Moving to Portugal

What Are The Stay Requirements for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

A hand stamps a passport on a desk, with keyboard, pen, eyeglasses, and notebook—suggesting steps in moving to Portugal.

If you’re researching Portuguese residency, one question comes up again and again: “How much time do I actually need to spend in Portugal?” Sometimes it’s framed as minimum stay requirements.Sometimes it’s how long can I be outside Portugal?But really, everyone’s saying the same thing: I want to move to Portugal, but I don’t want to feel chained to somewhere. Note: the information below applies to most visas (e.g. the D7 visa and the Digital Nomad Visa) but some visas (like …

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 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 …

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 lot of people hit the same wall. You have a remote job. Or you freelance. Or you run an online business. However you work, you decide to apply for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8)—and then you see the requirement: an average of salary of € per month. That’s high! If you add a partner (+50%) or children (+30%), suddenly the numbers feel even more out of reach. And the reality is this: most people don’t qualify. Not just people …

A hand in a green sweater is extended against a light blue background. Floating above the palm are three large, yellow question marks.

For those who’ve taken the leap and secured residency through AIMA (previously known as SEF), the time will inevitably come to renew your visa. Previously, this would take place after just one year of residency in Portugal but, these days, it more commonly takes place after two years. According to Sandra Gomes Pinto, a Lisbon-based lawyer and seasoned immigration expert, this process is significantly more straightforward than the initial application for a residence permit. The AIMA Visa Renewal Process: A …

A man and woman stand against a blue background, shrugging with puzzled faces, suggesting uncertainty about moving to Portugal.

If you’re trying to choose between Portugal’s D7 and Golden Visa, looking at the pros and cons of each is one of the quickest ways to get clear. The D7 is usually the better fit for people who are ready to move to Portugal now, make it their main home, and likely become Portuguese tax residents. The Golden Visa is usually the better fit for people who want a foothold in Europe, low stay requirements, and the option to keep …

A smiling family of three poses outside, sitting close together. A young girl in a pink shirt holds a soccer ball, with her father in a plaid shirt kneeling beside her and her mother in a denim jacket standing behind, embracing them.

If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen planning to move to Portugal with a non-EU spouse, partner, or children, you have good news: your family members don’t need to apply for standard Portuguese visas like the D7 or Golden Visa. Instead, they can join you through a streamlined family reunification process called “Article 15.” However, while this process is simpler in theory, getting an appointment with AIMA (Portugal’s immigration agency) can be challenging (and some choose to go the visa route instead). …

What Are The Stay Requirements for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

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

What Are My Accommodation Options for the 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?

What to Do If You Don’t Qualify for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

What Happens At My AIMA Visa Renewal?

The Pros & Cons of The D7 VS The Golden Visa

Moving to Portugal with Non-EU Family Members: A Complete Guide