Employment in Portugal for Ukrainians
For legal long-term employment, Ukrainian citizens need:
- A D visa — issued by the Portuguese consulate in Ukraine or your country of residence.
- A residence permit with the right to work — issued in Portugal by AIMA upon arrival.
Step 1 — The employer prepares a job offer. They must provide:
- a written job offer or preliminary contract;
- confirmation of company registration;
- a document detailing the terms of employment (schedule, salary, position).
Step 2 — You must submit your documents for a D visa at the consulate. You need to prepare:
- valid foreign passport;
- signed job offer/contract;
- medical insurance covering the entire period of stay;
- proof of residence in Portugal (accommodation reservation, rental agreement, letter of guarantee from the employer, invitation from the host);
- certificate of no criminal record;
- documents on education/qualifications (if necessary);
- photo;
- completed application form for a D visa;
- translations of documents into Portuguese or English.
👉 You can order translations and apostilles on the Visit Ukraine website.
❗The consular fee for a national D visa is €110.
Processing time: usually around 30–60 days, depending on the consulate's workload.
Step 3 — Obtain your D visa and enter Portugal. The visa is usually issued for 120 days, allows multiple entries, and entitles you to apply for a residence permit.
Upon arrival, you will need to obtain a NIF (tax number) and NISS (social security number), as well as open a bank account — these documents are required to apply for a residence permit.
Step 4 — Apply for a residence permit. After arriving in Portugal, your employer will confirm your employment contract in the AIMA system. After that, you must appear at the appointed appointment at the AIMA office to apply for a residence permit with the right to work. The application must be submitted in person on a special form signed by you or your legal representative.
Documents required to obtain a Portuguese residence permit:
- passport with a valid long-term D visa;
- proof of address in Portugal;
- employment contract or written job offer;
- NIF and NISS;
- medical insurance;
- certificate of no criminal record (if not submitted to the consulate);
- documents on education/professional qualifications (if necessary);
- two passport-size photos;
- submission of biometric data: photo, fingerprints, and signature.
🔎 The list of documents may vary depending on your professional activity, type of employment contract, and applicant status.
To check the current and complete requirements, we recommend that you refer to the official AIMA information at the link.
Residence permit processing time: The processing of a residence permit application usually takes 30-90 days, depending on the AIMA's workload and the completeness of the documents submitted.
Cost of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal:
- €127.20 — application review (análise do pedido)
- €109.30 — issuance of a residence card
The full official table of AIMA fees can be viewed at the link.
Validity period: The first residence permit for employment is issued for 2 years. Further extensions are issued immediately for 3 years. After 5 years of residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship.
💡To avoid rejection or delays due to incorrect documents, use legal advice from Visit Ukraine — specialists will tell you exactly what documents you need in your case and help you prepare the correct set of documents.
The legalization process in Portugal can be complicated: visa application, registration, obtaining tax numbers, contract verification, preparation of documents for AIMA — all this requires time and attention. To avoid mistakes and delays, you can use full legal support from Visit Ukraine specialists.
Legal support includes:
- analysis of your situation and selection of the optimal type of visa and residence permit;
- verification of the employment contract and employer's conditions;
- preparation of documents for submission to the consulate and AIMA;
- consultations on obtaining NIF, NISS, and address registration;
- recommendations on renting accommodation, medical insurance, and compliance with local legislation;
- support at key stages of document submission and awaiting a decision.
🫂 With Visit Ukraine, you will go through all the stages of registration in Portugal with confidence and without unnecessary stress.
A short-term work visa allows Ukrainians to work legally in Portugal for up to 9 months. This visa is suitable for seasonal work in agriculture, tourism, the hotel and restaurant industry, as well as for temporary contracts in construction and logistics.
This type of visa is issued by the Portuguese consulate in Ukraine or your country of residence and is valid only for the period of employment. After its expiration, you must return home or apply for another type of permit if you wish to stay longer.
Who is eligible for a short-term work visa?
- Those who have a temporary contract for 90-270 days;
- Seasonal workers (farms, hotels, tourism, fishing);
- Workers on temporary projects in construction or the service sector;
- Those who do not plan to move permanently but want to earn money legally in Portugal.
What is required to apply for a short-term work visa?
For Ukrainians, the rules are as follows:
- foreign passport;
- signed short-term employment contract or official job offer;
- proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental agreement or letter of guarantee from the employer);
- a certificate of no criminal record (issued no more than 90 days ago);
- qualification documents (if necessary);
- medical insurance covering the entire period of stay;.
- financial confirmation;
- official translations of documents into Portuguese or English.
The official consular fee for a short-term work visa is €90.
The processing time usually takes 15 to 45 days, depending on the consulate's workload and the season.
What do you need to do after receiving your visa?
Upon arrival in Portugal, you must:
- register your address of residence;
- obtain a NIF (tax number) and NISS (social security number);
- start working according to the contract.
Unlike a D visa, a seasonal visa does not automatically entitle you to apply for a residence permit, as it is only valid for the duration of the contract.
Portugal offers Ukrainians the opportunity to legally start their own business, work as self-employed individuals, or launch innovative projects. This is one of the most convenient ways to relocate, as entrepreneurs can obtain a residence permit through a D2 business visa or a special Portuguese startup visa.
What forms of business are available to Ukrainians
- Self-employment (equivalent to registering as a sole proprietor in Portugal)
Those who work independently, such as freelancers, craftsmen, consultants, and creative professionals, can register as entrepreneurs (Empresário em Nome Individual).
- Unipessoal LDA (single-owner company)
Suitable for small businesses and online projects. The authorized capital can be minimal.
- LDA (Sociedade por Quotas)
A company with several founders. An option for joint projects or larger businesses.
Advantages of starting a business in Portugal:
- Simple and quick company registration
- Corporate tax from 17% for small companies (on the first €25,000 of profit)
- Possibility to apply for a residence permit as an entrepreneur
- Access to EU banks and SEPA payments
- Support for startups
D2 visa: relocation through your own business for Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens who want to start a business in Portugal or relocate their existing business can apply for a D2 visa. Once obtained, you can live and work in the country legally.
After entering on a D2 visa, you must apply for a residence permit at AIMA. The first residence permit is issued for 2 years and can be extended thereafter.
How to register a business
Portugal offers fast and government services for company registration:
- Empresa na Hora — opening a company in the office in 1 hour.
- Empresa Online — online registration in 1–2 days.
The cost of both options is approximately €360. After registration, the company receives a tax number (NIPC) and can officially operate.
StartUP Visa: an opportunity for innovative projects
Ukrainians who are developing a technological or innovative business can apply for a Portuguese start-up visa. To do this, you need:
- an innovative business idea or prototype;
- a business plan;
- proof of financial capacity (a minimum of €5,300 per applicant must be shown);
- support from an accredited Portuguese incubator.
The official website where you can find out more about the program is at this link.
When to consult a business lawyer
If you are not sure that your business plan meets the requirements or do not know which option is best for you — self-employment, D2, or StartUP Visa — you can seek legal advice at Visit Ukraine. Experts will advise you on the best option and help you prepare the correct set of documents.
Legal assistance may also be needed in situations where you need to register a company correctly, choose the optimal form of business, prepare founding documents, determine the tax model, or reduce risks when concluding contracts. A business lawyer will help you structure your activities, avoid typical mistakes made by relocating entrepreneurs, and prepare your company to operate in a different legal system.