Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa is designed for investors who want residency with minimal time in Portugal, while the D7 Visa suits people planning to live in Portugal most of the year on passive income.
- Both visas can lead to permanent residency after five years of temporary residency, but citizenship for most applicants now requires 10 years of residency under the framework introduced in October 2025.
- The Golden Visa requires a minimum €500,000 investment in eligible funds, while the D7 Visa requires proof of stable passive income, such as pensions, rental income, or dividends.
- Golden Visa holders can usually avoid Portuguese tax residency by limiting their time in Portugal, while D7 holders generally become tax residents due to the 183-day stay requirement.
- Investors who choose the Golden Visa route can work with VIDA Capital for advisory support and access to the VIDA Fund; you can contact VIDA Capital here to discuss your options.
Understanding Portugal’s Residency Programs: Golden Visa vs. D7 Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa and the D7 Visa serve different profiles, but both create a pathway from temporary residency to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship.
Portugal ranks as the 7th safest country in the world in the Global Peace Index 2025, and its tourism sector generated €27 billion in 2024, with projections that it could represent 22.6% of GDP by 2035. This safety profile and tourism-driven growth make Portugal a stable setting for a long-term residency plan.
The Portugal Golden Visa offers residency through qualifying investments in regulated funds, while the D7 Visa is centered on proof of stable passive income and long-term physical presence in Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa vs. D7 Visa: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Investment vs. Passive Income Requirements
The Golden Visa requires at least €500,000 in eligible investment funds. Funds such as the VIDA Fund invest in hospitality assets in Portugal and are supervised by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM). The VIDA Fund buys and transforms existing hospitality properties, giving them a second life while anchoring the investment in tangible assets.
The D7 Visa instead relies on proof of recurring passive income. Applicants must show at least €870 per month for single applicants in 2025, with higher thresholds for families. Acceptable income sources include pensions, rental income, dividends, and other non-employment income.
Residency Requirements and Time in Portugal
The Golden Visa has minimal physical stay requirements: 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period. This setup suits investors who want a Plan B in Europe without relocating.
The D7 Visa generally requires at least 183 days per year in Portugal, aligning better with retirees and remote workers who intend to live in the country full-time.
Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Both visas can lead to permanent residency after five years of temporary residency, provided you maintain your status and meet the renewal conditions. For Golden Visa holders, the first residency permit is valid for two years, followed by two additional two-year renewals while the investment and minimum stay requirements are maintained. As the approval card issuance usually takes about a year, you will most likely only need to complete a single renewal instead of two during the five-year period.
Portugal’s new framework, introduced in October 2025, now requires 10 years of residency before most applicants qualify for citizenship, with a reduced seven-year period for nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens. Applicants must demonstrate A2-level Portuguese language proficiency. Portugal remains one of the few European countries that still offers access to citizenship without requiring relocation for the entire period, unlike Spain, which has ended its Golden Visa program, and Greece, which requires seven years of residence and tax residency.
Family Inclusion and Core Benefits
Both the Golden Visa and D7 Visa allow family reunification for a spouse or partner, dependent children, and dependent parents or in-laws. Family members receive residency rights similar to the main applicant, including access to Portugal’s public healthcare and education systems.
For a spouse or partner, you can use a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship, such as documentation of a long-term common-law partnership. For dependent children to be included, they must be full-time students, financially dependent on you, not working, and unmarried throughout the residency process until the Golden Visa application is completed.
During the residency period, both main applicants and dependents can live, work, and study in Portugal. They can also travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Residency rights apply only in Portugal; full EU mobility, including the right to live, work, and study across the EU and Schengen Area, begins only after obtaining a Portuguese passport.
Tax Implications for Each Visa
Golden Visa holders can usually avoid becoming Portuguese tax residents by spending fewer than 183 days per year in Portugal, which helps investors integrate the program into broader international tax planning. Spending more than 183 days typically leads to Portuguese tax residency.
D7 Visa holders generally become Portuguese tax residents because they must live in Portugal most of the year. This usually means worldwide income becomes taxable in Portugal. Personal tax advice is essential in either case.
Application Process and Timelines
Both visas require a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account. From there, the Golden Visa path involves selecting an eligible fund investment, while the D7 path focuses on documenting your passive income and intention to live in Portugal.
The full Golden Visa process usually takes 12–18 months from application to initial residency card, depending on the workload of Portugal’s immigration authority (AIMA). An experienced Portuguese lawyer is essential to manage documentation, submit the application, attend biometrics, and handle renewals correctly.
Comprehensive Comparison Table: Golden Visa vs. D7 Visa
|
Feature |
Portugal Golden Visa |
Portugal D7 Visa |
|
Financial requirement |
€500,000 investment in eligible funds |
€870/month stable passive income (single applicant, 2025) |
|
Physical stay required |
7 days first year, 14 days every 2 years |
183 days per year in Portugal |
|
Tax residency |
Optional, depending on the time spent in Portugal |
Generally becomes a Portuguese tax resident |
|
Primary goal |
Residency and Plan B with flexibility |
Full-time relocation to Portugal |
Investors who want residency with flexibility often favor the Golden Visa. You can speak with VIDA Capital about fund-based options that qualify for the program.
Which Visa Aligns Best with Your Goals?
Your optimal pathway depends on how you balance relocation plans, liquidity preferences, and long-term residency or citizenship goals.
Situations Where the Golden Visa Fits Best
The Golden Visa tends to suit investors who value flexibility and global mobility. It is particularly relevant if you:
- Want a European Plan B without leaving your home country or existing business interests
- Prefer an investment-based route rather than relying on personal income proofs
- Plan to spend limited time in Portugal, but maintain a clear path to permanent residency
- Want to keep open the option of avoiding Portuguese tax residency
Many international investors choose this path to protect family mobility and future options while continuing their careers or businesses elsewhere.
Situations Where the D7 Visa Fits Best
The D7 Visa generally works better for people who intend to live in Portugal most of the year. It can be a strong option if you:
- Have reliable passive income from pensions, rental income, or investments
- Plan to relocate to Portugal and integrate into local life
- Prefer a lower capital outlay than a €500,000 fund investment
Retirees and remote workers often find the D7 route aligns well with their lifestyle goals, provided they meet the passive income requirements. Consistent and verifiable income is a key factor for approval.
VIDA Capital focuses on the Golden Visa but maintains a neutral, advisory stance. If your profile is better suited to the D7 Visa, the team can explain that clearly and guide you toward appropriate resources.
How VIDA Capital Supports Golden Visa Investors
VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that helps investors use fund-based strategies to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa. The firm works closely with your chosen lawyer and the VIDA Fund manager to keep the process organized and transparent.
The VIDA Fund concentrates on acquiring and transforming underused hospitality assets in Portugal’s tourism sector, giving these properties a second life. With over €20 million raised in VIDA Fund I from more than 50 investors and over 100 successful Golden Visa applications, the fund’s track record reflects structured execution and investor alignment. Historical results and targets are not a guarantee of future returns.
One investor summarized the experience by highlighting the clarity, professionalism, and consistent communication provided by the VIDA team, which helped build trust throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal’s D7 and Golden Visa
Main differences between the Portugal D7 Visa and Golden Visa
The D7 Visa is built around stable passive income and full-time residence in Portugal, with a 183-day annual stay expectation. The Golden Visa is investment-based and allows residency with minimal time in the country, provided you maintain a qualifying €500,000 fund investment and meet the stay requirements of 7 days in the first year and 14 days every two years.
Work, study, and travel rights under each visa
Both visas allow you and included family members to live, work, and study in Portugal. They also grant visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. These rights apply only to Portugal during the residency phase; full EU mobility in other countries begins only after you obtain Portuguese citizenship and a passport.
Age and Family Considerations
Applicants for the Golden Visa must be at least 18 years old. The D7 Visa does not set a specific age threshold but commonly attracts retirees and those with established income streams. Both visas allow qualifying dependents of various ages, as long as they meet dependency and documentation rules, including the student, employment, and marital-status conditions for children mentioned above.
Role of VIDA Capital in the D7 and Golden Visa Landscape
VIDA Capital specializes in advising on Golden Visa strategies that use asset-backed fund investments. The team explains how the program works, coordinates with legal counsel, and helps you understand the VIDA Fund’s structure and risks. If your profile clearly fits the D7 Visa better, VIDA Capital can still provide general guidance on the differences and help you focus your next steps.
Conclusion: Choosing a Sustainable Path to Portugal in 2026
The Portugal Golden Visa and D7 Visa offer different routes to the same long-term outcome: the possibility of permanent residency and, after the new 10-year residency requirement is met, eligibility for citizenship for most applicants. The Golden Visa favors investors seeking flexibility, limited physical presence, and an investment-led approach. The D7 Visa is designed for those ready to relocate and support themselves with passive income.
Your decision should reflect your desired level of commitment to living in Portugal, your capital and income profile, and your long-term goals for European mobility. If you want to explore a fund-based Golden Visa strategy in more detail, you can contact VIDA Capital for a personalized advisory conversation.
