D7 Passive Income Visa

Portugal's D7 visa, sometimes called the passive-income or retirement visa, allows non-EU/EEA nationals to obtain residence on the basis of stable, recurring income from sources outside Portugal. It is one of the most popular routes for retirees, financially independent individuals, and remote workers who can demonstrate dependable earnings - pensions, rental income, dividends, royalties or remote salaries.

Unlike investment-driven schemes, the D7 has no large capital outlay; it is about proving you can comfortably support yourself. The visa is granted first as a temporary entry visa, converted on arrival into a residence permit valid initially for two years and renewable for three more. After five years of legal residence, holders can apply for permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship.

The D7 also opens the door to Portugal's healthcare system, Schengen mobility and the country's famously high quality of life. Note that the long-standing NHR tax regime was closed to most new applicants from 2024, replaced by a narrower incentive, so tax planning is now more important than it once was.

The core requirement is stable, regular passive or remote income from outside Portugal. As a benchmark, you must show income at least equal to the Portuguese minimum wage (around EUR 870 per month in 2026), plus roughly 50% for a spouse and 30% per dependent child - most consulates expect a comfortable margin above this and savings in a Portuguese bank account.

You must be a non-EU/EEA national, hold a valid passport, have a clean criminal record, and secure accommodation in Portugal, typically a lease or property deed. Health insurance valid in Portugal is required until you can enrol in the public system. You also need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a local bank account before applying.

Step one: obtain a Portuguese NIF (tax number) and open a Portuguese bank account, transferring sufficient savings to evidence your means - these are prerequisites, often arranged remotely through a representative. Step two: secure accommodation and obtain a lease agreement or property deed for at least twelve months.

Step three: compile your income evidence - pension statements, rental contracts, dividend records or remote-work contracts and bank statements showing the funds actually arriving. Step four: book an appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre serving your residence and submit the D7 visa application with your passport, photos, criminal-record certificate, health insurance and proof of accommodation.

Step five: the consulate issues a four-month entry visa containing a pre-booked appointment with AIMA, Portugal's immigration agency. Step six: travel to Portugal within the visa's validity and attend the AIMA appointment, where you submit biometrics and the full residence-permit file. Step seven: AIMA issues the two-year residence permit. Keep all documents and proof of continued income for the renewal after two years.

The D7 entry-visa fee is roughly EUR 90, and the residence-permit issuance at AIMA costs around EUR 155-170. Renewals carry similar charges. Obtaining an NIF through a representative typically costs EUR 100-250, and you should budget for apostille and certified translation of your criminal-record certificate (EUR 50-150). Private health insurance valid in Portugal runs roughly EUR 300-800 per year. Many applicants engage an immigration lawyer or relocation service, adding EUR 1,000-3,000 depending on the package.

Consular processing of the D7 visa generally takes around 60 days, though some consulates are faster and others slower depending on demand. The entry visa is valid for four months and includes a scheduled AIMA appointment. AIMA processing of the residence permit after the appointment has historically faced significant backlogs, so the physical card can take several months to be issued, although your legal status is secured once the appointment is completed.

Attend your AIMA appointment as scheduled - missing it can be difficult to rebook given the agency's caseload. Submit biometrics and your residence-permit documents there. Register your address with the local junta de freguesia if needed, and enrol in the Serviço Nacional de Saúde once you have your residence permit and social-security number to access public healthcare.

Maintain evidence that your passive or remote income continues uninterrupted, because you must prove it again at the two-year renewal. Consider professional tax advice: with the classic NHR regime largely closed to new arrivals, you should understand your Portuguese tax position and whether the narrower successor incentive applies. After five years of legal residence you may apply for permanent residence and, meeting language and other conditions, Portuguese citizenship.