Four minimum wages
Portuguese government guidance describes average monthly income over the last three months equal to at least four minimum monthly wages. Decree-Law 139/2025 sets the mainland minimum wage at €920 from 1 January 2026. Four times that amount is €3,680 per month.
Show the professional activity
Employees use their foreign employment contract or employer declaration. Independent professionals use the relevant service-contract or client evidence. Prepare records that identify the work and establish that it is performed remotely for entities outside Portugal.
Prepare the evidence period
A single account balance is not the same as three months of qualifying work income. Gather the relevant contract, incoming payments, and tax-residence evidence. Then complete the national-visa documents required by your consulate, including the appropriate criminal-record, accommodation, insurance, and translation evidence.
Separate the route and household questions
Choose the temporary-stay or residence route appropriate to your plan. The residence process continues after the visa stage. The €3,680 reference is not a complete family estimate: confirm accompanying-family eligibility and support evidence using the current consular instructions.
Official references
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Always use the current authority checklist for your own filing location and circumstances.