The Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa, provides a distinctive pathway for non-EU citizens to reside in Portugal while enjoying its high quality of life, safety, and affordability.

Originally designed for retirees and individuals with stable income from abroad, the Portugal D7 Visa 2025 has become a popular choice for remote workers, investors, and digital nomads seeking European residency without the need for a major investment.

📣 Portugal Citizenship Law Update 2025

On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament approved proposed amendments to the Nationality Law and the immigration framework, following their initial presentation by the government on June 23, 2025. This development marks a major step forward in Portugal’s ongoing legislative reform process.

The proposal aims to extend the minimum residency period for citizenship from five to ten years, or seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, and to revise how residency time is calculated—starting from the issuance of the first residence permit rather than the date the application was submitted.

The bill is not yet in effect, as it still requires Presidential review. The President may approve, veto, or refer the legislation to the Constitutional Court, and the final version could still be modified before promulgation.

What is the Portugal D7 Visa?

The Portugal D7 Visa is a residency pathway designed for retirees and individuals who can support themselves through stable, passive income. Anyone with a minimum of €870 per month can apply, and this income may come from pensions, rental properties, dividends, royalties, financial investments, or intellectual property.

The visa gives you the right to live in Portugal, bring your family, access public services, and enjoy a flexible lifestyle. After five years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship.

To maintain the D7 Visa, applicants must meet the stay requirements: either 183 consecutive days per year in Portugal or 8 months in total throughout the year with breaks. This makes the D7 one of Portugal’s most attractive and accessible long-term residency options.

Retiree couple portugal residency advisors

Portugal D7 Visa Benefits

Mobility

The D7 Visa gives you visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, allowing easy movement across most of Europe.

Live, Work, and Study

As a Portuguese resident, you can work as an employee or freelancer, run your own business, and access public education, including schools and vocational training.

Healthcare Access

Residents can use Portugal’s public healthcare system (SNS), which provides affordable primary and secondary medical services.

Path to Citizenship

After five years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. For citizenship, you’ll need to pass a basic Portuguese language test.

Family Reunification

The D7 allows you to bring your family with you. Eligible relatives include your spouse or partner, dependent children under 18 (including adopted children), financially dependent adult children who are single and studying, dependent parents from either side of the family, and minor siblings who rely on you.

Who is Eligible for the Portugal Passive Income Visa?

To qualify for the Portugal D7 Visa requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria set by the Portuguese government:

  • Be a non-EU citizen.
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself.
  • Meet the passive income requirements.
  • Have travel insurance.
  • Have a clean criminal record.
  • Deliver proof of accommodation in Portugal.

What is Considered Passive Income

To be eligible for the Portugal Passive Income D7 Visa, you need to demonstrate sufficient passive income to support yourself during your stay in Portugal. The minimum monthly income requirement is €870 per month and includes, but is not limited to:

  • Pension
  • Rental estate
  • Financial investment
  • Royalties
  • Dividends
  • Intellectual Property
  • Interest from Savings

Portugal D7 Visa Requirements

Proof of Sufficient Passive Income

You must show reliable passive income that meets or exceeds Portugal’s minimum salary, currently €870 per month. This income can come from pensions, rental properties, dividends, royalties, interest, or other long-term financial sources. 

Consulates want to see income that is stable, recurring, and sufficient to support your lifestyle in Portugal without needing local employment.

Proof of Financial Means

You must also show proof of financial means in your Portuguese bank account equal to one year of the minimum wage (€10,440), calculated as €870 × 12 months.

If you’re including family members, additional amounts apply:

  • 50% more (€5,220) for each adult dependent, such as a spouse or partner.
  • 30% more (€3,132) for each child under 18.

For example, a family of four would need to deposit €21,924 in their Portuguese bank account to meet the financial requirements.

Secure Accommodation

You must provide clear proof of where you will live in Portugal. This can be a signed rental contract, a property purchase, or a hosted accommodation letter certified by a Portuguese lawyer. 

The consulate needs to see that you have suitable and confirmed housing arranged before relocating. If you choose to use a rental agreement, it must be valid, legally compliant, and properly registered with the Portuguese tax authorities; otherwise, it may be rejected during the visa process.

Tax Identification Number (NIF)

The Portuguese NIF is essential for almost every administrative step—opening a bank account, signing a lease, or dealing with financial matters. You can obtain it in person or through a fiscal representative while still abroad.

Portuguese Bank Account

Opening a local bank account is mandatory. You’ll usually need to deposit enough funds to show financial preparedness for your move. Consulates often look for a balance that aligns with your income and expected living costs in Portugal.

Visa Travel Insurance

You must have private travel or health insurance that covers Portugal from the time of your application until your AIMA appointment. The policy must include medical coverage and repatriation. After registering in Portugal, you’ll gain access to the national healthcare system (SNS), which will then become your primary medical coverage.

Portugal D7 Visa Required Documents

The Portugal D7 residence visa requires the following documents, but depending on the Portuguese consulate or embassy or VFS, it might be required some additional documentation.

  • D7 Visa Application Form
  • Your Valid Passport
  • NIF Number
  • Two recent passport-size photos
  • Criminal Record certificate
  • Valid travel insurance, including medical coverage and repatriation
  • Proof of reasonable, regular passive income
  • Documentary evidence of having accommodation in Portugal
  • Proof of sufficient means in Portugal (up-to-date bank statement)
  • Declaration with the reasons for requesting Portuguese Residency
retiree sailing in algarvetraveller

Portugal D7 Visa Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Submit Your Visa Application

You must attend an in-person appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global office in your country to submit your application and all required documents. At this stage, you will also pay the visa fee, and the authorities may temporarily keep your passport for visa stamping.

Step 2: Wait for the decision

The consulate typically takes 30 to 60 days to process your application. If any document is missing or unclear, they will contact you by email to request the additional information.

Step 3: Travel to Portugal

Once approved, your D7 visa will be valid for 120 days and will allow two legal entries into Portugal. You must travel within this period to begin the residency process.

Step 4: Apply For a Residency Permit

Now it’s time to convert your visa into a residency permit, a process handled by AIMA, the Portuguese immigration authority. In most cases, your AIMA appointment is scheduled by the consulate at the time your visa is approved. If not, you must contact AIMA as soon as you arrive in Portugal to secure your appointment.

During this visit, your biometric data is collected and your residency application is finalized. A few weeks later, your residence card will be delivered to your Portuguese address. The first residence permit is valid for two years and can be renewed for an additional three-year period.

D7 Visa Processing Time

Residency Visa Processing Time

Portugal D7 Visa: Minimum Stay Requirements

D7 visa holders must treat Portugal as their primary place of residence. While temporary absences are allowed, you must respect the stay rules to keep your residency valid. You also remain subject to normal Schengen travel rules and cannot freely relocate to another EU country.

Allowed Absences

  • Up to 6 consecutive months, or
  • Up to 8 non-consecutive months

Stay Requirements

  • First 2-year residence permit: You must be in Portugal for at least 16 months.
  • Next 3-year residence permit: You must be in Portugal for at least 28 months.

Permanent Residency Rules

Once you obtain Permanent Residency, the stay rules become slightly different:

  • You must stay at least 30 months in Portugal during each 5-year period.
  • You cannot be absent for more than 24 consecutive months, or your permit may be invalidated.

What is The Rejection Rate of the Portugal D7 Visa?

The Portugal D7 Visa — also known as the Passive Income or Retirement Visa — generally has a low rejection rate, as most applications are successfully handled with professional support.

However, refusals can still occur, mainly due to missing or incorrect documentation, insufficient proof of income, or failure to meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

When properly prepared and supported by experts, the likelihood of rejection remains very small.

Cost of the Portugal D7 Retirement Visa

The cost of a Portugal D7 Passive Income visa is relatively low and varies depending on the consulate where you apply, but for a single applicant, you may expect to pay:

  • €90-€110 for your entry visa application at the Consulate in your home country
  • €181 to submit and receive your resident permit from the AIMA in Portugal

You should have to consider some additional costs regarding flight tickets, travel insurance, relocation services, accommodation, paperwork, including translations or documents apostilled.

Lisboa

D7 Visa Renewal Process

Your first D7 residence permit is valid for two years and must be renewed for an additional three-year period.

To renew, you will need to attend an in-person appointment at AIMA, bring updated financial documents, proof of accommodation, valid health coverage, and your criminal record certificate. 

Staying compliant with the residency requirements is essential for renewal approval.

Obtain Permanent Residency Through the Portugal D7 Visa

After five years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency. This is a long-term status with no expiration, though the residence card itself is renewed every five years. Permanent residency allows you to continue living and working in Portugal with stable long-term rights.

To qualify, you must:

  • Maintain a clean criminal record throughout your residency.
  • Prove basic Portuguese language skills by passing a simple A2-level exam.
  • Submit your application at AIMA, bringing all required documents such as proof of income, housing, integration, and identification.

Getting Portuguese Citizenship Through the Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa

After five years of D7 residency, you are also eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The requirements are similar to permanent residency:

  • Five years of legal residency
  • A clean criminal record
  • Portuguese language certificate (A2 level)

Citizenship applications are submitted to the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e Notariado). You will need to gather all supporting documents and submit your application directly to IRN for processing.

portuguese passport

Portugal D7 Visa Tax Implications

Once you obtain legal residency and establish your Portuguese address as your primary residence, you become a tax resident in Portugal. As a tax resident, you must declare your worldwide income in Portugal, regardless of where it is earned.

Portugal applies a progressive personal income tax system, ranging from 14.5% to 48% depending on your income level. It’s also worth checking whether you qualify for the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) — widely known as NHR 2.0 — which may offer reduced tax rates or exemptions depending on your situation.

Tips for a Successful D7 Visa Approval

When applying for the Portugal D7 Visa, even small oversights can cause delays or refusals. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Don’t rely only on savings: The authorities expect proof of steady passive income, not just a bank balance.

Translate the mandatory documents: All required documents must be complete, legalized (apostilled), and translated into Portuguese when needed.

Travel health insurance is essential: You must have valid private health insurance that covers Portugal at the time of your application.

Secure accommodation in advance: A confirmed rental contract or property ownership is required for your visa submission.

D7 Visa Alternatives

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 Visa)

The Digital Nomad Visa, also known as Remote Worker Visa, is perfect for remote workers and freelancers who earn their income online. To qualify, you must show a monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum salary, which is currently €87, making the required income €3,480 per month. 

The D8 allows you to live in Portugal while working for clients or companies abroad, offering flexible residency options depending on your earnings.

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is a great choice for investors who want residency with very minimal physical stay requirements. You can qualify by making an eligible investment, such as €250,000 in approved cultural or heritage projects, or €500,000 in private venture capital funds.

This route offers a clear pathway to permanent residency and citizenship while requiring only short annual stays in Portugal.

For more videos about investing or moving to Portugal, explore our YouTube channel here: YouTube Channel Portugal Residency Advisors.

Why Choose Portugal Residency Advisors For Your Immigration Visa

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

Honest Guidance

We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

All-in-One Solution

One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

Seamless Process

Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who has sufficient passive income, is not a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, and has a clean criminal record.

Yes, once you receive your residency permit you can study, work, or open a business in Portugal.

Yes, you can. The residence permit under this visa is granted for two years. After a period, you can renew this visa for an additional three-year period. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or Portuguese citizenship.

The initial visa is valid for four months. During that time, you can use the visa to enter Portugal and apply for a residency permit. The first residency permit is valid for two years, and after that, you can renew it for a further three years.

We recommend starting the D7 Visa application process at least six months before you plan to travel to Portugal.

No. You must be in your home country to start the Portugal D7 Visa. Therefore, you won’t be able to apply from abroad.

Once you enter Portugal and your residency permit has been approved by AIMA, you will be considered a Portuguese resident. You can therefore benefit from the Portuguese healthcare system. Keep in mind that you will need to register with the National Health Service (SNS) in order to benefit from its services.

Yes, Portugal is known for attracting retirees. Quality of live, public healthcare, low cost of living and access to NHR program makes retiring in Portugal a very attractive option. You might like to read our article about Top 10 Reasons to Retire in the Algarve.

It depends on what you are looking for when visiting Portugal. But if you want to enjoy the good weather it’s recommended that you go between May and September.

Many embassies take up to 60 days to process your D7 Visa after you submit your application. But that’s only the start of the process, you also need to complete the second stage at the immigration authorities within Portugal. It can take up to 6 months from beginning the D7 visa process to receiving your residency permit in Portugal.

We don’t recommend this unless your savings can generate sufficient interest to meet the monthly passive income requirements.

No. You can apply for residency in Portugal with your partner via EU family reunification.

Not usually. Because some embassies more and more are asking for a 12-month rental contract, its truly recommended that you engage a real estate agent for finding your accommodation in Portugal.

No, the cost of living is relatively low compared to the other countries in Europe. You might like to read the comprehensive guide about the Cost of Living In Portugal.

The D7 visa itself is only used for your initial entry into Portugal. After that point, you’ll convert the visa to a Portuguese residency permit. The first residency permit is valid for two years, then you’ll need to renew it again after three years. At the five year point, you can choose to apply for permanent residency or citizenship instead.

Yes, you can use your savings for your Portugal D7 Visa. You can use a combination of savings, income, and investments. Keep in mind that it would benefit your application if you could prove that you have a monthly recurring income.

To qualify for the D7 visa you do not need to buy or own property in Portugal. You will, however, be required to provide proof of accommodation during your application process and a rental agreement is used in most circumstances.

No, you can only start the application at a Portuguese embassy or consulate or VFS office (when applicable) in your country of citizenship, or legal residence (if the latter is different from the former.)

Yes. As soon you open your bank account in Portugal, you’ll need to make a deposit before your visit with AIMA. For a single applicant you must deposit a minimum of €10,440.

You must apply according to your place of residence, as Consulates and Embassies operate based on jurisdictional areas. You may also submit your application through a third-party company called VFS Global, if the Portuguese authorities responsible for your area require it.

NHR is a non-habitual resident tax regime that allows foreigners nationals to have a special tax regime for 10 years.

Yes, but only if you have legal residency in the country where you plan to apply.

Technically yes because your passport is required for your D7 Visa stamp. Since the Portugal D7 visa takes some time to be processed, you could arrange with the Embassy that you won’t send your passport alongside your documents. Not all Embassies are the same but, in most cases, you won’t need to leave your passport at the Embassy. This will enable you to travel to and from the Schengen Area.

Sure, provided they have the minimum passive income requirements. We highly recommend reading our article moving from the US to Portugal.

For your residency permit, you need to travel to Portugal and apply to AIMA and schedule an appointment to start your application.

Applicants need to be at least 18 years of age however this visa intend to source mostly retirees.

No. Anyone with a source of reasonable regular passive income can apply for the D7 Visa.

The biggest difference is the amount of time that you are allowed to stay in Portugal. A Portuguese Schengen Visa, it is limited to 90 days. That’s why the Schengen visa is easier and cheaper to obtain.

A NIF number is your legal tax identification number in Portugal that is mandatory to become a fiscal resident in Portugal.

You can travel and stay In Portugal up to 90 days without a visa but only for tourism or business purposes. However, if you wish to stay longer than 90 days you’ll need to apply for a visa.

To open a Portuguese bank account, you need a few documents. Starting from your fiscal number (NIF) and ID Card to proof of address in Portugal.

One of the requirements of the D7 Visa – and most other residency visas –  is that you need to have a travel insurance. This is to cover you for the period between arriving in Portugal and attending your interview with AIMA at which point you’ll be given your temporary residence permit and will become a resident.

Yes, you can travel outside Portugal. However, you cannot be absent from Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months. Longer absence periods maybe be considered for proven professional or force majeure reasons.

AIMA is the The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. It is the only body of criminal police with exclusive responsibilities in the control of citizens crossing the Portuguese borders.

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