D7 Visa
Portugal, passive income
A Portuguese visa for those who have stable passive income — rent, dividends, a pension. It leads to residence, and after 5 years of living there, to permanent residence and EU citizenship.
- What it is
- A Portuguese visa for those with a stable passive income
- Where it applies
- Portugal, an EU and Schengen country
- Condition
- Rent, dividends, pension — a regular income above the threshold
- Duration
- First card for 2 years, then renewed for 3
- Can you prepare
- Yes: evidence your income and arrange accommodation in the country
In plain words
The D7 visa is a Portuguese visa for those with a stable passive income: rental income, dividends, interest, a pension or royalties. It is designed not for investors or remote workers but for people with a regular income who want to live in Portugal.
The requirement is to evidence that your income is enough to live in the country (above the set minimum) and, as a rule, to rent or buy a home. In return you receive a residence permit: the first card is usually for two years, then renewed for three more. Throughout, the family has local schools, healthcare and free travel in the Schengen area.
The main value of D7 is the path to EU citizenship. After five years in Portugal and passing basic Portuguese, you can apply for permanent residence or go straight to citizenship. That requires actual residence, not a formal status.
Who D7 suits
What matters with the D7 visa
- Rent, dividends
- Pension, interest
- Above the minimum
- Rent or purchase
- In Portugal
- For the term of the status
- Principal applicant
- Spouse and children
- Sometimes parents
- Residence permit 2+3 years
- PR after 5 years
- EU citizenship
How to obtain the D7 visa
- 01Evidence of passive income
- 02Renting or buying a home
- 03Filing the application
- 04Review
- 05Residence card
What you need to know
- D7 is for people with a stable passive income
- You need to evidence income above the minimum and accommodation in the country
- The first card is for 2 years, then renewed for 3
- After 5 years of residence — PR or EU citizenship
- Citizenship requires actual residence and basic language
Common mistakes
- Showing irregular or insufficient income
- Not arranging accommodation in Portugal in advance
- Counting on citizenship without actual residence
- Confusing D7 with the Golden Visa (they are different programmes)
- Not accounting for tax residence when relocating
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We choose a route for your situation — through D7, the Golden Visa or another option — and explain frankly what leads where. We help evidence your income, arrange accommodation and handle the filing and renewals, so that you obtain Portuguese residence calmly.
Frequently asked questions
01 /How does D7 differ from the Golden Visa?
D7 is for people with a stable passive income, with no large investment. The Golden Visa is for an investment (currently through funds). D7 is usually cheaper but requires actual residence.
02 /What income is needed for D7?
A regular passive income above the set minimum, calculated for the family. The exact bar and documents are confirmed under the current rules.
03 /Do you need to live in Portugal?
Yes, D7 assumes actual residence in the country, especially if the goal is PR and citizenship. That sets it apart from “passive” investment residence permits.
04 /Does D7 lead to EU citizenship?
Yes. After about 5 years in Portugal and passing basic Portuguese, you can apply for PR or go straight to EU citizenship.
05 /Can the family be included?
Yes: the spouse, children and in some cases dependent parents. The income is calculated taking the family composition into account.
06 /Is D7 suitable for retirees?
Yes, a pension is one of the qualifying types of passive income. The main thing is to evidence its stability and sufficient level.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Want Portuguese residence on D7?
We will help evidence your income, arrange accommodation and take you through the filing — with PR and EU citizenship in view.