Portugal D7 Visa 2026: Passive Income Residency Complete Guide

The D7 is one of the most underrated residency visas in Europe. No investment required. No minimum net worth. Just demonstrate that you have sufficient passive income to support yourself in Portugal, and you can obtain residency in one of Western Europe's most livable countries.

What the D7 Is

The Passive Income Visa — officially the D7 — is a Portuguese residency visa designed for people who can demonstrate stable, regular income from outside the Portuguese labour market. This includes:

• Pension income (state or private)
• Dividends from company ownership or investments
• Rental income from property outside Portugal
• Royalties and intellectual property income
• Remote work income from a non-Portuguese employer

The key principle: your income does not come from working for a Portuguese employer or providing services to Portuguese clients. You're essentially self-funded.

The Income Requirements

Portugal does not publish a rigid minimum income figure for the D7, but immigration lawyers and consulates typically work from the Portuguese minimum wage as a baseline reference:

Minimum indicative amounts (2026):

• Single applicant: approximately €820-920 per month (roughly the national minimum wage)
• Couple: approximately €1,400 per month
• Each dependent child: approximately €280 per month additional

These are guidelines, not hard floors. The consulate assessment considers the totality of your financial situation — bank account balances, income sources, proof of accommodation in Portugal, and the credibility of the application overall.

In practice, applicants with €2,000+ per month in documented passive income and €20,000+ in savings are rarely rejected on financial grounds.

What You Get

The D7 provides:

• Two-year initial residency permit (renewable)
• Right to live, work (if desired), and study in Portugal
• Schengen Area travel rights
• Path to permanent residency after 5 years
• Path to Portuguese citizenship (EU passport) after 5 years

Unlike the Golden Visa, the D7 requires genuine residency in Portugal. You must spend at least 183 days per year in Portugal to maintain the visa and to demonstrate genuine residency.

The NHR/IFICI Interaction

The D7 and NHR/IFICI are frequently combined. Many D7 applicants simultaneously apply for the NHR tax regime (or now IFICI), which can significantly reduce their Portuguese tax on qualifying foreign income.

Under NHR (available to those who applied before 2024), foreign-sourced pension income and investment income was often exempt from Portuguese tax for 10 years. Under IFICI, the treatment is more complex — specialist tax advice is essential.

The Application Process

Step 1: Gather documentation

• Proof of passive income (bank statements, dividend certificates, pension letters, rental agreements)
• Clean criminal record from all countries of residence in the past 5 years
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property ownership)
• Valid health insurance covering Portugal
• Completed application forms

Step 2: Apply at your local Portuguese consulate

The D7 application is submitted at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your home country. Processing times vary significantly by location — the London consulate has had waits of several months; other consulates process more quickly.

Step 3: Travel to Portugal and complete biometrics

Once approved, you travel to Portugal within the visa validity period and attend an appointment with AIMA (the immigration authority) to submit biometrics and receive your residency card.

Common Pitfalls

Insufficient documentation of income: The consulate needs to see regular, consistent income. Sporadic transfers or poorly documented sources will complicate the application.

Proof of accommodation: You need a rental contract or property ownership document for accommodation in Portugal before applying. Some applicants use short-term lease agreements — this is acceptable but the accommodation needs to be realistic for actual residency.

183-day requirement: Unlike the Golden Visa (7 days minimum), the D7 requires genuine residency. Holders who spend less than 183 days in Portugal risk losing their status.

Who the D7 Is For

The D7 is particularly well-suited for:

• Early retirees with investment income or portfolio dividends
• Remote workers employed by non-Portuguese companies
• Retirees with pension income from their home country
• Property investors with overseas rental income
• Entrepreneurs with passive business income

It's Portugal's most accessible residency route — and for the right profile, also its most practical.