What Is The D7 Visa?

The Portuguese D7 Visa (or Portugal Passive Income Visa, also known as the Retirement Visa) is a visa for non-Portugese-nationals and non-EU/EAA/Swiss nationals who have a passive income and is intended to provide an entry facility into the country so that they can apply for permanent residency.

What Are The Benefits Of Having A D7 Visa?

  • The process for obtaining the D7 is faster and cheaper than that for a Portuguese Golden Visa and is therefore a good alternative for people who qualify and want to live in Portugal without having to make as large a financial commitment
  • Warm climate and high standards of living
  • High standard of healthcare and education
  • Once issued, the D7 visa provides the main benefits of residency in Portugal:
    • The right to live and work in Portugal. Learn more about living in Portugal.
    • The right to travel freely within Portugal and to have visa-free travel to all the countries in the Schengen area
    • The applicant becomes a tax resident immediately and enjoys the tax benefits of having the option to become a “non-habitual resident” of Portugal for tax purposes, ie very little and in some cases no tax on foreign-sourced income, whether from pensions, dividends, interests, royalties or real-estate
    • A 10-year income tax break
    • Access to other rights of residency: education, vocational training, healthcare, social security, trade unions and the protection of Portuguese law.

All these benefits make the D7 Visa a very popular route, both amongst older people on a regular pension, and also for younger people, particularly those in the digital and telecommunication fields, who are not bound to a particular country for their work and lifestyle.

What Are The Qualifications For Obtaining A D7 Visa

  • Applicants are non-Portuguese, non-EU/EAA/Swiss nationals
  • They have to prove that they have sufficient income to support themselves, with a minimum of 705 Euros per month (8,460 Euros per annum) with 50% of this for a spouse and 30% for each dependent child.  These funds can include income from pensions, investments, transferable equity, property rentals, and intellectual property
  • They have to hold a minimum of 30,000 Euros in a Portuguese bank account
  • They need to provide property documentation or a tenancy agreement to prove they have accommodation in Portugal
  • They must be able to spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the first 2-year period of residency
  • They will also be subject to a criminal record check

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team for expert advice on all of the requirements for the D7 Visa. We will be happy to give advice on each stage or guide you through the whole process from start to finish.

How Long Is The D7 Visa Valid For And Can It Lead To Citizenship?

The visa is valid for one year and can subsequently be renewed for successive two-year periods.  After five years this can then be converted into a permanent residency or citizenship.

How Long Does It Take To Be Granted The D7 Visa?

The deadline for a decision on whether to grant a D7 visa is usually within 60 days.

How Does The Application Process Work?

The person must make the application online through the Portuguese consulate in their home country.  This can be done remotely without having to travel to Portugal.

They must first obtain a NIF number – their official Portuguese taxation number which is essential for any financial transactions in the country.

They must then open a Portuguese bank account.

Thirdly, they must secure their accommodation by either purchasing or renting property in Portugal.

Next, they make the online D7 Visa application online through the Portuguese consulate, for which they will need: a passport that is valid for six months after the expiry date of the D7 Visa, 2 colour passport-size photographs, a declaration stating why they wish to obtain Portuguese residency, evidence of the accommodation in Portugal, a health insurance policy valid for Portugal or an affidavit giving assurance that a health insurance policy will be acquired in Portugal, proof of their income and finances, a criminal record certificate and proof of travel insurance.

Once the application is approved, it is valid for two entries and the person must travel to Portugal on the D7 visa within four months, and once in Portugal, apply for residency, which is generally granted within one month.

Our team of experts at Astons can advise and guide you through the complete application process.  Contact us here (link) for a free consultation.

What Is The Cost Of The D7 Visa?

The visa itself is relatively inexpensive to obtain with the fee varying from 50 to 300 Euros per applicant. The principal costs of the process are incurred in the incidentals to the application, for example, property acquisition, relocation costs, professional fees, etc.

What Are The Residency Requirements?

During the first two years of the visa, there is a requirement for the holder to remain in the country for at least 16 months. They will also have to reside in the country for at least 23 months in the subsequent three years. The visa may be withdrawn if the person is absent from the country for 6 consecutive months.

Once permanent residency has been acquired, the residency requirements would be a minimum of 30 months during each five-year period, with the possibility of losing the residency if there was an absence of 25 consecutive months.

There are exceptions to the rules around absences if the person has to spend time in their home country for certain reasons such as professional commitments.

Can My Family Get The D7 Visa?

The family of the person granted the D7 visa is also entitled to a residence permit under the country’s family reunification laws. Eligible family members include a spouse or partner, parents, children under 18, dependent children over 18 (i.e. who are studying and dependent on the support of their parents), and siblings who are minors.

Can I Work In Portugal If I Hold A D7 Visa?

Although the D7 visa is for people with a passive income, the residence visa would not prevent the person from having a professional income.

Astons can provide fast, up-to-date and comprehensive advice and help during the entire process of gaining Portuguese residency. Contact our friendly team of experts for a free consultation.