Many of the international buyers we work with are looking not just to own property in Lisbon, but to spend significant time here — or to relocate entirely. If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, you will need a visa to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days in any 180-day period. The D7 is usually the most straightforward route.
What is the D7 visa?
The D7 (Visto de Residência para Atividade de Investimento ou de Rendimentos Suficientes) — more commonly called the Passive Income Visa or Retirement Visa — is a Portuguese residence visa for non-EU citizens who can demonstrate sufficient passive or regular income to support themselves in Portugal.
It is not a work visa. You do not need to invest a minimum amount, buy property of a certain value or work for a Portuguese employer. You just need to show you have enough income coming in from elsewhere.
Who qualifies?
The D7 is designed for people with reliable income from sources that do not require working in Portugal. This includes:
- Retirees and pensioners receiving a state or private pension
- Remote workers whose employer is based outside Portugal (though a separate Digital Nomad Visa — D8 — now exists for this specifically)
- Rental income from property in your home country or elsewhere
- Investment income — dividends, interest, capital distributions
- Royalties or intellectual property income
- Freelancers and self-employed with established income from non-Portuguese clients
Income requirements
The Portuguese government sets minimum income thresholds that change periodically. For 2025:
| Applicant | Monthly minimum |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | €1,020 (1× minimum wage) |
| + Spouse | + €510 (50%) |
| + Each dependent child | + €306 (30%) |
So a couple with one child would need to demonstrate income of approximately €1,836/month.
These are minimum thresholds. In practice, demonstrating income comfortably above the minimum strengthens your application and gives you a buffer for the consulate’s discretion.
Application process
The D7 is applied for at the Portuguese consulate in your home country before you move to Portugal. You cannot apply from within Portugal on a tourist visa.
Steps:
- Gather documentation: Income proof, bank statements, criminal record certificate, proof of accommodation in Portugal (your property purchase deed, a long-term lease agreement, or a letter from a host)
- Book a consulate appointment: Availability varies by country. In the UK and US, waiting times can be 2–4 months
- Attend the interview and submit documents
- Receive initial visa: A D7 entry visa (usually valid 4 months) is issued
- Enter Portugal and register: Within the visa validity period, you enter Portugal and schedule an appointment with AIMA (the immigration authority, formerly SEF) to receive your residence permit
- Receive residence permit: Valid for 2 years initially, then renewable for 3-year periods
Timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Consulate appointment availability | 2–4 months (varies by country) |
| Consulate processing time | 2–6 weeks after appointment |
| AIMA appointment in Portugal | 1–3 months after arrival |
| Residence card issued | 2–4 weeks after AIMA appointment |
Total from decision to residence card: 6–12 months is a realistic expectation.
Path to permanent residency and citizenship
This is where the D7 becomes particularly attractive for buyers who are thinking long-term:
- After 5 years of legal residence: eligible for permanent residence
- After 5 years of legal residence: eligible for Portuguese citizenship (subject to language test and other requirements)
- Portuguese citizenship means an EU passport — with the right to live and work across the EU
The 5-year clock starts from your first residence permit, not from your D7 entry visa.
Minimum stay requirement: You must spend a minimum of 6 months per year in Portugal to maintain your D7 residence (183 days). If you spend less time, you risk losing your residence status.
D7 vs Golden Visa
The Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento — ARI) was Portugal’s investment-based visa that historically allowed property purchases of €500,000+ (or lower in certain areas) to qualify for residency. Real estate investment was removed from the Golden Visa programme in October 2023 — it is no longer possible to obtain a Golden Visa through property purchase.
The D7 is now the primary route for non-EU property buyers who want Portuguese residency.
What buying property means for your D7 application
Owning property in Portugal strengthens your D7 application in several ways:
- It demonstrates genuine ties to Portugal
- It satisfies the accommodation requirement (you have a permanent address)
- It shows financial stability
- Rental income from your Portuguese property (if you let it) can contribute to the income threshold
Many of our clients are buying in Lisbon with the D7 visa in mind. We can recommend immigration lawyers who specialise in D7 applications and who understand the intersection with property purchase. Book a free call to discuss your situation.