Live in Portugal with the D7 Residence Visa: A 2025 Guide for Retirees & Remote Workers

The Portuguese government gave introduction to a new type of Visa known as the Portugal D7 Visa. It was established in the year 2007 and is also known as the Portugal retirement visa or the passive income visa. Whether you’re someone who lives on pension or a remote worker dreaming of living in a beautiful country like Portugal, the D7 Residence Visa could prove to be a straight path towards that goal.

Overview Of The D7 Visa

Established by the Portuguese government in 2007, the D7 visa allows non EU/Swiss citizens with passive income to be eligible for residency in Portugal. The passive income can be from pensions, rental incomes, royalties, or other transferable financial assets. The D7 Visa requires proof of financial self sufficiency, unlike the D8 Visa, which is designed specifically for active remote workers.

D7 Visa Requirements

The D7 visa income requirements have been adjusted to align with Portugal’s minimum wage demand and inflation. Here is the requirement criteria:

Proof Of Passive income:

Minimum required value to be eligible for the visa is around €870 per month for the main applicant.

Spouse or dependent: Additional 50%
Children: Additional 30%

You’ll need to open a bank account in Portugal to demonstrate financial stability.
Accommodation:

You must prove you have a place to live during your stay.

Clean Criminal Record:
Must have a clean criminal record to be eligible for the Visa.
Health Insurance:
Health Insurance must be for Portugal or the entire Schengen zone, for at least one year.

How to Apply for the D7 Visa

The application process for the D7 visa consists of two stages. Let’s go through them:

Submit your application through the Portuguese Consulate in your country.

After the submission of your documents and a visa interview, the following documents are required:

Passport
Passive income proof
Portuguese NIF number
A Portuguese bank statement that shows acceptable funds
Criminal background check
Certificate of health insurance
Accommodation proof
Two passport sized photographs
Completed application form for the D7 Visa

You will receive a temporary visa that will allow you to enter Portugal for 120 days, once the application process is approved.

2. Complete Residency Process with SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service)

After arriving in Portugal, you’ll schedule an appointment with SEF to convert your visa into a temporary residency permit (valid for 2 years and renewable). This is when you receive your residence card.

Portugal Visa Timeline

Processing times may vary, but here’s the average timeline:

Document Preparation: 2–4 weeks
Consulate Appointment Wait Time: 1–2 months
Visa Issuance: 30–60 days
SEF Appointment in Portugal: 1–3 months after arrival

All in all, expect the full process to take anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on your location and how quickly you can gather the required documents.

Portugal Cost of Living on a D7 Visa

One of the main appeals of moving to Portugal on passive income is the affordable cost of living, especially when compared to the US, UK, or other Western countries.

On average, a single person living in Portugal with D7 visa can expect:

Rent (1-bed outside city): €400–€700/month
Groceries: €150–€250/month
Utilities & Internet: €100/month
Public Transport: €30–€50/month
Private Health Insurance: €40–€100/month

Difference Between D7 and D8 Visa

The D8 Visa, also known as the digital nomad visa, often gets compared to the D7 residency visa by investors, but they are different in terms of what they offer. Let’s differentiate the two:

D7 Visa

Eligible for those who have passive income
Best suited for retired individuals, real estate investors, or self sufficient people.
Does not need to be work
Leads to Portugal residency and a path to citizenship

D8 Visa

For remote workers/freelancers with income from clients/employers outside Portugal
Requires proof of remote employment or service contracts
Income requirement is more than four times the minimum wage in Portugal
Leads to residency, but is new and not tested as much as the D7

Portugal Residency and Citizenship Pathways Through D7 Visa

The D7 Visa not only gives you an opportunity to live in the country, but also offers permanent residency and citizenship. Here’s how:

Residency Renewal Process

After receiving your D7 Visa, a temporary residence permit upto two years will be granted to you. An additional three year extension will be granted once you renew it before it expires.

To be eligible for renewal, you must:

Live in Portugal for at least 16 months during the initial 2 years.
Continue meeting the minimum income requirements and maintain financial stability.

Permanent Residency

Once you have lived in the country for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency.

Portuguese Citizenship

After completing 5 years of legal residency, you can also apply for Portuguese citizenship after you meet the language criteria and legal requirements.

Portugal D7 Visa Benefits:

The D7 is among the most popular pathways to Portugal residency for non-EU citizens. Here are some of its benefits:

You can live, work (passively), and study in Portugal
Travel freely within the Schengen area
Apply for permanent residency after 5 years
Become eligible for Portuguese citizenship after meeting legal requirements
You can bring your family to Portugal upon proof of relationship to each member. The process is called family reunification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portugal Expensive?

Portugal is a very affordable country when you look at the quality of life. A couple can comfortably live in a small town in Portugal for €1,500-2,000 for a month.

What is NHR?

The New Non-Habitual NHR Program is expected to provide benefits to non EU residents in Portugal.

What is the NIF number?

NIF number is the legal taxation number in the country.