Portugal remains one of Europe’s most desirable destinations to secure a residence visa in 2026, offering a stable political and social environment, a rich culture, a high quality of life, and a low cost of living.
For those looking to relocate to Portugal using passive funds, the Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Portugal Passive Income Visa and Portugal Retirement Visa, provides residency to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who intend to settle in the country and have a stable, recurring income.
To qualify, you will need to earn a stable passive income of €920 per month in 2026 and hold a minimum savings amounting to €11,040 annually.
What is a Portugal D7 Visa?
The Portugal D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa Portugal or Portuguese Retirement Visa, allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, including US and UK citizens, to obtain Portuguese residence for themselves and immediate family members.
The D7 Visa program was introduced in 2007 to encourage self-sufficient residents who spend and invest without competing for local jobs. To be eligible, the visa requires applicants to have a passive income of at least €920 per month and annual savings of a minimum of €11,040 for a single applicant.
To maintain status, applicants cannot be out of Portugal for more than six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during the total validity of the permit. The residency permit is valid for an initial two years, after which it can be renewed for an additional three years.
D7 Visa Portugal: News and updates in 2026
“The D7 Passive Income Visa is more relevant in 2026 than when it was launched. The profile of passive income has changed – it’s no longer just pensions, but dividends, rental portfolios, and royalties – and the D7 has absorbed all these avenues without needing to change”.
Joana Mendonça, Head of Council at Global Citizen Solutions
What are the benefits of a Portugal D7 Visa in 2026?
Successful Portugal D7 Visa applicants benefit from:
- The right to live, work, and/or study in Portugal
- Include dependent children and parents
- Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area and 29 European countries
- Portuguese residency rights, including healthcare (SNS) and education
- Favorable tax options for new residents under the NHR 2.0. (IFICI) for qualifying applicants and, even without the NHR 2.0., double tax treaties and moderate tax rates remain advantageous
- Eligible to apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after ten years (seven years for CPLP countries)
In Global Citizen Solutions’ 2025 Global Passport Index, Portugal ranks 28th and comes in 12th place for quality of life and enhanced mobility, and offers visa-free access to 187 countries.
The Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Retirement Report also ranks Portugal as the second-best country to retire to, drawing from the most robust data available and evaluating 44 passive income and retirement visa programs across 44 countries.
Family eligibility
A significant benefit of the D7 Visa is that the main applicant can include the following dependent family members in their D7 Visa application, provided the primary visa holder can meet the minimum income requirement (both passive and savings) to support all family members financially.
- Spouse/partner, and “de facto” partners of more than two years
- Minor or incapacitated child under the age of 18
- Children under the age of 26 who are single and studying in an educational establishment in Portugal
- Parents of the main applicant or the spouse over the age of 66 or under the age of 66 who are financially dependent on their adult children
- Minor siblings, who are legally deemed to be in the main applicant’s care
Bear in mind recent amendments to Portugal’s Foreigners’ Law (Law 61/2025) regarding family reunification. Certain dependents may now only become eligible after the main applicant has completed a period of two years of legal residence in Portugal, unless an exemption applies.
As such, we highly recommend that family members apply simultaneously alongside the main applicant at the Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global branch in their home country before moving. It is best to speak with legal experts for clarity on this before beginning your D7 Visa application process.
GCS helped Josh Ward and his business partner, Stuart, move to Lisbon on D7 visas as they expanded Palms Pizza internationally.
Stuart was looking for a better lifestyle for his wife and their two young daughters, and Josh was looking to spend less time in the UK.
“Lisbon is the first step in aspirations to expand Palms internationally and provides a really strong base for those networking and fundraising conversations. We love our location and the community here,” Ward explains.
What are the Portugal D7 Visa application requirements for 2026?
Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national.
- Hold a clean criminal record.
- Be able to meet the passive income requirements.
- Hold sufficient funds to support themselves and any family members included in the application during the first year of residency in Portugal.
- Have proof of long-term accommodation in Portugal
D7 Visa Portugal 2026 income requirements
To successfully secure your D7 Visa in 2026, you will need to demonstrate that you are the recipient of regular passive income of at least €920 per month, which is equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage. Alongside this, the Portugal D7 Visa requirements also require savings in a Portuguese bank account.
This requirement is rooted in Article 77(1)(d) of Law No. 23/2007, which requires applicants to demonstrate adequate means of subsistence, with the minimum financial thresholds established under the applicable Portuguese regulations.
What counts as passive income for the D7 Visa?
For the Portugal Passive Income Visa, passive income can be in the form of:
- Retirement funds or pension payments
- Rental income from property in the US or abroad
- Royalties from intellectual property
- Transferable equity
- Dividends from investments when you are not employed by the company
- Earnings from fixed-rate financial products or long-term savings
- Interest from bank accounts or transferable securities
What does not count as passive income?
The following do not count as passive income and can lead to your D7 Visa application being rejected.
- Salary from traditional employment
- Income from remote work or freelancing contracts
Savings requirements
Many Portuguese Consulates require you to deposit at least 12 months’ worth of income into a Portuguese bank account before you submit your D7 Visa application.
The amount of money that you will need to deposit as part of the D7 Visa Portugal requirements depends on the applicant and whether they are coming to Portugal with any dependent family members. Single applicants will need to have the yearly Portuguese minimum wage in funds in their account, which amounts to €11,040.
This balance increases if you have family members:
- An extra 50 percent (€5,520.00) for a spouse or any family member over 18
- An extra 30 percent (€3,312) for each child under 18 or dependent adult children
| Applicant | Monthly Income Requirement | Minimum 12-Month Savings in Portuguese Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Single Applicant | €920 | €11,040 |
| Married Couple | €1,380 | €16,560 |
| Couple with 1 Minor Child | €1,656 | €19,872 |
| Couple with 2 Minor Children | €1,932 | €23,184 |
Accommodation requirements
To be approved for the D7 Visa Portugal, applicants need to provide immigration authorities with proof of long-term accommodation in Portugal.
This can be a 12-month rental agreement or owned property. You will need to provide property deeds, mortgage payments, or the lease agreement.
Foreign citizens can also stay with relatives or friends who are Portuguese residents. If this is the case, you will need to provide a signed declaration confirming that they will provide accommodation, including their address, your stay duration, and their contact details.
Criminal record requirements
Foreign citizens applying for the D7 Visa will need to obtain a criminal record certificate from the country where they have been living for the past two years. For US citizens, you will need to obtain an FBI-level criminal record certificate.
Portuguese immigration authorities prefer candidates who have a clean criminal record. However, in some situations, citizens with minor crimes on their records are not automatically disqualified, provided the crime committed could be punished with less than one year of imprisonment in Portugal. Global Citizen Solutions can assist with any concerns regarding this aspect of your application.
Health insurance requirements
D7 Visa holders will have access to the state healthcare system once they have obtained their Portuguese residence permit. With this said, before they obtain their residence permit, they will need to have health insurance coverage that will cover any medical expenses that may arise while they are in Portugal. The insurance should last at least six months and cover all accompanying dependents who are traveling with the main D7 applicant.
Residency requirements
Once you receive your temporary residency permit, you must not be absent from Portugal for more than six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during the initial two-year residence period. Once it is renewed after the two years, during the three-year renewed residence permit, you cannot be absent from Portugal for more than six consecutive months or eight months abroad in total.
Exceptions can apply for work-related reasons or other specific situations. In such cases, you must explain your absence to AIMA before leaving.
Additionally, you may be exempt if you can prove residency in your home country while abroad, supported by professional, business, social, or cultural activities.
Motivation Letter for the D7 Visa in Portugal
For the D7 Visa Portugal application process, you will need to submit a motivation letter to show your intentions of moving to Portugal. This letter needs to show why, how, and when you plan to relocate.
You should include:
- Begin with basic information about yourself (name, nationality, and income source).
- Outline why you intend to move to Portugal, including any specific reasons.
- Mention your income sources, whether through pensions, rental income, dividends, savings, or other sources of passive income.
- Mention your banking information. Once you open your Portuguese bank account, you can state this to demonstrate your eligibility for the program, as it is required. You should explain how you plan to earn your passive income on a regular basis.
- Following this, mention your accommodation plan in Portugal and where you will stay.
- You can also state how you plan to integrate into life in Portugal, such as learning Portuguese or contributing to society.
What documents are required for a Portugal D7 Visa?
To apply for a D7 Visa in Portugal, applicants need to submit the following documents:
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss passport (your passport needs to have an expiry date at least three months later than the duration of your stay in Portugal, and it must have at least two blank pages)
- D7 Visa application form
- Two passport photos
- Proof of a Portuguese bank account
- Proof of a NIF (Portuguese tax ID number)
- Bank statements from the past six months
- Financial statements showing proof of stable passive income
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental agreement, property deeds, mortgage statements, or a letter from a Portuguese resident stating that you will live with them, etc.).
- Clean criminal record from your current country of residence
- Proof of private insurance (health insurance coverage or travel insurance that covers medical-related expenses and is valid for the applicant’s first 12-months in Portugal.
- Motivation letter outlining how, when, and why you wish to relocate to Portugal
Portugal D7 Visa Application Process: 6 Simple Steps to Residency
You will need to start the Portugal D7 Visa application process at the Portuguese Consulate or a VFS Global branch in your home country. Make sure you have all the required documents before booking your appointment.
Below, we outline simply the steps you’ll need to take in your home country and once in Portugal.
In your home country:
- Book your appointment: Complete and submit the D7 Visa application form and all required documents at your nearest Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global Branch.
- Pay the application fee: Pay the required fee when you submit your application.
- Wait for review: The review period can take a few weeks to several months, with the timeline depending on the Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global branch, which may request more information during this time.
- Receive a temporary residence visa: Once your visa is approved, you will receive a visa that allows you to enter Portugal for 120 days.
In Portugal:
- Attend your AIMA appointment: Your appointment with AIMA (Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) is usually made for the applicant when their visa is issued. During the appointment, you will have your biometrics taken and present the required documents. This in-person interview should take place within four months of your arrival. Bear in mind that in Lisbon and Porto, there may be a delay in your appointment due to high demand in these cities.
- Receive your residence card: About three weeks after your AIMA appointment, you will receive your temporary residence card (Título de Residência) by post to your Portuguese address.
2. Pay the application fee
3. Wait for review
4. Receive a temporary residence visa
2. Receive your residence card
The temporary residence permit is valid for two years, and you can renew it for another three years. After five years of legally living in Portugal, you can apply for a permanent residency permit.
Portugal D7 Visa Processing Time
From your initial application through the Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global branch to securing your Portuguese residency card can take between six and nine months.
- Portuguese Consulate in home country: Processing your application and obtaining a temporary four-month visa in your home country can take up to four months.
- Appointment with AIMA: When you receive your visa, you will also have an appointment with AIMA, which the Portuguese Consulate usually books at the time of issuance, within four months of your arrival in Portugal.
- Receiving your residence permit: Once AIMA has collected your documents and biometric data, it will take about 3 weeks for your residence card to be sent to your Portuguese address. The legal deadline for this is 90 days.
How much does a Portugal D7 visa cost?
To apply for the Portugal D7 Visa, US citizens and other applicants will need to pay the following, according to the Portuguese government website and AIMA.
- D7 Visa application: Between €90 and €110 per person, depending on the specific VFS Global branch or Portuguese Consulate
- AIMA appointment fee: About €133
- Granting of a temporary residence permit: €114.30
- Residence permit card fee: Around €79.10
- Residence permit renewal: Around €250 (application/analysis is €133 and renewal insurance is €114.30).
- Medical insurance costs will vary.
Note: Portugal Retirement Visa requirements and fees are subject to change according to the Portuguese immigration authorities.
D7 Visa additional costs
There are several additional costs that you can expect to pay, over and above the application fees, that you still need to factor in for the D7 Visa.
- Apostille per document: €20 to €100
- Certified translation (per page): €20 to €50 (documents in English don’t need to be translated)
- Basic health insurance policy: €30 to €60 per month
- NIF (tax number): €50 to €150 through a fiscal representative, which is mandatory for non-residents
- Bank account: typically €50 to €250 initial deposit
- Accommodation: a rental deposit of one to three months’ rent
Are Portugal D7 visas often rejected?
While the D7 Visa rejection rate is relatively low, cases where your application may be rejected are largely due to incomplete documents or if your source of income is active, for example, from employment, and not passive income.
The D7 Visa requires that you maintain residence in Portugal. If you are not fully committed to relocating to Portugal, the Golden Visa may be the better option, offering flexibility and a low stay requirement.
Maintaining and Renewing the Portugal D7 Visa
To maintain your Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa, you will need to meet the following requirements.
- Residence requirements: You must not be absent from Portugal for more than six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during the initial residence period and no more than six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months total during your three-year renewed residence permit.
- Maintain passive income: You must continue to meet the Portugal D7 Visa income requirements throughout your residency.
- Renewing your residency permit: The initial D7 Visa residence permit is valid for two years. After this, you will need to renew it, providing updated documents, including proof of accommodation, and showing that you still fulfill the passive income requirement.
| Time Period | Minimum Stay in Portugal | Renewal Date | Available Renew Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1 and 2 | 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months per year | End of year 2 | 3-year residency permit |
| Years 3-5 | 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months per year | End of year 5 | 3-year residency permit or permanent residency |
Pathway to Permanent Residency and Portuguese Citizenship
After five years of legal residency in Portugal, D7 holders can apply for permanent residence. After ten years of legal residency, from the moment your initial residence permit is granted, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet the requirements under the Portuguese nationality law (7 years for CPLP nationalities).
Portuguese citizenship requirements that came into force on 19 May 2026, published under the new 2026 nationality law (Organic Law No. 1/2026, implementing Decree No. 48/XVII) in the Diário da República, include demonstrating knowledge of the Portuguese language and a civic or cultural exam, in addition to having a clean criminal record. A2 level knowledge of the Portuguese language is adequate.
Important note: The clock to citizenship only begins when your actual physical residence permit is issued. As AIMA is currently experiencing processing delays due to a large backlog, and there is also a delay in citizenship application processes, the actual timeline is more realistically at 11.5 to 12 years for non-EU nationals who are not from CPLP countries.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read our article on the Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2026.
How to get a Portuguese bank account and tax number?
To submit your D7 application, you will be required to have a NIF (Portuguese tax number) and a bank account.
Obtaining a tax number in Portugal
Part of the D7 Visa application process is that foreign nationals get a Portugal NIF number (Número de Identificação Fiscal). This allows you to carry out a number of financial transactions in Portugal and is also required to open a Portuguese bank account. You can have a Power of Attorney obtain your NIF on your behalf without you needing to enter Portugal. If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, as you will be if you are applying for the D7 Visa, you will need to appoint a fiscal representative.
Opening a bank account in Portugal
Once you have a NIF, you can open a bank account in Portugal, which can often be done remotely. If you are a non-resident with an NIF, banks like ActivoBank, Caixa Geral Depositos, and Millennium BCP allow you to open accounts online.
In most cases, some of the required documents include proof of address, confirmation of your NIF, a Portuguese phone number, and a minimum cash deposit, which is usually around €250 to €300.
Comparing the D7 Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Golden Visa
| Feature | Passive Income Visa (D7) | Digital Nomad Visa (D8) | Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Retirees and individuals with reliable passive income | Remote workers, freelancers, and employees of foreign companies | Non-EU investors |
| Income Type Required | Passive income only (e.g., pensions, dividends, royalties, rental income) | Active income (freelance contracts, or remote service agreements) | Investment into qualified funds or cultural projects |
| Minimum Income or Investment Threshold | Must prove stable passive income of at least €920 per month | €3,680 per month (equivalent to 4x the Portuguese minimum wage) | Minimum investment of €250,000 donation/investment in Arts & Heritage |
| Stay Requirements | Long stay: Must stay for six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months during the permit validity | Varies based on the pathway chosen (temporary stay vs. residency) | Short stay: Only 7 days in the first year, and 14 days every two years after that |
| Main Benefits | Right to relocate and live long-term in Portugal on passive income, with a relatively low passive income requirement | Right to live and work remotely in Portugal | Strategic Plan B for investors and family members to live, work, and study in Portugal with a short stay requirement |
- Choose the D7 Visa if you are ready to relocate to Portugal permanently and can support yourself on passive income.
- Choose the Digital Nomad Visa if you want to live in Portugal and you have a stable remote job that you can carry out in the country.
- Choose the Golden Visa if you want the security of European residency for your family but are not ready to commit to living in Portugal full-time.
With our own in-house lawyers and 40+ operational staff, with a dedicated team for clients, Global Citizen Solutions can assist in helping you find the right residency program for your personal situation.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Immigration Visa?
GLOBAL APPROACH BY LOCAL EXPERTS
- GCS has offices located across Portugal.
- Members of the US-Portugal and UK-Portugal Chambers of Commerce in Portugal, and the Investment Migration Council (IMC).
- Our expert team can help you throughout your journey to secure your Visa.
100% APPROVAL RATE
- Our successful track record in applications provides reassurance to applicants.
- We have helped clients from more than 35 countries secure residency in Portugal.
ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION
- With a single channel of communication, our approach ensures that you have complete clarity on your application.
- Our BeGlobal® Onboarding System allows for a total flow of information.
TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY
- Our pricing is clear and detailed, you will not face any hidden costs.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
