Get a D7 visa to Portugal: EU Residence based on passive income

Portugal provides a unique opportunity to obtain European residency without investment, getting a work contract, or obtaining refugee status. It is enough to have passive income in your country of at least 665 euros per month (7980 euros per year). All you need to know about how to get a D7 visa to Portugal based on passive income watch below.

Who can obtain a D7 visa?

The D7 visa is available to non-EU / EEA nationals as well as non-Swiss citizens. Who is eligible for a visa based on passive income:

Retirees

This program is an excellent solution for retirees who want to spend their golden years in a resort country.

Digital nomads

If applicant has a remote job and a sufficient and stable income from abroad.

Holders of passive income

For example, rentiers secured by investments in securities, or homeowners who rent out real estate. It is enough to confirm the existence of a stable income and/or savings.

Requirements for Portugal D7 visa applicants

1. Savings or income:

To obtain a visa based on passive income in Portugal, you will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to live in Portugal for at least 24 months.

OPTION ONE: D7 visa based savings:

Applicant	Conditions
Main Applicant	current minimum wage (€ 665) x 24 months = € 15 960
Spouse	50% of the current minimum wage (€ 332.5) x 24 months = € 7,980
Dependent Children	30% of the current minimum wage (€ 119.5) x 24 months = € 4,788.

It is recommended to show the amount of savings at least a few thousand euros more. Check the acceptable amount with the nearest Portuguese diplomatic mission (consulate/embassy) through which you plan to apply for a D7 visa to Portugal.

OPTION TWO: D7 visa based on recurring income:

The following sources of financial resources are allowed to be declared when applying for a D7 visa to Portugal:

• Long-term stable income received as payment for the work done;
• Income from non-payroll sources, including:
• Income from renting out your own home;
• Income from deposits with a fixed interest rate;
• License payments;
• Pensions;
• Dividends.

Do you have a similar source of income (several of the above sources of income at once)? Additionally, you will need to prove the stability of receipts and the receipt of income of at least the following amount:

Applicant	Conditions
Main applicant	€ 665 + / monthly
Spouse	€ 332.5+ / monthly
Dependent children under 18	€ 119.5+ / monthly

2. Proof of availability of accommodation:

When applying for a D7 visa to Portugal, you need to prove that you have a place of residence in Portugal (address required). This requirement is allowed to be fulfilled in the following way:

• Signing a lease agreement for Portuguese residential real estate;
• Preparing by a friend/sponsor residing in Portuguese territory, a letter confirming the willingness to accommodate the applicant in his own home;
• Residential property purchases;
• Some Portuguese embassies/consulates accept long-term bookings on Airbnb as sufficient proof of availability.

3. Minimum requirements for the length of stay (residency requirement):

• Beneficiaries need to stay in Portuguese territory for a total of at least four months annually;
• It is forbidden to stay outside Portugal for more than six months in a row.
• If you are planning to apply for a D7 visa to Portugal and visit the state once every year, while staying there for a certain period, prepare for at least a six-month stay.

If you are ready to visit Portugal twice a year (or more often), it will be possible to spend less time on Portuguese soil.

Key benefits of a D7 visa based on passive income in Portugal

The D7 visa to Portugal is a fairly fast and economical way of immigration to Europe.

• Freedom to travel within the Schengen states;
• Access to free education, the use of social insurance, trade union protection, and quality health care;
• You are eligible to work in Europe;
• Possibility to minimize personal income tax or complete exemption from income tax after obtaining a special tax residency;
• No need to make investments in the economy of the host state, wasting time and efforts to find suitable investment assets;
• The applicant may include dependent children and parents in their D7 visa application for Portugal;
• Obtaining the right to permanent residence/citizenship after 5 years from the date of the D7 visa to Portugal.

From D7 visa to the EU citizenship

The D7 visa is always requested at the Consulate of the country of departure and the stamp in the passport is usually valid for 4 months.

Upon arrival in Portugal, you need to apply to the SEF (Center for Foreigners and Border Services) to obtain a residence permit. This permit is valid for one year, with further renewal for the second year.

After 5 years of legal residence in Portugal, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

It should be noted that “family reunification” is also possible for spouses of children under 18 years of age.

D7 visa application documents

The initial visa application, which will later allow people to apply and possibly obtain a residence permit, must be accompanied by:

• Application form;
• Valid passport;
• Original and certified copy of the ID card;
• Two identical photographs;
• Letter confirming the reason for living in Portugal;
• A statement confirming that the applicant is aware that he or she is not entitled to travel without an appropriate visa;
• Proof of income (i.e.: annual declaration and proof of income in the country of residence, certificate of the state of the bank account with a signature);
• Proof of residency: a public act of purchase or sale of property, rental agreement or letter of declaration signed by the applicant for a D7 visa stating the place of residence within the first 10 days);
• International Health Insurance Policy;
• No Criminal record statement: issued within the last 90 days;
• Permission from the “Center for Foreigners and Border Services” for consultation on the presence of an entry in the applicant’s criminal register, except for children under the age of 16.

Watch also:

Retire in Portugal: Visa, Pension, Medical care

Golden Visa in Portugal by Investment and its alternatives: Green visa, D7, D2

Portugal Golden Visa: Pros and Cons