Visas & Residency

Portugal’s D7 VS The Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Which Is Easier, Cheaper, & Right For You

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Since 2016, Portugalist has helped thousands of people navigate the move to Portugal — and one of the biggest decisions non-EU citizens face today is choosing between the D7 Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa. On the surface, both seem to offer the same thing: a legal path to live in Portugal long-term, and eventually citizenship. But in reality, they’re built for very different kinds of people. This guide breaks down the key differences, advantages, and pitfalls of both visas …

If you’re an EU citizen — for example, from Ireland, Germany, or France — moving to Portugal is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike non-EU citizens, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you move. You can just… come. No need to rent a property in advance. No waiting months for a visa to be approved. No navigating the D7, D2, or Golden Visa paperwork. You simply need to show you can support yourself in Portugal (we’ll cover how in a …

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If you’re applying for a residency visa like Portugal’s D7 or D8, one of the trickiest parts of the application can be the personal statement: not because it needs to be literary, but because it needs to do a clear job of explaining who you are, why you want to move, and why your application makes sense. Thankfully, it isn’t the single most important part of your visa file, but it can help strengthen your case, especially if you need …

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When applying for a visa like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa? What type of insurance do I need? Travel or health insurance? There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and it doesn’t help that the rules constantly change—and differ from consulate to consulate. Until recently, most applicants did the following: However, things have changed. Some Consulates/VFS Offices Now Require 12 Months of Travel Insurance Several consulates and VFS offices—especially VFS San Francisco—are now requesting travel medical insurance valid …

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For the D7 visa in 2026, you need € per month in passive income. You also need at least one year’s worth of savings, which is roughly around €. Then there are the government fees, but they’re minimal. The D visa fee is about €110 per person. The VFS fee is about €41 per person. The initial AIMA residence permit fee is usually around €150 to €170 per person. Total fees: a little over €300. So, is that it? Not …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

Portugal’s D7 VS The Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Which Is Easier, Cheaper, & Right For You

Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

How To Write A Winning Personal Statement For Your D7 Visa Application

What Insurance Do I Need for the D7 Visa?

How Much Does Portugal’s D7 Visa REALLY Cost?

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?