Updated: January 26, 2023
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. So, what is the Portugal D7 Visa, and how does it work?
The D7 Visa, also known as the Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa, was introduced by the Portuguese government in 2007. The D7 Visa is a residency visa that enables citizens who are from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland to apply for residency in Portugal. To do so, the applicant must have a reasonable passive income that will sustain them during their stay in Portugal.
The D7 Visa, or Portugal Passive Income Visa, is an attractive option for those looking for a more affordable way to gain Portuguese residency. Eligible individuals include pensioners, retired foreign citizens, entrepreneurs looking to live in Portugal, and other expats. The type of income that is recognized and you can use to sustain yourself during your stay includes moveable property, real estate, financial investments, and intellectual property.
Once you have been granted the D7 Visa, the temporary residence permit is valid for two years. After this, you can renew the temporary residence permit, which will then be valid for a further three years.
After five years since being granted your temporary residence permit, you can convert it into a permanent residence permit. You can also apply to become a Portuguese National through naturalization. For this, you will need to fulfill certain requirements, including passing a basic Portuguese language test.
The D7 Visa is intended to help boost the Portuguese economy by allowing eligible individuals with sufficient funds to reside in Portugal. Additionally, this visa option still allows the individual to have a professional activity in Portugal or to work remotely, as long as their income is sufficient.
There are many benefits to having the Portugal D7 Visa, such as:
The D7 Visa allows permanent visa-free entry to and travels within the Schengen Area, which is made up of 26 European countries.
As mentioned above, you are able to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for two years once you have the D7 Visa and can renew this 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 become a naturalized Portuguese National, which will require you to pass a Portuguese language test.
Once you are a resident of Portugal, there are a number of benefits to which you become entitled. These benefits include the following:
Once you have acquired your residence card, your family will be able to join you in Portugal. You will need to request family reunification at SEF and legally prove your relationship to each member you would like to include under this program. The following family members are eligible to join you in Portugal under the D7 Visa:
Once you hold a Portuguese residence card, you can benefit from Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. The program offers a number of benefits with regard to your global income, such as paying lower taxes on any foreign-sources income. It also offers tax-free incentives on certain categories for up to ten years and, as of 2020, pensioners registered for the NHR tax scheme are taxed at a rate of 10 percent.
The following types of income may qualify under the NHR program:
In order to be eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa, there is a set of criteria that you must meet. As outlined below, you must:
When the residency card is first issued, it is valid for two years. During this time period, permit holders cannot leave the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during the two-year period. On renewal, the new residency card will come with a validity of three years. Permit holders cannot leave the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during the three-year period.
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Before moving forward with any legal procedures, you will need to obtain a NIF number, which is your personal taxation number in Portugal. This number will allow you to carry out fiscal activities in the country. You can allow a power of attorney to obtain this number for you on your behalf prior to your entry into the country, or you can use 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.
One of the requirements 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.
Apply online for an appointment at the 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 in most cases are:
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 apply for a residence permit, which will require the following documents:
If all of the correct documents are submitted directly, and the process goes smoothly, the procedure concerning the consulate and visa application center can take up to 60 days. In the event that a document is missing or there are complications with the 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 SEF. 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 temporary residence permit, which will be valid for three years.
After five years of holding temporary residence, you can then exchange this temporary permit for a permanent residence permit and apply for Portuguese citizenship. Again, there is a list of requirements under Portuguese nationality law that you will need to meet. For example, you must pass a basic Portuguese language test and hold a clean criminal record.
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, which 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.
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.
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To apply for the D7 Visa, you must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national. You must have a reasonable net regular passive income, which can be from pensions, transferable equity, real estate, intellectual property, or financial investment. The D7 Visa is intended to attract retirees and those living off passive income.
The D7 Visa, also known as the Retirement Visa, is a Portuguese immigration permit that allows you to enter Portugal and apply for a residency permit. You must meet the visa requirements, which include proving you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay and that you can live off your own passive income. The initial temporary residence permit is valid for two years, which can then be renewed for a further three-year period. After five years of legal residence in Portugal, you can then apply for permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements.
To apply for the visa, the minimum passive income requirement is €760 per month, plus 50% of this monthly income for each additional adult. Dependents under 18 years of age require an additional 30% of the monthly income. This income can come from pensions, transferable equity, real estate, intellectual property, or financial equity, and you must provide bank statements proving that you meet these financial requirements.
In order to be eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa, you must have a minimum passive income of €760 per month. For the D7 Visa application you can expect to pay €90, while the residence permit will cost you around €160. Other immigration costs include airline tickets, relocation fees, health insurance, and accommodation, all of which can vary.
You cannot officially work in Portugal with the D7 Visa. Once the main applicant obtains a residence permit, however, they are then able to work in Portugal. You can work remotely while living in Portugal on the D7 Visa, as long as you can prove that your passive income is sufficient and not earned in Portugal.
