The D7 visa
The D7 visa is also sometimes known as Portugal’s retirement visa or passive income visa, as it’s intended for those who earn a regular income from a pension or other stable passive income.
Qualifying income streams include, but are not limited to:
- Retirement annuities and pensions
- Real estate and rental income
- Returns from financial investments
- Dividends from shares or an investment portfolio
- Interest on savings or royalties
- Profits and dividends from companies
Residence visa holders enjoy the rights to live, study and/or retire in Portugal and also benefit from visa- free travel throughout the Schengen area for up to 90 days in each six-month period.
Our expert consultants can help you determine if you have a claim to EU citizenship
Benefits of the D7 visa
A fast, efficient route to EU residency
Rights to live, study and/or retire in Portugal
Visa-free access to the Schengen area
Live in one of the safest countries in the world
Tax benefits through Portugal’s NHR regime
No management experience or education required
Portugal’s Non-Habitual Residence (NHR) tax programme
The NHR is a tax regime that offers tax exemptions on foreign income and capital gains for a period of 10 years. Under the scheme, foreign pension income is taxed at only 10%, which makes it an appealing prospect for retirees on the D7 visa.
Find out more about the NHR
Minimum stay in Portugal required for the D7 visa
There is often some confusion around the minimum stay requirements for the D7 visa. The D7 visa itself is only valid for four months but is the vehicle which allows you to apply for formal residency in Portugal.
By default, the D7 visa therefore only requires you to be present in Portugal for four months in the first year. However, if you intend to physically reside in Portugal then applicants need to adhere to the minimum stay requirements applicable to all other Portuguese residency visa categories (the Portugal Golden Visa being the only exception).
Your first temporary residency permit will be valid for two years and you will need to be physically present in Portugal for 16 months within the first two years. You may not spend more than six or eight non-consecutive months outside of the country during the validity of this first permit.
Your second residency card will then be issued for three years, and you will need to be physically present in Portugal for 28 months within this three-year period. Again, you may not spend more than six consecutive or eight non-consecutive months outside of the country during this time. After five years of temporary residency, it is possible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided the required conditions have been met.
If you plan to move your tax residency to Portugal and take advantage of the NHR tax regime, you are required to spend more than 183 days a year in Portugal.
How we can help with your D7 visa application
We have over 10 years of experience in Portugal and offer an all-encompassing service to help you every step of the way, including:
- Dedicated caseworker to assist you with the paperwork and preparations of your D7 visa application
- Introduction to a professional and credible English-speaking Portuguese legal team
- A full checklist of documents required for the application and guidance on how best to secure them
- VFS appointment booking to lodge the D7 application: please note that applicants are required to attend this appointment in person
- Legal representative to accompany you to your SEF appointment in Portugal
- Renewal reminder notification
- Forex support: transferring your funds offshore to Portugal
- Assistance with South African tax clearance certificates
- Assistance to secure your NIF number (Portuguese tax number)
- Assistance with opening of a Portuguese bank account
- An introduction to our Sable Wealth team for more information on the Portugal NHR tax residency programme
- Our detailed Portugal Relocation package
