Medical Certificate for Portugal Work Visa: Complete Requirements 2026

Planning to work in Portugal? Whether you’re applying for a D7 visa, Digital Nomad visa, or standard work permit, medical certification is a mandatory requirement. This comprehensive 2026 guide explains medical certificate requirements for all Portugal work visas, what the health examination involves, where to get it, and how to ensure your certificate meets immigration requirements.

Medical Certificate Requirements for Portugal Visas

Portugal’s immigration law requires health certification for residence permits and work visas to ensure applicants don’t pose public health risks and can access appropriate healthcare.

Legal Basis

• Lei de Estrangeiros (Immigration Law): Mandates health certification
• Portaria (Ministerial Order): Specifies medical certificate format
• AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum): Processes and validates certificates
• Public Health Code: Defines health requirements for residence

Which Portugal Visas Require Medical Certificates?

Visa Type	Medical Cert Required?	When Submitted
D7 Visa (Passive Income)	✅ Yes	With residence card application
Digital Nomad Visa	✅ Yes	With residence permit application
Work Visa (Employment Contract)	✅ Yes	Before work permit approval
Golden Visa	✅ Yes	With residence application
Student Visa (>1 year)	✅ Yes	With residence permit
Schengen Visa (<90 days)	❌ Usually No	N/A

What Must Be on Your Portugal Visa Medical Certificate?

Mandatory Information

AIMA requires certificates to include:

• Doctor’s Details: Full name, medical license number, practice address
• Patient Information: Full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number
• Examination Date: When health assessment conducted
• Health Declaration: Statement applicant has no contagious diseases of public health concern
• Fitness Statement: Confirmation applicant fit to reside in Portugal
• Specific Checks: TB screening result, mental health assessment
• Doctor’s Signature: Hand-signed or verified digital signature
• Medical Stamp: Official practice stamp
• Validity Period: Certificates valid 3 months from issue date

Health Conditions Assessed

Communicable Diseases:

• Tuberculosis (TB) – chest X-ray or IGRA test may be required
• HIV/AIDS status (screening voluntary, cannot be mandatory)
• Hepatitis B and C (for healthcare workers)
• Other notifiable diseases

General Health:

• Chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment
• Mental health status (severe disorders may require specialist note)
• Substance abuse issues
• Physical disabilities (for work capacity assessment)

Medical Examination Process for Portugal Visa

Standard Health Assessment Includes

Medical History:

• Previous serious illnesses
• Surgeries and hospitalizations
• Current medications
• Allergies
• Vaccination history
• Mental health history
• Substance use

Physical Examination:

• Blood pressure measurement
• Heart and lung auscultation
• General physical condition
• BMI calculation
• Vision and hearing (basic screening)

Laboratory Tests (if indicated):

• Chest X-ray or TB blood test (especially for high-risk countries)
• Blood tests (if health concerns identified)
• Urinalysis (sometimes required)

Mental Health Assessment:

• Screening questionnaire
• Assessment of decision-making capacity
• Severe mental illness documentation if applicable

Where to Get Portugal Visa Medical Certificate

Option 1: In Your Home Country

Advantages:

• Complete before traveling to Portugal
• Use familiar healthcare system
• Language not a barrier

Requirements:

• Doctor must be licensed medical professional
• Certificate must be in Portuguese or with certified translation
• May require apostille (Hague Convention countries)
• Must meet AIMA format requirements

Cost: €50-150 depending on country

Option 2: In Portugal (After Arrival)

Process:

• Visit Portuguese doctor or health center
• Complete examination
• Receive certificate in Portuguese (no translation needed)
• Submit with visa application

Cost: €40-80 private doctor, €20-30 SNS health center

Option 3: Online Medical Certificate

Process:

• Complete comprehensive health questionnaire
• Licensed doctor reviews
• Certificate issued meeting AIMA requirements
• Delivered as PDF within 2 hours

Cost: €34.99
Validity: Accepted for most visa types (check specific requirements)

Special Considerations for Different Visa Types

D7 Visa (Passive Income/Retirement)

Additional Requirements:

• Proof of health insurance covering Portugal
• May need to demonstrate ability to access healthcare
• Chronic conditions requiring expensive treatment may be scrutinized

Digital Nomad Visa

Focus Areas:

• Health insurance must cover remote work scenarios
• Mental health fitness for independent work
• No conditions preventing digital work

Work Visa (Employment Contract)

Employer-Specific:

• May require occupational health assessment
• Job-specific fitness requirements (e.g., healthcare, manual labor)
• Some professions require enhanced screening

Golden Visa (Investment)

Standard Requirement:

• Basic health certificate sufficient
• Proof of comprehensive health insurance
• Financial capacity for healthcare costs

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Issue 1: Certificate Expired Before Submission

Problem: Certificates valid only 3 months
Solution: Time application carefully, get certificate 4-6 weeks before visa submission

Issue 2: Missing Required Information

Problem: Certificate lacks mandatory elements
Solution: Use AIMA-compliant template, verify all fields completed

Issue 3: Translation Issues

Problem: Uncertified translation rejected
Solution: Get certificate in Portuguese or use certified translator

Issue 4: Apostille Missing

Problem: Non-Portuguese certificates need authentication
Solution: Obtain apostille from your country (if Hague Convention) or consular legalization

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TB test mandatory for Portugal visa?

Depends on country of origin. High-risk TB countries typically require chest X-ray or IGRA blood test. EU/EEA citizens usually exempt.

Can I use online medical certificate for visa?

Generally yes for D7, Digital Nomad, and work visas. Must meet all AIMA requirements. Golden Visa may require in-person examination.

What if I have chronic condition?

Most chronic conditions don’t prevent visa approval if well-managed. Must show health insurance coverage and access to treatment in Portugal.

Do I need separate certificate for family members?

Yes, each applicant needs individual medical certificate including children.

How long does medical certificate take to get?

Traditional doctor: 1-3 weeks
Online service: 2 hours
In Portugal after arrival: Few days-1 week

What if certificate rejected by AIMA?

Obtain new certificate addressing deficiencies. Common reasons: missing information, expired, wrong format, unsigned.

Key Takeaways

1. Medical certificate required for all Portugal residence permits and work visas
2. Certificate must meet specific AIMA format requirements
3. Valid only 3 months from issue date
4. TB screening required for applicants from high-risk countries
5. Can obtain in home country, in Portugal, or online
6. Online certificates (€34.99, 2 hours) fastest option
7. Must include doctor’s license, stamp, signature
8. Chronic conditions don’t automatically disqualify
9. Each family member needs separate certificate
10. Plan timing carefully to avoid expiration before submission

Last updated: February 2026. Reflects current AIMA requirements for Portugal visa medical certificates. Immigration rules subject to change – always verify current requirements with Portuguese consulate.