07 May D7 Visa – Living in Portugal with Passive Income

Legal residence, access to the Schengen area, public services such as health and education, and the possibility of obtaining citizenship or permanent residence are some of the many benefits of the D7 visa.

Autores: Cátia Pereira Baptista, Lawyer and Team Leader, and Lauro Cockell Drummond, Lawyer

The D7 visa has emerged as an excellent option for those wishing to reside in Portugal, and is mainly aimed at foreign citizens who have passive income or stable financial means and wish to live in the country for an extended period, whether through retirement, investment or entrepreneurship.

In this article, we will explore the benefits, requirements and procedures related to the D7 visa in Portugal.

What is the D7 visa?

The D7 visa, also known as the “Retirement Visa” or “Passive Income Visa”, is a type of long-term residence visa in Portugal, regulated by Law no. 23/2007 (Migration Law), aimed at foreign citizens who have sufficient financial means to support themselves in the country without resorting to public resources, including retired persons, pensioners, those with their own income or those who exercise religious activity.

D7 Visa Benefits

The D7 visa offers a number of attractive benefits, such as:

1. Legal residence in Portugal: The D7 visa allows you to obtain a residence permit in Portugal;
2. Access to the Schengen Area: The residence permit to be obtained from the D7 visa allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, facilitating free movement within this European space;
3. Possibility of Work: Although the D7 visa is initially granted for residence purposes, holders may have the possibility of working in Portugal if they so wish and meet the relevant requirements
4. Public Health and Education Services: After obtaining the residence permit from the D7 visa, the holder will be able to access both the National Health Service and the National Education
   Service;
5. Family reunification: It is possible to obtain an accompanying person visa and/or residence permit for your family members as well;
6. Pathway to Permanent Residence and/or Citizenship: After 5 years of legal residence in Portugal, you can qualify for permanent residence and/or Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet the
   requirements set by the Portuguese authorities.

D7 Visa Requirements

To obtain a D7 visa, applicants must meet certain criteria, which generally include:

1. Proof of Financial Means: Applicants must demonstrate that they have stable and sufficient financial means to support themselves in Portugal, whether through their own income, retirement,
   investments or other sources.
2. Health Insurance: Applicants must have valid health insurance to cover medical expenses in Portugal during their stay.
3. Accommodation: Applicants must provide proof of suitable accommodation in Portugal, either through a rental contract or by owning their own property.
4. Criminal record certificate: Applicants must present a criminal record certificate from their country of origin or previous residence.
5. Additional Documentation: In addition to the requirements mentioned above, applicants may need to provide other specific documents, depending on their individual situation and the purpose of their
   stay in Portugal.

Application procedure

The application procedure for the D7 visa generally involves the following steps:

1. Gathering Documentation: Applicants must gather all the necessary documents, including proof of financial means, health insurance, proof of accommodation, criminal record certificate, visa
   application form, among others.
2. Submitting the Application: The documents must be submitted to the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in the country of origin.
3. Evaluation and Decision: The Portuguese authorities will evaluate the application and issue their decision on whether to grant the D7 visa, which can take a few weeks or months, depending on the
   volume of applications and the complexity of the applicant’s situation.
4. Obtaining the Visa and Residence in Portugal: Once approved, the applicant will receive the D7 visa, which will allow them to enter Portugal and subsequently obtain their Residence Permit and other
   benefits.

Why Portugal?

Portugal has a number of positive factors that make it an excellent country to live in, including safety, quality of life, climate, beaches, culture and gastronomy, which is reflected in a number of indices:

1. The most welcoming European country in the world in terms of foreign citizens, according to InterNations;
2. 3rd safest country in the world and the safest country in Europe, according to the World Peace Index;
3. Best country to live, retire or visit after COVID-19 according to Forbes;
4. Affordable, world-class healthcare system, political stability and social rights;
5. Freedom of expression, religious, sexual and racial tolerance, appreciation of female leadership;
6. Strong international alliances such as NATO and the UN;
7. Seven Portuguese universities among the best in the world according to QS World University;
8. Top 10 of the best European cities to invest in real estate, according to PwC and the Urban Land Institute;
9. 900 years of history and heritage.

As described above, the D7 visa in Portugal is an excellent option for those who wish to settle in the country and live in Europe safely and legally, making it possible to enjoy its culture, climate, quality of life and other benefits.