Updated
GL-D-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
D7 Visa - Portugal, passive income
A Portuguese visa for those who have stable passive income — rent, dividends, a pension. It leads to residence, after 5 years of living there to permanent residence, and after 10 years to EU citizenship.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- 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
02 / In plain words
What D7 Visa means
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, and for citizenship after ten years. That requires actual residence, not a formal status.
A case from practice
A family obtains Portuguese residence on a D7 visa: they evidence income from rent and dividends and rent a home. The first card is for two years, then renewed for three more. After five years in the country and passing basic Portuguese, they will be able to apply for permanent residence, and for citizenship after ten years. Throughout, the children have a local school and healthcare.
Who D7 suits
- Those with a stable passive income
- Those who want to live in Portugal and the EU
- Families relocating with children
- A path to EU citizenship
- Free travel in the Schengen area
- Retirees with a regular income
03 / What it covers
What matters with the D7 visa
Income
- Rent, dividends
- Pension, interest
- Above the minimum
Accommodation
- Rent or purchase
- In Portugal
- For the term of the status
Who receives it
- Principal applicant
- Spouse and children
- Sometimes parents
Outlook
- Residence permit 2+3 years
- PR after 5 years
- EU citizenship
04 / How it works
How to obtain the D7 visa
Evidence of passive income
Renting or buying a home
Filing the application
Review
Residence card
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
D7 is for people with a stable passive income
02
You need to evidence income above the minimum and accommodation in the country
03
The first card is for 2 years, then renewed for 3
04
After 5 years of residence — PR or EU citizenship
05
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
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Evidence the stability of your passive income with documents in advance, arrange the rental or purchase of a home in Portugal and assemble the pack to the migration service’s requirements. If the goal is citizenship, plan actual residence and preparation for the basic language test from the start. Then D7 is issued without delays and leads to PR and an EU passport.
What we do for you. 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.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
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.
A regular passive income above the set minimum, calculated for the family. The exact bar and documents are confirmed under the current rules.
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.
Yes. After 5 years and a Portuguese exam you can apply for PR, and after 10 years of legal residence for EU citizenship.
Yes: the spouse, children and in some cases dependent parents. The income is calculated taking the family composition into account.
Yes, a pension is one of the qualifying types of passive income. The main thing is to evidence its stability and sufficient level.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
