Before you apply: Choose the right Portugal route

  • Your income is genuinely passive.
  • Your stay plans support the residence requirement.
  • The D7 is a better fit than the Golden Visa or another Portuguese visa route.

Choosing the wrong route can delay your plans and weaken your application.

Not sure which Portugal route fits your circumstances? Sable International can assess your income profile, family thresholds and long-term goals before you apply.

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Portugal D7 visa
requirements at a glance

 

Best for Retirees, financially independent applicants and passive-income earners
Income basis Pension, rental income, dividends, investment income and royalties
2026 income benchmark From €920 per month for the main applicant
Family income uplift +50% for a second adult; +30% per child/dependant minor
Residency intention You must intend to live in Portugal and meet the 16-month minimum stay requirement in the first two years
Leads to Temporary residency, with a path to permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years
Not the same as Portugal Golden Visa
Where Sable International assists We currently support D7 applications submitted from the USA, UK and South Africa

What is Portugal’s D7 visa and who is it best suited to?

Portugal’s D7 visa, often called the Passive Income visa or Retirement visa, allows qualifying non-EU nationals to apply for Portuguese residency if they can support themselves without relying on employment in Portugal.

The strongest applicants need to have reliable foreign-sourced income, savings in a Portuguese bank account, long-term accommodation and documentation that clearly proves the source and consistency of their funds.

Pensions

Rental income

Stock

Regular stock dividends

Investment income

Royalties

Income from established financial assets

Active remote employment, freelance contracts, irregular bonuses and project-based work are not considered passive income for this route. Consulates assess the full evidence trail, not just the amount shown in your account.

Portugal D7 visa
income requirements in 2026

In 2026, the D7 income benchmark is linked to Portugal’s minimum wage of €920 per month. A single applicant therefore needs at least €920 per month, or €11,040 per year, in stable passive income.

Single applicant €920 €11,040
Couple / main applicant + spouse €1,380 €16,560
Couple + one dependant child €1,656 €19,872
Couple + two dependant children €1,932 €23,184

The calculation is 100% of the minimum wage for the main applicant, 50% for a spouse or second adult, and 30% per dependant child or minor.

Applicants should also hold at least 12 months’ worth of the required funds in a Portuguese bank account. For a single applicant, this starts from €11,040; for a couple, €16,560. These funds should remain available, ring-fenced and credible as part of the relocation plan.

Meeting the minimum figure is not always enough. A stronger application shows consistent income, sufficient savings and clear supporting documents.

Portugal D7 visa vs Golden Visa

Portugal D7 visa Retirees, passive-income earners and financially independent applicants who want to live in Portugal Stable passive income from €920 per month for the main applicant, plus family uplift and 12 months’ savings Best for applicants building a real base in Portugal
Portugal Golden Visa Investors who want Portuguese residency with maximum stay flexibility A minimum investment of €500,000 into a qualifying investment fund Better suited to applicants seeking low-stay flexibility rather than full relocation

The right route depends on your income source, intended time in Portugal and long-term objectives. If your priority is residence through passive income, the D7 may be appropriate. If you want flexibility with lower stay requirements, the Golden Visa may be stronger. Speak to Sable International before you commit to the D7 or Golden Visa path.

Why consider the Portugal D7 visa?

No major investment required The D7 does not require a qualifying investment, business setup or property purchase. The focus is on whether you can support yourself and your family.
Built for passive-income applicants Pension income, rental income, dividends and investment returns can support an application when they are stable, recurring and properly evidenced.
Access to life in Portugal The D7 can open the door to residence, local services, Schengen connectivity and the lifestyle benefits that make Portugal attractive to international families.
A long-term residency pathway The D7 may support a future application for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years, provided the relevant requirements are met.

 

Plan the D7 as a long-term immigration strategy, not a once-off visa transaction.

Who should not apply for the Portugal D7 visa?

The D7 is the wrong fit if your profile does not support relocation or reliable passive income. Be cautious if:

  • You do not genuinely intend to live in Portugal
  • You want a low-stay “paper residency” option.
  • Your income is irregular, seasonal or difficult to prove.
  • Your income comes mainly from active remote employment or freelance work.
  • You do not have suitable long-term accommodation in Portugal.
  • Your family’s income threshold is close to the minimum requirement.
  • You want a route based primarily on investment rather than relocation.
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If any of these apply, another Portuguese route may be more appropriate.

Unsure whether your profile fits the D7? Speak to a Portugal specialist before you commit to the wrong route.

Portugal D7 visa application process

1. Eligibility and financial assessment Assess whether your income source, savings, dependants, tax position, accommodation plan and intended time in Portugal support a strong application.
2. Secure a Portuguese NIF and bank account Applicants need a Portuguese tax number and bank account, with at least 12 months’ required funds available in Portugal.
3. Secure long-term accommodation Provide credible accommodation evidence, such as a 12-month rental agreement, ownership proof or another acceptable long-term arrangement.
4. Submit the consular visa application Prepare proof of passive income, savings, accommodation, insurance, criminal record documentation and forms.
5. Attend the AIMA residence permit stage After visa approval and arrival in Portugal, complete the residence permit stage with AIMA, including biometrics and supporting documents where required.

Why Portugal D7 visas get rejected

D7 applications are often delayed or refused when the income or relocation evidence does not stand up to consular scrutiny. Common issues include:

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  • Income is too close to the minimum threshold
  • Proof of recurring passive income is weak or brief
  • Bank statements do not show the source and consistency of funds
  • The application relies on savings without a convincing recurring income stream
  • Accommodation evidence is too short-term or poorly documented
  • Active income is presented as passive income
  • The D7 is used when the Golden Visa or another route would be more appropriate

A strong application tells a coherent story: who you are, how you will support yourself, where you will live and why Portugal is becoming your base.

That is the point of getting advice early - not to complete forms faster, but to avoid submitting a weak or misaligned application.

How Sable International helps

We do not just help you compile a D7 application. We help you decide whether the D7 is the right route in the first place.

Sable International provides cross-border immigration and residency advice for clients who need more than administrative support. Our Portugal team reviews your income, family structure, relocation goals, tax considerations, long-term plans and the evidence needed to submit a strong application.

We can support you with:

  • D7 eligibility and route selection
  • Passive income and savings review
  • Family threshold calculation
  • D7 and Golden Visa comparison
  • Document and accommodation evidence guidance
  • Consular and AIMA-stage application support
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Portugal D7 visa FAQs

01What is the Portugal D7 visa?
The Portugal D7 visa is a residency visa for non-EU nationals who can support themselves through stable passive income and want to live in Portugal.
02Who qualifies for Portugal’s D7 visa?
You may qualify if you have stable passive income, sufficient savings, suitable accommodation and a genuine intention to reside in Portugal.
03What is the minimum income for the D7 visa in 2026?
In 2026, the minimum income requirement starts at €920 per month for a single applicant, or €11,040 per year. A second adult adds 50%, and each dependant child or minor adds 30%.
04Can I include my spouse and children?
Yes. You may include a spouse or partner and dependant children, but your income and savings requirements will increase according to family size.
05Is the D7 visa the same as the Portugal Golden Visa?
No. The D7 is based on passive income and residence in Portugal, while the Golden Visa is based on a qualifying investment and offers lower stay requirements.
06Can I work in Portugal on a D7 visa?
No. The D7 does not grant the holder any formal working rights in Portugal. This visa class is not designed around employment as the basis for your application. If your main income comes from remote work or freelancing, another Portuguese visa may be more appropriate.
07How long do I need to stay in Portugal on a D7 visa?
During the initial two-year residence period, applicants should plan to spend at least 16 months in Portugal. They will then be required to spend a minimum of 28 months in Portugal over the next three-year period (with no absence from Portugal exceeding a period of 6-consecutive months).
08Can the D7 visa lead to Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. The D7 can support a pathway to permanent residency after five years of legal residence and Portuguese citizenship after ten years, provided the relevant requirements are met.
09Do I need a Portuguese bank account?
Yes. Applicants are expected to open a Portuguese bank account which, at the time of application submission, must hold funds equalling 12 months of self-sufficiency, starting from €11,040 for a single applicant in 2026.
10Do I need accommodation before applying?
Yes. You will usually need suitable accommodation evidence in Portugal, such as a 12-month rental agreement, ownership proof or another acceptable long-term arrangement.
11What are common reasons for D7 visa refusal?
Common issues include weak passive income evidence, insufficient savings, unclear accommodation, incomplete documentation and applying for the wrong route.
12Should I apply for the D7 or Golden Visa?
Consider the D7 if you have passive income and want to live in Portugal. Consider the Golden Visa if you want a qualifying investment route with lower stay requirements.
13Which countries does Sable International support Portugal D7 applications from?
Sable International currently supports Portugal D7 visa applications submitted from the USA, UK and South Africa. If you are applying from another jurisdiction, the process, consular requirements and local submission rules may differ.

Find out if the Portugal D7 visa is right for you

Complete the form below and our Portugal team will assess your income profile, family circumstances and long-term goals.

Assess my D7 eligibility

Get in touch

Speak to one of our Portugal consultants if you’re interested in exploring Portuguese residency.









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Disclaimer: Please do not act in reliance on information published or advised without consulting a suitably qualified independent legal or other professional advisor of your own choosing. Sable International will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of their use or reliance on any of the advice provided by any one or all of the professional advisors identified by Sable International; loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of changing government legislation; and/or changing rules around immigration and nationality. Obtaining residency and citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government in question and cannot be guaranteed by Sable International.