The D7 Visa is one of the most sought-after by Brazilian, South African, American and many other nationals who wish to live in Portugal without working locally. Pensioners, investors with passive income and those living off returns find this visa to be the most suitable route.
What the D7 Visa is
The D7 is the residence visa for those who have sufficient income of their own to live in Portugal without the need for local employment. There is no requirement to invest any specific amount or to submit a business plan — you simply need to demonstrate that your income covers the living expenses of your household.
Accepted sources of income
A range of regular, verifiable income sources are accepted:
- Retirement pension — including foreign pensions paid by social security systems or pension funds;
- Property rental income — income from letting properties in Portugal or abroad;
- Dividends and interest — income from investment portfolios, deposits or funds;
- Royalties — income from intellectual property;
- Other stable passive income — any regular, documentable source.
The key element is the regularity and verifiability of the income.
How much is required
The benchmark used by the consulates is the Portuguese national minimum wage, multiplied by the number of members of the household:
- Main applicant: 100% of the monthly minimum wage;
- Spouse: +50%;
- Each child: +30%.
These figures are indicative — they should be confirmed against the amounts in force at the time of application.
Required documentation
The process generally requires:
- A valid passport;
- Proof of income (tax returns, bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months, proof of pension);
- A tenancy agreement or property deed in Portugal;
- Valid health insurance in Portugal;
- A criminal record certificate from your country of residence and from other countries where you have lived;
- A declaration of financial means and a NIF (Portuguese tax identification number).
D7 vs. Digital Nomad
A common confusion arises between the D7 and the digital nomad visa. The distinction is clear:
- D7 — passive income (pension, rents, dividends). The person does not work actively;
- Digital nomad — active remote work for foreign clients.
Using the D7 while working as an active remote worker may cause problems when renewing the residence permit.
After arriving in Portugal
With the D7 visa, the holder enters Portugal and has a period (generally 120 days) to apply for the residence permit with AIMA. It is at this point that all the requirements are checked in detail and the residence card is issued.
Tax benefits
Portugal offers potentially advantageous tax regimes for new residents. The specific tax situation depends on several factors, including the country of origin, the type of income and the double taxation agreements in force — a matter that warrants specialist legal and tax advice.
This publication is for general information purposes only. For an analysis of your specific case, we recommend seeking specialist legal advice.