When traveling to Portugal, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Portugal, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business or sales meetings
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Tour a company facility
• » Sign contracts
• » Attending a trade show or seminar convention

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Portugal?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Portugal.

Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 26 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Portugal and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.

What types of activities require a work permit?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Portuguese law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Portugal, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » Project implementation
• » Conducting repairs
• » Consulting

If I am traveling to Portugal for work, what type of work permit do I need?

The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Portugal. The most common Portuguese work permits are:

• » Temporary Stay Visa – Assignment (short-term work authorization for assignments)
• » Temporary Stay Visa – Local Hire (short-term work authorization for local hires)
• » Residence Visa and Residence Permit (long-term work authorization for local hires)
• » Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit (work authorization for transferees from non-EU countries)
• » Mobile ICT Permit (long-term work authorization for EU-ICT Permit holders)
• » EU Blue Card (work authorization for highly-skilled workers)

Is it possible to be exempted from work permit requirements?

Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Portugal. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Portugal.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2019 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.