Portugal D7 Visa Income Requirements 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways

• Portugal’s D7 Visa offers a residency route in Portugal for people with stable passive income, with financial thresholds linked to the national minimum wage.
• Core income requirements for 2026 start at €870 per month for the main applicant, with additional percentage-based increases for spouses and children.
• Qualifying income must be passive, such as pensions, dividends, and rental income, and applicants need clear, consistent documentation including bank records.
• The D7 Visa suits applicants who expect to live mainly in Portugal, while the Portugal Golden Visa, through eligible investment funds, suits those who want more flexibility an alternative Plan B without relocating.
• Investors who prefer an asset-backed Portugal Golden Visa strategy can work with VIDA Capital, an advisory firm that supports access to the VIDA Fund; speak with VIDA Capital about structuring a Portugal Golden Visa plan that fits your goals.

Core D7 Visa Income Requirements for 2026: A Data-Driven Overview

The Portugal D7 Visa, often called the passive income visa, grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and to travel visa-free across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. D7 residents receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years, which can then be renewed for two additional two-year period, while maintaining their income and stay requirements. After five years of legal residence, they can apply for permanent residency.

Portugal updated its citizenship framework in October 2025. D7 residents now generally need 10 years of legal residence in Portugal before applying for citizenship, while nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens have a reduced requirement of seven years. The new rules apply to Golden Visa and D7 holders unless their citizenship application was submitted before the law was published.

The D7 Visa income requirements are tied to Portugal’s national minimum wage. As of 2025, the minimum monthly income for the main applicant stands at €870, or €10,440 annually, which equals 100% of the national minimum wage.

Key thresholds for 2026

The financial requirements increase based on family composition. Authorities look for proof that the household can support itself without depending on Portuguese social services.

For 2026, the most common thresholds are as follows:

This percentage structure helps families estimate the total income they need and plan how dependents will be included in the application.

Eligible Sources of Passive Income for D7 Visa Applicants

D7 applicants must show passive income. Authorities want to see financial resources that do not dependent on obtaining employment in Portugal.

Pensions and annuities

Pensions from government or private schemes are among the simplest qualifying income types, making the D7 Visa particularly attractive for retirees. Pension statements and official letters from pension providers usually serve as core documentation.

Investment and dividend income

Dividends from stocks, bonds, and other securities, as well as other regular investment returns, usually qualify as passive income. Applicants should provide dividend slips and investment account statements. Consistency matters: highly volatile income that appears irregular on statements can raise questions during analysis.

Rental property earnings

Income from rental properties, such as long-term residential rentals, also fits the D7 framework. Typical documentation includes rental agreements, bank statements showing regular rent deposits, and tax returns reporting this income. Authorities focus on the reliability and amount of the net income, not just the value of the underlying properties.

High-net-worth individuals who prefer residency through asset-backed investments often compare the D7 Visa with the Portugal Golden Visa. Those who favor a fund-based, hospitality-focused strategy can discuss Portugal Golden Visa fund options with VIDA Capital, which advises on access to the VIDA Fund that acquires and renovates hospitality assets, giving them a second life.

Beyond Income: Required Financial Proof and Bank Balance

Meeting the minimum income thresholds is only one part of the process. Applicants also need to show financial stability and transparent cash flow.

Recommended savings and bank account details

Consulates often expect applicants to hold a sensible savings buffer, ideally in a Portuguese bank account, as an extra sign of financial security. Different consulates apply slightly different standards, but a comfortable cash reserve helps to strengthen the application.

Authorities typically ask for at least six months of bank statements. These should show regular deposits that match the declared passive income sources and reflect reasonable day-to-day activity.

Essential documentation for income verification

D7 files usually include more than just bank statements. Common supporting documents include:

• Pension or annuity letters
• Dividend and interest statements
• Rental contracts and proof of rent payments
• Recent tax returns from the applicant’s country of tax residence

Consulates may ask for additional savings evidence if the passive income is close to the minimum thresholds. Strong documentation reduces the need for extra questions or clarifications later.

D7 Visa vs. Portugal Golden Visa: Understanding the Financial Differences

The D7 Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa address different profiles and goals. Understanding how they differ helps you choose the path that fits your lifestyle and risk tolerance.

The D7 Visa focuses on income. A single applicant needs at least €10,440 per year in passive income, with additional increments for dependents. The Portugal Golden Visa focuses on investment, with a minimum of €500,000 invested through eligible funds. Current rules no longer allow Golden Visa investments in personal properties.

Residence expectations also differ. D7 holders are expected to spend most of the year in Portugal and usually become Portuguese tax residents. Golden Visa holders must spend only 14 days in Portugal every two years, which suits those who want a flexible Plan B without relocating. In both cases, the temporary residency permit is valid for two years and can be renewed in two-year blocks across a five-year period before applicants become eligible to apply for permanent residency. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, you will most likely only need a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.

Both visas grant residency rights in Portugal only. Holders can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period but do not gain residency rights in other EU countries until they obtain a Portuguese passport. After meeting the 10-year residence period (or seven years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens) and other legal requirements, successful applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship, which then allows them to live, work, and study across the EU and Schengen Zone and access public healthcare and education there.

Portugal remains one of the few European countries offering a realistic path from residency by investment to citizenship without relocation. Spain no longer offers a Golden Visa, and Greece requires seven years of residency there, and paying taxes there, to qualify for long-term residence and eventual citizenship.

The Portugal Golden Visa route works best with structured legal support. The same applies to the D7 process. A local immigration lawyer is essential for preparing documentation, filing the application with the consulate and Portuguese authorities, and managing renewals over the residency period.

Investors who favor capital preservation and time flexibility often prefer a fund-based Golden Visa approach. VIDA Capital advises clients who invest in the VIDA Fund, which focuses on buying and transforming hospitality assets in Portugal rather than building new ones, with the goal of giving underperforming properties a second life. Contact VIDA Capital to explore whether a Portugal Golden Visa fund strategy aligns better with your profile than the D7 Visa.

Key Practical Points About the D7 Visa

Minimum income requirement for the Portugal D7 Visa in 2026

The baseline passive income requirement for the main applicant is €870 per month, or €10,440 per year. The threshold rises by 50% for a spouse or adult dependent, and by 30% for each child under 18. Income should come from passive sources, such as pensions, rental properties, dividends, interest, or annuities, rather than from employment.

Types of income that qualify as passive income

Qualifying passive income typically includes:

• Government or private pensions and annuities
• Rental income from long-term leases
• Dividends from company shares and funds
• Interest from savings, bonds, or similar instruments
• Royalties or trust distributions, when they are predictable and properly documented

Employment and self-employment income, including remote salaries, are not usually counted as passive income for the purposes of meeting the D7 thresholds, even though D7 holders can work in Portugal once they receive residency.

Recommended savings for a D7 Visa application

Official rules do not set a fixed savings amount. Many consulates, however, expect to see a reasonable cash cushion in addition to monthly income. Applicants should plan to provide at least six months of bank statements and be ready to document additional savings if requested, especially when they only just meet the income minimums.

Right to work and study in Portugal with a D7 Visa

D7 residents can live, work, and study in Portugal. They can combine passive income with employment or business activity, but must keep their qualifying passive income at or above the required thresholds for as long as they hold D7-based residency.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Path to Portuguese Residency

The Portugal D7 Visa offers a clear route to Portuguese residency for people with stable passive income who plan to base their lives in Portugal. Income thresholds linked to the national minimum wage keep the program accessible while still requiring applicants to prove long-term financial stability through documented income and savings.

The Portugal Golden Visa, by contrast, suits investors who prefer an asset-backed strategy through eligible funds and who value the ability to maintain a lighter physical presence in Portugal. Both routes can lead to permanent residency and, under the post-2025 rules, potential citizenship after the required residence period.

Careful planning, strong documentation, and guidance from an experienced immigration lawyer make a significant difference in both processes. If you are considering a Portugal Golden Visa using a fund-based approach in the hospitality sector, contact VIDA Capital to discuss how access to the VIDA Fund and its second-life hospitality strategy can support your residency and long-term citizenship goals.