The D7 Portugal Visa is a type of visa intended for those who have their own passive income and who, in this way, can not only support themselves but also spend their money in the country, as is the case for retirees.  

Naturally, the more income you have the more likely you are to succeed with your visa application. Likewise, stable and recurrent incomes are always preferable in the view of the Portuguese government. However, objectively, to be able to apply for a D7 Visa in Portugal you must prove at least a minimum monthly passive income of 705€ (current Portuguese minimum wage), with the following per capita amount in each household:

First adult 100%;

Second or more adults 50%;

Children and young people under 18 and dependent children of full age 30%.

Apart from pensioners, who else can get a D7 visa?

The D7 visa is destined to passive income holders, that is, originating from an investment that brings return throughout time, without the need of a continuous and direct intervention of the person. Examples of passive income are: pensions, retirement, real estate rents, profits and dividends from companies; income from investment funds and investments in the stock exchange, and income from intellectual or industrial property. 

These incomes must correspond at least to the minimum amount provided by law for the applicant to be able to make the request. But it is not always enough to have the minimum: this analysis is up to the government and may be somewhat discretionary. For the visa to be approved, your profile is analysed, as well as your passive income (values, sources, etc). This way, higher and more stable incomes have more chances of being approved.

And what is the Golden Visa Portugal? Check it out here!

Can digital nomads also apply for the D7 Visa?

The position of the Consulates of Portugal has been effectively variable. Although it is not passive income, the salary from remote work has also been accepted by some Consulates in countries like USA, UK, Canada and Russia. However, so far the Portuguese Consulate in Brazil is not issuing D7 visas for remote workers.

What are the main requirements to obtain a D7 visa?

Proof of passive income: The minimum income required varies according to the number of people in the applicant's household. In the case of a single individual, it is necessary to prove monthly income of at least 705€ for a minimum period of one year, with a deposit of 12x the minimum wage in a Portuguese account (EUR 8,460)

Proof of accommodation

Proof of health insurance (or PB-4 in the case of Brazilians applying in Brazil).

What values should I prove if I want to take my family to Portugal?

First adult (applicant): 12 times 100% of the current minimum wage (705 euros in 2022) = 8,460 euros/year;

Second adult: 12 times 50% of the current minimum wage (352,5 euros) = 4.230 euros/year;

Each child and young person under 18 years of age and older dependent on the applicant: 12 times 30% of the current minimum wage (211,5 euros) = 2.538 euros/year.

What are the advantages of the D7 Visa in relation to the Golden Visa and the other types of visas?

For the D7, there is no need to make an investment in the country before the visa application in order to become eligible, although the applicant may do so if he/she so wishes. 

Compared to the Golden Visa, the main advantage of the D7 visa is that it is not necessary to make any previous investment in the country (although you are also entitled to do so). In addition, the process of obtaining the D7 passive income visa is considerably faster and less expensive than that of the Golden Visa and entitles the holder to the main benefits of residence in Portugal. 

What is the minimum amount to be deposited in the visa holder's current account, in case he/she intends to come together with his/her spouse, his/her minor child and his/her adult child? 

The minimum amount to be deposited must be 12 times the Portuguese minimum wage for the applicant. In the case of the second adult the amount is halved. The children, on the other hand, must prove 30% of that amount. Thus: 

First adult (claimant): 100% of the current minimum wage (705 euros in 2022) x 12 = 8,460 euros/year;

Second adult: 50% of the current minimum wage (352.5 euros) x 12 = 4,230 euros/year;

Each child and young person under the age of 18 and dependent on the applicant: 30% of the current minimum wage (211,5 euros) x 12 = 2.538 euros/year.

In this case, the minimum amount to be deposited would be 17 766€.

What are the requirements regarding physical presence for the D7 Visa?

To keep your residence permit renewable, you must remain in Portugal for a minimum of 6 consecutive months or 8 months interpolated in the country, within the total period of validity of the temporary residence permit (RA), the first RA lasting two years. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to non-renewal of the residence permit. For those who do not intend to or cannot spend the minimum period required by law in Portugal, we recommend the Portuguese Golden Visa, which has a requirement to stay only 14 days during the validity period of the Residence Permit (which is 2 years). 

Do I need to buy a property to apply for the D7 Visa?

No. However, it is necessary to present proof of accommodation in Portugal. This proof can be, for example, a rental contract.

Is private health insurance compulsory for D7 Visa applicants? Does this apply to Brazilians as well? 

For D7 Visa applicants a valid travel insurance is required to cover the necessary expenses for medical reasons, including urgent medical assistance and eventual repatriation in case of death. In the case of Brazilians applying in Brazil, the document may be replaced by the PB4, issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. 

What are the main forms of proof of accommodation in Portugal, for the purpose of applying for a D7 Visa?

Currently, for the applicant to request the D7 residence visa to live in Portugal, one of the documents required is the proof of accommodation. There are three options:

Invitation letter provided by a legal resident or Portuguese citizen;

Rental contract of a property in the name of the visa applicant for at least 12 months;

Deed for the property that the user has purchased in his/her name.

In practice, the acceptance of each of the documents has varied greatly depending on the nationality and/or place of residence of the applicant. Applicants from the USA and UK have had greater flexibility from the authorities. In Brazil, for example, the invitation letter is no longer a possibility.

Public deeds are the documents with the highest degree of approval by Consulates, followed by lease agreements.

What is the initial validity of the residence permit for renters? 

Currently, the respective Residence Permit has an initial validity of 2 years.

Is the residence permit for renters renewable? After renewal, how long is it valid? 

Yes, it can be renewed once for a period of 3 years. After this period, the renewal happens every 5 years, and after 5 years of legal residence it is possible to request Portuguese nationality, by naturalization. 

Does the D7 Visa allow its holder to work in Portugal? What about their family members? 

Yes! in Portugal the D7 Visa allows its holder to work in the country, as well as the regrouped family members.

Is it possible to apply for a residence permit for holders of own income, without prior application for a D7 visa? 

No. The residence permit for passive income holders must necessarily derive from a D7 visa, applied for and granted in the country of residence. 

Does the applicant have to have a "clean record" to apply for a D7 visa? What does this mean?

To apply for a D7 Visa you must submit a criminal record certificate, issued by the country of nationality or where you have been residing for one year. The date of issue of the certificate must be less than 90 days prior to the date of submission of the document. In order for the visa to be accepted, the applicant must not have been convicted of a crime that in Portugal would be punishable by a penalty of deprivation of liberty of more than 1 year, regardless of whether or not he has served his sentence. 

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