The D7 visa
The D7 visa is also sometimes known as Portugal’s retirement visa or passive income visa, as it’s intended for those who earn a regular income from a pension or other stable passive income.
Qualifying income streams include, but are not limited to:
- Retirement annuities and pensions
- Real estate and rental income
- Returns from financial investments
- Dividends from shares or an investment portfolio
- Interest on savings or royalties
- Profits and dividends from companies
Residence visa holders enjoy the rights to live, study and/or retire in Portugal and also benefit from visa- free travel throughout the Schengen area for up to 90 days in each six-month period.
Benefits of the D7 visa
A fast, efficient route to EU residency
Rights to live, study and/or retire in Portugal
Visa-free access to the Schengen area
Live in one of the safest countries in the world
Minimum stay in Portugal required for the D7 visa
There is often some confusion around the minimum stay requirements for the D7 visa. The D7 visa itself is only valid for four months but is the vehicle which allows you to apply for formal residency in Portugal.
By default, the D7 visa therefore only requires you to be present in Portugal for four months in the first year. However, if you intend to physically reside in Portugal then applicants need to adhere to the minimum stay requirements applicable to all other Portuguese residency visa categories (the Portugal Golden Visa being the only exception).
Your first temporary residency permit will be valid for two years and you will need to be physically present in Portugal for 16 months within the first two years. You may not spend more than six or eight non-consecutive months outside of the country during the validity of this first permit.
Your second residency card will then be issued for three years, and you will need to be physically present in Portugal for 28 months within this three-year period. Again, you may not spend more than six consecutive or eight non-consecutive months outside of the country during this time. After five years of temporary residency, it is possible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided the required conditions have been met.
How we can help with your D7 visa application
We have over 10 years of experience in Portugal and offer an all-encompassing service to help you every step of the way, including:
- Dedicated caseworker to assist you with the paperwork and preparations of your D7 visa application
- Introduction to a professional and credible English-speaking Portuguese legal team
- A full checklist of documents required for the application and guidance on how best to secure them
- VFS appointment booking to lodge the D7 application: please note that applicants are required to attend this appointment in person
- Legal representative to accompany you to your SEF appointment in Portugal
- Renewal reminder notification
- Forex support: transferring your funds offshore to Portugal
- Assistance with South African tax clearance certificates
- Assistance to secure your NIF number (Portuguese tax number)
- Assistance with opening of a Portuguese bank account
How much does Portugal’s D7 visa cost?
Our D7 visa fees start at EUR 4,500 per single applicant and EUR 7,500 per couple and include a fully comprehensive service for the duration of this journey:
- Introductions to professional and credible, English-speaking, Portuguese legal teams
- Assistance to secure Portuguese tax numbers and to open up a Portuguese bank account
- Full assistance with securing all of the documents required for your application
- Full preparation of your application for submission, and
- The comfort of a legal representative to accompany you to your Portuguese biometrics appointment
Get in touch
Speak to one of our Portugal consultants if you’re interested in exploring Portuguese residency.
Disclaimer: Please do not act in reliance on information published or advised without consulting a suitably qualified independent legal or other professional advisor of your own choosing. Sable International will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of their use or reliance on any of the advice provided by any one or all of the professional advisors identified by Sable International; loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of changing government legislation; and/or changing rules around immigration and nationality. Obtaining residency and citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government in question and cannot be guaranteed by Sable International.