Portugal is increasingly popular among Indian citizens looking for a European lifestyle, career opportunities, or peaceful retirement. Whether you’re a tech professional, entrepreneur, student, or retiree, Portugal offers accessible residence visas and a welcoming environment.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through visa options, the immigration process, and how Borderless Lawyers helps Indians move to Portugal with ease.
🌟 Why Indians Are Choosing Portugal
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✅ Affordable living and high quality of life
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✅ Growing Indian expat community
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✅ Access to Schengen travel and EU healthcare
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✅ English widely spoken in major cities
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✅ Multiple visa options for remote workers, families, and entrepreneurs
🛂 Best Visa Options for Indians Moving to Portugal
Indian citizens require a residence visa for stays longer than 90 days. Below are the most common long-term visa options:
💼 1. D7 Visa – Passive Income or Remote Work
For Indians with steady income from rent, pensions, dividends, or freelance work abroad.
Requirements:
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Minimum income: ~€820/month
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Accommodation in Portugal
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Portuguese NIF (tax number)
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Private health insurance
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Clean criminal record (translated & apostilled)
Best For: Freelancers, retirees, or digital professionals.
🌍 2. Digital Nomad Visa
Ideal for Indian citizens working remotely for international companies.
Requirements:
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Monthly income of at least €3,280
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Employment or freelance contract
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Rental agreement in Portugal
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Health insurance
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Background check (translated & apostilled)
Best For: IT professionals, designers, marketers, and consultants.
🧳 3. D2 Visa – Entrepreneurs and Freelancers
Great for entrepreneurs planning to open or relocate a business in Portugal.
Requirements:
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Business plan
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Proof of investment capital
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Company registration (can be done remotely)
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Portuguese NIF and accommodation
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Background documents
Best For: Startups, small business owners, and service providers.
🎓 4. Student Visa
If you’ve been accepted to a Portuguese university or academic program.
Requirements:
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Official admission letter
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Proof of financial means
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Accommodation in Portugal
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Private health insurance
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Background check (translated & apostilled)
Best For: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or language students.
👨👩👧👦 5. Family Reunification
For Indian citizens joining a family member legally residing in Portugal.
Eligible Relatives:
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Spouse or legally recognized partner
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Minor or dependent children
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Dependent parents
This visa allows reunification with loved ones already in Portugal.
📍 Top Cities for Indian Expats in Portugal
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Lisbon – Diverse, international, with growing Indian tech and student population
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Porto – Affordable, historic, and student-friendly
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Braga – Emerging IT hub and academic center
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Algarve – Ideal for retirees seeking sunshine
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Cascais & Sintra – Upscale, family-friendly suburbs near Lisbon
📄 Immigration Process for Indians: Step-by-Step
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Choose the visa that matches your profile
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Gather documents and legalize/apostille them in India
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Submit your visa application at the Portuguese Embassy or VFS in India
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Attend your interview and await approval
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Travel to Portugal with your residence visa
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Attend your SEF appointment to receive your residence permit
⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps Indian Citizens Move to Portugal
Navigating visas, legal translations, apostilles, and SEF procedures can be overwhelming. That’s why Borderless Lawyers offers full-service immigration support:
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✅ Visa strategy and document checklist
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✅ Assistance with NIF, accommodation, and banking
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✅ Business registration for D2 visa applicants
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✅ Certified translation & apostille support
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✅ SEF appointment scheduling
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✅ Ongoing legal support for renewals and family reunification
✅ Ready to Start Your Move from India to Portugal?
Whether you want to work remotely from Lisbon, retire in the Algarve, or build a startup in Porto, Portugal is open and welcoming to Indian nationals.