D7 Visa Portugal: The Ultimate Guide

Over the years, Portugal has become increasingly popular among expats looking for a change of pace and a good quality of life. With its amazing weather and diverse landscapes, the country is an attractive option for families, retirees, investors, and remote workers. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the D7 Visa Portugal. We will guide you through the visa application for non-EU citizens, and give you all the answers to the question, what is a D7 Visa in Portugal?

Benefits of the Passive Income D7 Visa in Portugal

Before we delve into the intricacies of how to get Portuguese residency, let’s look at the many benefits of having the Portugal D7 Visa.

High mobility

The D7 Visa grants each visa holder legal Portuguese residency and as a Portuguese resident you can enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, which is made up of 27 European countries.

Permanent residency and eventual Portuguese citizenship

As mentioned above, you can obtain a Portuguese residence permit for two years once you have the D7 Visa and can renew this residence permit, which will then be valid for a three-year period.

After this five-year period of legal residency, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency. You also have the option to apply to apply for Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport, which will require you to pass a basic Portuguese language test (A2 Level).

Resident’s rights in Portugal

Once you are a Portuguese resident, there are several benefits to which you become entitled. These benefits include the following:

• Full protection under Portuguese law
• Access to Portugal healthcare
• Access to the national education service
• Access to vocational training in Portugal

The Family Reunification Visa

Once you have acquired your residence card, as a D7 Visa holder your family members will be able to join you in Portugal. You will need to request family reunification through the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA), which has taken over all immigration and border services since the shift the Portuguese government implemented in 2023, removing all immigration and border services from Portugal’s foreign service and borders service SEF. D7 Visa holders with residency status will need to legally prove their relationship to each family member you would like to include under this program. The following family members are eligible to join you in Portugal under the D7 Visa as well as the Portugal Golden Visa through family reunification:

• Your spouse or partner
• Children under 18 or incapacitated children of you, your spouse/partner, or you as a couple
• Children over 18 who are dependent on you or your spouse/partner, meaning they are single and studying in an educational institution
• Your parents or your spouse’s/partner’s parents, if they are dependent on you
• Your siblings under 18

Is the NHR ending?

The State Budget Law for 2024 stated the end of the popular Non-Habitual Resident) NHR tax regime from 1 January 2024. With this said, certain individuals can still apply up until 31 March 2025, and the scheme will be replaced by the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation, which is anticipated to be implemented later in 2024. To learn more, please refer to: NHR Program Portugal: All You Need to Know. 

March 2024 Update: Portugal Announces Residency Waiting Time Will Now Count Towards Nationality

The Portuguese parliament has approved significant amendments to its nationality law, providing relief to numerous applicants affected by delays in residency application processing by SEF, now AIMA. The new legislation addresses the waiting period required for Portuguese nationality applications.

Previously, individuals seeking Portuguese nationality through naturalization were required to hold residency in Portugal for at least five years, in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 4 of the Nationality Law. The commencement of this five-year period for nationality application was contingent on the issuance of the initial residency permit.

With the newly amended Article 15, incorporating Paragraph 4 of the nationality law, the time between the submission of the temporary residency permit application and its final approval will now be factored into the calculation of the required legal residency period for nationality, provided the residency permit is granted.

The proposed law received widespread consensus during the voting process, indicating minimal political or civil society opposition. It now awaits final drafting before submission to the president for ratification.

A welcome development for D7 Visa applicants

This legislative update is particularly beneficial for D7 Visa applicants, who previously faced the challenge of a five-year residency requirement starting from the issuance of the initial residency permit.

Under the proposed changes, individuals experiencing delays in residency approvals will have their waiting period considered, enabling them to apply for Portuguese nationality sooner. For instance, individuals intending to apply for Portuguese residency in 2024 would meet the five-year residency requirement for citizenship by 2029, regardless of potential delays in residency application processing.

These amendments mark a significant stride in streamlining processes for individuals relocating to Portugal and those seeking Portuguese citizenship through naturalization.

Application Process for the Portugal D7 Visa

In this section, we will look at the steps to apply for D7 Visa Portugal and prepare you to meet the minimum passive income requirements as well as other Portuguese government requirements. Following these steps will ensure that your D7 Visa application process and residence permit process go as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Acquiring a NIF number and opening a Portuguese bank account

Before moving forward with any legal procedures, you will need to obtain a NIF number, which is the tax identification number for Portuguese residents. This number will allow you to carry out fiscal activities, such as opening a Portuguese bank account or applying for medical insurance in the country and establishing tax residency once you receive a residence visa. You can allow a power of attorney with professional training to obtain this number for you on your behalf prior to your entry into the country, or you can use our partner GetNIFPortugal to get your NIF remotely from the comfort of your home.

Once you have your NIF number, you will need to open a Portuguese bank account. You can also set this account up online. Having a Portuguese bank account eliminates potential currency exchange fees for any transactions you may need to make in Portugal.

Step 2: Securing your accommodation

One of the requirements for the application process that you will have to meet to be eligible for the D7 Visa is having adequate accommodation in Portugal. You have the option to either rent or purchase a property in the country. Goldcrest is happy to help you find your perfect home in any of Portugal’s most desirable locations.

Step 3: Portugal D7 Visa application at the Portuguese Consulate

Apply online for an appointment at the local Portuguese Consulate in your country of residence and submit your documents to them. Depending on your region, the documents required may change slightly. The documents required for the application process in most cases are:

• A passport valid for at least six months following the application date of the Portugal regular passive income visa
• Two recent color passport-size photos
• A declaration that outlines your reasons for obtaining Portuguese residency
• Health insurance coverage in Portugal or an affidavit stating you will acquire health insurance to cover medical expenses in Portugal within 90 days of entering the country
• A criminal record certificate
• Travel insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a title deed, rental agreement, or property loan agreement
• Proof of sufficient funds available to the applicant in Portugal
• Proof of a reasonable net regular passive income
• Proof of pensions or income amounting for 12 months

Step 4: Applying for a residence permit in Portugal

If your visa application is approved, the Portuguese Consulate will deliver the D7 Visa. This temporary visa allows you two entries into Portugal, as well as the ability to reside there for up to four months. During this four-month period, you must enter Portugal and begin the application process for a temporary residence permit, which will require the following documents. Create a checklist to ensure that you have all the documents you need.

• Your passport containing the D7 Visa issued by the Portuguese Consulate in your region
• The same proof of accommodation submitted to the Portuguese Consulate
• The same proof of sufficient finances submitted to the Portuguese Consulate
• Your health insurance policy, if acquired in Portugal

Portugal D7 Visa Application Process Time Frame

It generally takes about a month for applicants to acquire all necessary documents. It is always beneficial to consult a professional regarding these processes and the necessary documents to ensure you have everything you require.

If all the correct documents are submitted directly and the process goes smoothly, the consulate and visa application center procedure can take up to 60 days. In the event that a document is missing or there are complications with the application process, it may take longer. Each time a mistake is found, the consulate will notify you, and you may need to visit them in person to provide information or clarify any issues. 

Once you arrive in Portugal, the first step to take is to apply at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). The time it takes for you to obtain this permit will vary depending on where in Portugal you choose to live. Lisbon and Porto are more highly populated, so it may take an average of 120 days to get an appointment. In the countryside and less populated cities, this time is greatly reduced to 15 days. At your appointment, they will enroll your biometric data, and within about three weeks, a temporary residence permit will be granted that will be valid for a two-year period. 

After this two-year period, you can then renew your residence permit, which will be valid for three years.

After five years of holding temporary residence, you can then exchange this temporary permit for permanent residency in Portugal and apply for Portuguese citizenship. Again, there is a list of requirements under Portuguese nationality law that you will need to meet to acquire Portuguese citizenship. For example, you must pass a basic Portuguese language test and hold a clean criminal record, alongside having a valid residency visa or permit for your time in Portugal.

Portugal D7 Visa Cost 2024

You will be happy to learn that the cost of the D7 Visa is relatively low when compared to other visa programs, such as the Portugal Golden Visa. The Portugal Golden Visa program requires a substantial investment in the country. You can expect to pay around €90 for your D7 Visa application and around €160 for your residence permit.

It is important to remember that these fees are subject to change at any time by the responsible Portuguese authorities. What is more, while these are the only fees for the application, there are other costs that you will incur during your immigration process, such as accommodation fees, relocation fees, airline tickets, and health insurance.

Portugal D7 Visa Minimum Stay Requirements

If you are moving to Portugal from the USA with the hopes of becoming a Portuguese citizen, there will be minimum stay requirements to be mindful of once you acquire your residency permit. The D7 residence permit requires you to stay in Portugal for at least 16 months during the first two-year period. You are also expected to spend 28 months in the country during each subsequent three-year period. If you remain outside of Portugal for six consecutive months, your residence permit may be invalidated.

Permanent residence under the D7 Visa requires you to stay in Portugal for at least 30 months during each five-year period. If you remain outside the country for 25 consecutive months, your residence permit may be invalidated.

It is important to note that these absence periods may be exceeded under certain circumstances, such as professional duties or force majeure reasons.