VisaPath

D7 / Passive Income Visa

Live in Portugal on income you already earn — a passive-income route to EU residency.

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CostLow
ProcessingFast-Medium
ComplexityEasy

Cost, processing time and complexity are VisaPath's general guidance, not official figures, and vary by applicant and current rules.

Who it's for

RetireesPassive income

About this route

Portugal's D7 visa is a residency route designed for non-EU nationals who can support themselves with stable passive or recurring income — typically pensions, dividends, rental income, royalties, or other regular non-employment earnings. It is potentially suitable for retirees, financially independent individuals, and long-term expats who want a base in the EU rather than a primary work permit. Approval is at the discretion of Portuguese authorities and depends on current rules, so professional review is recommended before applying.

Who it's for

  • Retirees with pension or annuity income who want to settle in Portugal
  • Financially independent individuals living off dividends, rental income, or royalties
  • Long-term expats seeking an EU residence base with Schengen mobility
  • Families wanting to relocate together, with income shown for dependents
  • Applicants planning a multi-year path toward permanent residence or citizenship

Benefits

  • Legal residence in Portugal with access to the country's public services over time
  • Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for short stays
  • Family reunification, allowing a spouse and dependents to be included
  • A potential long-term path toward permanent residence and, later, citizenship under current rules
  • Ability to live in Portugal without holding a traditional local job, relying instead on passive income

Requirements

  • Stable, regular passive or non-employment income that authorities consider sufficient to support you (the benchmark is commonly tied to Portugal's minimum wage and increases for each family member)
  • Accommodation arranged in Portugal, such as a rental contract or property ownership
  • Valid health insurance covering your stay until you access the public system
  • A clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence
  • Proof of available savings to complement income, typically held in an accessible account
  • Genuine intention to make Portugal your main place of residence

Documents commonly requested

  • Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
  • Proof of passive or recurring income (pension statements, dividend reports, rental contracts, or royalty records)
  • Bank statements and proof of savings
  • Portuguese NIF and proof of a Portuguese bank account
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal (lease or property deed)
  • Health insurance certificate valid for Portugal
  • Criminal record certificate, often legalized or apostilled
Madeira: lush island living, mild all year

Madeira: lush island living, mild all year

How to apply

  1. 1

    Assess whether your income profile is an initial route match for the D7 and gather a professional review

  2. 2

    Open a Portuguese bank account and obtain a NIF (tax identification number)

  3. 3

    Apply for the D7 entry visa at the Portuguese consulate or visa center in your country of residence

  4. 4

    Travel to Portugal on the entry visa, which is typically valid for a few months

  5. 5

    Attend your residence-permit appointment with AIMA (the migration agency) to obtain your residence card

  6. 6

    Renew the residence permit as required and maintain qualifying income and ties to Portugal

  7. 7

    After the required years of legal residence, consider applying for permanent residence or citizenship, subject to current rules

Good to know

  • Income thresholds are tied to Portugal's minimum wage and are adjusted when it changes, so confirm the current figure before applying rather than relying on older numbers.
  • AIMA, the migration agency, has experienced significant processing backlogs, so real-world timelines for appointments and renewals may be longer than headline estimates.
  • Citizenship rules changed under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (in force from May 2026): the required years of legal residence increased and the residency clock now commonly starts when the first residence permit is issued, not when the visa is filed — professional review is strongly recommended.
  • The D7 generally expects you to make Portugal your main residence and spend substantial time in the country, unlike a pure investment visa.
  • Tax residency in Portugal can follow from extended stays; independent tax advice is recommended before relocating.

Common questions

Authorities generally look for stable, recurring income you do not have to actively work for, such as pensions, dividends, rental income, or royalties. The income should be regular and well documented. Whether a given source is accepted depends on current rules, so professional review is recommended.

The benchmark is commonly tied to Portugal's national minimum wage and increases for a spouse and each dependent. Because the figure is updated when the minimum wage changes, you should confirm the current amount rather than rely on past numbers. This is general guidance, not a legal threshold.

The D7 commonly allows family reunification, so a spouse and dependents may be included, with income requirements rising for each person. Documentation needs for family members are extensive, so plan early.

It can potentially form part of a long-term path toward permanent residence and later citizenship, but timelines and conditions changed under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 and require more years of legal residence than before. The path is not automatic and is subject to current rules, language requirements, and approval.

The consular visa stage typically takes a few months, after which you travel to Portugal for a residence-permit appointment with AIMA. Because AIMA has faced backlogs, real timelines for appointments and the residence card can be longer than initial estimates.

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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.