Can I work in Portugal with a Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa is often viewed as an investment route into European residency, but many applicants wonder whether it also grants the right to work in Portugal.

The answer is simple: yes. A Golden Visa holder receives full legal authorisation to work, run a business, and participate in Portugal’s labour market, just like any other resident.

Full Work Rights From the Start

Once your Golden Visa residence permit is issued, you are legally allowed to work in Portugal without any additional permits.

This applies to both the main applicant and any dependents included in the application, such as a spouse or adult children.

This work authorisation is built into the Golden Visa residence permit, meaning you do not need to apply separately for a work visa or attend additional appointments to gain employment rights.

You are allowed to:

• Work for a Portuguese employer

• Freelance or consult

• Start and operate your own company

• Engage in remote work for international businesses

Investors, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads who desire the freedom to work can benefit from this flexibility.

You Are Not Required to Work

Although you can work in Portugal under a Golden Visa, you are not required to.

The program was designed for globally mobile individuals, including retirees and investors who may not wish to engage in employment activities.

The Golden Visa allows you to maintain a light physical presence in Portugal, just seven days per year on average, unlike the D7 visa, which ties residency to stable passive income and often leads to tax residency.

This means you can hold residency and work rights while retaining professional commitments abroad.

Working as an Entrepreneur or Investor

Many Golden Visa applicants are entrepreneurs who want access to Portugal’s business environment, tax incentives, and EU market.

With your Golden Visa residence permit, you are allowed to:

• Open a Portuguese company

• Serve as a company director

• Hire employees

• Operate commercial activities

• Participate in Portuguese and EU markets

This is especially valuable for individuals investing through Portugal Golden Visa Funds.

Many fund investors also choose to build business operations in Portugal after gaining residency, taking advantage of the country’s expanding tech ecosystems, startup incentives, and strong international connections.

Work Rights for Dependents

Your immediate family members included in the Golden Visa application also receive the right to work.

This includes:

• Spouses or legally recognized partners

• Dependent children

• Dependent parents when applicable

This makes the Golden Visa attractive for families planning to relocate together or for couples where one partner wants to work while the other manages investments or retires.

Do Golden Visa Holders Have Access to Schengen Work Rights?

No. Your work rights apply only within Portugal.

However, your Golden Visa permits visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

You may conduct business meetings, conferences, client visits, and other short-term professional activities in Schengen countries, but long-term employment outside Portugal requires separate authorization.

The Bottom Line

A Golden Visa gives you full permission to work in Portugal, whether you choose to pursue employment, run a company, or operate as an entrepreneur.

You are not required to work, but you have complete flexibility if you decide to.

For investors using Portugal Golden Visa Funds, this combination of mobility, work rights, and low physical presence requirements makes the program one of the most flexible residency options in Europe.