7 de January, 2026
Portugal remains one of the world’s top destinations for retirement, and the D7 Visa continues to be one of the main pathways for those who wish to reside legally in the country based on passive income. Although the general criteria of the visa have remained stable, practical experience over the years shows that the success of an application increasingly depends on the consistency of the process as a whole, rather than on the isolated fulfillment of formal requirements.
In 2026, the update of the Portuguese minimum wage led to adjustments in the financial reference values, reinforcing the importance of well-structured income proof, an organized bank deposit, and overall coherence between income sources, accommodation, and the applicant’s tax situation.
In this complete and up-to-date guide on the D7 Visa in Portugal, you will understand how much income must be demonstrated for each family composition, how the minimum bank deposit in Portugal works, which types of income tend to be better accepted in practice, and which mistakes most frequently lead to requests for additional documentation, delays, or refusals. The goal is to provide clear, current guidance aligned with the reality of today’s application processes.
Updated in January 2026.
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
The D7 Visa is one of Portugal’s residence visa options. It is intended for individuals who wish to live in the country based on their own passive income, such as pensions, retirement benefits, rental income, and company profits or dividends. It is also commonly referred to as the “Portugal retirement visa.”
Learn more about the Spanish counterpart of the D7 Visa: Spain’s Non-Lucrative Residence Visa.
Get to know the Non-Lucrative Visa: Spain’s D7 Visa
The D7 Visa is intended for individuals with stable passive income, meaning income generated over time without the need for continuous or direct personal involvement.
Which one is better for you: Portugal D7 Visa or Spain Non-Lucrative Visa?
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
The following sources of passive income are considered eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa:
It is important to emphasize that, regardless of the source, income must be verifiable, regular, and fiscally consistent. Irregular income or income that does not match the applicant’s tax return tends to result in additional requests for documentation or delays during the application review.
And what is the Golden Visa Portugal? Check it out here!
Learn more about the Non-Lucrative Visa: Spain’s D7 equivalent.
The D7 Visa and Portuguese Residence Permit process involves two distinct stages, which begin in the applicant’s country of residence and are completed in Portugal. Although there are average time estimates, processing times may vary depending on the consulate, application volume, and the complexity of each case.
In practice, the main mandatory expenses are related to official fees, both for issuing the residence visa in the country of origin and for obtaining the residence permit in Portugal.
For the residence visa application, the following fees apply:
Additional optional services requested at the application center (such as SMS notifications, courier service, or document photocopies) may incur extra charges.
All amounts are subject to exchange rate variations and should always be confirmed on the VFS Global website at the time of scheduling.
After arriving in Portugal and attending the AIMA appointment, the following fees apply for issuing the residence permit:
Fees are charged per person.
Exchange rates as of January 1, 2026.
In addition to official fees, applicants should also consider:
For a single applicant, it is necessary to prove monthly income equivalent to at least the Portuguese minimum wage, for a minimum period of one year.
In 2026, the Portuguese minimum wage is set at €920 per month.
In addition to recurring income, the applicant must demonstrate financial capacity to support themselves in Portugal for a minimum period of 12 months. This is usually proven through a bank deposit in Portugal equivalent to 12 times the minimum wage, totaling €11,040 for the main applicant.
It is important to clarify that this amount does not represent “savings” in the traditional sense, but rather proof of means of subsistence, intended to demonstrate that the applicant has immediate financial resources at the beginning of their residence.
The required amount varies according to the family composition and is calculated as follows:
Approval of the D7 Visa depends on an overall assessment of the applicant’s profile by Portuguese authorities, including the origin, stability, and coherence of the declared income. In practice, higher and more financially consistent income tends to facilitate the review and reduce additional requests during the process.
What is the Portugal Golden Visa? Learn the difference between the Golden Visa and the D7 Visa!
This is the most important part of the process and the one that raises the most questions. Retirees must submit proof of pension or retirement income along with their income tax return. Those who live off other income sources must present financial statements and corresponding tax declarations.
For example, if your income comes from rental properties, that rental income must be declared in your tax return.
In specific cases, accumulated financial resources (such as savings or financial investments) may also be considered, provided that these assets generate sufficient and provable income to meet the D7 Visa requirements.
In other words, what is evaluated is not the amount of money sitting in an account, but the capacity to generate regular income, duly proven through bank statements, investment documentation, and compatible tax declarations.
In practice, one of the most common mistakes observed in D7 Visa applications is tax inconsistency in the declared income. A recurring example involves applicants who own rental properties but fail to declare the rental income in their tax return, or declare only part of the income received.
In such cases, the income cannot be considered for eligibility purposes, even if there is a lease agreement or bank statements. For the D7 Visa, income must be clearly verifiable and fully consistent with tax records.
Proof of income is required not only for the initial granting of the D7 Visa but also for the renewal of the residence permit. Every two years, residents must demonstrate that they continue to have sufficient financial means to support themselves in Portugal.
Proof of accommodation in Portugal is one of the most sensitive requirements in the D7 Visa analysis. Although purchasing property is not mandatory, the way accommodation is proven can lead to additional requests or even jeopardize the application.
The following documents are currently accepted as proof of accommodation for the D7 Visa:
In practice, property deeds have the highest acceptance rate, followed by lease agreements. Invitation letters tend to be subject to closer scrutiny.
Expert guidance
👉 To understand which accommodation documents are most appropriate for each situation and how to avoid common mistakes, see our complete guide on proof of accommodation for the D7 Visa.
Since 2022, Portugal has introduced a specific visa for digital nomads, aimed at professionals who work remotely for companies or clients abroad. As a result, the D7 Visa is not intended for individuals who rely exclusively on active income from remote work.
However, remote professionals who also have their own passive income sources — such as pensions, rental income, dividends or financial investments — may qualify for the D7 Visa, provided they meet the required financial criteria.
In practice, when there is verifiable passive income, the D7 Visa is often the more advantageous option.
It requires lower minimum income thresholds and a simpler financial documentation process compared to the digital nomad visa.
The digital nomad visa, on the other hand, requires higher income levels and specific documentation proving an active professional relationship and the ability to work remotely.
For this reason, whenever the applicant’s profile allows, the D7 Visa tends to offer a simpler, more predictable and more efficient process.
Understand the difference between the D7 Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa.
The D7 Visa does not require a prior investment in Portugal. In addition, the passive income D7 Visa process is generally faster, less costly, and grants access to the main residence benefits in Portugal.
We also have a detailed comparison article, Golden Visa vs. D7 Visa, to help you choose the best option based on values and requirements.
If you cannot meet the minimum physical presence requirements of the D7 Visa, the Portugal Golden Visa may be a more flexible alternative. It requires only 14 days of stay every two years throughout the validity of the residence permit.
This option is ideal for individuals who want legal residence benefits in Portugal but cannot spend extended periods in the country.
Under current legislation, it is not permitted to remain outside Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months during the total validity period of the Temporary Residence Permit. The first permit is valid for two years. To maintain a renewable residence permit, compliance with residency requirements is essential.
Since 2024, the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime no longer grants tax benefits to pensioners, who are now subject to progressive tax rates under current rules.
It is important to remember that individuals who become legal residents in Portugal generally also become tax residents. Therefore, new residents should seek proper tax guidance regarding their obligations, including income tax filings, to avoid unexpected issues with the Portuguese Tax Authority.
Read our article on the importance of tax security when living abroad.
| Item | D7 Visa |
|---|---|
| Eligible profile | Individuals with their own passive income (retirement benefits, pensions, rental income, investments) |
| Minimum income (main applicant) | €920 per month |
| Minimum bank deposit in Portugal | €11,040 (equivalent to 12 months) |
| Visa application fee (Consulate – USA) | € 110,80 + US$44.60 (VFS Global service fee) |
| Residence permit fee (AIMA) | €181.50 (non-CPLP)* |
| Right to work | Yes, if desired |
| Family inclusion | Yes, through family reunification |
| Health insurance | Mandatory and valid for 1 year |
| Proof of accommodation | Mandatory |
| Criminal record certificate | Mandatory |
| Initial residence permit validity | 2 years (renewable) |
| Freedom of movement within Schengen | Permitted |
| Access to the public healthcare system | Yes |
* Fees per person. Values subject to change according to official updates and exchange rates.
No, purchasing a property is not mandatory. However, you must present proof of residence in Portugal, such as a rental contract with a minimum duration of one year.
Yes. D7 Visa applicants must hold travel or health insurance covering medical expenses, including emergency care and repatriation, for a period of one year.
However, Brazilian applicants applying from Brazil may replace travel insurance with the PB4 certificate, issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, which meets the required criteria.
At present, this is considered a risky option. Contracts from platforms such as Airbnb, Flatio, or Uniplaces may not be accepted, especially if they are not formal lease agreements with a minimum duration of 12 months — a key requirement at the AIMA stage. The safest option is a long-term lease registered by the landlord on the Portuguese Tax Authority’s portal.
The initial residence permit is valid for 2 years. It may then be renewed once for a period of 3 years, after which renewals occur every 5 years.
Yes. The D7 Visa allows its holder to work and study in Portugal, as well as any family members included through family reunification.
Throughout this guide, it has become clear that the D7 Visa is not merely a checklist of requirements, but a process that demands coherence between income, accommodation, and the applicant’s overall profile. Details such as how income is proven, the choice of accommodation documentation, and proper alignment of all supporting documents make a real difference in the review process and approval chances.
Atlantic Bridge works with a consultative approach, assessing each profile individually and guiding applicants toward the most appropriate path for legally residing in Portugal.
Contact us for a personalized analysis of your case.
Author:
Silvia Resende
