VisaPath

Portugal D7 / D8 / D2 Pathway

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Rules changed

Nationality law change (in force 19 May 2026): naturalisation now needs 10 years of residence (7 for EU/CPLP nationals), counted from the residence permit's issuance — applications filed by 18 May 2026 stay under the old 5-year rule.

Short answer

Portugal's income-based residence visas: D7 (passive income / retirement), D8 (digital nomad / remote income) and D2 (entrepreneur). The Golden Visa real-estate route ended in October 2023, but these residence visas remain active for people who want a genuine EU base with a long-term citizenship horizon.

Best for

  • Remote workers / freelancers with steady foreign-source income (D8)
  • Passive-income holders and retirees seeking an EU base (D7)
  • Non-EU founders building a real business in Portugal (D2)

Not ideal for

  • Applicants who cannot spend real time living in Portugal
  • Those wanting a fast passport or a buy-property-for-residence scheme (gone since 2023)

Snapshot

Region
Europe
Budget band
Low–Medium
Timeline
Medium
Residence burden
Medium–High
Passport potential
Long-term possible
Family suitability
High
Tax / banking complexity
Medium–High / Medium
Entry capital
€870/month · Qualifies on income
Typical processing
2–6 months
Estimated budget
Income/savings-qualification routes (not an investment scheme). D7 commonly expects roughly €870–920/month of passive income plus ~12 months' savings; D8 (nomad) roughly €3,300–3,700/month; D2 needs business capital. Thresholds track Portugal's minimum wage and rise yearly — subject to current rules.

Timeline, stay requirement & passport in detail

Timeline
Roughly 2–6 months for the visa at a consulate, then a residency (AIMA) appointment in Portugal; AIMA backlogs can extend timelines. Subject to current rules.
Residence burden
Genuine residence visas: to keep/renew you generally cannot be absent more than ~6 consecutive or ~8 cumulative months per year. Real local base expected.
Passport potential
Long-term path. Note: the new nationality law (in force 19 May 2026) raised naturalization from 5 to 10 years (7 for Portuguese-speaking/CPLP nationals), counted from the residence permit. Not a fast passport.

Commonly requested documents

  • Valid passport and proof of address
  • Proof of stable income or sufficient funds
  • Bank statements and clean criminal record
  • Accommodation evidence and health insurance

Main risks

  • AIMA processing backlogs can delay residency steps
  • The 5→10-year citizenship change weakens the old fast-passport pitch
  • Becoming Portuguese tax-resident exposes worldwide income (the old NHR regime was wound down)

Recommended next steps

  • Clarify which sub-route (income, nomad or business) fits your profile
  • Map your income and source-of-funds story
  • Arrange a professional review of documents before applying

See if this route fits your profile

Start the Route MatcherReview Portugal route

Frequently asked questions

It is commonly considered by remote workers, freelancers, passive-income holders and retirees who want an EU base and a long-term path.

It is often family-friendly and may allow close family members to be included, subject to documentation and current rules.

It may open a long-term path toward citizenship after years of legal residence, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the rules that apply.

No. This is general route-matching information only. A professional assessment is recommended before any decision.

Related reading

Information reviewed: 2026-06 · subject to change — not legal advice · Sources: imigrante.aima.gov.pt, immigrantinvest.com

Important disclaimer

This tool provides a general route-matching estimate based on the information you entered. It is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. It does not guarantee eligibility, approval, visa issuance, residence approval, citizenship, bank account approval, or any government outcome. A professional assessment is recommended.