it has its own requirements. We compare both options using your documents and tell you which one is more reliable and faster.
Do I need a contract before applying?
Yes. The basis is a job with a Portuguese company, so you need an employment contract or a binding offer. We do not search for jobs, but we step in once you have an offer and check that it meets the requirements.
Can I move with my family?
Yes. Your spouse and children can get residence together with you or later through family reunification. You will need proof of family ties with an apostille and translation, and proof that your income is enough for everyone.
Are there tax benefits?
A preferential tax regime applies to some highly qualified professions in science, technology and education. Whether it fits you depends on your position and employer, so it is worth checking with a tax adviser before the move.
How long does the process take?
Preparing documents usually takes a few weeks: apostilles, translations and the tax number. Then the consulate reviews the visa, and after arrival you go through the AIMA procedures. If your employer takes part in a fast-track program, the process can be shorter.
Can I change employers after I get the residence permit?
Yes, but the new contract must also meet the category requirements, especially on salary and position level. Before switching, check how it will affect your renewal. We can tell you how to go about it.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
