Key Takeaways
- The Portugal D7 Visa grants residency to non-EU nationals who can show stable passive income and a genuine intention to live in Portugal.
- The D7 route suits investors who want to relocate to Portugal, while the Golden Visa suits investors who prefer minimal stay requirements and a flexible “Plan B.”
- Both D7 and Golden Visa holders can later apply for Portuguese citizenship, but current rules require 10 years of legal residency for most applicants.
- D7 applicants must meet minimum income thresholds, hold funds in a Portuguese bank account, and provide accommodation, insurance, and clean criminal record documentation.
- Investors who prefer Golden Visa-eligible fund investments in Portugal’s hospitality sector can work with VIDA Capital, an advisory firm guiding investors into the VIDA Fund; contact VIDA Capital for tailored Golden Visa guidance.
Understanding the Portugal D7 Visa: A Residency Path Built on Passive Income
The Portugal D7 Visa, often called the Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa, suits non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens who can support themselves through passive income and wish to reside in Portugal. It provides a route to Portuguese residency, then later to an application for Portuguese citizenship under the current 10-year residency rule.
The D7 does not require a major lump-sum investment. It focuses instead on financial self-sufficiency through predictable income such as pensions, dividends, or rental income from investment properties. For high-net-worth individuals who plan to live in Portugal, it offers a different approach from the Golden Visa, which is based on qualifying investments in regulated funds.
Portugal D7 Visa Requirements for Investors
D7 approval depends on proving that your household has stable passive income and sufficient savings, alongside basic documentation such as accommodation, insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Passive Income Thresholds in 2026
The minimum required passive income for a single applicant is €870 per month, or €10,440 per year. For family members, income thresholds increase as follows:
- Spouse or partner: an additional 50 percent of the main applicant’s income, or €435 per month
- Each dependent child: an additional 30 percent, or €261 per month
These thresholds are linked to Portugal’s minimum wage and can increase each year. Some projections suggest the monthly minimum may reach around €920 in 2026.
Eligible Passive Income Sources
Income must be stable, regular, and largely independent of active work. Common qualifying sources include:
- Pensions from public or private retirement plans
- Rental income from investment properties
- Dividends from stock portfolios or funds
- Royalties from intellectual property
- Interest from savings, bonds, or other financial instruments
The emphasis is on recurring income that appears sustainable over the long term, not on occasional windfalls.
Proof of Funds in Portugal
D7 applicants must open a Portuguese bank account and transfer at least one year of the required income.
- For a single applicant, this usually means a minimum of €10,440, though some consulates request more for added security
- For a couple, consulates often expect at least €15,660 to reflect the combined minimums
- Some advisors suggest holding at least €18,240 in the account to strengthen the case
Supporting documentation typically includes recent bank statements, tax returns, pension letters, dividend vouchers, and rental contracts.
Accommodation, Insurance, and Background Checks
D7 applicants must also show that they can live securely in Portugal.
- Accommodation: a rental contract or property deed in Portugal
- Insurance: travel or health insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage valid across the Schengen Area
- Criminal record: a clean police certificate from the country of origin and any country of residence in the past year
D7 Visa vs. Golden Visa: Choosing the Right Route
Both the D7 and the Golden Visa can lead to Portuguese residency, followed by eligibility to apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residency under the current rules. The best choice depends on whether you intend to live in Portugal or mainly want a flexible backup option.
Main Practical Differences
- Primary requirement: The D7 is based on stable passive income. The Golden Visa is based on a qualifying investment of at least €500,000 in approved investment funds.
- Investment: The D7 does not require a specific investment. The Golden Visa requires a compliant fund investment, such as a regulated hospitality-focused fund.
- Residency obligation: The D7 expects substantial physical presence and genuine relocation. The Golden Visa requires only 14 days in Portugal every two years, which is attractive for a “Plan B.”
- Citizenship path: Both routes can lead to an application for citizenship after 10 years of residency, subject to language and legal requirements, with shorter periods for EU and Portuguese-language-country nationals.
The D7 is usually more suitable for investors who want Portugal as a primary home. The Golden Visa, accessed through investment funds, suits investors who want residency flexibility and portfolio diversification without relocating immediately. Portugal is currently one of the only European countries that offers access to citizenship without relocation, while Spain has ended its Golden Visa and Greece requires seven years of residence and taxation.
Discuss Golden Visa fund options with VIDA Capital’s advisory team, including access to the VIDA Fund, which acquires and transforms existing hospitality assets in Portugal, giving them a second life. Historical returns from the VIDA Fund, where referenced, are not a guarantee of future results.
The Portugal D7 Visa Application Process
The D7 process usually spans 12 to 18 months from preparation to full residency approval. Working with an experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer at every stage is essential.
Step 1: Obtain a NIF and Open a Bank Account
The process starts by obtaining a Portuguese tax identification number, known as a NIF. With your NIF, you or your lawyer opens a Portuguese bank account and transfers the required minimum funds. Many investors complete these steps remotely through legal representation.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
You then gather all documents needed for the consulate application. This includes passport copies, proof of passive income, bank statements, proof of funds in Portugal, criminal record certificates, proof of accommodation, valid insurance, and civil status documents for family members. For couples, you can present a marriage certificate or other accepted proof of relationship.
Step 3: Apply at the Consulate and Finalize in Portugal
You submit the D7 application at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. After visa approval and issuance in your passport, you travel to Portugal and attend an appointment with AIMA to submit biometrics and complete the residency permit process. The initial D7 residence card is usually valid for two years, then renewable for a further three years if you continue to meet all requirements.
Benefits and Lifestyle for D7 Visa Holders
D7 residency offers both legal stability and an appealing lifestyle, especially for investors planning a long-term base in Portugal.
Residency Rights and Schengen Travel
D7 residents gain the right to live, study, and work in Portugal. The residence permit also allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, which supports frequent regional travel without additional visas.
Access to Public Services
Once registered in Portugal, D7 residents can access the national public healthcare and education systems. Portugal is consistently ranked among the world’s safest countries, and it offers a stable environment for families and retirees.
Pathway to Citizenship
After 10 years of continuous legal residency, D7 holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship, subject to language and other legal requirements. Parliament approved this longer 10-year timeline in October 2025, with reduced seven-year requirements for EU citizens and nationals of Portuguese-language countries. The new framework is expected to apply to Golden Visa and D7 holders alike, except for those who submit their citizenship applications before the new law is formally published. Portuguese citizenship then grants the right to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education across the European Union and Schengen Area.
Strategic Considerations and Challenges
The D7 route requires more than financial eligibility. It calls for real relocation plans and careful structuring of personal and financial affairs.
- Residency expectations: Authorities expect D7 holders to spend a substantial share of each year in Portugal. The program suits investors ready to shift their main base to the country.
- Tax planning: Becoming a tax resident in Portugal can affect how worldwide income is taxed. Professional cross-border tax advice is important for high-net-worth households.
- Income stability: Ongoing renewals depend on maintaining qualifying passive income. Volatility in rental markets, dividends, or pensions can affect your application, so diversification and documentation are important.
Investors who need residency flexibility and want to maintain their primary home elsewhere often lean toward the Golden Visa. A fund-based Golden Visa strategy, such as investing in a regulated hospitality fund like the VIDA Fund, can combine residency eligibility with potential capital preservation and income, although historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Speak with VIDA Capital about structuring a Golden Visa strategy around regulated hospitality funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as passive income for the D7 Visa?
Passive income for D7 purposes covers stable earnings that do not depend on day-to-day work. Typical examples include pensions, rental income from investment properties, dividends, royalties, and interest. The more predictable and documented the income, the stronger the application.
Can my family join my D7 application?
Yes. You can usually include a spouse or recognized partner, dependent children who are full-time students and not working or married at any time during the residency program up to the Golden Visa application stage, and dependent parents or in-laws. You must increase your documented income by 50 percent for a spouse or partner and 30 percent for each child.
Do I need to live in Portugal most of the year with a D7?
The D7 is designed for people who genuinely intend to reside in Portugal, rather than for occasional visitors. While exact day counts can vary by case, you should expect to spend a substantial part of each year in Portugal and treat it as your primary home if you choose the D7 route.
Conclusion: Matching Your Residency Strategy to Your Lifestyle
The Portugal D7 Visa gives investors with reliable passive income a clear route to Portuguese residency and, in time, a potential citizenship application. It is most suitable for those who want to live in Portugal, integrate locally, and build a long-term base in the country.
Investors who prefer to keep their primary residence elsewhere, while still securing a Portuguese residency foothold, often find the Golden Visa more appropriate, especially through regulated investment funds in the hospitality sector. Portugal remains competitive as a “Plan B” because it offers a path to citizenship without mandatory relocation, in contrast to many other European options.
