Move to Portugal – D7 & D8 Visa FAQ (Updated 2026)
This page provides clear, updated information for anyone planning to move to Portugal via the D7 (Passive Income) or D8 (Digital Nomad) visa routes. All financial figures reflect the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage of €920.
1. What is the D7 Visa?
The D7 Visa is designed for individuals who have stable passive income streams such as pensions, rental income, investment dividends, royalties, or other predictable earnings. It allows non-EU citizens to live in Portugal long-term.
2. What income qualifies for the D7 Visa?
Accepted forms of income include:
- Pension payments
- Rental income
- Interest or dividends
- Royalties
- Investment income
- Certain long-term recurring remote income
3. What is the minimum income required for the D7 Visa (2026)?
Based on a 2026 minimum wage of €920:
- Main applicant: €920/month (€11,040/year)
- Spouse/partner: €460/month (€5,520/year)
- Each dependent child: €276/month (€3,312/year)
Example: Couple: €1,380/month
Example: Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children): €1,932/month
4. What is the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?
The D8 Visa is for remote workers, freelancers, and online business owners who earn their income from outside Portugal. It includes a 1-year temporary stay version and a long-stay version that leads to residency and later citizenship.
5. What is the minimum income required for the D8 Visa (2026)?
The D8 long-stay visa requires remote income of at least:
€3,680 per month (4 × minimum wage).
6. Do I need a rental contract before applying?
In most cases yes, especially for the long-stay visas. Applicants typically present a 12-month rental contract, often registered with the tax authorities. Some consulates may accept shorter contracts or extended Airbnb stays, but this varies.
7. Do I need a Portuguese bank account and NIF?
Yes. Both visas require:
- A Portuguese NIF (tax number)
- A Portuguese bank account
D7 applicants also benefit from depositing €8,000–€12,000+ to show financial stability.
8. How long does the process take?
Typical timeline:
- Document preparation: 2–6 weeks
- Consulate or VFS appointment: 1–3 months
- Visa approval: 3–8 weeks
- AIMA (residency) appointment: 2–6 months after arriving in Portugal
9. Can I bring my spouse and children?
Yes. Family reunification is available for both visas if income requirements are met.
10. Do these visas lead to citizenship?
Yes. Both visas lead to temporary residency, which can be renewed. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship (A2 Portuguese language exam required).
11. Do I need private health insurance?
Yes. Before obtaining your residence card you must have private health insurance covering Portugal. After receiving your residence permit, you can access the public SNS health system.
12. Can I work in Portugal?
- D7: Yes, full-time or part-time work in Portugal is allowed.
- D8: You may work remotely for foreign income sources; some local work may also be permitted depending on activity.
13. Can I travel in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Portuguese residence permits allow free travel throughout the Schengen zone.
14. How long must I stay in Portugal each year?
For both D7 and D8 residence permits:
- Stay 6+ months consecutively, OR
- 8+ months non-consecutively
15. Can I buy a property instead of renting?
Yes. Many applicants buy a home prior to applying, which is accepted in place of a rental contract.
16. What documents do I need?
Typical requirements:
- Valid passport
- NIF and Portuguese bank account
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of income (D7 or D8)
- Criminal background check
- Private health insurance
- Visa application form
- Motivation letter
- Bank statements
- Employment or client contracts (D8)
17. What is AIMA?
AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) replaced SEF and is now responsible for residence permits, renewals, and document checks.
Common Obstacles for D7 & D8 Visa Applicants
While Portugal remains one of the easiest EU countries for relocation, applicants often encounter practical challenges during the D7 and D8 visa process. These issues rarely appear on official websites but are repeatedly reported by real applicants across different VFS Global centres and Portuguese consulates.
1. Inconsistent Requirements Between Consulates & VFS Offices
The most frequent obstacle. Different locations request different documents, translations, rental contract lengths, or bank deposits. Some consulates accept six-month leases; others insist on 12 months. Requirements vary widely between countries and even between individual visa officers.
2. Difficulty Securing Accommodation Before Arrival
Many applicants struggle to secure a rental contract from abroad. Landlords may request guarantors, large upfront payments, or prefer local tenants. Competition in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve can be high.
3. AIMA Delays After Arrival
AIMA (which replaced SEF) continues to experience slow appointment scheduling and processing times. Applicants sometimes wait months for residence permit appointments or card issuance.
4. Limited VFS Global Appointment Availability
Visa applicants often face long waits for VFS appointments, especially in large cities. Technical glitches, fully-booked calendars, and premium service upsells can add to the frustration.
5. Challenges Opening a Portuguese Bank Account
Some banks now require in-person appointments, making remote account opening difficult. A NIF is needed first, and some D7 applicants are asked to deposit €8,000–€12,000 or more, depending on the consulate.
6. Confusion About Income Requirements
Applicants frequently misunderstand what counts as passive income (D7) or stable remote income (D8). Many refusals occur due to irregular freelance income, lack of contracts, or unclear proof of earnings.
7. Complications with Police Certificates
Background checks often arrive late, require apostilles, or expire quickly. Some consulates only accept certificates issued within the last 90 days.
Where to Get Up-to-Date Information
The visa process evolves regularly. Requirements can vary between VFS Global centres and Portuguese consulates, including differences in document checks, accepted proof of accommodation, and interview procedures.
For the most current experiences, join our active community: Move to Portugal D7 Visa Facebook Group.
The group is one of the most reliable sources of real-world updates. Applicants share daily reports from VFS Global locations such as London, Washington, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Dubai, and others — as well as experiences from Portuguese consulates worldwide. These firsthand accounts often reveal changes long before official websites are updated.
Visit Live-Long-Prosper.com for guides, checklists, and trusted resources for your move to Portugal.
