Portuguese Republic · residence general · Leads to settlement
D7 visa (passive income / retirement)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence visa for non-EU nationals with stable passive income (pensions, rental income, dividends).
- Processing time
- Consulate visa decision typically 2–3 months; AIMA residence card appointment can extend timeline further.
- Government fees
- Visa application fees from approximately €110; residence permit issuance around €170; family members additional.
- Typical duration
- Initial 4-month entry visa; 2-year residence card renewable for 3 years; leads to permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The D7 visa is Portugal's long-standing residence route for retirees and other passive-income earners. Applicants must evidence regular income at or above Portuguese minimum-wage multiples, along with accommodation and tax residency intent. It leads to a 5-year temporary residence and subsequently permanent residence or citizenship.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Brazilian applicants
Brazilian nationals follow a streamlined process under the Lusophone framework — A2 Portuguese is effectively presumed. …
Russian applicants
Russian applicants have made up a significant share of D7 grants since 2022. Portuguese consular processing scrutinises …
Ukrainian applicants
Ukrainian nationals already in the EU under the Temporary Protection Directive can transition to D7 from within the EU i…
Iranian applicants
Iranian applicants face complex fund-transfer evidence under sanctions — passive income earned and held in non-Iranian b…
Chinese applicants
Chinese D7 applicants — typically retirees and HNW passive-income holders — concentrate in the Algarve and Lisbon. Mainl…
American applicants
American D7 applicants make up one of the largest retiree-D7 cohorts by USD value. Income evidence is straightforward — …
British applicants
British D7 applicants are the largest retiree-D7 cohort by volume. Three items materially differ from the post-Brexit Br…
South African applicants
South African D7 applicants are a smaller but established retiree cohort — predominantly Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pr…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Regular monthly passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €920/month in 2026; verify current figure). Spouse and dependants require additional uplifts.
- ✓Accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property ownership).
- ✓Portuguese tax number (NIF).
- ✓Clean criminal record.
Common blockers
- !Income classified as active rather than passive by the consulate.
- !Insufficient uplift for dependants.
Typical evidence
- ·Bank statements and income evidence for 12+ months.
- ·Rental contract or deed of property in Portugal.
- ·Criminal record certificate.
- ·Proof of health insurance.
Application pathway
Obtain NIF and open Portuguese bank account
A Portuguese tax number and bank account are typically prerequisites for the application.
Secure accommodation
Rental contract or purchased property.
Apply at Portuguese consulate
Submit application with income evidence, accommodation, criminal record.
Receive 4-month residence visa and travel
Enter Portugal within the visa validity.
Attend AIMA appointment for residence card
Appointment scheduled on arrival; receive 2-year Título de Residência.
Renew and progress to permanent residence or citizenship
After 5 years of lawful residence, apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official portalApplicantRequest a national visa online ↗
Use the Portuguese official visa request portal to start the consular D7 residence visa application.
Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs · verified
- Official guidanceApplicantCheck D7 residence visa requirements ↗
Use this official guidance to confirm passive-income, accommodation and document requirements before filing.
Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs · verified
Fees and processing time
A typical D7 visa (passive income / retirement) application runs about €490 in government fees (single applicant, first year (visa + AIMA permit + NIF)). A decision then typically takes 2 months – 6 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare Portuguese Republic with
Related routes
D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work)
Residence visa for remote workers employed by or freelancing for companies outside Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment)
Residence-by-investment route; real-estate and capital-transfer pathways were closed in October 2023, but fund-investment and other options remain.
Frequently asked questions
Does the D7 visa lead to Portuguese citizenship?+
Yes. After 5 years of lawful residence, D7 holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship, subject to meeting the language (A2 Portuguese) and other naturalisation requirements.
Can D7 holders work in Portugal?+
D7 is structured around passive income but Portuguese residence typically permits employment and self-employment activities once granted. Always verify current scope on the VistosMNE portal.
My remote income is below the D8 threshold — is the D7 a lower-income alternative?+
The D7 has a lower income bar — regular monthly passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €920/month in 2026) — but it is built around passive income such as pensions, rental, or dividends, and active remote-work income can be classified as active rather than passive by the consulate, which is a common D7 blocker. Verify the current figure on the VistosMNE portal.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor →