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The visa
What is the Portugal D7 visa?
The Portugal D7 visa is a residence visa for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals with stable passive income, such as a pension, rental income or dividends. There is no age requirement, so it is popular for D7 retirement in Portugal. For remote work income, the D8 visa usually fits better.
Requirements
D7 visa requirements 2026: income, savings and documents
D7 visa income requirement
The main applicant needs stable passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage: €920 a month, or €11,040 a year, in 2026. The spouse or partner adds 50% (€460 a month) and each dependent child adds 30% (€276 a month). A couple with one child therefore needs €19,872 a year. Use the calculator above.
D7 visa savings requirement
Applicants are typically expected to hold savings equal to about 12 months of the required income, as a buffer. We confirm what your consulate expects.
D7 visa documents
Personal
- Passport and application form
- Passport photos
- Travel or health insurance
- Criminal record certificates
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
Financial
- Proof of income for at least 12 months
- Bank statements, 6 months
- Portuguese NIF
- Portuguese bank account
Foreign documents often need an apostille and a criminal record check.
Process
D7 visa process and processing time
The overall D7 visa processing time is about 6 to 9 months, and longer if AIMA is delayed. Click a step.
See the AIMA timelines and our residence permit page.
Compare
D7 visa vs D8 visa vs D2 visa vs Golden Visa
All four lead to permanent residence after five years and, under the 2026 law, citizenship after 10 years for most nationalities. Not sure? Use the visa finder above.
Who it fits
D7 visa for retirees, rental income and investors
D7 visa for retirees
A pension is the classic D7 income. We check that it is stable, documented and transferable to Portugal.
D7 visa for rental and dividend income
Rent, dividends, interest and royalties can count if you can show them over at least 12 months.
D7 visa for US, UK and Canadian citizens
The rules are the same for all non-EU nationals, but your apostilles and certificates come from your own country. We work online with clients abroad.
Family
D7 visa family reunification and resident rights
Your spouse or partner and dependent children can join you, with a higher income requirement. Family reunification rules were amended in 2025, so we check the current waiting times and conditions. D7 residents must actually live in Portugal, and reports put the absence limit at no more than 6 consecutive or 8 non-consecutive months. A residence permit starts at 2 years, then renews for 3 years.
Next steps
D7 visa path to permanent residence and citizenship
Permanent residence is possible after 5 years. Under the 2026 nationality law, citizenship by residence needs 10 years for most nationalities and 7 years for CPLP nationals, counted from the issue of the first residence permit, plus Portuguese at A2 and civic knowledge. See our Portugal citizenship lawyer page and the timeline 2026.
Tax
D7 visa tax considerations
Tax residence is separate from the visa. D7 holders generally do not qualify for the IFICI regime, and foreign pensions are taxed under the standard rules, subject to tax treaties. Ask a tax adviser before you move. See IFICI and NHR 2.0.
Avoid refusals
Why D7 visas get refused
Click a cause to see how to avoid it.
Your lawyer
Why work with a D7 visa lawyer in Portugal
Clara Silva da Costa (Bar no. 45229 L) has more than 14 years of practice and a litigation background, which helps when a consulate refuses a file. She is a former adviser at UNICRI (United Nations) and a member of the European Association of Lawyers. We are bilingual and work online. Read her profile or see our Portuguese immigration lawyer page.
FAQ
D7 visa Portugal lawyer: frequently asked questions
What does a D7 visa lawyer in Portugal do?
A D7 visa lawyer checks that your passive income qualifies, prepares the consular file, reviews the documents, follows the application and the AIMA appointment, and helps avoid common consular refusal pitfalls.
What is the D7 visa income requirement in Portugal for 2026?
The main applicant needs stable passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage, which is €920 a month (€11,040 a year) in 2026. The spouse or partner adds 50% and each child adds 30%. Use the calculator above.
How much savings do I need for the D7 visa?
Applicants are typically expected to hold savings equal to about 12 months of the required income, held as a buffer. The exact practice depends on the consulate, so we confirm it for your case.
Is there an age limit for the D7 visa?
No. There is no age requirement. Any eligible non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national with stable passive income can apply, including retirees.
What counts as passive income for the D7 visa?
Pensions, rental income, dividends, interest, royalties and other stable, documented and transferable investment income. Remote work income is usually a D8 matter.
How long does the D7 visa take?
About 6 to 9 months overall, and longer if AIMA is delayed. The consular decision usually takes about 60 days. See the AIMA timelines.
What documents do I need for the D7 visa?
A passport, AIMA-format application, photos, travel or health insurance, criminal record certificates, proof of accommodation in Portugal, proof of income and bank statements, a Portuguese NIF and a Portuguese bank account.
Do I need to buy property for the D7 visa?
No. You need proof of accommodation in Portugal, which can be a rental contract or a purchase. We check that the contract meets the consulate’s expectations.
Can I work in Portugal on a D7 visa?
The D7 is granted on the basis of passive income. Working locally is a separate question, so check your plan with us before you rely on it. For remote work income, see the D8 digital nomad visa.
D7 vs D8 vs D2 vs Golden Visa: which is right for me?
The D7 is for passive income, the D8 for remote work income, the D2 for entrepreneurs and the Golden Visa for qualifying investments from €250,000. Use the visa finder above, or see golden visa lawyer.
Can my family join me on a D7 visa?
Yes. The spouse or partner and dependent children can be included, with higher income requirements. Family reunification rules were amended in 2025, so we check the current conditions and waiting times.
How long can I stay outside Portugal on a D7 residence permit?
A D7 holder must actually live in Portugal. Reports put the limit at no more than 6 consecutive or 8 non-consecutive months abroad. Long absences can put renewal at risk, so plan your travel.
What is the D7 visa path to citizenship?
Permanent residence is possible after 5 years. Citizenship by residence now needs 10 years for most nationalities and 7 for CPLP nationals, counted from the issue of the first residence permit under the 2026 nationality law. See our Portugal citizenship lawyer page.
Does the D7 visa get the IFICI or NHR tax regime?
Generally not. IFICI targets specific qualified activities, and standard D7 holders typically do not qualify. Tax residence is separate from the visa, so ask a tax adviser. See IFICI and NHR 2.0.
D7 visa for US, UK or Canadian citizens: is it different?
The rules are the same for all non-EU nationals, but the documents differ, such as the apostilles and criminal record certificates from your country. We work online with clients in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Why was my D7 visa refused?
Common causes are income that is not stable or not documented, missing apostilles, accommodation proof that does not meet the consulate’s requirements, and inconsistent documents. We review the refusal and advise whether to refile or appeal.
Related pages
- D8 visa · D2 visa · Golden Visa · D3 visa · Permanent resident
- Immigration lawyer · Online consultation · Contact us
General information, not legal advice. Income thresholds, fees and times change, so we confirm them for your case. Updated 5 November 2026.