Updated: December 17, 2024

 

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. One of the most popular options for expats is Portugal’s D7 Visa, which aims to make retirement in the country easier.

In this guide, we’ll go through the visa application process for non-EU citizens, the various requirements that must be met, and what the D7 Visa in Portugal allows you to do.

What is the Portugal D7 Visa?

tax resident golden visa immigration law golden visa tax resident foreign sourced income non habitual resident bank statements foreign citizens minimum income requirement temporary residence permit valid monthly passive income valid health insurance coverage criminal records In 2007, the Portuguese government introduced the D7 Visa Portugal, also known as the Portugal Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa.

The D7 Visa is a Portugal residency visa that enables citizens who are not from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland to apply for legal residence and secure a residence permit in Portugal if applicants meet the passive income requirements.

According to Portuguese law, a D7 Visa holder who has lived in Portugal for two years, can apply for a Portuguese permanent residence permit, and after five years of permanent residency in Portugal, be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship and obtain a Portuguese passport.

To qualify for the Portugal D7 Visa, the applicant must meet the minimum income requirements and have a reasonable passive or residual income that will sustain them during their stay in Portugal.

The D7 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 permit, which will then be valid for a further three years.

Five years after 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. To do 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. However, it is important to note that the Portugal D7 Visa option is not the most suitable option for remote work or digital nomads.

That’s because one of the main requirements for D7 Visa holders is that their qualifying foreign income must be residual income, which could be investment profits, social security benefits from your home country and even rental income. The Digital Nomad Portugal Visa also referred to as the D8 Visa, program will be a more suitable option for remote workers interested in acquiring Portuguese residence permits.

Benefits of the D7 Visa in Portugal

The D7 Visa presents a compelling opportunity for getting Portuguese residency in this beautiful country while leveraging the benefits of a stable passive income.

This visa allows applicants to live in Portugal without the need for local employment, as long as they have a reliable source of income, such as from pensions, real estate, or investments. While it provides a pathway to long-term residency and even citizenship, there are numerous other benefits, such as high-quality healthcare and education, that are also afforded to visa holders.

High mobility throughout the Schengen Area

Holders of the D7 Visa in Portugal gain access to the Schengen Area, which includes 27 European countries that have abolished border controls between them. With a D7 Visa, residents can travel freely to any of these countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing additional visas. This includes popular destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Permanent residency and citizenship

You can obtain a Portuguese residence permit for two years once you have the D7 Visa. You can renew this residence permit, and it will then be valid for a three-year period. After these five years of legal residency, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency. You also have the option to apply for Portuguese citizenship and a Portuguese passport. To do this, you will need to pass a basic Portuguese language test (A2 Level).

Resident’s rights in Portugal

Once you are a Portuguese resident, you will be entitled to several benefits. 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

Family Reunification

Once you have acquired your residence card, as a D7 Visa holder, your family members can join you in Portugal. You will need to request family reunification through AIMA, and you’ll will need to 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 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
  • Your parents or your spouse’s/partner’s parents, if they are dependent on you
  • Your siblings under 18

Portugal D7 Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa, you must meet a set of criteria outlined below:

  • Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
  • Meet the passive income requirements of at least €820 per month, which is the Portuguese minimum wage in 2024.
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Show proof of a residential address in Portugal, such as a rental agreement.
  • Live in Portugal for a minimum of 16 months on your temporary visa during the initial two-year period.

Financial requirements

In addition to proving a passive income of at least €820 per month, you must also have a minimum balance of €18,240 in a Portuguese bank account throughout your application period, which is roughly a year’s worth of Portuguese minimum wage. If your application includes any dependents, you’ll need an additional 50 percent or an additional 30 percent for any children.

Another financial requirement is that you open a Portuguese bank account and get a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF).

Residency requirements

When the residency card is first issued, it is valid for two years. During this time, 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.

Application Process for the D7 Visa

There are several steps to applying for the D7 Visa, including meeting the minimum passive income requirements and other Portuguese government requirements. Following these steps is crucial to ensuring that your D7 Visa application and residence permit process go as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Getting a NIF and Portuguese bank account

Before moving forward with any legal procedures, you will need to obtain an 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.

Once you have your NIF number, you will need to open a 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: Visa application

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

The Portuguese Consulate will deliver the D7 Visa if your visa application is approved. This temporary visa allows you two entries into Portugal and the ability to reside there for up to four months. During these four months, you must enter Portugal and begin applying 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 as submitted to the Portuguese Consulate.
  • The same proof of sufficient finances as submitted to the Portuguese Consulate.
  • Your health insurance policy, if acquired in Portugal.

How Long Does the D7 Application Process Take?

villas-for-sale-in-alvor-portugal

The application process generally takes about three months to complete. Applicants usually acquire all the necessary documents in about a month, and if all the correct documents are submitted, the consulate and visa application center procedure can take up to 60 days.

 It may take longer if a document is missing or there are complications with the application process. The consulate will notify you each time a mistake is found, and you may need to visit them in person to provide information or clarify any issues. 

Once you arrive in Portugal, applying for a residency permit at AIMA is crucial. The time it takes to obtain this permit will vary depending on where in Portugal you 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 that is valid for two years will be granted.  After these two years, you can renew your residence permit, which is 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, hold a clean criminal record, and have 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 or military duties.

March 2024 Update: Residency Waiting Time Will Count Towards Nationality

In early 2024, the Portuguese parliament approved significant amendments concerning 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, starting from when the initial residency permit was issued.

However, the new legislation states that the time between the visa application and the issuing of the temporary residency permit will now be factored into the calculation of the required legal residency period for nationality, provided the residency permit is granted.

This legislative update is particularly beneficial for D7 Visa applicants, where many had to wait much longer than usual to get a temporary residence permit appointment with AIMA. Under the proposed changes, individuals experiencing delays in residency approvals will have their waiting period considered, enabling them to apply for Portuguese nationality sooner.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

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

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.

Why choose Goldcrest?

  • Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
  • Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
  • Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
  • Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
  • Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Portugal D7 Visa

To apply for the D7 Visa and eventually a Portuguese residency permit, you must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national.

You must meet the minimum income requirements, 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 obtain Portuguese residency.

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 residency 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 obtain citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements.

To apply for the visa, the minimum passive income requirement is €820 per month, plus 50 percent of this monthly income for each additional adult.

Dependents under 18 years of age require an additional 30 percent 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 monthly passive income of €820.

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 work on the D7 Visa for a Portuguese company. Once the main applicant obtains a residence permit, they can work for remote clients in Portugal. However, it’s important to note that passive income must remain the primary source of income for the visa to remain valid.

If you are looking to move to Portugal and work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa may be the better option.

The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live in Portugal provided you earn four times the Portuguese minimum wage and work for a foreign (i.e., non-Portuguese) company.

It takes approximately one month for applicants to gather all the necessary documents.

It is highly advisable to seek professional guidance regarding these processes and the required documentation to ensure you have everything you need.

If all the correct documents are submitted directly and the process proceeds smoothly, the consulate and visa application center may take up to 60 days to complete the procedure.

However, if there is a missing document or complications arise, the duration may be extended. Each time an error is identified, the consulate will notify you, and you may be required to visit them in person to provide information or address any issues.

The D7 Visa, also referred to as the Portugal Passive Income Visa, grants residency to individuals from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries, such as retirees, who plan to move to Portugal and have a stable and consistent passive income.

The minimum passive income requirements are the following: Applicants earn a passive income of at least €820 per month. Passive income includes movable property, real estate, intellectual property, or financial investments.

Yes, the Portugal D7 Visa for Indian citizens and citizens from other non-EU countries is an option.

As long as the applicant meets the D7 requirements, such as the minimum passive income requirements, has a clean criminal record, has adequate accommodation in Portugal, has an initial residency permit to enter Portugal, and other eligibility criteria.

Yes, you will be required to open a Portuguese bank account, which you can also set up remotely before you move to Portugal.

By having a bank account in Portugal, you can streamline your transactions within the country, eliminating the need for currency exchange and avoiding potential fees that would be incurred if relying solely on your home country’s bank account.

You can live in Portugal on the D7 Visa for five years if you renew your Portuguese residence permit on time.

The initial temporary residency 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 obtain citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements.

Non-EU citizens can also bring their family members to live in Portugal through a family reunification.

Begin the application process by obtaining a NIF number, which is a tax identification number Portuguese authorities will require.

This number is needed to make any significant financial transactions. You will also need to secure adequate accommodation in Portugal and provide proof of this for the duration of your stay.

Next, with all your details in order, apply online for an appointment at the local Portuguese Consulate in your country of residence and submit your documents to them.

These documents will include a passport valid for at least six months following the application date, a criminal record certificate, proof of income, and travel and medical insurance.

You cannot officially work in Portugal while on the D7 Visa. However, once the visa holder acquires a residence permit, they will be allowed to work in Portugal.

The minimum income for the D7 Visa or Portugal Passive Income visa is the Portuguese minimum wage, which amounts to €820 per month in 2024.

If you are supporting family members while on the D7 Visa, it would be ideal to earn more than minimum wage.

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.