Portugal researcher visa

You need one of: a work contract or hosting agreement with a research centre or university; a letter of acceptance plus a scholarship or research grant; or a statement of responsibility from the research centre or university covering your admission and living costs. A temporary stay visa covers research or university teaching for less than a year.

Researchers admitted by a research centre or higher-education institution officially recognised under article 91-B of the Foreigners Law are exempt from presenting health insurance, an employment contract, travel insurance and proof of means. Grant holders who tell the consulate about their grant are also exempt from proving admission and means. Otherwise, means must cover at least 12 months and can be guaranteed by the host.

The MFA waives the visa fee for highly qualified research activity, for both residence and temporary stay visas. The residence permit itself is charged by AIMA: EUR 133.00 for receiving and analysing the request plus EUR 114.30 for granting a temporary permit (in-person rates in the fee table updated 26 February 2026; 25% less through a digital channel).

By law the consulate decides a residence visa within 60 days and a temporary stay visa within 30 days, so apply well before your start date.

In Portugal you apply to AIMA under article 91-B with your passport and visa, proof of address, means, criminal record, the contract, grant or hosting agreement, Social Security registration where you have a contract, and health insurance or National Health Service coverage. Researchers at officially recognised centres do not have to prove means, accommodation or Social Security registration. Researchers already holding a permit in another EU state can use the long-term mobility route (art. 91-C).

A refused national visa can be challenged by a complaint to the consulate within 15 days, a hierarchical appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs within three months, or an action before the Administrative Court of Lisbon within three months. The routes are not mutually exclusive, and each appeal procedure costs EUR 75 (except for visas following a family reunification approval). Since Lei 61/2025, a visa is also refused to anyone who entered or stayed in Portugal illegally and is subject to an entry ban.