Some people receive income through dividends, or could potentially structure their income that way. This matters because the D7 visa has a much lower income threshold than the D8 digital nomad visa. As of 2026, you would need just €920 per month to qualify for the D7 visa versus €3,680 to qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa—four times less.
“You can structure your business so that someone else handles the day-to-day work while you simply receive the dividends. By presenting yourself as an investor and a passive income holder—rather than an active worker—you can qualify for the D7 visa. The key is to demonstrate to the authorities in a clear, substantial way that you do not actually have to work for this income.”
Sandra Gomes Pinto
This is not black and white. If the dividends are genuinely passive, for example you own the company but other people do the work, the D7 may be possible. But if you are actively working in the business and the dividend structure is just how you pay yourself, the D8 is likely to be more appropriate.
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