James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist.com, a website he created in 2016 to make moving to Portugal more simple.

He’s also the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition and with more than 400 reviews on Amazon. Through Portugalist, James has helped thousands of people plan their move and settle into life in Portugal with clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information.

Portugalist has been featured in countless publications including the WSJ, New York Times, and Independent.

Follow him on Linkedin and Amazon

What Are My Accommodation Options for the D7 Visa?

A bright and clear day view of a sprawling cityscape in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring numerous tightly packed buildings with red-tiled roofs. The city is set against a backdrop of rolling hills, with many clusters of buildings extending into the distance under a clear blue sky.

Are you dreaming of moving to Portugal but struggling to find suitable accommodation? Don’t worry: you’re not alone! For most residency visas (D7, Digital Nomad Visa, D2, D1, and D3), you’ll need proof of accommodation before you can even apply. Sounds a bit backwards, right? Well, that’s just how it works. But don’t fret – thousands of people do this every year. What Counts as “Suitable Accommodation”? Don’t worry, we’re here to help make the process a breeze! How to …

An older man and a younger woman sit together on a couch in a well-lit room. The man shows the woman something on his phone while she takes notes in a notebook on the coffee table. A white piggy bank and documents are also on the table.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, the D7 visa is one of the most straightforward residency pathways. It’s designed for people who earn income from non-active sources—income that arrives regularly without requiring day-to-day work. To qualify, you must show a stable monthly income of at least € per month for a single applicant in . For dependents, add: This is significantly lower than the Digital Nomad Visa, which requires € per month in . What Exactly Is Passive Income? …

A smiling couple stands in a modern living room as a woman hands them a set of keys. The couple is dressed casually and showing excitement. The woman is holding a clipboard, suggesting a house or apartment agreement signing. The setting is bright and welcoming.

Let’s talk about the D7 visa – it’s one of the most popular options for moving to Portugal, and for good reason. The main draw? You only need to show a regular passive income equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage. As of , the amount needed for a single applicant is € per month. To put this in perspective, the Digital Nomad Visa (aimed at remote workers and freelancers) requires four times that amount – € per month. This makes …

a middle aged man with a laptop, thinking

Here’s a question that keeps coming up: can you actually work once you’re in Portugal on a D7? Some officials say you can. Some say you can’t. Immigration lawyers give different answers. It’s one of the most confusing aspects of Portugal’s residency system. In this article, we’ll break down what the D7 visa actually is, whether you can work on it, what the risks and requirements are, and whether you might be better off with a different visa altogether The …

someone writing pros and cons on a glass pane

Every visa has its pros and cons, and understanding them is crucial for making the right decision about your move to Portugal. While the D7 visa shares many benefits with other Portuguese residency options, it also has unique characteristics that set it apart. Let’s break down everything you need to know. What the D7 Visa Offers First, let’s establish what you get with a D7 visa, as many of these benefits apply to most Portuguese residency visas: Now, since many …

A brown leather wallet with a gold zipper is partially open, showing several euro banknotes in various denominations protruding from it. The wallet lies on a reflective surface, highlighting the intricate designs and holographic features of the banknotes.

Portugal’s minimum wage is €920 per month in 2026, and that number matters because it is also the baseline many people use when they first look at moving to Portugal. In some cases, if you have at least that amount in passive income, such as a pension or US Social Security, you may potentially qualify to move here on the D7 Visa. But that figure does not tell you what it actually costs to live well in a place like …

A person is holding a smartphone in their right hand, displaying the home screen with various app icons. Their left hand is holding a white cup of coffee with foam on top. The items are on a wooden table, and the person is wearing a watch on their left wrist.

Can you learn European Portuguese with an app? Not really, at least not by itself. But language learning apps can still be incredibly useful when you’re on public transport, want to revise some vocabulary, or just have 5-10 minutes to spare. And, if you choose the right combination of apps, they can make a big difference. The following are some of the best apps for learning Portuguese as it’s spoken in Portugal rather than Brazilian Portuguese (which Duolingo teaches). Some …

adult children standing with dependent parents and looking at a view

If you’re planning a move to Portugal, one of the most stressful questions is often not about visas, taxes, or housing. It’s this: can we move as a family, or will one child get left behind because they’re already 18, over 18, or close to turning 18. The answer is: it depends. Portugal does allow some adult children to be included, but the rules are much narrower than they are for minor children. In most standard cases, the adult child …

A confused senior woman looking at a piece of paper with her laptop open

Getting a clear, up-to-date list of Portugal’s D7 visa requirements is harder than it should be. On paper, the D7 visa looks simple: show enough passive income, prove you have savings, get a Portuguese tax number and bank account, find accommodation, gather your documents, and apply. In practice, it is rarely that straightforward. Requirements change over time, they can vary from country to country, and different consulates or VFS offices may ask for slightly different things. Even when the broad …

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Most people who move to Portugal end up renting for a period of time, even if their ultimate aim is to buy a place here. Others end up renting for their entire time here. It’s always tricky to find a good rental, both in Portugal and in other countries, but, along with all of the things you probably already look out for when renting a property, there are a few extra things to look out for when renting a room or …

James Cave

What Are My Accommodation Options for the D7 Visa?

What Counts as Passive Income for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

How to Apply for the D7 With Rental Income

Can You Work on Portugal’s D7 Visa?

What Are the Pros & Cons Of Portugal’s D7 Visa?

Cost of Living in the Algarve: The Breakdown

10+ Best Apps For Learning European Portuguese

How to Bring Dependent Adult Children to Portugal

Portugal’s D7 Visa Requirements for 2026 EXPLAINED

Renting an Apartment or House in Portugal