Portugal D7 Visa (Passive Income)
A popular choice for those with a consistent income from pensions, rentals, or intellectual property.
For: Retirees, investors, and individuals with stable passive income.Estimated Timeline
4-6 months
The Application Process
Step by step, from start to approval.
Income Verification
AIMA reviews your passive income carefully: pensions, dividends, interest, royalties, and rental income all qualify. Salary and active business income do not. Aim for clear documentation across the last 6 to 12 months.
- Minimum is 100% of the Portuguese minimum wage for the main applicant (around €920/month) plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per dependent child. A 12-month buffer in savings is usually expected on top.
- Pension awards: official certificate from the paying agency stating the monthly amount and currency.
- Dividends and interest: 12 months of brokerage statements or a CPA letter, plus the underlying portfolio composition.
- Rental income: title deeds, lease agreements, and a tax return showing the income declared in the source country.
- Apostilled criminal-record certificate covering the last 5 years from every country of residence.
Consular Phase
You file at the Portuguese consulate covering your country of residence (or at a VFS Global centre). The consular file is usually decided within 2 to 4 months, although some posts run longer.
- Required: passport, NIF, Portuguese bank account proof, 12 months of accommodation in Portugal, comprehensive private health insurance valid for at least 4 months, and the income evidence above.
- Consular fee is approximately €90 per applicant, plus around €70 service fee where VFS is used.
- An interview is sometimes requested, especially when the income source is complex or recent.
- Family members file at the same time and on the same evidence: spouse and dependent children share the sponsor's income calculation.
Travel to Portugal
An approved D7 visa is valid for 4 months and allows two entries. You enter to attend the AIMA appointment, settle into your accommodation, and complete the residence formalities.
- AIMA appointments are pre-scheduled at visa issuance: arrive in Portugal in time for your assigned slot.
- Once in Portugal, register your local address at the parish council (junta de freguesia) and update your NIF address with the Tax Authority.
- Open or update your Portuguese bank account in person if you couldn't complete it remotely.
- Bring all original civil documents (apostilled and translated) for the AIMA appointment, copies are not enough.
Resident Permit
At AIMA, you give biometrics and hand over the originals. The first residence card is valid for 2 years, then renewed for successive 3-year periods. Cards are typically delivered by post 2 to 4 months after the appointment.
- Minimum stay: 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months per year. Long absences without justification can put renewal at risk.
- After 5 years of legal residence, you become eligible for permanent residence or citizenship (subject to A2 Portuguese and clean record).
- Tax residency in Portugal triggers worldwide income reporting. The IFICI regime (replacing the old NHR for new arrivals from 2024) may apply if you work in qualified scientific or innovation roles.
- Family reunification can also be done after arrival: see the dedicated reunification process if you didn't include family in the original application.
Core Requirements
What you need to qualify for this visa.
Minimum passive income equal to the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €870/month, updated annually) plus amounts for dependents
Proof of accommodation in Portugal
Portuguese NIF and bank account with minimum deposit
Health insurance coverage
Minimum stay requirement (6 consecutive months or 8 months total per year)
Do You Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you meet the key requirements for this visa.
Is your income primarily passive (pension, rental income, investments, dividends)?
Other Portugal visa pathways
If this option is not the right fit, here are the alternatives we work with for Portugal.
Relevant articles
Deeper reading our editors have tagged as related to this visa.
Ready to Start Your Journey to Portugal?
Tell us about your situation and we'll identify the best pathway for you, completely free.
