E8 — Seasonal Worker Visa

The Portuguese Seasonal Worker Visa is a national entry permit under Article 51-A of Law 23/2007 for non-EU nationals in agriculture, tourism, and construction. Unlike the 90-day Schengen short-stay visa, this national visa allows stays up to nine months for multi-month employment contracts, aligning with EU circular migration directives to address Portuguese labor shortages.

The application requires a valid employment contract from a Portuguese employer. The fee is €110 with two to four weeks processing. Returning seasonal workers—those who completed a contract in Portugal within the previous five years—qualify for priority processing. The visa is renewable.

This visa is ideal for workers seeking temporary international employment to gain experience, supplement income, or fulfill multi-month seasonal contracts in Portugal without long-term residency commitment.