Portugal D7 Visa in 2026: Requirements, Income and How to Apply

Portugal's D7 visa, also called the retirement visa or passive income visa, lets non-EU citizens live in Portugal on income they already receive, such as a pension, rent, or dividends. There is no investment threshold: you qualify by showing stable income at least equal to the Portuguese minimum wage. That is what makes it one of the most accessible routes to Portuguese residency in 2026.

What is the Portugal D7 visa?

The D7 is a long-stay residence visa for citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. It is granted as a residence visa under Article 58 of Portugal's Immigration Act (Lei n.º 23/2007). In practice it serves two groups: retirees living on a pension, and people with steady passive income from property, intellectual rights, or financial investments, who can support themselves without a salary from a Portuguese employer.

Unlike the Golden Visa, which is built around a large investment, the D7 asks only that you prove you can live in Portugal without relying on the state. Lower cost, but with a real condition attached: Portugal must become your main home.

Who is the D7 visa for?

You are a likely candidate if your income comes from one of these sources:

• A retirement pension, public or private;

• Rental income from property you own;

• Dividends, interest, or returns from financial investments;

• Royalties from intellectual property.

One distinction matters. If your income comes from active remote work for clients or an employer abroad, the visa designed for you is the D8, the digital nomad visa, not the D7. The D7 is meant for income you receive passively, without working for it day to day. And if the plan is to take a job with a Portuguese employer, the route is neither of these but the work visa, which since 2026 begins with the hiring company.

How much income do you need in 2026?

The requirement is tied to the Portuguese national minimum wage. The main applicant must show annual income at least equal to twelve months of that minimum wage. In 2026 that is €920 per month, or around €11,040 for the year. For family members joining you, add:

• 50% of the minimum wage for a spouse or second adult;

• 30% of the minimum wage for each dependent child.

A couple therefore needs roughly 150% of the minimum wage, and a couple with one child roughly 180%. You must also prove you hold the means to support yourself for at least twelve months. The reference amounts are set by Portaria n.º 1563/2007, the order that Article 24 of Regulatory Decree 84/2007 calls for. The minimum wage is revised every year, so check the current figure before you file.

What documents do you need?

Requirements vary slightly from one consulate to another, but the core list is stable:

• A passport valid for the length of your intended stay;

• Proof of income: pension statements, rental contracts, or investment records;

• Proof of means of subsistence for at least twelve months, such as bank statements;

• A Portuguese tax number (NIF);

• Proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a rental contract or property deed;

• A criminal record certificate from your country of residence;

• Valid health insurance covering Portugal.

How to apply, step by step

The D7 runs in two stages: a visa to enter the country, then a residence permit once you arrive.

• Get a Portuguese tax number (NIF); most applicants also open a Portuguese bank account. Both can be arranged from abroad, often through a representative;

• Apply for the D7 visa at the Portuguese consulate, or its visa centre, in the country where you legally reside. This visa lets you enter Portugal and is valid for about four months;

• Enter Portugal and attend your appointment with AIMA, the agency that issues residence permits;

• Receive your residence permit. Under Article 75 of Lei n.º 23/2007, the first permit is valid for two years and can be renewed for successive three-year periods.

Does the D7 lead to permanent residency or citizenship?

Yes, and this is where the D7 becomes a long-term plan rather than just a visa. After five years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residence. Citizenship is a separate step, and the rules changed in 2026: the residence period required for naturalisation rose to ten years for most applicants, or seven years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil. We cover the new nationality law in detail in a separate article.

To keep your permit valid along the way, you cannot be absent from Portugal for more than six consecutive months, or eight non-consecutive months, during each permit's validity.

D7 visa vs Golden Visa: which one fits you?

They solve different problems. The D7 is income-based and inexpensive, but it requires you to make Portugal your main home. The Golden Visa is investment-based and asks for very little physical presence. But since 2023 the property route has been closed, and it now runs through investment funds, which means a far larger sum of money. If your goal is to move to Portugal and live there, the D7 is usually the better fit. If your goal is a residency you can hold from abroad while investing, read our guide to the Golden Visa.

Frequently asked questions

Can my family come with me? Yes. Through family reunification you can bring your spouse or partner, dependent children, and dependent parents. They receive residence permits linked to yours.

Do I have to live in Portugal full time? You must make Portugal your main residence. In practice, you cannot be away for more than six consecutive months, or eight non-consecutive months, during the permit's validity.

Does the D7 lead to a Portuguese passport? It can. The required residence period is now ten years, or seven for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries. After that, you may apply for citizenship, subject to a language test and other conditions.

Ready to start your D7 application?

Before you file, have your proof of income, your savings statements, and your criminal record certificate to hand. Those are what decide the outcome. Our office handles D7 applications for people moving to Portugal from around the world, from the first document check to the AIMA appointment. Get in touch to talk through your situation and what your income needs to show.