Living in Portugal - D7 Visa

If you visit Portugal, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. If you want to live in Portugal, you will need to apply for a longer-term visa. This process starts in your home country and can be done relatively easily.

What is the Portugal D7 visa?

The Portugal D7 visa is a temporary visa designed for financially independent individuals, allowing you to establish residency in Portugal if you can support yourself without working in the country. Available since 2007, this visa is commonly known as the Portugal retirement visa, the visa for retirees to Portugal, and the visa for people living off-income.

Who is eligible to apply for the D7 visa to Portugal?

Non-EU citizens who are pensioners, retirees, or individuals deriving stable income from sources such as movable property, rental income from real estate, intellectual property revenue, or financial investments can apply for the D7 visa.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants must have a clean criminal record and demonstrate passive income of at least €9,120 per year. Additionally, it is advisable to hold an amount equal to 12 months' income in a Portuguese bank account to meet financial stability criteria.

What are the specific income requirements?

The financial requirements are calculated per household member. For the main applicant, you need to prove 100% of the minimum wage, currently €9,120 per annum. For a spouse or parents of the main applicant, you must show 50% of the minimum wage per person, which is €4,560 annually. For each dependent child, you should have 30% of the minimum wage per person, or €2,736 annually.

Who can be included as dependents in the application?

 The D7 visa permits inclusion of dependents, including a spouse or partner, minor or incapacitated children, children over 18 who are single and studying in Portugal, dependent parents of the main applicant or their spouse, and minor siblings legally under the care of the main applicant.

 What benefits do successful D7 visa applicants enjoy?

The D7 visa offers numerous benefits. It grants you the right to live, work, and/or study in Portugal, and allows you to include dependent children and parents in your application. You can travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area, encompassing 26 European countries. Moreover, the visa provides the option to take up employment or establish a business in Portugal and apply for Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime status. After five years, you can qualify for permanent residency or citizenship. Additionally, you gain access to Portuguese residency rights, including education and healthcare.

What is the process for applying for the D7 visa?

The application process for the D7 visa involves appointing a fiscal representative in Portugal, opening a personal bank account, and securing long-term accommodation either through purchase, rental, or loan agreement. The next step requires applying for the D7 visa and attending an interview at the Portuguese Consulate in your current country of residence. Finally, you must arrange and attend a meeting with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in Portugal.

What is the timeline for obtaining the D7 visa?

 Initially, the local consulate will stamp a temporary D7 visa on your passport, which takes roughly 60 days to process. After traveling to Portugal on this temporary visa, you will wait an additional 60 to 90 days for the final residence permit.

What are the minimum stay and renewal requirements for the D7 visa?

 The initial residency card issued is valid for two years. To maintain residency, you must spend at least six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months each year in Portugal. At the end of the second year, you can renew the residency card for another three years. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

 What documents are needed to apply for the D7 visa?

To apply, you need to submit the following documents:

• A completed visa application form

• Two recent passport-sized photos

• Original and copy of your passport

• Travel insurance or PB4

• Updated criminal record certificate from your home country

• Request for Portuguese criminal record consultation by SEF

• Proof of sufficient income for living in Portugal

• Proof of accommodation in Portugal (invitation letter, rental contract, or property deed)

• A letter of intent for the D7 visa

Can I bring my family to Portugal with a D7 visa?

Yes, you can bring your family to Portugal with a D7 visa under the family reunification policy. You can apply for family reunification either while still in your home country or after arriving in Portugal.

How much money do I need to apply for the D7 visa?

You must have at least one year's worth of the Portuguese minimum wage in your account. This means you need to show that your income equals or exceeds the Portuguese minimum wage, currently calculated as 12 times the monthly minimum wage.

 When must the money be available in Portugal?

Although the money does not need to be in Portugal at the time of the visa application, you must prove it can be transferred to Portugal. By the time you present your documentation at the AIMA meeting, the funds must be available in Portugal.

How is the D7 visa renewal process?

 The D7 visa can be renewed after one year and then for two successive periods of two years each. After five years, it can be converted into a permanent residency permit. To renew, you must show proof of continued sufficient income to support yourself in Portugal.

Can I work in Portugal with a D7 visa?

Yes, D7 visa holders can work in Portugal. While the primary source of income should be passive like a pension or other earnings, you are allowed to seek employment or start a business in Portugal.

What happens if my income decreases while I am in Portugal with a D7 visa?

A: You must continually demonstrate that you have sufficient income to support yourself. If your income decreases and you are unable to meet the financial requirements at the time of renewal, your D7 visa may be denied.

From SEF to AIMA: Navigating Immigration and Integration in Portugal

SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) was the Portuguese service responsible for the legalization of immigrants and border control. It regulated the movement of people across land, sea, and air and managed the stay and activities of foreigners in Portugal. SEF operated through offices in major cities, organized by regional delegations.

In 2023, SEF was replaced by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which now handles immigrant integration. AIMA provides essential information on documentation, job opportunities, Portuguese language learning, and access to public services. This transition aims to enhance the focus on integrating and assisting migrants.

Non-EU immigrants planning to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days must regularize their status through AIMA. Residents bringing family members or European/Brazilian nationals with third-country family members must also use AIMA's services. Visitors need to provide proof of income, accommodation, and a residency application, and should be aware of fines for overstaying.

AIMA's website (https://aima.gov.pt/pt) and the SEF site remain active during the transition.

AIMA continues many of SEF's functions, focusing on improving migration and integration services in Portugal. It's important to schedule appointments and maintain up-to-date documentation to avoid fines and ensure a smooth residency process.