Key Takeaways
- The Portugal D7 Visa grants Portuguese residency to applicants who can show stable passive income that meets minimum monthly and annual thresholds.
- Qualifying passive income can include pensions, dividends, rental income from investment properties, and intellectual property royalties, but not active employment income.
- D7 applicants need a Portuguese bank account and savings equal to at least one year of Portugal’s minimum wage, with higher amounts for family members.
- The Portugal Golden Visa, now focused on qualifying investment funds, suits investors who prefer minimal physical presence in Portugal while still pursuing long-term residency and a potential path to citizenship under the new 10-year rule.
- VIDA Capital, an advisory firm, can help you assess whether the D7 Visa or a fund-based Portugal Golden Visa better fits your goals; contact VIDA Capital to discuss your options.
1. Understanding the Essential Passive Income Requirements
The D7 Visa centers on predictable passive income rather than large upfront capital. For 2026, the main applicant must show monthly passive income equal to Portugal’s minimum wage of €870, or €10,440 per year. This income must come from sources that do not require ongoing active work.
Family members increase the required income. Spouses or adult dependents over 18 add 50 percent of the minimum wage (€435 per month or €5,220 per year), and each child under 18 adds 30 percent (€261 per month or €3,132 per year). These thresholds help show that your family can support itself in Portugal without relying on local employment.
Immigration authorities expect this income to be stable and documented. Bank statements and supporting contracts should usually show at least two years of consistent passive income. A Portuguese immigration lawyer can help you present these records in a clear, compliant way.
2. Eligible Passive Income Sources for D7 Visa Applications
D7 applicants benefit from knowing which income streams qualify as passive. Pensions are one of the most straightforward options. Retirement pensions from public or private systems are widely accepted as eligible income.
Investment-related income can also meet the rules when it is regular and well documented. Typical examples include:
- Dividend payments from stocks, funds, or similar portfolios
- Rental income from investment properties held in your name or through a structure you control
- Interest from fixed-income products and deposits
- Royalties from copyrights, patents, or other intellectual property
Active employment income, even remote work paid from outside Portugal, does not count as passive income for D7 purposes. The program targets applicants who can show financial independence based on assets and long-term income streams rather than current employment.
3. Portuguese Bank Account and Savings Requirements
D7 applicants strengthen their case by holding sufficient savings in Portugal. The main applicant is expected to keep at least €10,440 in a Portuguese bank account, equal to one year of the national minimum wage. Family members follow the same scaling used for income calculations.
This structure means a couple usually needs €15,660 in combined savings (€10,440 for the main applicant plus €5,220 for the spouse). Each dependent child typically adds €3,132. These funds should remain accessible in a Portuguese financial institution, showing that you can cover living costs and unexpected expenses as you settle in.
Opening a Portuguese bank account usually requires a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and specific identification documents. A local lawyer can coordinate this process remotely in many cases and ensure your savings and income evidence match consulate expectations.
4. Professional Legal and Financial Advisory Services
Careful preparation often makes the difference between a smooth D7 process and repeated requests for more information. A Portuguese immigration lawyer can map out each step, from obtaining your NIF to preparing consulate submissions and, later, residence permit renewals.
Legal support typically includes reviewing income contracts, organizing bank statements, coordinating certified translations, and tracking changes in immigration rules. This guidance reduces the risk of omissions that could delay your visa or lead to extra documentation requests.
High-net-worth individuals may also wish to align their D7 plan with broader investment and residency strategies. An advisory firm such as VIDA Capital can work alongside your lawyer to help you compare the D7 route with a fund-based Portugal Golden Visa and decide which path better suits your long-term objectives.
5. D7 Visa vs. Golden Visa: Choosing Your Residency Strategy
Both the D7 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa provide a route to Portuguese residency, but they serve different profiles. The D7 suits applicants who plan to live primarily in Portugal and can demonstrate reliable passive income. The Golden Visa suits investors who prefer to keep their main base elsewhere while maintaining a Portuguese residency option.
D7 eligibility depends on meeting passive income and savings thresholds and spending significant time in Portugal each year. The current standard is €870 per month in passive income for the main applicant. The Golden Visa, by contrast, relies on making a qualifying investment, now centered on regulated investment funds rather than personal properties. For most investors, the key route is a minimum €500,000 subscription into eligible Portuguese investment funds.
The Golden Visa requires only 14 days of physical presence in Portugal every two years, which appeals to investors seeking a flexible Plan B. It still grants residency rights in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The D7 requires a clearer relocation intent and longer stays, which can support deeper integration into Portuguese life and business.
|
Feature |
Portugal D7 Visa |
Portugal Golden Visa |
|
Financial requirement |
From €10,440 per year in documented passive income |
From €500,000 in qualifying investment funds |
|
Relocation intent |
Primary residence in Portugal expected |
Main residence can remain abroad |
|
Minimum stay |
Substantial time in Portugal each year |
14 days in Portugal every two years |
|
Path to permanent residency |
Eligible after 5 years of legal residence if requirements are met |
Eligible after 5 years of legal residence if requirements are met |
Portugal’s Parliament approved a new citizenship framework in October 2025. Under this law, most applicants must complete 10 years of legal residence in Portugal before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens have a reduced seven-year requirement. The new rules are expected to apply to Golden Visa and D7 residents, except for those who have already submitted their citizenship applications before the new law is published.
Both the D7 and the Golden Visa start with a temporary residence permit valid for two years, followed by two-year renewals. You must maintain your qualifying income or investment and meet stay requirements throughout a five-year period before you can apply for permanent residency. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, you will most likely only need to do a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What passive income amount do I need for a Portugal D7 Visa in 2026?
The main applicant needs at least €870 per month in passive income, or €10,440 per year. A spouse or adult dependent adds €435 per month, and each child under 18 adds €261 per month. These figures must be supported by contracts and bank statements that show regular, stable payments.
Can investment dividends qualify as passive income for the D7 Visa?
Dividend income from stocks, funds, and similar investments can count as passive income for D7 purposes. The key is that the dividends are recurring, predictable, and high enough to meet the minimum thresholds when combined with your other passive income. Your application should include statements and tax documents that demonstrate at least two years of payments.
How much money must I maintain in a Portuguese bank account?
D7 applicants usually hold savings equal to at least one year of Portugal’s minimum wage in a Portuguese bank account. For 2026, this means €10,440 for the main applicant, €5,220 for a spouse, and €3,132 for each dependent child. Keeping these funds accessible in Portugal helps show that you can cover living costs without relying on local employment.
What is the main difference between D7 and Golden Visa residency requirements?
The D7 Visa expects you to live mainly in Portugal and relies on passive income and savings. The Golden Visa allows you to maintain your primary residence abroad and visit Portugal for at least 14 days every two years, in exchange for a qualifying fund investment. Both routes give you Portuguese residency rights and Schengen visa-free travel for short stays.
How long does the D7 Visa process take to complete?
The D7 process usually spans 12 to 18 months from your initial preparation to receiving your first residence card. This period covers gathering documents, working with a Portuguese lawyer, submitting your consulate application, and attending your residency appointment in Portugal. Careful legal support helps keep this timeline on track by reducing the risk of missing or inconsistent documentation.
Conclusion
The Portugal D7 Visa offers a residency path built on predictable passive income and a genuine intention to base your life in Portugal, while the Portugal Golden Visa provides a more flexible route for investors who prefer to keep their primary residence elsewhere but still value a long-term option in the country. Both ultimately lead to the possibility of permanent residency after five years and, under the new 10-year framework, a potential path to citizenship if you maintain legal residence and meet all requirements.
If you are evaluating whether the D7 or a fund-based Golden Visa is better suited to your income profile, lifestyle plans, and long-term goals for your family, specialized guidance can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Reach out to VIDA Capital for personalized support in structuring your residency strategy and selecting an investment approach that fits your objectives.
