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Taking a pet cat, dog or ferret to Portugal for personal (non-commercial) purposes   1.     Microchip Application Action to be taken: Your pet should be microchipped with a 15-digit microchip in accordance with ISO 11784/11785 standards. Micro chipping should be performed before rabies vaccination. Location: Authorized veterinarians. Things to Watch Out For: ●      Rabies vaccination is invalid if administered before microchipping. ●      Request a "Microchip Application Certificate" from the veterinarian, including the microchip number and date of application.   2.     Rabies Vaccine Action to be taken: Following microchipping, a rabies vaccination must be administered. The vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before the animal enters Portugal. Location: Authorized veterinary clinics. Things to Watch Out For: ●      The vaccination certificate must include the microchip number. ●      A waiting period of 21 days is mandatory for animals vaccinated for the first time. ●      1-year vaccination is recommended, although there is conflicting information on whether 3-year vaccines are accepted.   3.     Rabies Antibody (Titer) Test Procedure: At least 30 days after rabies vaccination, a blood sample should be taken and tested for titer (FAVN test). If the results are acceptable (≥0.5 IU/ml), a waiting period of 3 months starts from the date of blood collection. Location: Approved laboratories (e.g., Vet Control Institute, or other authorized labs in your country). Things to Watch Out For: ●      Even if the test result is positive, it is mandatory to wait 3 months after the blood collection to enter Portugal. ●      The animal cannot be taken to Portugal until this process has been completed.   4.     Veterinary Health Certificate Action to be taken: A "Veterinary Health Certificate" must be obtained for the pet from the provincial/district directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Location: Provincial/District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in the region where the animal resides. Things to Watch Out For: ●      The certificate must be obtained no more than 10 days before the trip. ●      You must submit documents confirming microchip registration, rabies vaccination, and titer test.   5.     Flight Organization Action to be taken: The appropriate flight should be booked according to the mode of transportation of the pet (in the cabin, in the cargo hold or as separate cargo). Location: Preferred airline. Things to Watch Out For: ●      Each airline has different pet transportation rules. ●    Before booking a flight, the airline should be contacted to find out the conditions of transportation. ●    Cargo transportation may be restricted for some breeds due to the heat, especially in summer.   6.     Prior Notification to Portugal Airport Veterinary Office Procedure: At least 48 hours prior to arrival in Portugal, the veterinary office of the destination airport must be notified by e-mail. Location: Portugal Airports (e.g. Lisboa, Porto, Faro). Documents to be sent: ●      Microchip certificate; ●      Rabies vaccination certificate (microchip number); ●      Titer test result; ●      Veterinary Health Certificate from Turkey; ●      Flight details, address of residence in Portugal, contact details of the owner. Email addresses: ●      Lisbon: pcflisboaa@dgav.pt ●      Porto: pcfportoa@dgav.pt ●      Faro: pets.entrypoint.fao@dgav.pt 7.     Arrival and Entry Procedures in Portugal Action to be taken: Upon arrival, the animal's documents are checked, a microchip scan is performed, and a veterinary examination is carried out. The entry process is completed by paying the required fee. Things to Watch Out For: ●      The average veterinary check-up fee is 40 euros. It is recommended to have cash on hand. ●      Animals arriving by cargo must also go through customs clearance.   8.     Obtaining a Pet Passport in Portugal Action to be taken: Upon arrival in Portugal, a veterinary clinic should be contacted to issue an EU compliant pet passport. Goal: Thanks to this passport, the pet can travel freely within the European Union.                         Important Notes: ●      There is a minimum age limit and a vaccination-titer test requirement for puppies to enter Portugal. ●      Some dog breeds (Pitbull, Rottweiler, etc.) may require special documents and permits. The process is different for animal species such as birds, reptiles, rodents, etc.; separate assessments should be made.

The Portugal D7 Visa is a residence visa specifically designed for passive income holders and retirees, allowing applicants to live long-term in Portugal. Unlike people planning to move to Portugal with investment or active commercial activities, the D7 visa is primarily aimed at individuals with regular and passive income . Although it is based on laws and regulations, there are some important facts about the D7 visa that are not widely known on the internet and play a crucial role in the application process. Here are some of those key facts: Legal Foundations of the D7 Visa: Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law) Decreto Regulamentar n. º 84/2007 This legal framework defines Portugal's D7 visa as a residence right for retirees and those with passive income, such as rental income or investment earnings. 1. Minimum Wage Level Income May Not Be Considered Sufficient The laws for the D7 visa state that the applicant’s annual income must be equivalent to 12 times the Portuguese minimum wage (gross minimum wage for 12 months). However, according to Article 25/d of Decreto Regulamentar n. º 84/2007 , consulates and SEF (AIMA) have discretionary power regarding the sufficiency of this amount. What does this mean? While the official minimum wage is used as a threshold, in regions of Portugal with high living costs (such as Lisbon, Porto), this amount may be deemed insufficient. Based on our extensive experience, declaring a regular passive income at least 1.5 times the minimum wage increases the likelihood of a positive outcome for the application. 2. Strict Distinction Between Passive and Active Income The D7 visa does not accept active income (freelance work, project-based freelance activities, etc.) under any circumstances. According to Portuguese regulations, only passive income sources (such as pensions, rental income, dividends, bond, or investment earnings) are considered valid. There are frequent misunderstandings regarding this matter. Regardless of how high your active income is, the D7 visa only takes passive income types into account . If you have active income sources, you will need to consider another residence permit option, such as the D8 (Digital Nomad) visa. 3. Rental Contract is Not Initially Required for Applications from Turkey Another common misconception is that applicants from Turkey must present a 12-month rental contract during the application process . However, this is not required . The rental contract only becomes mandatory after receiving the visa approval, when entering Portugal, and during the AIMA appointment. However, even if you do not have a good rental contract in your application file, it may be helpful to have one ready to ensure a smooth process during the AIMA appointment after visa approval. 4. You Have the Right to Work with a D7 Residence Permit Although the D7 application is aimed at passive income holders, once you obtain the residence permit after settling in Portugal, you gain the right to work. According to Article 83 of Lei n. º 23/2007 , foreigners with a valid residence permit can work or engage in freelance activities in Portugal without requiring an additional work permit. This is an advantage for many applicants who wish to continue their careers after moving to Portugal under the D7 visa. 5. Increased Income Requirement for Family Members You can include your spouse and children in the D7 visa application. However, the minimum income requirement increases for each dependent family member : For a spouse, an additional 50% of the annual minimum wage is required. For each child, an additional 30% of the income must be declared. For example, for a family of three, the minimum income requirement is calculated to be much higher than for an individual applicant. Conclusion: The Portugal D7 visa is an attractive opportunity for individuals with passive income and retirees. However, the application criteria may be stricter in practice than what is written in the books . It is crucial to ensure the income type is passive, meet the minimum income requirement, and manage the post-application process correctly. To avoid wasting time and resources, it is recommended to consult a professional advisor to solidify your financial and legal conditions.       Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1.    Can I work full-time in Portugal with the D7 visa? Yes. Although the D7 visa is mainly for passive income holders, once your residence permit is approved, you can work or engage in freelance activities in Portugal without needing an additional work permit. 2.    Can I apply for the D7 visa with freelance or self-employed income?  No. Portuguese regulations strictly distinguish between active and passive income . The D7 visa is intended only for those with passive income (such as pensions, rental income, investment income, etc.). Active income sources are not considered for D7 applications. Freelancers or remote workers should consider the D9 (Digital Nomad) visa . This visa grants the right to reside in the country for over a year, offering various advantages like access to the healthcare system and the option for family reunification. 3.    Is it required to present a rental contract in Portugal when applying from Turkey? No. When applying from Turkey, you are not required to present a 12-month rental contract during the application phase. However, after receiving the visa approval and entering Portugal, presenting the rental contract during the AIMA (Immigration Office) appointment will be mandatory. 4.    Do I have to open a bank account in Portugal? A Portuguese bank account is not mandatory during the application phase. However, opening an account in Portugal and transferring savings or income into it can help improve the chances of a positive evaluation and make the AIMA process easier. We complete this process for our clients before submitting the visa application. 5.    Can I bring my family with me on the D7 visa? Yes. You can include your spouse and children in your D7 visa application. However, additional income requirements apply for each dependent (50% of the minimum wage for a spouse, 30% for each child). 6.    When can I apply for citizenship with the Portugal D7 visa?  After living in Portugal for 5 continuous years with the D7 residence permit, meeting language proficiency (usually at the A2 level in Portuguese), and fulfilling integration conditions, you become eligible to apply for citizenship. However, this is not an automatic right but an application right. When the application conditions, such as minimum stay periods, language proficiency, and a clean criminal record, are met, your citizenship application will be approved when the time comes. 7.    Can I open my Portuguese bank account before coming to Portugal?   Yes. It is possible to open your bank account in Portugal without being physically present in the country. This process can be completed remotely through your authorized lawyers. Although opening a bank account in Portugal is not mandatory during the application stage, transferring an amount equivalent to the annual minimum wage into your Portuguese account increases the chances of your application being positively evaluated and sends a strong signal to the Portuguese authorities regarding the seriousness and financial preparedness of your application.

D2 Visa The Portugal D2 Visa is a type of residence permit for entrepreneurs who want to invest in Portugal or run a self-employment business . Self-employed people and foreign investors who want to establish a company can settle in Portugal with this visa. In practice, however, there are some critical details about this visa that are little known, and which have a significant impact on the progress of applications. Legal Basis for the D2 Visa: ●      Lei n.º 23/2007 (Aliens Act) ●      Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007 ●      In particular Article 60.º-A and Article 89.º/2 Purpose of the D2 Visa: D2 visa; It is intended for people who want to operate in Portugal by establishing a company or practicing self-employment. These persons can: ●      Set up a new company in Portugal, ●      Become a partner in an existing Portuguese company, ●      Or they can work as a self-employed (professional liberal) in a field.   1. Self-Employment or Investment Activity is Mandatory with D2 Visa The D2 is not intended for people who want to become dependent employees . With this visa you can only work in your own business or self-employment. For example: ●      Licensed self-employed professionals such as lawyers, doctors, architects, consultants, etc, ●      Entrepreneurs such as cafes, restaurants, tourism companies, IT companies, etc. are eligible for D2. 2. No dependent employment permit The residence permit obtained with a D2 visa does not entitle you to work in Portugal in a salaried position with the status of "worker". According to Lei n.º 23/2007 - Article 83.º , the D2 residence permit can only be used for investment or self-employment If you want to become a salaried employee of a company, you need to change your session type. 3. Experience and Network in the Business Field is a Big Advantage When applying for a D2, your experience in the sector is as important as the nature of the business you will open in Portugal . The following will make a significant contribution to your application: ●      You have previous professional experience in the field in which you will start a business, ●      You are a company owner or director in another country, ●      You are already operating in this sector and earning income, ●      You have an established customer portfolio or network. The Portuguese authorities want to see the applicant's command of the sector and the sustainability of the project. 4. No Prior Lease Agreement Required For the D2 application, there is no requirement to provide proof of prior accommodation or a lease . However, proof of accommodation (such as a lease or title deed) must be presented at the AIMA appointment once you have been approved for a visa and have entered Portugal. 5. Financial Capability and Business Plan Requirement Application: ●      Prove that your financial resources are sufficient to sustain your business in Portugal, ●      You must also submit a detailed and realistic business plan .It strengthens your application to show at least 12 times the Portuguese minimum wage + the budget to support the investment you foresee in your business plan. 6. Tax Obligations of D2 Visa Holders in Portugal Once you move to Portugal with a D2 visa and become a resident , you gain taxpayer status. This means that you will have some tax responsibilities both at personal and company level. a) Personal Tax Residency (IRS) Like every individual resident in Portugal, D2 holders are subject to personal income tax (IRS) . Your annual global income must be declared regardless of its source. ●      IRS rates 14.5% to 48%, calculated on a progressively increasing system. ●      In Portugal you can also benefit from advantageous systems such as the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime for certain types of income.   b) Company Tax (IRC) You also need to pay company income tax (IRC) in Portugal for the company you set up or partner in with a D2 visa. ●      Overall IRC rate: 21 ●      Depending on your company's annual income and type of activity, this can be up to 25-30% with local municipal taxes . c) VAT (IVA) Liability D2 holders who carry out business activities in Portugal are usually also VAT (IVA) taxpayers. ●      Standard VAT rate: 23% ●      Some sectors (food, health, etc.) apply reduced rates of 6% or 13% . d) Social Security (Segurança Social) If you are self-employed with a D2 visa or operate your own company, you must also pay mandatory social security contributions . ●      For the self-employed: You pay a monthly premium that varies depending on your income (usually the minimum limit is around €150-200 for 2024).   Note: D2 residents and companies are obliged to make annual declarations and payments to the Portuguese tax authorities. Getting tax planning and accounting support avoids future criminal risks.   Conclusion: Portugal D2 visa is the gateway to Portugal for entrepreneurs and self-employed people. However, just establishing a company is not enough. Your application will be evaluated based on your sectoral experience, a strong business plan and sustainability criteria. In addition, you cannot work in a salaried job after coming to Portugal with D2.