Concierge service for Portugal D7 Visa. You hire My Latin Life; local immigration specialists (and licensed counsel where required) file on your behalf. The deliverable: residency or visa status filed through local specialists — card or approval in your name — not advice, not a DIY packet.
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Program Overview
The D7 — formally the Passive Income Visa — was designed for retirees and passive income earners who want to relocate to Portugal. It has since become one of the most popular routes to EU residency for North Americans, Canadians in particular, and Australians and Britons post-Brexit. The draw is straightforward: a low income threshold, a clear path to an EU passport after 5 years, and Portugal itself — one of the safest, most liveable countries in Europe with a cost of living well below France, Germany, or the UK.
Unlike the Portugal Golden Visa, the D7 requires you to actually live in Portugal — 183+ days per year. This is not a backup-passport play for people who want to stay where they are. It is a genuine relocation program for people who want to build a life in Europe and want the residency, the rights, and ultimately the passport that comes with it.
New D7 residents in Portugal can apply for the IFICI tax regime (successor to the former NHR regime), which provides a 20% flat income tax rate on Portuguese-source income for 10 years. Foreign pension income and investment returns may receive favourable treatment under Portugal’s tax treaties depending on source country. Confirm the tax structure with a Portuguese tax advisor at time of application.
How to Qualify
The D7 requires demonstrating that you have sufficient regular passive income to support yourself in Portugal without working locally. The income threshold is based on the Portuguese minimum wage.
| Applicant | Monthly Income Required | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | €820/month (~US$900) | €9,840/year |
| + Spouse | +€410/month (+50%) | +€4,920/year |
| + Each child | +€246/month (+30%) | +€2,952/year |
Income thresholds are tied to the Portuguese minimum wage and adjust periodically. Figures above are approximate. Confirm current requirements during your consultation.
Qualifying income sources:
- Government and private pensions
- Social Security and retirement income
- Investment dividends and interest
- Rental income from property held abroad
- Royalties and intellectual property income
- Remote work income — accepted by some consulates, not all; confirm with your specific consulate before applying
Dependents: Spouse and dependent children can be included on the application. Each dependent adds to the income requirement as shown above.
Benefits
- EU residency — live, work, and travel freely throughout the Schengen Area
- Path to Portuguese citizenship and one of the world’s strongest passports after 5 years
- IFICI tax regime — 20% flat rate on Portuguese-source income for 10 years
- Low income threshold — among the most accessible EU residency programs available
- Access to Portugal’s public healthcare system (SNS) as a resident
- Cost of living below the Western European average — lower than France, Germany, UK, or the Netherlands
- High safety, warm climate, English widely spoken in Lisbon and Porto
- Dual citizenship permitted — keep your existing passport
- EU free movement for the whole family once citizenship is granted
Application Process
The D7 is a two-stage process: consulate in your home country, then AIMA registration in Portugal.
- MLL reviews your income sources and confirms eligibility
- Full document package prepared — income proof, criminal background check (apostilled), proof of accommodation in Portugal, health insurance
- Application submitted to the Portuguese consulate in your home country
- Consulate issues the D7 visa (typically valid for 4 months for entry)
- You travel to Portugal and schedule your AIMA appointment
- AIMA issues the 2-year temporary residency permit (Autorização de Residência)
*Consulate wait times vary significantly — Canada and Australia can run 3–6+ months; US consulates are typically faster. The exact process and required documents may vary by consulate. We confirm specifics during your consultation.
What MLL Does
- Full eligibility review — income sources, qualifying amounts, and consulate-specific requirements
- Document preparation and legal review by licensed Portuguese immigration attorneys
- Consulate submission coordination and appointment preparation
- AIMA appointment preparation and in-country support on arrival in Portugal
- Guidance on IFICI tax regime application and Portuguese NIF (tax number) registration
- Dedicated point of contact from application through to residency permit in hand
Ready to Move to Portugal?
Book a consultation and we will confirm your income qualifies, identify the right consulate, and walk you through the full process.
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Months 3–6 — D7 Visa Issued
Portuguese consulate issues the D7 entry visa. You travel to Portugal and schedule your AIMA appointment to convert to a full residency permit. A 2-year Autorização de Residência is issued on approval.
Year 2 — First Renewal
Renew the residency permit for a further 3 years at AIMA. Renewal requires proof of continued income and maintained presence in Portugal (183+ days/year or primary residence).
Year 5 — Permanent Residency or Citizenship Eligible
After 5 years of legal residency you may apply for either permanent residency (no further renewal required) or Portuguese citizenship. Citizenship requires passing a basic A2-level Portuguese language test. No integration exam beyond the language requirement.
Citizenship Granted — EU Passport
Portuguese citizenship comes with one of the world’s strongest passports: visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 190 countries, full EU free movement rights, and the right to live and work in any of the 27 EU member states. Portugal permits dual citizenship — you do not need to renounce your existing passport.
Portugal Passport Access
Portugal Passport Stats
Settlement Blocs: European Union (27 member states — full free movement) · Schengen Area (26 countries)
The Portuguese passport consistently ranks among the top 3–6 passports in the world on the Henley Passport Index. Visa-free destinations include the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, the UK, and the entire EU and Schengen area. For most North American and Commonwealth applicants, Portuguese citizenship represents a meaningful upgrade in global travel access and a backup EU base of operations.
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Program Authority: AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which replaced SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in October 2023.
Legal Basis: Article 58, Law 23/2007 of 4 July (Lei da Imigração), as amended. Income requirements set with reference to the Portuguese minimum wage (Decreto-Lei 57-B/2023 and subsequent updates).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income for the Portugal D7 Visa?
The minimum income requirement is approximately €820/month for the main applicant, based on the Portuguese minimum wage. A spouse adds 50% (€410/month) and each dependent child adds 30% (€246/month). The threshold adjusts when Portugal’s minimum wage changes. In US dollar terms, the main applicant threshold is approximately US$900/month — one of the lowest of any EU residency program.
Does remote work income qualify for the D7 Visa?
It depends on the consulate. The D7 was designed for passive income (pensions, dividends, rental income), but some consulates accept foreign-source remote work income as qualifying. Others are stricter and require passive or investment income only. Portugal also has a separate Digital Nomad Visa (D8) specifically for remote workers — this may be the cleaner route if your income is from remote employment or freelance work. Confirm the right visa for your income type during your consultation.
How long do I need to stay in Portugal each year?
The D7 requires you to spend at least 183 days per year in Portugal, or to establish Portugal as your primary residence. This is a genuine relocation visa — you need to actually live there. Extended periods outside Portugal can jeopardise your residency status and interrupt the 5-year citizenship clock. If you want EU residency without a physical presence requirement, the Portugal Golden Visa may be more appropriate.
How long does the D7 application take?
Processing time depends heavily on your consulate. US consulates typically process D7 applications in 2–3 months. Canadian and Australian consulates can run 4–6 months or longer due to demand. Once the visa is issued, you travel to Portugal and complete the AIMA residency permit registration in-country, which adds further time. Total timeline from starting the process to permit in hand is typically 4–8 months.
What is the IFICI regime and does it apply to D7 holders?
The IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação) is the 2024 successor to Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. New residents who qualify can pay a flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-source income for 10 years, rather than the standard progressive rates. D7 holders can apply for IFICI status. The tax treatment of foreign-source income (pensions, dividends) depends on Portugal’s tax treaty with your home country. A Portuguese tax advisor should be consulted at the time of application to structure this correctly.
Can I bring my family on the D7 Visa?
Yes. A spouse and dependent children can be included on the main applicant’s D7 application. Each dependent increases the income requirement — a spouse requires an additional 50% of the base threshold, each child an additional 30%. Dependents receive the same residency status and are on the same 5-year citizenship timeline as the primary applicant.
What is the difference between the D7 and the Portugal Golden Visa?
The D7 requires regular passive income (~€820/month) and physical presence in Portugal (183+ days/year). The Golden Visa requires a qualifying investment (typically €250,000+ in an approved fund) and only 7 days of presence per year. Both lead to permanent residency and citizenship after 5 years. The D7 is better for people who want to actually live in Portugal. The Golden Visa suits those who want an EU residency pathway without relocating. Cost-wise, the D7 is far less expensive to qualify for — income-based rather than investment-based.
Related Services
- Portugal Golden Visa
- Portugal Bank Account and Tax ID (NIF)
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
- Spain Golden Visa
- Italy Citizenship by Descent
