D7 Visa Requirements - Do You Qualify for Portugal’s Retirement & Passive Income Visa?

What is the D7 Visa?

The D7 allows anyone with passive income — pensions, US Social Security, rental income, dividends — to obtain residency in Portugal and live here full-time. You get access to the public healthcare system, affordable schools, the beaches and lower cost of living, plus a path to citizenship after ten years.

The threshold is one of the lowest in Europe: in 2026, an individual needs €920 per month (~around $1,062) to qualify (and sufficient savings). You’ll also need proof of accommodation in Portugal and a clean criminal record.

This page breaks down all of the necessary requirements.

At a glance

Best for

✔ Retirees with pension or Social Security income
✔ Investors earning dividends
✔ Property owners with rental income
✔ Authors & creatives receiving royalties

Not ideal for:
✖ Remote workers and freelancers — see the D8 instead

What you’ll need

D7 Visa: The Main Requirements

A checklist of the main requirements for a D7 application in 2026. Note: different consulates and VFS offices have their own variations.

Personal eligibility & legal

Age & nationality

The main applicant must be 18+. The D7 is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens — EU passport holders don’t need a visa to live in Portugal.

Clean criminal record

You’ll need a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality, plus one from anywhere you’ve lived for 1+ year. These need to be apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or legalised by a Portuguese consulate (non-Hague), sometimes translated into Portuguese, and recent — typically issued within the last 90 days. US applicants are usually asked specifically for an FBI report.

Authorize a Portuguese criminal-record check

A separate signed form letting Portuguese authorities check for any Portuguese criminal record. Almost always a formality for first-time applicants.

Income & savings — the D7 core

Sufficient passive income

You need stable passive income (equivalent to €920/month for an individual). Typical passive income sources include retirement income (state and private pensions, US Social Security, 401ks), rental income, dividends, etc. Couples and families need more — see the Family section above for exact figures.

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“Passive” income, not active

The D7 is for people living off income they don’t have to actively work for: pensions, rental income, dividends, royalties, interest, annuities. Salary, freelance fees, and remote-work income don’t qualify on their own — that’s the D8‘s territory. Mixing both can work, but the passive component on its own must meet the threshold.

Savings (means of sustenance)

On top of monthly income, you need bank savings of at least €11,040 per adult — roughly 12 months of the minimum wage. This shows you can cover yourself if your income drops temporarily.

Supporting financial evidence

Back up the income figures with paperwork: pension statements, rental contracts and rental statements, dividend/interest records, brokerage statements, 6-12 months of bank statements showing the income hitting your account, and tax returns. Consulates check that the numbers in your statements match what you’ve claimed.

Documents & paperwork

Valid passport

At least 6 months of validity beyond the 120-day visa, with 2 blank pages. Renew it before applying if it’s close to expiring.

Application form & photos

The completed National Visa application form (current version from your local consulate) plus 2 EU-sized passport photos per applicant.

Personal statement / motivation letter

A short letter (1-2 pages) covering who you are, your sources of income, why Portugal, where you plan to live, and how you’ll integrate. Consulate officers read these — a vague personal statement weakens an otherwise strong file.

Family documents (if applying with dependents)

Marriage certificate for spouses (apostilled, sometimes translated), birth certificates for children (apostilled), and proof of unmarried partnership (2+ years of cohabitation evidence) where relevant. If only one parent is applying with a child, you’ll need the other parent’s consent.

Portuguese setup

NIF (Portuguese tax number)

You’ll need a NIF to open a Portuguese bank account, sign a lease, and submit the application. Most applicants get it remotely before they apply via a fiscal representative, a lawyer, or an online service.

NISS (Portuguese Social Security Number)

You’ll need a NISS or proof you don’t require a NISS number. However, this isn’t required until your AIMA appointment, which takes place in Portugal after you move.

Portuguese bank account

You need a Portuguese bank account in your name with the required savings deposited. Wise, Revolut and other EMIs are usually not accepted as a substitute. Several Portuguese banks open accounts remotely for non-residents — Millennium BCP and Activobank are common picks.

Proof of accommodation in Portugal

A 12-month rental contract, property deeds, or a notarised term of responsibility from someone hosting you. Short-term Airbnb bookings rarely qualify, and hotel reservations almost never do. Some consulates accept 6-month bookings, but they are rare.

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Accommodation is tone of the biggest hurdles

In practice, most people end up renting somewhere for 12 months. Once they arrive, they then decide whether to stay in that place (some leases can be broken 1/3 of the way through) or whether to rent or even buy somewhere else. See our accommodation guide for more info

Travel & ongoing

Travel insurance

Insurance with at least €30,000 in hospitalisation cover and repatriation. Some consulates ask for 4-6 months of cover; others increasingly require a full 12. Match what your specific consulate asks for.

Proposed flight itinerary

Some consulates want to see a planned or booked flight to Portugal. Refundable tickets or held bookings are the safe approach — don’t lock in non-refundable flights before your visa is approved.

AIMA biometrics appointment in Portugal

After your visa is issued and you arrive in Portugal, you have to attend a biometrics appointment with AIMA to convert the visa into your 2-year residence permit. Bring originals of every document. Appointment availability is the biggest source of delays — once you have a travel date, book immediately.

Passive income requirements

What counts as passive income?

✓ Counts as passive income

State or private pensions
US Social Security
Rental income (usually counted gross, not net of mortgage)
Dividends and other investment income
Interest on savings (must be ongoing and recurring)
Royalties — books, music, software

✗ Doesn’t count

Freelancing income — use the D8 instead
Salary from a remote job — also the D8
Savings alone — must generate ongoing passive income (e.g. interest)

Quick rules of thumb

Receiving retirement income or living off passive income, and want to live in Portugal full-time → D7
Remote worker or freelancer with income you actively work for, and wanting to live here full-time → D8
Want a foot in the door or a Plan B without moving now → Golden Visa

For the full breakdowns: D7 vs D8 · D7 vs Golden Visa · Pros & Cons of Portugal’s D7 Visa

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Don’t qualify?

It may be possible to apply for the D7 with savings if those savings are converted into a passive income stream (e.g. an annuity, rental property, dividend-generating investment, interest, etc.) In some cases, if you’re close to retirement, savings may be enough to qualify you initially. In any case, talk to us and we’ll see if we can help.

Requirements for Bringing family

Which family members can you include?

Each additional person raises the passive income and savings requirements for a D7 visa application. If you don’t meet the requirements for additional family members, it is possible for them to submit a separate visa application using their income.

Spouse or partner

Married, civil-partnered, or long-term unmarried partners can be added. For unmarried partners you’ll usually need 3+ years at the same address, with paper evidence (shared bills, both on the lease).

+50% in both passive income and savings

Dependent children

Under-18s are added easily. Children 18 to around 24 can be included if they’re in full-time education; older children, or those not studying, normally need to apply with their own separate visa.

+30% in both passive income and savings

Dependent parents

Can be included if they’re physically or financially dependent on you. If they have their own passive income (e.g. retirement income), they’ll usually apply for their own D7 visa.

+50% in both passive income and savings (estimated)

Income & savings, by household

Household	EUR official	USD approx.	GBP approx.	CAD approx.
Monthly passive income
Single applicant	€920	around $1,062	around £796	around CAD$1,481
Couple	€1,380	around $1,592	around £1,193	around CAD$2,221
+ each dependent child	€276	around $319	around £239	around CAD$445
+ each dependent parent	€460	around $531	around £398	around CAD$741
Savings (≈ 12 months of income)
Single applicant	€11,040	around $12,733	around £9,543	around CAD$17,762
Couple	€16,560	around $19,099	around £14,315	around CAD$26,642
+ each dependent child	€3,312	around $3,820	around £2,863	around CAD$5,329
+ each dependent parent	€5,520	around $6,367	around £4,772	around CAD$8,881

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Only one person’s income counts

For a D7 application, only the main applicant’s income is considered. If one person doesn’t reach the threshold for a family, check whether two separate applications work better.

What You get in return

The benefits of living here

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Healthcare & education

Universal public healthcare (SNS), free state schools and affordable higher education. Private insurance is affordable if you want faster access to specialists.

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Lower cost of living

Day-to-day expenses are lower than most Western countries — especially outside Lisbon and the Algarve. Big savings for anyone coming from London, California or New York.

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English widely spoken

Especially in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and the coastal towns. You can handle daily life without Portuguese; you’ll want some for citizenship later.

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Safe and stable

Consistently ranked among the world’s safest countries, with low violent crime and a stable democracy.

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You can still work

Unlike many residency visas, the D7 lets you legally work for an employer, freelance or set up a business in Portugal — passive income just has to cover the threshold.

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Path to an EU passport

Permanent residency after 5 years, citizenship after 10. Citizenship means an EU passport — the right to live, work and travel freely across all 27 EU states.

The journey

How the D7 application actually works

From document-gathering to residency permit, the high-level flow. Individual experiences vary by consulate and how busy AIMA is.

Gather documents

Proof of passive income, proof of savings, Portuguese bank account, NIF, criminal records checks, etc. Most people hire a lawyer here to ensure they gather the correct documents.

Submit & interview

File at your consulate or VFS office. Most applicants attend a short in-person interview in their country of residence.

Wait ~60 days

Decision usually comes within 60 days, sometimes longer if additional checks are needed (or if there’s a backlog).

Move on 120-day visa

Approved: a 120-day visa goes in your passport. Move to Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment (usually within 120 days, can be longer).

Receive residency

Following a successful appointment, AIMA converts the visa into a 2-year residence permit. This is then renewable every 3 years. You can apply for permanent residency at year 5, citizenship at year 10.

Physical Stay Requirements

How much time do I need to spend in Portugal?

During temporary residency (the first five years) you can be outside Portugal for up to 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months per permit. The initial permit lasts two years; the next one lasts three.

Split evenly, that’s roughly 4 months outside Portugal each year in years 1–2, and a little over 3 months each year in years 3–5.

After five years you can apply for Permanent Residency, which is far less restrictive — up to three years outside Portugal. Once you hold Portuguese citizenship there are no stay requirements at all.

There are exemptions to the stay requirements if you need to travel for work or health reasons.

A traditional Portuguese house in the Algarve

Residency stage	Max consecutive abroad	Max total abroad	What it means in practice
Temporary residency — first 2 years	6 months	8 months	About 8 months/year in Portugal, 4 months out
Temporary residency — next 3 years	6 months	8 months	About 9 months/year in Portugal, 3 months out
Permanent residency (after 5 years)	24 months	30 months per 3 years	Up to ~2.5 years outside Portugal in any 3-year window

The end goal

Does the D7 lead to citizenship?

Short answer

Yes — permanent residency after 5 years, Portuguese citizenship after 10.

Citizenship has its own separate requirements. Notably, you’ll need at least an A2 level of Portuguese — the second-most basic level, with a 55% pass mark. A 150-hour approved language course is an alternative to the exam. A civics or cultural-knowledge test is expected to be introduced, so worth keeping an eye on the requirements as you approach year ten.

A hand holding a Portuguese passport in front of a blurred background resembling the colors of the Portuguese flag, green and red.

Common questions

D7 FAQ

Does the D7 lead to citizenship?

Yes. Permanent residency after 5 years; citizenship after 10.

If using rental income, should this be gross or net?

Authorities typically look at the gross income before any costs like a mortgage, insurance, property management costs, etc. However, if your net income (what’s left over) is very low and you have no other income sources, your application has a higher risk of rejection. Read more about applying for the D7 as a landlord.

How much does a D7 application cost?

This varies. We have a full breakdown of the costs involved in a D7 application here.

Can I work on the D7 visa?

Yes, unless your permit specifically says otherwise. Read more.

Will I need to pay taxes in Portugal?

Almost certainly yes — over 183 days a year makes Portugal your tax residence, which means that your income will be taxed based on Portuguese taxation laws. Dual-tax treaties with the US, UK and Canada prevent double taxation, however, income that isn’t taxable in your home country (e.g. US Social Security) may be taxable in Portugal. Always speak to an experienced tax advisor.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

No for the visa, yes (A2) for permanent residency or citizenship. A2 is the second-most basic level; 55% pass mark, or a 150-hour course.

Are there restrictions on where I can live?

No. Anywhere in Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores.

Can I apply with a criminal record?

Minor offences are often fine; serious crimes (punishable by 1+ year in prison under Portuguese law) tend to cause problems. More on this.

What’s the maximum time I can spend in Portugal?

365 days. The D7 is a residency visa — you can be there full-time and renew the permit while resident.

Can I buy property on the D7?

You can buy property in Portugal without residency, so you could buy property before or after getting your residency permit. Buying doesn’t grant residency on its own; the D7 is still needed to live here.

What if my visa application is denied?

You can appeal or re-apply. Most rejections come down to documentation, timing or insufficient income. A lawyer beforehand is cheaper than an appeal after.

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Do You Meet the Requirements for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

D7 Visa: Passive Income & Savings Calculator

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