The Portugal D7 visa is the passive-income path to live in Portugal legally. You apply in your home country, enter on a four-month residency visa, and convert it to a residence card after your appointment with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
If you show stable income, accommodation, insurance, and a clean record, you can settle in Portugal. You can also access services and later pursue permanent residence and citizenship. There are many more benefits of the D7 visa.
But how much does the visa cost? Along with the answer, you will also learn about the taxes inolved and whether you can work on a D7 visa. Next, we will review the Portuguese D7 visa requirements before outlining the application process.
Portugal D7 Visa Guide (Requirements, Taxes, Benefits, And More)
Portugal D7 Visa Explained: What It Is & How It Works!
The Portugal D7 is a residency route for non-EU (European Union), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who can prove stable, lawful passive income. And this can be coming from pensions, rentals, dividends, royalties, and similar sources.
You can bring your family with the Portugal D7 visa by including them in your main application or through family reunification. However, you must prove sufficient passive income and savings for all family members.
You also need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses for the first year of residence in Portugal.
The process to get the Portugal D7 visa has two stages:
1. Visa Application Stage (in Home Country)
Apply at your consulate/VFS with a complete dossier. If approved, you will receive the residence visa that lets you proceed to the permit stage in Portugal.
Portugal D7 Visa Processing Time
You can expect the D7 visa sticker to be affixed to your passport within about 6 to 8 weeks after submitting your complete application at the consulate. The total visa process, from preparing documents to getting your residency card, takes around 3 to 9 months. It depends on factors such as the consulate’s workload, the completeness of your application, and public holidays.
2. Residence Permit Stage (In Portugal)
Once you have the visa, you have 4 months to travel to Portugal to apply for your residence permit. You will then need to attend an in-person appointment with Portugal’s immigration department (AIMA) to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photos) and submit original documents.
The residence permit card is then mailed to your designated address in Portugal, which can take several weeks after your appointment.
Once you have the residence card, Schengen mobility opens up as a Portuguese resident. The initial residence card is usually issued for 1 to 2 years. It’s renewable in 2-year blocks when you maintain income, accommodation, insurance, and minimum-presence requirements.
Who is Eligible for a D7 Visa in Portugal?
Anyone who ticks all these requirements is eligible for a D7 visa in Portugal:
- Citizens from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland
- Earn Portuguese minimum wage each year (about €10,440 in 2025)
- Can buy or rent accommodation in Portugal
- A clean criminal record and health insurance
The D7 visa is good for retirees, remote workers, dividend investors, etc. These individuals must show predictable, documentable non-employment income to prove they can financially support themselves in Portugal.
Spouses or partners, minor children, and certain dependent relatives can reunite later through AIMA once you hold a valid residence permit. Before you start the Portugal D7 application process, let me share some key points to know.
Does Portugal D7 Visa Lead to Citizenship?
Yes, the Portugal D7 visa offers a path to PR and then citizenship. You must fulfill residency requirements for over 5 years. Other conditions include demonstrating basic Portuguese language skills and having a clean criminal record.
After the first two-year residence permit, you can renew it for 3 more years. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible to apply for citizenship or permanent residency.
In June 2025, Portugal’s government made stricter immigration and citizenship rules. One big change is that most foreigners now need to live in Portugal for 10 years instead of 5 to apply for citizenship.
Portugal D7 Visa Requirements for 2025
Build your file around €870 and/or monthly passive income for the main applicant. Add the extra income required for a spouse or a partner and a dependent child. Document 12 months of accommodation, health insurance, clean police records with apostille, and the bank and tax trail.
Here’s the up-to-date Portugal D7 checklist for a clean D7 file in 2025. I’m keeping it tight, factual, and written the way consulates read.
1/ Portugal D7 Visa Income Requirements
You must show stable, passive income at least equal to Portugal’s monthly minimum wage. For 2025, that baseline is €870 and/or a month for the main applicant. Your spouse adds 50% (€435) extra and each dependent child adds 30% (€261) as well. Many applicants document a full year up front (€10,440 for a single applicant).
| Applicant(s) | Formula | Minimum Amount/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Single Applicant | €10,440 | €10,440 |
| Applicant + Spouse | €10,440 + 50% (€5,220) | €15,660 |
| Applicant + Spouse and 1 Child | €10,440 + €5,220 + 30% (€3,132) | €18,792 |
| Applicant + Spouse and 2 Children | €10,440 + €5,220 + 2 × €3,132 | €21,924 |
Note: Many Portuguese consulates benchmark thresholds near the Portuguese minimum-wage level or a little above for households. However, exact figures for Portugal D7 visa proof of income and how they’re evaluated may depend on the consulate.
What is Considered Passive Income for a Portugal D7 Visa?
Passive income for a Portuguese D7 visa means any money you regularly receive and can prove that you get consistently. There isn’t one set legal meaning for “passive income.” Instead, the authorities look at each case to see if the income is steady, regular, and doesn’t require you to work actively every day in Portugal.
So, many different reliable income sources from outside Portugal can be accepted. These can be funds from pensions, rental properties, dividends, interest from bank accounts or investments, and royalties from intellectual property.
2/ Portugal D7 Visa Financial Requirements
Portuguese consulates commonly ask for the last 6 months of bank statements (stamped and signed) for 6-12 months. You’ll also need to provide recent tax returns to prove your passive income’s stability.
Obtain your NIF (often by power of attorney before travel) and open a Portuguese bank account to make a deposit. Some Portuguese consulates also like to see funds sitting in a Portuguese bank account covering ~12 months of living costs.
Many files are refused not for low income per se, but for weak documentation (unclear sources, mismatched names, undated letters).
3/ Portugal D7 Visa Proof of Accommodation
Show 12 months of accommodation via a long-term lease, deed, or formal invitation letter from a resident host. This is checked at the visa stage and at the residence appointment. The long-term stays via Booking.Com also work:
4/ Portugal D7 Visa Health Insurance Requirements
Private health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage (emergencies and repatriation) valid for the initial visa period (typically 120 days). Bring the original and QR-verifiable policy. Expect to move to Portuguese coverage after residence registration.
Buy the cheapest health insurance for Portugal D7 visa covering your stay until you convert to a residence permit. Bring the original policy (QR-verifiable when possible) to the consulate.
5/ Portugal D7 Visa Criminal Record Check
A Portugal D7 visa requires you to have a clear criminal record. You must provide a background check or criminal record certificate from any country where you lived for more than one year. Generally, you cannot have a conviction for a crime that would lead to at least one year in prison in Portugal.
If you are from the US, you need an FBI-level criminal record certificate. Minor offenses might not always stop you from applying. Many Portuguese consulates require a Hague Apostille certificate issued within 3 to 4 months of applying for a D7 visa. Also learn, how your past convictions are seen under Portuguese law.
What Happens If One Spouse Has a Criminal Record? Can We Still Apply for the D7 Visa?
Yes, you can still apply for the Portugal D7 visa even if one spouse has a criminal record. However, the criminal history can significantly affect the application process.
Portugal assesses criminal records individually, looking at the crime’s type, seriousness, time since the conviction, and proof of rehabilitation. If there is a criminal record, include a clear explanation and documents like proof of rehabilitation or good behavior.
6/ Documents Required for Portugal D7 Visa
When applying for the Portugal D7 visa, you must prepare the following documents:
- Visa application form – completed and signed (one per applicant).
- Valid passport – issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned stay, and with at least two blank pages.
- Passport-sized photos – recent (not older than 6 months), white background, meeting ICAO standards.
- Proof of legal residence – if applying from a country where you are not a citizen.
- Personal cover letter – explaining your reasons for moving to Portugal and how you will support yourself (from pension, passive income, etc.).
- Proof of financial resources – such as:
- Recent bank statements (last 6 months).
- Tax returns (last 3 years).
- Pension statements or official retirement documents.
- Proof of passive income (e.g., rental income, dividends, investments).
- Travel insurance – valid for the entire stay in Portugal, covering at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Flight reservation – showing intended entry into Portugal.
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) – issued within the last 3 months and, if required, apostilled or legalized.
Additional documents required for D7 visa, depending on your case:
Retirees or pensioners: Apostilled pension and/or retirement statements.
Passive income applicants: Original documents proving income from rentals, investments, dividends, or similar passive income sources.
Religious purposes: Invitation from a recognized Portuguese religious community and a responsibility declaration from a host in Portugal.
👉 All documents must be in English or Portuguese (or translated by a certified translator). Some documents may also need to be apostilled or legalized.
7/ Portugal D7 Visa Minimum Stay Requirements
For the Portugal D7 Visa, you must live in Portugal for at least 16 months during the first two years of your residency. After that, you need to stay at least 28 months during every three years. You cannot be outside Portugal for more than six months in a row or more than eight months total during your permit’s validity.
If you don’t meet the stay rules, your permit may be canceled. So, keep track of how long you are away from Portugal.
How to Apply for Portugal D7 Visa (Ultimate Checklist)
Use this end-to-end D7 checklist to build a clean, non-repetitive file. Tick every box that applies to you (lead applicant first, then dependents).
Heres a detailed Portugal D7 visa checklist:
A) Eligibility & Planning
B) Portuguese Tax ID & Banking
C) Accommodation (12 Months)
D) Health Insurance (Visa Stage)
E) Criminal Record Certificates
F) Financial Evidence (Stability & Source)
G) Core Visa Documents
H) Translations & Legalization
I) File Assembly & Quality Control
J) Appointment & Submission
K) After Approval: Traveling on the D7 Visa
L) AIMA Residence Permit Stage (in Portugal)
M) After the Residence Card Arrives
N) Renewals & Long-Term Path
O) Dependents (If Applying Together or via Reunification)
P) Cost Planning (Prepare Funds & Receipts)
Q) Troubleshooting & Contingencies
| Common Problems | Solutions |
| Lease too short / holiday-type | Provide a 12-month residential lease or deed. |
| Police certificate too old | Re-issue within your post’s freshness window (often ≤90 days) and apostille before translation. |
| Income proof unclear | Get award letters and bank statements with names and totals that match the application. |
| No AIMA slot | Accept alternate cities if offered; watch for new online flows as AIMA expands. |
| Visa and/or card delays | Track via your consulate and/or VFS reference; remember the 60-day legal decision period applies to the resident visa phase only. AIMA printing can add weeks. |
Quick Visa Insight: On the D7 visa, a tidy, labeled dossier; income first, then accommodation, then insurance, often matters more than presentation style. Keep every claim backed by a dated document.
Portugal D7 Visa Costs: Government Fees, Lawyer Costs
Government fees are modest; most costs for the Portugal D7 visa come from insurance, translations and apostilles, and relocation. Use this as a planning frame (amounts vary by country and family size):
Government & admin fees (each applicant)
- €90 per family member, paid at the consulate in your home country.
- Around €160 to €170, paid to AIMA after you arrive in Portugal.
- Around €70 to €80, paid when receiving your residence card.
Ancillary Portugal D7 visa costs
- Private health insurance (age-banded)
- Apostilles & certified translations (per document)
- Courier and/or postage and notarizations
- NIF and bank setup (if using a representative)
Portugal D7 visa lawyer costs (optional)
- Flat or hourly for POA, NIF, bank, checklist review, and appointment scheduling
Portugal D7 Visa lawyer fees can vary, depending on the scope of services you get. A consultation usually costs between €250 and €540. Full relocation services range from around €2,160 to more than €6,300, depending on the level of help and the law firm.
Portugal D7 Visa Taxes & Taxation
You become a Portuguese tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a tax year or establish a habitual abode. That brings worldwide income into Portuguese scope, mitigated by double-tax treaties (the specifics vary by income type and source country).
Expect to register locally after receiving your residence card and to file returns in Portugal. You may still have filing duties in your origin country. Portugal has adjusted incentive regimes since 2023; verify the current rules the year you land.
If you have complicated assets, talk to a tax expert who knows about tax treaties. For example, US citizens should check if their foreign funds count as PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) or if they own controlled foreign corporations.
Portugal D7 Visa Benefits, Pros and Cons
The Portugal D7 Visa offers benefits including visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area and access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems. You can also live, work, and start a business in Portugal. After living there legally for five years, you can apply for permanent residency and citizenship.
Pros:
- Family-friendly visa to move to Portugal
- Lower income floor than investment visas
- Flexible for retirees and/or investors
Cons:
- Visa appointment backlogs
- Document legalization and translation overheads
- Need to maintain physical presence and passive-income status through renewals.
Renew on time with a clean file (income proofs, bank statements, lease and/or deed, insurance, police certificate when asked). Missed presence or weak documentation are the most common friction points.
What’s Different When Applying for a D7 Visa from My Country?
All applicants must meet the same core D7 visa rules; but these highlight what’s different or newly updated by country:
Portugal D7 Visa for US Citizens
The US-specific wrinkle remains the FBI background check, which must be apostilled (Hague) before submission. Many Portuguese consulates now expect digital FBI results printed and then apostilled through the US Department of State.
United Kingdom (UK)
Portuguese consulates in the UK state that the ACRO police certificate is accepted without an apostille. Also, British nationals can present an S1 as proof of medical cover at the visa stage.
Canada
RCMP check now uses apostilles (Apostille Convention effective Jan 11, 2024).
Singapore
Singapore moved to fully digital Certificate of Clearance (COC) applications. And, as an Apostille country from 2021, your COC and other public documents should be apostilled rather than legalised for Portugal.
Pakistan
Pakistan acceded to the Apostille Convention in 2023 and has been moving to implement it. However, Portuguese posts may still ask for legalisation in some cases due to limited bilateral agreements.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is also an Apostille country, so your police certificate and civil docs generally need apostilles (not embassy legalisation) for the D7 file.
Bangladesh
Bangladeshi public documents (e.g., police clearance, civil records) should be apostilled instead of fully legalised (as the country joined the convention on March 30, 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal D7 Visa
Let me answer a few questions about the D7 visa now.
Can You Work on a Portugal D7 Visa?
Yes, you can work in Portugal on a D7 visa once you have your Portuguese residence permit. This includes working remotely for your current employer or starting a new business. After getting your residence card, you have the same rights as other Portuguese residents, including the right to work freely.
If your plan is primarily active remote work or freelancing, consider the Portugal digital nomad visa (D8). However, it requires an income around 4 times the Portuguese minimum wage (≈ €3480 per month in 2025. Compare the D7 and D8 visas for more details.
Is the Portugal D7 Visa Easy to Get?
Portugal D7 visa is easy to get because the approval rate is high (80%, according to some), but only when your income, accommodation, and legalizations are airtight. Most refusals come from weak or missing proofs. However, refusal rates differ depending on where applicants come from, the consulate, and other factors.
High refusal rates often happen, especially for applicants from South Asia and the Middle East. Many get rejected because they misunderstand the passive income rule (For example, salaries and active business income are not allowed).
Does Portugal D7 Visa Lead to Citizenship?
Yes, the Portugal D7 visa offers a path to PR and then citizenship. You must fulfill residency requirements over five years. Other conditions include demonstrating basic Portuguese language skills and having a clean criminal record.
After the first two-year residence permit, you can renew it for three more years. After five years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible to apply for citizenship or permanent residency.
In June 2025, Portugal’s government made stricter immigration and citizenship rules. One big change is that most foreigners now need to live in Portugal for 10 years instead of 5 to apply for citizenship.
Portugal D7, D8, or Golden Visa, Which One is Right for Me?
The main differences are the source of funds (passive income for D7, active remote income for D8, and investment for Golden Visa), the time you need to physically stay in Portugal (long for D7/D8, very little for Golden Visa), and the upfront cost (low for D7/D8, high for Golden Visa).
Let me elaborate a bit more.
D7 (Passive-Income Residence)
The D7 visa has a lower income requirement and is designed for people who live off pensions, rental income, or dividends. You must show you have a steady income and spend enough time living in Portugal. Family members can join you through reunification. This visa also offers a way to get permanent residency or citizenship.
Golden Visa (Investment Residence)
The Golden Visa requires making a qualifying investment. The rules about how long you must stay in Portugal are different from those of other visas. The fees are usually higher, but you don’t have to spend much time in Portugal. The time it takes to apply for citizenship is also affected by nationality law changes once they happen.
D7 vs D8 (Digital Nomad)
If you earn money through remote work or freelancing, the Portuguese D8 visa might be a better choice for you. In 2025, you need to show a monthly income of about four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which is roughly €3,300 to €3,500. Make sure to confirm the exact amount when you apply.
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