🇵🇹 Portugal · Employer-sponsored work
Cartão Azul UE / AR para Trabalho Altamente Qualificado (EU Blue Card) — requirements, costs & how to apply
Who is eligible
| Minimum monthly income | €1,753 |
| Minimum annual salary | €9,120 (≈ EUR 2,000 · FX 2026-06-22) |
| Proof of savings | €10,000 |
| Minimum investment | €50,000 |
| Job offer | Required |
| Employer sponsor | Required |
| University degree | Required |
| Work experience | 3+ years |
| Language level | B2 |
| Health insurance | Required (valid in-country) |
| Criminal record | Clean record / police clearance |
| Age range | 18–65 |
Costs
| Application / consular fee | €155 |
Duration & renewal
Initial stay: 24 months. Does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Documents
- Passaporte ou outro documento de viagem válido;
- Visto de residência válido (exceto se for titular de direito de residência válido em Território Nacional) ou «cartão azul UE» concedido por um Estado-membro da UE;
- Declaração, sob compromisso de honra, da morada de residência, referindo em que termos se encontra a residir na habitação indicada (ex
- Comprovativo de inscrição na administração fiscal;
- Comprovativo de inscrição na segurança social;
- Registo Criminal do país da nacionalidade ou do país que concedeu o «cartão azul UE» à pessoa requerente, devidamente autenticado;
- Seguro de saúde ou comprovativo de que se encontra abrangido pelo Serviço Nacional de Saúde;
Who can apply
Open to all nationalities.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the eligibility above.
- Gather documents and apply via the official portal: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/eu-blue-card/eu-blue-card-portugal_en.
- Typical processing: ~90 days.
Frequently asked
How much income do I need?
You must show €1,753.
Does this visa lead to permanent residence?
No — it does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes — valid health insurance in the country is required.
Sources & verification
Every figure on this page is taken from an official government source and dated. Nothing is inferred.
“For 2023, Portugal set the minimum salary threshold at: 760,00 EUR (Decree-Law n.º 85-A/2022, December 22).”
“To be eligible for the EU Blue Card in Portugal you need ... a valid work contract or a binding job offer for highly qualified employment for at least one year. (EU immigration portal, EU Blue Card Portugal.)”
“EU Blue Card Portugal page; does not explicitly state that the card leads to permanent residence”
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Informational only, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change — always confirm on the official government source linked above before applying. Last verified 2026-06-24.