Portugal D7 Visa FAQ

The minimum income requirement for the D7 visa is tied to Portugal's minimum wage. Currently, applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of at least €760 per person (the primary applicant). For couples, an additional 50% (€380) is required for a spouse, and 30% (€228) for each dependent child. This means a couple would need to show at least €1,140 monthly income. However, most successful applicants demonstrate income well above these minimums—typically €1,000-1,500 per person—to ensure approval and comfortable living.

The D7 visa accepts various forms of passive income sources, including:

• Pension payments (government, private, or corporate)
• Rental income from property investments
• Dividend income from stocks or funds
• Regular interest from savings or investments
• Royalties or intellectual property income
• Regular annuity payments

The key requirement is that the income must be stable, regular, and sustainable. Income sources should ideally demonstrate regular payments over time (bank statements showing consistent deposits) and continue for the foreseeable future. Employment income is generally not considered suitable for the D7 visa.

The complete D7 visa process typically takes 4-6 months from application to arrival in Portugal. The timeline breaks down approximately as follows:

• Document preparation: 1-2 months
• Visa application processing at consulate: 60-90 days
• After approval, you have 120 days to enter Portugal
• Once in Portugal, you'll need to schedule an appointment with SEF (Immigration and Borders Service) to receive your residence permit
• SEF appointment waiting time: 1-3 months (varies by region)

It's advisable to start the process at least 6 months before your planned move to Portugal to account for potential delays and appointment availability.

While the D7 visa is primarily designed for passive income sources, substantial savings can sometimes supplement or replace income requirements. As a general guideline, you should demonstrate savings that could cover your entire stay in Portugal (e.g., for a 2-year temporary residence permit, you might need to show €18,000-€24,000 per person in readily accessible accounts). However, relying solely on savings without any passive income is risky and may lead to rejection. Applications that combine some passive income with substantial savings have better success rates. It's highly recommended to consult with an immigration attorney if you plan to rely heavily on savings.

Knowledge of Portuguese is NOT required for the initial D7 visa application or for the first temporary residence permit. However, when applying for permanent residency (after 5 years) or citizenship (after 5-6 years), you will need to pass an A2 level Portuguese language test. Many successful D7 applicants begin learning Portuguese before or immediately after arrival to integrate better and prepare for future residency requirements. Free or low-cost language courses are often available through municipalities or the IEFP (Portuguese Employment and Vocational Training Institute).

While it's technically possible to complete the D7 visa application yourself, most successful applicants use professional assistance due to the complex documentation requirements, language barriers, and frequently changing procedures. Professional help typically costs €1,000-2,500 depending on the service level and can significantly increase your chances of approval while reducing stress. Services may include:

• Documentation preparation and review
• Translation services
• NIF (tax number) acquisition
• Portuguese bank account setup
• Finding suitable accommodation
• Representing you at appointments

Many services also assist with post-arrival processes such as healthcare registration, obtaining a driving license, and other integration aspects.