Portugal D7 Visa: 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. So, what is the Portugal D7 Visa, and how does it work?

Once you have been granted the D7 Visa, the temporary residence permit is valid for two years. After this, you can renew the permit, which will then be valid for a further three years.

After five years since being granted your temporary 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.

Benefits of the Passive Income D7 Visa in Portugal

There are many benefits to having the Portugal D7 Visa, such as: 

High-mobility

The D7 Visa allows permanent visa-free entry to and travels within the Schengen Area, which is made up of 27 European countries. 

Permanent residency and eventual citizenship

As mentioned above, you are able to obtain a Portuguese residence permit 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. 

Resident’s rights in Portugal

Once you are a resident of Portugal, there are a number of benefits to which you become entitled. These benefits include the following:

• Full protection under Portuguese law
• Access to the national health service 
• Access to the national education service
• Access to vocational training in Portugal
• Ability to conduct professional activities as an independent contractor 

Family reunification

Once you have acquired your residence card, family members will be able to join you in Portugal. You will need to request family reunification at SEF (immigration and border services) and legally prove your 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 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

Option to Become an NHR Resident

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:

• Dividends
• Real estate income
• Capital gains from the disposal of real estate
• Occupational pensions
• Royalties
• Business and self-employment profits derived from eligible occupations (it is important to remember the relevant double taxation agreements with regard to this type of income)

Portugal D7 Visa Requirements: Eligibility Criteria

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:

• Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
• Earn a passive income of at least €760 per month (as mentioned above, this income can come from different sources)
• Have a clean criminal record
• Show proof of a residential address in Portugal

The residency requirements for the D7 Visa

When the residency card is first issued, it is valid for two years. During this time period, permit holders cannot be away from 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 be away from the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during the three-year period.

Goldcrest: Who We Are And What We Do

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy properties in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered.

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. From sublime beach houses in the Algarve to modern renovated houses in the historic city of Porto, we are more than happy to discuss your options.

You can book a call with us here.

Application Process for the Portugal D7 Visa

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

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. 

Step 2: Securing your accommodation

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.

Step 3: Portugal D7 Visa application at the Portuguese Consulate

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:

• A passport valid for at least six months following the application date of the Portugal passive income visa
• Two recent color passport-size photos
• A declaration that outlines your reasons for obtaining Portuguese residency
• A health insurance policy providing coverage in Portugal, or an affidavit stating you will acquire health insurance 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: €8,460 for the applicant, plus 50 percent of this amount for your spouse and 30 percent for each dependent child.

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 apply for a Portugal 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 Processing Time

It generally takes about a month for applicants to acquire all of the 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 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 permit, which will be valid for three years.

After five years of holding temporary residence, you can then exchange this temporary permit for a Portugal 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 to become a Portuguese citizen. 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 2023

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.

Portugal D7 Visa Minimum Stay Requirements

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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