Business Immigration · Europe
Portugal
The Portuguese routes we advise are D2 entrepreneur residence (Article 89) and non-property ARI. D2 has no fixed capital floor; subsistence and a genuine activity must be shown. Non-property ARI is briefed at least 10 jobs, or at least €500,000 plus at least 5 jobs and other qualifying funds routes then in force. Portugal’s property-based ARI route is closed. A Portuguese Lda on the register is not residence.
- Programme
- D2 (Article 89) — entrepreneur / independent activity
- Path
- Startup · Form company · Invest
- Capital / threshold
- No fixed capital minimum. Subsistence / means must be shown.
- Relocate / visit
- Yes — Islamabad plus VFS as practice then stands
This overview is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees, and eligibility criteria change. We verify current requirements with licensed counsel before any engagement. Residence and visa decisions are made by host-country authorities and are never guaranteed.
Country overview
About Portugal
For clients in Pakistan, Portugal is a D2 and non-property ARI corridor. The programmes we brief are D2 (Article 89) for entrepreneurs who will work a real activity, and ARI only on non-property routes. Forming a Portuguese Lda is not residence. Portugal’s property-based ARI route is closed.
D2 has no fixed capital minimum. Subsistence and means must be shown under the live rules; we do not add a euro investment floor to D2. Relocate is yes, typically via Islamabad and VFS as practice then stands. A paper Lda with no activity does not support D2.
ARI, where still available on job or funds routes, is a different product. Thresholds we brief are at least 10 jobs, or at least €500,000 plus at least 5 jobs, and other qualifying funds routes then in force. Presence is often lighter than D2; it is not a never-visit product. Buying Portuguese property is not ARI on the closed property route.
Job counts, funds amounts, VFS slots, and subsistence tables change. Requirements are set by the host government and are verified with licensed counsel before engagement. Outcomes are decided by Portuguese authorities and are not guaranteed.
Who this is for
Designed for operators who will run a genuine Portuguese activity (D2) or who can meet live non-property ARI job or funds tests. A poor fit for property buyers seeking the closed property ARI route, or for owners of a dormant Lda.
Timeline
D2 is typically several months after a complete activity and subsistence file, including VFS. ARI timing depends on the live investment route. Dates are not guaranteed.
Programme rules, fees, and capital thresholds are set by the host government and change. Figures on this page reflect our latest review and are verified with licensed counsel before engagement.
Residence programmes
What we brief for Pakistani founders
Programme rules, fees, and capital thresholds are set by the host government and change. Figures on this page reflect our latest review and are verified with licensed counsel before engagement.
D2 (Article 89) — entrepreneur / independent activity
Startup · Form company
Requirements
No fixed capital minimum. Subsistence / means must be shown.
Relocate / visit
Yes — Islamabad plus VFS as practice then stands
ARI (non-property)
Invest · Form company
Requirements
At least 10 jobs, or at least €500,000 plus at least 5 jobs / qualifying funds routes as then in force. Property ARI is closed.
Relocate / visit
Light presence compared with D2
How we work
From briefing to a filed application
Briefing
We separate entrepreneur D2 from non-property ARI. Property ARI is closed. Capital, jobs, subsistence, and presence are mapped against live rules.
File preparation
D2: real activity and subsistence, with no added capital floor. ARI: jobs and/or €500,000-plus routes as then in force.
Counsel filing
D2 is planned through Islamabad and VFS. Licensed counsel files. Outcomes are not guaranteed.
After grant
If granted, the holder must still operate. A paper Lda is not a residence strategy.
Key considerations
What this corridor is not
- Portugal’s property-based ARI route is closed.
- D2 has no fixed capital minimum; subsistence and a genuine activity must be shown.
- Incorporating an Lda does not confer residence.
- Outcomes are decided by Portuguese authorities and are not guaranteed.
Also available
Company formation
Forming a Portugal company is a separate mandate from residence. If the immigration plan requires a local entity, we coordinate that workstream on its own terms. Formation does not grant the right to live in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Portuguese property for ARI?
No. Portugal’s property-based ARI route is closed. D2 and non-property ARI remain. Remaining ARI discussion is jobs and funds routes only.
Is there a D2 minimum investment?
There is no fixed capital minimum. Subsistence must be shown. We do not add a euro investment floor to D2.
Does an Lda give me residence?
No. Formation is not a visa. A passive paper Lda does not support D2 or ARI.
Consultation
Start a confidential conversation
Tell us what you are building or where you need to move. We respond within one business day.