Portugal D7 Visa Requirements 2025/2026: Complete Guide

Executive summary: Portugal D7 Visa 2025

1. The Portugal D7 Visa offers a residency route for non-EU nationals who can demonstrate stable passive income from outside Portugal and who plan to live in Portugal most of the year.
2. Core financial requirements in 2025/2026 include a minimum passive income of €870 per month for a single applicant, plus additional amounts and savings thresholds for each dependent family member.
3. Eligible dependents can include a spouse or partner, unmarried full-time student children who are not working, and financially dependent parents or in-laws, subject to specific proof of dependency.
4. The D7 route requires substantial physical presence in Portugal, while the Portugal Golden Visa offers a lower stay requirement and is better suited to those who want a flexible “Plan B” based on investment funds.
5. Both the D7 and the Golden Visa can lead to Portuguese permanent residency after 5 years, and current legislation requires 10 years of legal residence before most applicants can qualify for Portuguese citizenship.
6. Working with an experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer is essential to prepare documents, meet legal standards, and navigate the D7 application process efficiently.

What is the Portugal D7 Visa? Unpacking Key Concepts for 2025

How the Portugal D7 Visa works

The Portugal D7 Visa, often called the “passive income visa” or “retirement visa,” is designed for non-EU citizens who want to secure residency in Portugal based on regular passive income. Unlike investment-based options such as the Portugal Golden Visa, which typically rely on an eligible investment fund subscription of at least €500,000, the D7 focuses on proving that you already have sufficient ongoing income to support yourself without active employment in Portugal.

This visa route suits retirees, individuals living from investment returns, and rental property owners with income from outside Portugal. It also suits anyone with substantial passive income who intends to make Portugal their primary residence. The D7 Visa grants the right to live in Portugal and, over time, can support an application for Portuguese citizenship, which may then open access to wider EU rights, subject to meeting the current 10-year residence requirement.

What counts as “passive income” for D7 applicants

For D7 Visa purposes, passive income must originate from outside Portugal and may include pensions, social security benefits, rental income from properties abroad, dividends, transferable equity, and intellectual property royalties. The key point is that this income must be recurring and not rely on active work or employment in Portugal.

Employment income or income from running an active business rarely qualifies for the D7 Visa. Digital nomads who plan to work remotely while living in Portugal generally fit better under the D8 Visa, which has a higher minimum income requirement of €3,480 per month and is specifically structured for remote workers with active employment or service income.

Why physical presence in Portugal matters for the D7 Visa

The D7 Visa is a residency-focused program. Unlike the Portugal Golden Visa, which only requires 14 days of physical presence every two years, the D7 expects you to spend significant time in Portugal each year. This structure reflects the D7’s purpose as a relocation pathway rather than an investment-based backup plan.

You should plan your lifestyle and travel around this physical presence requirement before committing to the D7 route. Failure to spend the required time in Portugal can lead to non-renewal or cancellation of your residence permit.

Who Qualifies for the Portugal D7 Visa in 2025? Eligibility and Financial Requirements

Core eligibility criteria

Basic eligibility criteria for the Portugal D7 Visa in 2025 are straightforward. You must be at least 18 years old, hold non-EU citizenship, maintain a clean criminal record, and show a genuine intent to reside in Portugal.

The clean criminal record requirement applies to every family member included in your application and must be obtained from your country of residence. You also need to demonstrate that you have secured accommodation in Portugal, either through a rental contract or a property purchase, and you must provide civil status documentation for your family unit, such as a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship in the case of a common-law partner.

Passive income thresholds for 2025

The minimum monthly passive income required for a single D7 applicant in 2025 is €870, which equals €10,440 annually. This benchmark is tied to Portugal’s minimum wage and functions as the baseline income requirement.

Accepted income sources include pensions from government or private schemes, social security benefits, dividends from stock portfolios, rental income from properties outside Portugal, transferable equity holdings, and royalties from intellectual property. You must provide at least six months of bank statements that clearly show this passive income arriving regularly.

Savings requirements

Financial stability for the D7 Visa is not just about income. You must also show savings of at least €10,440. This amount acts as a reserve to support you during your first period of residence in Portugal.

The savings should be held in accounts that you can access and must be documented through official bank statements. Many applicants choose to keep these funds in a Portuguese bank account once it is opened, although foreign accounts are also used.

Secure your Portuguese residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa if your passive income profile does not align with the D7 requirements, and/or you prefer an investment-based, lower-presence strategy.

Including your family: dependent requirements

The D7 Visa can cover your close family, but each additional person increases the required passive income and savings. For a spouse or legally recognized partner, you must show an extra €410 per month in passive income and €5,220 in savings. For each dependent child, the requirement is an additional €246 per month in income and €3,132 in savings.

Eligible dependents usually include your spouse or legally recognized partner, unmarried full-time student children up to 21 years old who are not working, and financially dependent parents or in-laws who are either over 65 or can prove financial dependence. Children included as dependents must remain unmarried while they are part of your residency application. Authorities can request proof of enrollment and financial dependency to confirm that adult children and older relatives genuinely qualify as dependents.

Step-by-Step Guide: The Portugal D7 Visa Application Process in 2025

Stage 1: Preparation in your home country

The D7 process starts long before you arrive in Portugal. You need a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity, a Portuguese tax number (NIF), and a Portuguese bank account. Both the NIF and bank account can usually be obtained remotely with legal assistance.

You must also secure accommodation in Portugal, either through a 12-month rental lease or the purchase of a property. A 12-month lease agreement or a property deed normally serves as proof of accommodation.

Other core documents include a recent criminal background check from your country of residence, at least six months of bank statements that prove your passive income, civil status certificates for all family members, recent passport-style photographs, and a completed D7 Visa application form.

Working with an experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer is essential at this stage. A local legal team can obtain your NIF on your behalf, help you open a bank account, review your documentation, and ensure that everything meets Portuguese legal and consular standards before you submit.

Stage 2: Visa application at the Portuguese consulate

You submit your D7 Visa application to the Portuguese consulate that covers your country of residence, usually attending an in-person appointment for document review and biometrics. The D7 Visa fee is around €90 per family member and, once approved, the visa is typically valid for 4 months, so that you can travel to Portugal and apply for your residence permit.

During the consulate appointment, officials review your documents, confirm your financial situation, and assess your intention to reside in Portugal. Individual consulates sometimes request extra documents or certified translations, so you should always confirm local requirements in advance, ideally with your lawyer’s support.

Stage 3: Applying for your residence permit in Portugal

After entering Portugal with your D7 Visa, you must transition to a residence permit. This stage happens through AIMA, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum. The first residence permit is normally valid for 2 years and can then be renewed for additional 2-year periods, as long as you continue to meet the rules.

You must apply to renew your residence permit before it expires and prove that you still meet the passive income and physical presence requirements. This ongoing review ensures that D7 holders continue to maintain genuine residency in Portugal.

Secure your Portuguese residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa if you prefer a fund-based route that requires only minimal physical presence in Portugal compared with the D7 Visa’s stay requirements.

Living in Portugal: Physical Presence and Your Path to EU Citizenship

Key physical presence rules for D7 residents

The D7 Visa has clear stay requirements that reflect its focus on real relocation. To keep your D7 status, your absence from Portugal should not exceed 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total during each residence permit period. In addition, you must spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the initial 2-year residency period.

These rules aim to ensure that Portugal is your primary place of residence. Authorities expect D7 residents to build a life in the country, integrate into local communities, and contribute to society. If you do not meet the physical presence requirements, your residence permit may not be renewed.

Comparison: D7 Visa vs. Golden Visa physical presence

Pathway to citizenship for D7 holders under post-October 2025 legislation

Long-term D7 residents can usually apply for Portuguese permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence. However, recent changes to the nationality framework extended the timeline for citizenship.

Legislation approved in October 2025 requires most applicants to complete 10 years of residence in Portugal before qualifying for Portuguese citizenship, with reduced requirements of seven years for nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens.

This framework applies to new citizenship applications and covers residents who hold visas such as the D7. Holders of the Portugal Golden Visa who submitted citizenship applications before the publication of the new law are generally assessed under the previous rules. Anyone considering the D7 today should base their planning on the 10-year residence horizon for citizenship.

D7 Visa vs. Golden Visa: Which Portuguese Residency Path Is Right for You?

Portugal D7 Visa: Best suited to passive income earners who want to live in Portugal

The D7 Visa works well for people who plan to spend most of the year in Portugal. Retirees seeking a Southern European lifestyle, individuals living from investment or pension income, and families with substantial passive income streams often find the D7 a cost-effective way to build a life in Portugal.

The D7’s significant physical presence requirements make it most appropriate if you see Portugal as your main home rather than a backup option. This route supports deep integration, including learning the language, joining local communities, and experiencing everyday life in one of Europe’s safer and more stable countries.

Portugal Golden Visa: For investors seeking flexible Portuguese residency

The Portugal Golden Visa targets investors who want a more flexible presence in Portugal. This route typically involves a qualifying investment fund subscription starting from €500,000 and a physical presence requirement of only 14 days every two years.

The Golden Visa appeals to business owners, investors, and professionals who need to maintain their main residence and business interests elsewhere. With this route, they can secure Portuguese residency, enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, access Portugal’s public services and education system for their children, and work toward Portuguese citizenship over the long term.

Portugal is currently one of the few countries in Europe that still offers a route from residency through investment funds to citizenship without requiring full relocation. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece requires at least 7 years of living there, and paying taxes, before residents can generally qualify for citizenship.

Secure your Portuguese residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa if you prefer to maintain your current lifestyle and location while gradually building a long-term position in Portugal and, eventually, the wider European Union through citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Portugal D7 Visa 2025

Is the Portugal D7 Visa suitable for digital nomads?

The D7 Visa is not designed for most digital nomads. Its focus is on passive income, such as pensions or dividends, rather than active employment or freelance income. Digital nomads usually earn active income from remote work, which does not match the D7 profile.

The D8 Visa is the visa class built for remote workers and digital professionals. It requires a higher monthly income of €3,480 and recognizes income from active work, provided that applicants meet the other legal and documentation requirements.

Can I work in Portugal with the D7 Visa?

The D7 Visa is primarily aimed at people who can support themselves through passive income and do not need to work in Portugal. Its approval depends on your ability to demonstrate that you can live in Portugal without local employment.

Once you hold a residence permit based on the D7, you may be able to apply for authorization to work, subject to Portuguese immigration and labor rules. If your main objective is to take up employment or run an active business in Portugal, a visa route specifically designed for workers or entrepreneurs is usually more appropriate.

What are the legal fees associated with the D7 Visa application?

Legal fees for D7 applications vary by law firm, scope of service, and the complexity of your family and financial situation. Many full-service legal packages fall in the €16,000 to €20,000 range for a family, although simpler or more complex cases can differ.

These fees typically cover support in obtaining your NIF, opening a Portuguese bank account, preparing and reviewing documents, coordinating translations and certifications, submitting applications to the consulate and AIMA, and assisting with renewals. Professional legal guidance reduces the risk of errors or delays and helps you meet the detailed requirements of Portuguese immigration law.

What happens if I do not meet the physical presence requirements for the D7 Visa?

Missing the D7 physical presence thresholds can have direct consequences for your residency. If you spend more time outside Portugal than allowed or do not reach the minimum presence requirement during the first two-year period, immigration authorities may refuse to renew your residence permit or may cancel it.

Losing your residence permit ends your legal right to live in Portugal and can affect future applications. You should plan travel carefully, keep records of your entries and exits, and review your plans with your lawyer to ensure that you remain within the allowed absence limits.

How does the D7 Visa compare to the Golden Visa regarding the path to EU citizenship?

Both the Portugal D7 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa can lead to the same endpoint: Portuguese permanent residency and, in time, Portuguese citizenship. Under the current framework, residents on either route can usually apply for permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence. Citizenship applications for most people now require 10 years of total legal residence in Portugal, or 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals.

The difference lies in lifestyle and proof of residence. D7 holders must demonstrate that Portugal is their main home, with substantial physical presence and integration. Golden Visa holders have much more flexible stay requirements, with only 14 days in Portugal every two years, but they still need to maintain their qualifying investment and meet all legal conditions during the 5-year residency period and beyond.

Conclusion: Laying the Groundwork for Your Portuguese Future with the D7 Visa

The Portugal D7 Visa in 2025 offers a structured pathway to residency for individuals with reliable passive income who genuinely intend to live in Portugal. With financial thresholds tied to the national minimum wage and clear dependent rules, it can be a practical alternative to investment-based options for those prepared to relocate.

Success with the D7 depends on advance planning, accurate documentation, and a realistic commitment to Portugal’s physical presence requirements. For retirees, long-term investors, and internationally mobile families who want to base their lives in Portugal, the D7 provides a clear route toward permanent residency and, in time, the possibility of Portuguese citizenship under the current 10-year residence framework.

Portugal continues to attract applicants who value its climate, public healthcare system, culture, and location within Europe. The D7 Visa sits at the intersection of lifestyle and legal structure, allowing qualifying passive income earners to turn a relocation plan into a long-term residency strategy.

Careful preparation, combined with guidance from experienced Portuguese immigration lawyers, can help you navigate each stage of the D7 process with confidence. Secure your consultation with VIDA Capital’s advisory team to receive personalized guidance on the Portugal D7 Visa and to understand how it compares with fund-based options such as the Portugal Golden Visa for your specific goals.