To open a Portuguese bank account, applicants are divided into two main categories. The documents and requirements you must provide depend on which category you fall into:
Nationals of the European Union, Schengen Area, or United Kingdom
Rest of the World Nationals
⚠️ If you are a non-EU national, we can only assist if you can show proof that you are in the process of obtaining a Portuguese visa (appointment confirmation, visa fee receipt, or visa sticker) and provide the supporting documents required for your visa type.
👉 For a detailed explanation of the requirements for non-EU national without EU residence, see: Bank Account Opening Requirements for Non-EU Clients.
1) Nationals of the European Union, Schengen Area, or United Kingdom
Required Documents
Passport
Portuguese NIF
Foreign Tax ID
Proof of Address (≤12 months): bank statement, utility bill, or tax assessment
Proof of Professional/Income Status (≤6 months): payslip, pension, student enrollment, or equivalent
💰 Savings Expectations
No minimum savings required.
Income or professional activity proof is sufficient.
If living off assets, the bank may request a bank statement.
2) Rest of The World Nationals
Proof of intent to immigrate to Portugal, such as:
Visa appointment confirmation (Consular or VFS), or
Visa application payment receipt, or
Visa sticker already issued in your passport.
Visa-Specific Requirements
D2 (Entrepreneur Visa)
Company incorporation documents and a business plan, or
Service contract with a term of at least 1 year.
💰 Expectation: €10,000+ in savings to support the business plan.
D3 (Highly Qualified Work Visa)
Employment contract with a term of at least 1 year.
Role must fall within CITP international classification groups 1 or 2.
Salary must meet the minimum threshold.
💰 No fixed savings requirement, but banks may ask for a bank statement.
D4 (Higher Education / Student Visa)
Proof of acceptance by a Portuguese higher education institution.
Study plan with duration of at least 1 year.
💰 No fixed savings requirement, but if self-funded, show funds covering tuition and living costs.
D5 (Qualified Teaching & Cultural Activities Visa)
Service contract with a term of at least 1 year, or
Employment contract with a term of at least 1 year, or
Invitation from an educational institution with duration of at least 1 year.
D7 (Passive Income / Retirement Visa)
The D7 is strictly for passive income — pensions, rental income, dividends, royalties, or investment returns. Active employment income (salary from a job) does not qualify. If you work remotely, see D8 below.
Documents required:
Proof of recurring passive income (pension statements, rental agreements, dividend/investment statements, income declarations)
If retired: proof of retirement status and pension income
Bank statements showing savings of at least €11,040 for single bank account or €16,560 for joint bank account.
D8 (Digital Nomad Visa)
Employment contract with a term of at least 1 year for remote work.
Employer verification (e.g., company website, description, location).
Employer must be based outside Portugal.
Bank statements showing savings of at least €11,040 for single bank account or €16,560 for joint bank account.
ARI (Golden Visa)
For Golden Visa applicants, we work with Bison Bank. The requirements and process differ from our standard bank account service. Please contact us directly for more details about eligibility, pricing, and the application process.
📩 Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your Golden Visa banking needs.