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Quick answer
- Income for one person: €920 per month in 2026, the Portuguese minimum wage.
- Family: add 50% per additional adult and 30% per child.
- Passive income only: pensions, rents, dividends and interest already being received. Savings only support the file.
- Citizenship: under the 2026 law it takes 7 or 10 years of legal residence, not 5.
What is the Portugal D7 visa? Retirement visa and passive income visa
The D7 is a residence visa for non-EU citizens who can support themselves in Portugal without working. It is also called the retirement visa or the passive income visa. It exists under Portugal's 2007 Foreigners Law (Lei 23/2007), and since 2023 the residence permit is issued by AIMA, which replaced SEF.
What counts as passive income for the D7 visa?
Passive income is recurring, stable income that you already receive without working in Portugal, such as pensions, rents, dividends, interest and royalties. Planned future income generally does not count until it is actually being paid. Savings help, but they are supporting evidence, not a substitute for income.
Who can apply for the D7 visa?
The D7 suits non-EU nationals who are pensioners or retirees, and people living on stable income from other sources:
- Pensions and retirement income.
- Rental income from real estate.
- Income from movable property, such as financial investments, dividends, bonds, trusts or ownership of a company.
- Income from intellectual property, such as royalties.
D7 visa calculator 2026: how much income does your family need?
Choose your household and the year you plan to apply to see the monthly income, savings and government fees to expect.
How much income does my family need for the D7?
Formula based on Portaria 1563/2007: 100% of the minimum wage for the main applicant, +50% per additional adult, +30% per child.
Enter your monthly passive income to check whether you qualify.
Get your D7 file reviewed* 2027 (€970) is the announced minimum wage and 2028 (€1,020) is a projection, both pending publication. Fees per person: consular visa about €90, AIMA application analysis €121.95, residence card €104.82. AIMA fees can be lower for digital submissions. Legal fees, translations, apostilles and insurance are not included. Estimate only, not legal advice.
D7 visa income requirement 2026: how much money do you need?
The D7 threshold is not a fixed number. It follows the Portuguese minimum wage, which rose to €920 per month on 1 January 2026, using the method in Portaria 1563/2007. A clean criminal record is the other basic eligibility requirement.
- Main applicant: 100% of the minimum wage, €920 per month or €11,040 per year.
- Each additional adult (spouse, partner, dependent parent): +50%, €460 per month.
- Each child under 18: +30%, €276 per month.
D7 visa income for a couple and a family
A couple needs €1,380 per month and a couple with two children €1,932. The government has announced €970 for 2027, so a family applying next year will need more.
D7 visa savings requirement
Consulates commonly expect savings in a Portuguese bank account as supporting evidence, often around 12 months of the household requirement. Savings do not replace regular income.
D7 income for one applicant, 2015 to 2028
Dashed line: announced or projected values.
Monthly minimum by household, 2026
Base €920, +50% per extra adult, +30% per child.
The D7 at a glance
One map of the whole process, from eligibility to citizenship.
Eligibility
- Non-EU national
- Clean criminal record
- Intention to live in PT
- Passive income
Money
- €920/month (2026)
- +50% each adult
- +30% each child
- Savings in a PT bank
Documents
- Passport + photos
- NIF + PT bank account
- Lease or deed
- Health insurance
- Apostilles + translations
Process
- Consulate / VFS
- 60-day decision
- 120-day visa, 2 entries
- AIMA appointment
Family
- Apply together
- Lei 61/2025 waiting period
- Minor children exempt
After arrival
- 2-year permit, 3-year renewal
- Absence limits
- PR at 5 years
- Citizenship 7 or 10 years
Benefits of the D7 visa
- Free movement within the Schengen area (29 countries).
- The right to live in Portugal, and to work if you wish.
- Access to education, healthcare and social security.
- A route to permanent residence and, under the 2026 law, to nationality.
Tax treatment depends on your personal situation. The old non-habitual resident regime is closed to new applicants, so take tax advice before you move.
How to apply for the D7 visa: the application procedure
You apply at the Portuguese consulate with jurisdiction over your place of legal residence, directly or through VFS where it operates. The consulate has a target of 60 days to decide a complete file. It requests the immigration authority's opinion, and once the visa is approved it is stamped in your passport.
D7 visa processing time and validity
The consulate stage takes about 60 days after a complete file. The visa is temporary, with two entries and a stay of up to four months while you obtain the residence permit in Portugal. AIMA then processes the permit. Its reported target is 60 to 90 days, but this is the stage where applicants report the most delays, so plan for several months overall.
Booking the AIMA appointment for the D7
After the visa is issued, you must enter Portugal while it is valid and attend an AIMA residence permit appointment. Some consulates pre-schedule this. If yours does not, you must book it after arriving, which can take persistence because slots are limited.
D7 residence permit validity and expiry
The visa issued by the consulate lasts 120 days and cannot be renewed. The first residence permit is valid for 2 years, and the first renewal for 3 years, provided you still meet the requirements.
D7 visa minimum stay in Portugal
During the first 2-year permit, you should not be absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months in total. For the 3-year renewal, the limits are the same, counted per year as described by AIMA guidance. Long or repeated absences can put at risk renewal, permanent residence or citizenship, so confirm how the rule applies to you.
Bringing your family on the D7 visa
Family members can obtain residence permits through family reunification. Lei 61/2025 changed this: a permit holder generally needs a period of residence before sponsoring a spouse or partner, and minor children are treated differently. Because household income is assessed together, we usually recommend filing for the whole family at the consulate, so no one waits.
Do you need a NISS for the D7 visa?
No. A NISS (social security number) is not required for the visa or for the initial residence permit. It becomes relevant only if you start to work, become self-employed or must pay social security contributions, and it is obtained after residence is granted.
D7 visa renewal
Renewal applies to the Portuguese residence permit, not to the consular visa. Request it before your permit expires. AIMA's usual window is the last 30 days, and late requests can bring fines or refusal. Renewals are mainly handled through AIMA's online portal, and otherwise in person. Keep proof of your life in Portugal, such as a bank account in use and a registered address.
Rights of D7 residents in Portugal
Permit holders can use the National Health Service, public education and vocational training, and the legal system, and can work as independent professionals without special authorisation.
D7 visa documents checklist
Your consulate's list always prevails. The core items are:
- Application form.
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Two identical passport photos with a plain background.
- Travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent care and repatriation.
- Criminal record certificate from your home country and any country where you lived for over a year, with the consular authorisation to consult it.
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal: purchase, a registered lease, or a loan agreement.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Proof of your pension amount, or proof of income sufficient to live in Portugal.
Identity
Passport or valid travel document, and passport-size photos with a plain background.
Passive income
Proof of pension, rents, dividends, interest or royalties already being received.
Accommodation
A registered lease, deed or other proof of accommodation in Portugal.
Records and insurance
Criminal record certificate from your home country and countries of residence, plus health insurance.
From D7 visa to permanent residence and citizenship
Older guides still promise citizenship after five years. Since the nationality law changed on 19 May 2026, that is no longer correct.
Consular D7 visa
Filed with the consulate or VFS in your country of residence. The consulate decides about 60 days after a complete file.
Enter Portugal
The visa allows two entries. Attend the AIMA residence appointment within its validity.
First residence permit, 2 years
Limits on absences from Portugal apply, so keep proof of your life here.
Renewal for 3 years
Request it before expiry, usually through the AIMA online portal.
Permanent residence
Becomes available under Article 80 of the Foreigners Law.
Naturalisation
7 years for EU and CPLP nationals, 10 for others, counted from the issue of your residence permit.
D7 vs D8 vs Golden Visa
| D7 (passive income) | D8 (digital nomad) | Golden Visa (ARI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Retirees, landlords, investors | Remote workers and freelancers for foreign clients | Investors |
| Income test (2026) | €920/month for the main applicant | €3,680/month (four times the minimum wage) | Investment instead of income |
| Work in Portugal | Residence permit holders can generally work | Remote work for foreign employers or clients | Allowed |
| Basis | Existing passive income | Existing remote income | Qualifying investment |
The D8 is for remote work for foreign clients and has a much higher income test. The Golden Visa is an investment route with its own rules. See all residence visas.
Why D7 visas are refused
- Income not yet received. A property you plan to rent, or future dividends, do not count.
- Savings presented as income. A large balance without a regular income stream is not enough.
- Family uplifts forgotten. Missing the +50% and +30% additions is the most common error.
- Weak accommodation proof. A holiday rental rarely satisfies the consulate; a registered lease or deed is safer.
- Documents not apostilled or translated, or criminal records that are too old.
- Wrong consulate. The file must go to the post with jurisdiction over your legal residence.
Questions about the Portugal D7 visa
How much income do I need for the Portugal D7 visa in 2026?
€920 per month (€11,040 per year) for a single main applicant, which is the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage. Add 50% (€460) for each additional adult and 30% (€276) for each child under 18.
How much does a couple need for the D7 visa?
€1,380 per month in 2026, or €16,560 per year. Consulates also commonly expect savings in a Portuguese bank account, often around 12 months of that amount, as supporting evidence.
Can my spouse and children join me later?
Family reunification from Portugal generally requires a period of residence first under Lei 61/2025, with exceptions such as minor children. Applying together with the main applicant at the consulate can avoid that wait, so we plan the filing order with you.
Do savings count as passive income for the D7?
No. Savings support the application but do not replace regular, documented income such as a pension, rent, dividends or interest that you already receive.
How long does the D7 visa take?
The consulate decides about 60 days after a complete file. The visa is valid for 120 days with two entries, and during that time you attend your AIMA appointment. Plan for several months from filing to the residence card.
Can I work in Portugal with a D7 residence permit?
Residence permit holders can generally work in Portugal. The D7 is granted on passive income that you already have, so your file must show that income, not a future job.
Does the D7 still lead to citizenship after 5 years?
No. Under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026, naturalisation generally requires 7 years of legal residence for EU and CPLP nationals and 10 years for everyone else, counted from the issue of your residence permit. Permanent residence is still possible after 5 years.
Will the D7 requirement increase in 2027?
Yes. The government has announced a minimum wage of €970 for 2027, which raises the D7 requirement for new applications. The €1,020 figure for 2028 is only a projection.
What counts as passive income for the D7 visa?
Recurring income that you already receive without working in Portugal, such as pensions, rents, dividends, interest and royalties. Planned future income does not count until it is paid.
What is the minimum stay for the D7 visa?
During the first 2-year permit you should not be absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months in total. Long or repeated absences can put renewal, permanent residence or citizenship at risk.
Do I need a NISS for the D7 visa?
No. A NISS is not required for the visa or the initial residence permit. It becomes relevant only if you start working, become self-employed or must pay social security contributions.
When should I renew my D7 residence permit?
Request renewal before the permit expires, since AIMA's usual window is the last 30 days. The first permit lasts 2 years and the first renewal 3 years, provided you still meet the requirements.
Get your D7 file reviewed in Lisbon
Tell us your income sources, your family and your country of residence. We will check the numbers and the documents before you file.
Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 183, 1.º Esq., 1050-014 Lisboa · info@cscadvogada.com
General information, not legal advice. Figures reflect 2026; last reviewed 30 October 2026.
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