D7 – (Passive Income Visa)
The Portugal D7 Visa requires no property purchase and no major investment needed. Applicants simply demonstrate stable income and secure a rental contract—making the process transparent, affordable, and fast. Portugal’s D7 offers full residency rights, Schengen mobility, access to world-class healthcare and education, and the opportunity for EU citizenship after ten years. For families, retirees, remote professionals, and anyone seeking stability in an uncertain world, the D7 stands out as the simplest, most stress-free residency solution in Europe.
The process is generally divided into two main stages
- We schedule your VISA appointment in your home country´s Portuguese Consulate.
- You apply for the residence permit in Portugal, through a law office.
Stage 1: Pre-Application and Preparation
- Obtain a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF): This is the first essential step, and can be done remotely by our law office.
- Open a Portuguese Bank Account: You will need this to demonstrate proof of funds. You may need to transfer sufficient funds to cover the minimum required savings and initial living expenses.
- Secure Long-Term Accommodation: You must have a confirmed address in Portugal, typically proven with a 12-month rental agreement or a property deed.
- Gather Required Documents: Collect and prepare all necessary documentation, ensuring they meet the specific requirements (e.g., apostille/legalization, translations).
Stage 2: Visa Application at the Consulate
- Schedule and Attend an Appointment: Book an appointment at the Portuguese Consulate or a VFS Global center in your country of residence to submit your application and documents.
- Submit Application and Pay Fee: Submit the completed D7 Visa application form and all supporting documents.
- Visa Processing: The consulate reviews your application. Processing times can vary widely (from a few weeks to several months, depending on the consulate).
- Receive the D7 Visa: If approved, you will receive a visa stamped in your passport. This is a residence visa (valid for 120 days and two entries) that allows you to travel to Portugal and apply for your residence permit.
Stage 3: Residence Permit Application in Portugal
- Travel to Portugal: Enter Portugal using your D7 visa.
- Attend AIMA Appointment: The visa will often come with a pre-scheduled appointment with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA, formerly SEF). You will attend this appointment to submit your biometric data and officially apply for your Residence Permit
- Receive Residence Permit Card: Once approved, AIMA will mail your residence permit card to your Portuguese address. This permit is initially valid for two years and is renewable.
Key Requirements and Documentation
Eligibility Requirements
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss National: You must not be a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
Passive Income: You must demonstrate stable, regular passive income from sources like pensions, rental properties, dividends, interest, or financial investments. Salary income does not typically qualify for the D7.
Minimum Income/Savings: The minimum required income is linked to the Portuguese minimum wage.
- Main Applicant: You need passive income equivalent to at least 100% of the minimum annual wage (currently around €10,440/year or €870/month).Expected to increase to €960/month in 2026.
- Additional Adult (Spouse/Parent): Add 50% of the minimum.
- Dependent Child (Under 18 or disabled): Add 30% of the minimum for each.
- Savings: You should also show proof of savings, typically equivalent to 12 months of the required income.
- Main Applicant: You need passive income equivalent to at least 100% of the minimum annual wage (currently around €10,440/year or €870/month).Expected to increase to €960/month in 2026.
- Additional Adult (Spouse/Parent): Add 50% of the minimum.
- Dependent Child (Under 18 or disabled): Add 30% of the minimum for each.
- Savings: You should also show proof of savings, typically equivalent to 12 months of the required income.
Essential Documents
D7 Visa application form.
Valid Passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa period).
Two recent passport-sized photos.
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Estimated Timeline
The overall process can take 4 to 6+ months or longer, depending on the consulate, the time it takes to gather your preliminary documents (NIF, bank account, lease), and AIMA appointment availability.
Pre-Application (NIF, Bank, Lease): 1 to 2 months
Consulate Application and Visa Approval: 1 to 4+ months
AIMA Appointment and Residence Card: The 120-day visa allows you to enter, but the AIMA appointment might be scheduled after this period (your legal stay is automatically extended). The residence card usually arrives a few weeks after the AIMA appointment.
The process for a passive income D7 Visa is considerably faster and less costly to obtain, entitling the holder to the main benefits of Portugal residency, namely:
Security, democracy and life quality;
Free entry and circulation in the Schengen Area;
Access to Portugal resident’s rights, such as education, recognition of diplomas and qualifications, healthcare, social security, trade union protection, justice and courts;
Freedom to live in Portugal and to develop, or not, a professional activity;
Option to apply to the NHR tax program for tax purposes (low or no taxation for ten years on most foreign-source income, applicable to pension income, dividends, interests, royalties, and real estate income foreigner sourced);
Access to permanent residency or citizenship after ten years, subject to passing a language test of basic Portuguese.
The D7 Visa is aimed at individuals with stable passive income (pensions, rentals, dividends) from outside Portugal, requiring proof of consistent income and adequate savings.
Essential Services we provide:
- CONSULATE APPOINTMENT – Securing and preparing documentation for the initial visa submission at the Portuguese Consulate in your home country.
- LEGAL TAX NUMBER & REPRESENTATION – Swiftly obtaining the NIF (tax number) and appointing a fiscal representative as required by law.
- PREPARATION OF ALL LEGAL DOCUMENTS – Vetting and preparing all required documents, especially the Proof of Passive Income (Pension/Rental/Dividend Statements) and bank statements showing the required annual savings.
- BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT – Scheduling the appointment with AIMA (Immigration Services) in Portugal for the conversion of the D7 visa into the 2-year Residence Permit.
- BANK ACCOUNT & FUNDS VERIFICATION (15 DAYS) – Coordination to open a Portuguese bank account and transfer the required minimum annual savings (approx. €10,440 for the main applicant).
- RESIDENCE CARD & ALL RENEWALS – Managing all residence card applications and the subsequent renewals (which require continued proof of passive income and proof of having spent the required time in Portugal).
Included Services added:
- PERSONAL ACCOUNT ADVISOR – Dedicated advisor to ensure smooth communication regarding the consulate and AIMA processes.
- REQUIRED LEGAL RENTAL AGREEMENT – Preparation of a compliant, long-term rental contract, which is mandatory for the residency application.
- FULL FAMILY HEALTH INSURANCE – Selection and arrangement of a private health insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage requirements.
- NHR TAX REGIME APPLICATION – Assistance with registering as a tax resident and applying for the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) status (if applicable), which can be highly beneficial for foreign passive income.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions & Answer
D7 Questions
Q1: What is the primary requirement for the D7 Visa?
The primary requirement is demonstrating stable, recurrent passive income—meaning income derived from sources other than a direct salary. This includes pensions, rental properties, dividends, interest, and intellectual property royalties.
Q2: What is the minimum income needed for the D7 Visa?
The minimum income required is linked to the Portuguese minimum wage. The main applicant must show passive income equivalent to at least 100% of the annual minimum wage (currently around €10,440/year). Additional amounts are required for dependents (50% for a spouse, 30% per child).
Q3: Do I need to buy property to qualify for the D7?
No. The D7 Visa does not require a property purchase. You only need to demonstrate secure, long-term accommodation in Portugal, usually through a 12-month rental contract.
Q4: What are the residency requirements for the D7?
The D7 requires you to become a tax resident in Portugal. You must not be absent from the country for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months during the first two years of the permit.
Q5: Can I work on a D7 Visa?
Yes. While the qualification is based on passive income, once you have your residence permit, you are generally free to take up professional activity, whether remote or employed, in Portugal.
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