D Visa: National Long-Stay Visas and Residency Permits
A national D visa lets you stay in a single Schengen country beyond 90 days, tied to a specific purpose — work, study, family, investment, or medical treatment. Residence permits extend that stay further, often for several years.
At a glance
- Typical duration
- Up to 1 year — often extended via a residence permit after arrival
- Schengen travel
- Still allowed — up to 90 days in 180 within other Schengen countries
- Common categories
- 6 — work, study, family reunification, investment/business, permanent residency, medical
- Path to permanent residency
- Usually 5 years — of continuous legal residence
The main D visa categories
Work visas and residency permits — including the EU Blue Card for highly skilled workers, standard skilled-worker visas, seasonal work visas, intra-company transfers, and freelancer visas. Requires an employment contract, proof of qualifications, and sometimes a labor market test confirming no local candidate was available.
Study visas and residency permits — for students enrolled in full-time programmes lasting more than 90 days, plus researcher and post-graduation job-seeking visas in some countries. Requires proof of acceptance, financial means, and health insurance.
Family reunification visas — for spouses, children, and other dependents of a legal resident or citizen joining them long-term. Requires proof of the family relationship and the sponsor's legal status.
Investor and business visas — covering start-up visas, investor visas (real estate, bonds, or company investment), and self-employment visas. Requires a business plan, proof of investment or business activity, and financial means.
Permanent and long-term residence — after around five years of legal residence, non-EU nationals can typically apply for EU long-term residency or permanent residency, generally requiring proof of continuous residence, income, and social integration.
Medical treatment visas — for stays beyond 90 days for medical care, requiring medical certificates, appointment confirmation, and proof of financial means.
What determines which one you need
D visas and residency permits are purpose-specific and country-specific — each Schengen country sets its own documentation and process for the same general category. If your stay in the Schengen Area is work, study, or business-related, or will exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, you'll generally need either a national D visa or a temporary residence permit.
Why work with BIZ TRP
D visa rules are genuinely country-specific — the category name is the same everywhere, but the income thresholds, documents, and process differ enough that a generic checklist isn't reliable.
- Country-specific route confirmation. We confirm the exact D visa category and requirements for the country you're targeting.
- Application file preparation. We prepare your employment, study, family, or investment documentation to match what that country's authority expects.
- Residence permit follow-through. We help you convert your D visa into a residence permit after arrival, where that's a separate step.
Common questions
Can a D visa lead to permanent residency?
In many cases, yes — after continuous legal residence (commonly around five years) plus meeting the country's specific requirements.
Does a D visa let me travel elsewhere in the Schengen Area?
Yes, for short periods — up to 90 days within a 180-day period — but you must return to the issuing country for the remainder of your stay.
Do requirements differ by country?
Yes significantly — each Schengen country sets its own documentation, income thresholds, and process for the same D visa category.
Considering a D visa or long-term residence permit?
BIZ TRP confirms the right D visa category and country-specific requirements for your situation, and manages the application through to your residence permit.
Talk to us about your D visa route Email us