Visas & Residency

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

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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). …

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Portugal’s Golden Visa is in a very different place than it was a few years ago. It’s still one of the last serious residency-by-investment options in the EU, and still incredibly flexible if you don’t want to move to Portugal full-time. But the routes you can invest through and the political mood have all shifted. So is it still worth it? Or do the cons outweigh the pros. This guide looks at: This is just one person’s opinion and not …

Thinking about moving to Portugal but worried your minor criminal record might be a problem? Concerned about the clean criminal record requirement for visas like the D7, Digital Nomad Visa, and golden visa? You’re not alone, and this is a common question that comes up in Portugalist webinars. The good news is that Portugal might be more welcoming than you think. Let’s break down some expert advice from Lisbon-based lawyer Sandra Gomes Pinto in a way that’s easy to understand …

The AIMA appointment usually takes place after you have moved to Portugal on your 120-day visa. In theory, it should happen within those 120 days. In practice, that does not always happen, and many people end up staying in Portugal beyond the validity of the initial visa while waiting for the appointment. Compared to the consular stage—usually the VFS appointment in your home country—this part of the process is supposed to be more of a formality. The main decision has …

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A few years ago, this was a much easier question to answer. Portugal’s Golden Visa was one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. You could buy a property, spend very little time in Portugal, and still work toward citizenship after five years. Now, that equation looks very different. The big issue is citizenship. Portugal’s government announced plans to increase the residency period for naturalization from five years to 10 years for most foreigners. This means more renewals, more …

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Portugal does offer residency by investment through the Portugal Golden Visa. But here’s the key thing to understand: Most people looking to live in Portugal don’t actually need it. It’s a common assumption that moving to Portugal means investing a large sum of money or buying property. In reality, investing is just one route—and for many people, not the best one. Also, another thing to note: you can no longer qualify for the Golden Visa by buying property. So while …

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

I Looked at 9 Pros & 7 Cons of Portugal’s Golden Visa – Here’s My Opinion

Can I Move to Portugal If I Have a Criminal Record?

Which Documents Do You Need for Your AIMA Appointment?

Is Portugal’s Golden Visa Still Worth It?

Does Portugal Offer Residency By Investment? Yes, But Do You Really Need It.