Can I apply for the D2 Visa from within Portugal?
The short answer is no, you cannot apply for the D2 Visa from within Portugal.
The process is structured so that the initial application must be submitted from your home country or country of legal residence.
Only after receiving the D2 entry visa can you travel to Portugal to complete the next steps toward residency.
The D2 Visa Must Be Applied for Abroad
Portuguese immigration rules require the D2 Visa application to be submitted at:
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Your local Portuguese consulate, or
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A designated VFS Global office in your country
This step must happen before entering Portugal (unless you already have long-term legal residency in another EU country).
The consulate is responsible for reviewing your business plan, proof of funds, financial readiness, accommodation documents, and other required items.
Many applicants rely on informational guides like Portugal Visa Funds to ensure their financial documentation is properly structured before submitting it abroad.
Why You Cannot Apply Directly Inside Portugal
The D2 process in Portugal consists of two stages:
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Consular Visa (Abroad) – Grants entry to Portugal
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Residence Permit (In Portugal) – Issued by AIMA
AIMA does not issue initial D2 Visas. It only handles residence permits after you arrive with the correct visa already in your passport.
Entering Portugal on a tourist visa or visa waiver does not give you the right to switch to a D2 from within the country.
This ensures that applicants complete all security checks, financial assessments, and business evaluations before arriving.
What Happens After You Arrive in Portugal
Once your consular D2 Visa is approved, you can travel to Portugal using the four-month entry visa.
During these four months, you must:
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Register your address
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Attend your AIMA biometrics appointment
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Finalize any remaining business setup
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Provide updated financial documents if needed
After the appointment, your residence permit enters processing. Even if backlogs delay the card, your residency in Portugal remains lawful.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Very few. The only scenarios where a D2-like transition may happen inside Portugal include:
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When someone already holds another long-term Portuguese permit
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When an EU country has issued residency and the person moves under specific mobility rights
These situations do not apply to most applicants.
If you enter Portugal on a tourist basis hoping to switch to a D2, you will almost certainly be required to return to your home country to submit the application properly.
Summary
You cannot apply for the D2 Visa from within Portugal.
The initial application must be submitted at a Portuguese consulate or VFS office in your home country.
Once approved, you use the four-month entry visa to travel to Portugal and then apply for your residence permit through AIMA.
With proper preparation and clearly organised financial documents, the process moves much more smoothly.
