Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: April 1, 2025

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If you have a stable passive income—from a pension, rental properties, dividends, or other sources—you could qualify for residency with the Portugal D7 Visa. Also known as the passive income visa, it is designed for retirees, financially independent individuals or foreigners who intend to exercise religious activities in Portugal.

However, it doesn’t cover remote workers with an ongoing salary. If you have a salary and want to move to Portugal, that's the D8 visa (for digital nomads) or maybe the D2 visa (for entrepreneurs) you should look into.

With the Portuguese passive income visa, your family can apply alongside you and the holders aren’t restricted from working in Portugal if they choose to. Once your visa is approved, you become eligible for residency.

 

Who is the D7 visa for?

The D7 visa is for retirees or pensioners who can earn a Portuguese minimum salary a month in passive income. It’s not for employees who want to use their employment salary as a guarantee for their visa.

D7 visa duration

The Portugal D7 visa is what’s called a residence visa—a pathway towards residency. It grants two entries into Portugal, and is valid for a period of 4 months (120 days). During that period, you have to apply for a residency with the AIMA. The temporary residence card will let you stay in Portugal for two years initially. Then, it becomes renewable for three-year periods.

D7 visa requirements and documents

Citizens of one of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland don’t need a Portugal D7 visa. For the application, you will need the following documents:

• Completed visa application
• Valid national passport: Valid for at least three months after the visa’s expiration.
• 2 passport-sized photos: Taken within the last six months, one for the application.
• Proof of legal residence: Of your country of nationality or where you reside.
• Criminal record certificate: Issued within the last 3 months from where you've lived for over a year.
• Travel insurance: Must cover medical expenses, emergencies, and repatriation.
• Proof of financial resources: You’ll need at least 12 months of the Portuguese minimum wage for yourself, which is €870. However, as Portugal has 14 salaries in a year, be safe and calculate a minimum of €12,180 in savings. You should also consider an extra 50% for a spouse and another 30% for each dependent child. Remember, this is just a baseline. The more savings you show, the more likely you are to be selected for the D7 visa.
  • Retirees/pensioners must submit an official document of their status and the retirement amount they receive.
• Portuguese taxpayer number (NIF): Required for tax purposes.
• Proof of accommodation: Booking, rental contract, lease agreement, etc, for at least 12 months.
• Cover letter: Explaining why you want to apply and how you plan to live from your passive income.

If you are applying for the Portuguese D7 for religious purposes, you should also add an invitation addressed to you by your religious community.

How to apply for the Portuguese D7 visa: A step-by-step guide

This is a visa for retirees, remote workers, and individuals with passive income (pensions, rentals, investments).

Step #1 – Prepare your application

Gather the documents we outlined above.

Step #2 – Start your application

Submit at a Portuguese consulate/embassy in your country.

• Schedule an in-person appointment (e.g., NYC Consulate).
• Forms:
  • Complete the National Visa Application Form (use the consulate’s version or the generic National Visa form; no specific D7 form exists).
  • You can use the National Visa form you can find here.
• Fees:
  • D7 Visa fee: €110

Step #3 – Wait for visa approval

Processing Time: 60–90 days (varies by consulate).
Outcome:

• If approved: A D7 Visa sticker is stapled to your passport, valid for 4 months (two entries to Portugal).
• If denied: Written reasons provided. Appeal within 15 days.

Step #4 – Move to Portugal and apply for residency

Within 4 months of arrival:

1. Schedule an AIMA appointment (ex-SEF). You can read our guide on how to book an appointment on our Visas and Immigration page.
2. Documents for AIMA:
   • Passport with D7 Visa.
   • Updated proof of accommodation.
   • Proof of ongoing passive income (e.g., updated bank statements).
3. Fees:
   • Residence permit fee: €155.50.
4. Biometrics: Fingerprints and photo collected at AIMA.

Processing:

• AIMA response time: Up to 90 days.
• ResidencepPermit: Valid for 2 years (renewable for 3-year periods).

Where to apply for a Portuguese D7 visa

To apply for a Portugal D7 visa, you should schedule an appointment with your local Portuguese embassy, consulate, or VFS Centre, usually through the E-Visa Portal. When you submit the application, you should pay the necessary fee and show all the corresponding documents. The standard processing time is about 60 days, however, don’t be scared if it takes longer as it varies from country to country.

D7 visa fees

The fee for a Portugal D7 visa is €110. If your visa is denied, and you want to appeal the decision, it's an extra €75 to cover administrative fees. The extra fee is not applicable in the case of the denial of a family reunification visa.

Remember, you will also need to pay €155.50 for your residence card, plus 14 months of minimum salary savings (€12,180). Altogether, you should set aside €12,445 for your D7 visa, without counting other costs involved, like rent, hiring immigration experts or applying with family members.

Talk to immigration experts

Portugal is a charming country with stunning beaches, great weather year-round, a manageable cost of living, and a high quality of life. It’s a great place to retire, and the D7 visa is designed so that you can do it. But getting around the visa process can be challenging. Outdated websites and limited resources in English make it difficult to do it alone. The best way to simplify the process is by consulting immigration experts who can guide you into getting the D7.

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