Does my family get to come immediately?

Yes. The D3 is a privileged track. You can trigger Family Reunification simultaneously, and your spouse and children are granted residence permits without awaiting typical quotas.

Is this exactly the same as the EU Blue Card?

Yes and no. The D3 is Portugal's domestic implementation wrapper that often leads to standard highly qualified residency. You can explicitly request the 'EU Blue Card' variant of the permit when interacting with AIMA upon arrival, which unlocks intra-EU mobility privileges after 12 months.

Do I need zero taxes under the NHR?

While the broad NHR was abolished, D3 workers implicitly fall under the new 'Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation' (often dubbed NHR 2.0). Highly qualified expats in academia, R&D, and recognized startups can still secure a flat **20% IRS income tax** for a decade.

Portugal

Highly Qualified Professional (Tech / Blue Card)

D3 Visa / EU Blue Card

EUR 90

Application Fee

30–90 days

Processing Time

12 Months

Maximum Stay

Up to 1x

Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply on the official government website

Last verified: 14 April 2026. Not legal advice.

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