Portuguese Visas
D7 Visa
Passive income earners, including retirees, who intend to move to Portugal, may advantageously apply for a specific residence permit: the D7 Visa.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who intend to relocate to Portugal and have a reasonable net regular passive income can apply for this residency option without being subject to any investment activities in Portuguese territory.
The D7 Visa must be renewed at the end of the first year and then every two years. Except for duly justified cases based on personal or professional reasons, the holder of the D7 Permit shall be out of Portugal for at most six consecutive months and eight non-consecutive months during the validity of each card.
The process for a passive income D7 Visa is considerably faster and less costly to obtain, entitling the holder to the main benefits of Portugal residency, namely:
- Security, democracy and life quality;
- Free entry and circulation in the Schengen Area;
- Family reunification;
- Access to Portugal resident’s rights, such as education, recognition of diplomas and qualifications, healthcare, social security, trade union protection, justice and courts;
- Freedom to live in Portugal and to develop, or not, a professional activity;
- Option to apply to the NHR tax program for tax purposes (low or no taxation for ten years on most foreign-source income, applicable to pension income, dividends, interests, royalties, and real estate income foreigner sourced);
- Access to permanent residency or citizenship after five years, subject to passing a language test of basic Portuguese.
Successful application
The D7 Visa is a two stages process that starts at the Portuguese Consulate of the applicant’s residency area – to apply for a residency visa that allows for a maximum of two entries and a stay in Portugal – and is concluded in Portugal before the Immigration Office with an interview to obtain a residency permit card.
The primary documents for a successful application
- Declaration outlining reasons for obtaining Portuguese residency;
- Criminal record certificate;
- Documentary evidence of having accommodation in Portugal (property title deed or rental agreement);
- Documentary evidence of sufficient economic means available in Portugal for 12 months;
- Documentary evidence of having a reasonable net regular passive income (pensions, dividends, rents, and more).