D7 Roadmap
- Step 1 — Is the D7 Visa Right for You?
- Step 2 — Get Organised
- Step 3 — Obtain Your NIF & Open a Portuguese Bank Account
- Step 4 — Visit Portugal (Scouting Trip)
- Step 5 — Finding Accommodation
- ... more steps added as each page is rewritten
Is the D7 Visa Right for You?
If you're considering a move to Portugal, the D7 Visa is probably the route you've heard about — but before you spend any money on an application, you will want to understand exactly what it is, who it's for, and whether you actually qualify. This page walks through that.
Why This Matters
The D7 is Portugal's residency visa for people with stable passive income — retirees, landlords, investors, and anyone financially independent enough not to need local employment. Getting this step right first saves time and money later: there's no point preparing documents for a visa you don't yet qualify for.
What You Need
To qualify, you'll generally need to show all of the following:
Stable passive income — from pensions, rental income, dividends, interest, royalties, or trust income. The minimum required is tied to Portugal's minimum wage, which increases each year:
- Main applicant: €920/month
- Spouse or partner: +50% → €460/month
- Each dependent child: +30% → €276/month
A couple with one child, for example, needs a combined income of around €1,656/month, as of 2026.
Savings — at least 12 months' worth of your required income held in a Portuguese bank account (€11,040+ for a single applicant). How to open a Portuguese bank account →
Accommodation in Portugal — a 12-month rental agreement or property ownership, secured before you apply. Where and how to settle →
Private health insurance — valid in Portugal until you're registered with the public system. Health insurance for the D7 Visa →
A clean criminal record — a recent police certificate from your home country.
Intention to reside — you need to plan on living in Portugal more than 183 days a year. Under the two-year residence permit, you must stay at least 16 months of that period, with allowed absences of up to 6 consecutive or 8 total non-consecutive months. Travel within Schengen isn't restricted beyond the normal 90-in-180-day rule.
Portuguese Terms Explained
NIF — your Portuguese tax number, required before you can open a bank account or sign a lease.
Community Intelligence
[Reserved — as members share their own qualifying experiences in the Facebook group, a summarised, anonymised example will go here.]
Practical Tip
Treat this step as a checklist, not a formality. Consular officers are strict where applicants sit right at the minimum threshold with nothing extra to show — if you're close to the line, income or savings comfortably above the minimum strengthens your case.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming savings alone can substitute for passive income — they usually can't; the D7 is built around income, with savings as a supporting buffer.
- Applying before securing accommodation, when it's normally expected beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
[To be built out from real applicant questions from the group.]
