Portugal D7 Visa
Why Immigrate to Portugal?
Although geographically small in size compared to its neighbours, Portugal makes up for it with its beautiful natural diversity and impressive historic achievements. Occupying most of the Western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Islands, is located right next to the Atlantic Ocean and shares a border with Spain. It is a founding member of the eurozone, NATO, and a member of the European Union, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations, and other international organizations.
As one of the oldest countries in Europe, Portugal is highly developed with flourishing tourism industry. Its stable political environment, comprehensive social welfare system, exceptional infrastructure, and affordable living costs all contribute to an excellent quality of life that those immigrating to Portugal can enjoy. The high income opportunities and low tax burdens combined with its famously relaxed lifestyle and world-class beaches accompanied by 300 days of sunshine make Portugal especially attractive to foreign citizens.
About the Portugal D7 Visa
Portugal’s D7 Visa, also known as the Passive Income Visa, invites those who wish to live in Portugal to obtain a residence permit as long as they have enough passive income from pensions, real estate rentals or investments to provide a means of livelihood. Although the D7 Visa enables the holder to obtain a residence permit for a period of two years, it can be renewed for successive periods of 3 years.
As a passive income visa, the D7 Visa is ideal for retirees or entrepreneurs who wish to live in Portugal without having to make major economic investments. As long as you are able to prove that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself, visa holders can take advantage of all the benefits of Portugal residency including permanent free entry and circulation in the Schengen area, right of work, access to the Portuguese healthcare system, education and tax benefits without needing to fulfil any language requirement. In addition, D7 Visa holders are entitled to benefit from Portugal’s Non-Habitual Tax Regime, a generous tax program with numerous benefits relating to the holder’s global income.
Application Requirements
In order to apply, applicants of Portugal’s D7 Visa Program must meet the following requirements:
- Be a non-EU national: Bring the application form along with the passport or other valid travel documents, and two identical passport size photos as proof of identity.
- Over the age of 18 years old
- Have sufficient funds to support their settlement to Portugal for themselves and their family: To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that they have income or pensions amounting for 12 months by providing 6-months worth of bank statements. The funds should amount to €7,200 for the applicant, €3,600 for each additional adult, and €2,160 per child.
- Portugal bank account: To open a bank account, the applicant must obtain a NIF, a tax identification number, and open a bank account in Portugal.
- Hold a clean criminal record: This can be proven with an application for a criminal record consultation in Portugal and a certificate of criminal records issued by the home country of origin.
- Show their intent to live in Portugal: Provide proof that the applicant has adequate long-term accommodation by renting or buying a property in Portugal.
- Insurance: Applicants must have valid travel insurance and medical coverage as part of their D7 Visa application documents.
Application Process
- Submit a temporary D7 Visa application through Simard & Associates
- Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) in Portugal process and approve the D7 Visa application
- Attend the SEF interview and present all the necessary application documents
- Granted a D7 residency visa for an initial two-year period
Frequently Asked Questions
1). How long is the whole process?
The deadline for the decision on the visa application is 60 days if all the documents and application is submitted correctly. The exact time to obtain the residence permit depends on the area and city that you are choosing to live in. Busy cities like Lisbon or Porto may take an average of 120 days to get an appointment while other cities and countryside districts may enable you to get an appointment with the SEF within 15 days. Taking into account the consulate application processing with the time associated with the SEF residence permit issuance, it can take up to 4 months total.
2.) Is there a minimum stay requirement for the D7 Visa?
Yes. D7 Visa holders are expected to spend no more than 6 consecutive or 8 non-consecutive months out of the country during the validity of each temporary permit.
3). Can I apply for other immigration options with a D7 Visa?
Yes. Once the applicant has been granted the D7 permit, they are eligible to live and work in Portugal, opening them to various immigration options. Keep in mind that the income from working in Portugal is not a passive income and cannot be used as part of the financial requirements of the D7 Visa program.
4). What about my family members?
Dependent family members, like a spouse or partner, minor children, and parents of the applicants, can be included in your D7 application as long as the financial requirements of any additional applicants are fulfilled. If the additional applicant has an income of their own, it must be included in the application.
5). Can I become a Portugal citizen through this program?
After immigrating to Portugal for 5 years, the visa can be converted into a permanent residence permit. Once you have permanent residency, there is no longer a need to meet the passive income visa’s financial requirements. After a total of 6 years in Portugal, D7 Visa holders can also apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.
Thinking about immigrating to Portugal but confused about the immigration procedure or not sure if the D7 Visa program is right for you? Simard and Associates is here to help. As an immigration specialist, our team of dynamic immigration lawyers, consultants and global immigration experts have years of hands-on experience and a proven track record in helping our clients realize and achieve their immigration dreams. Get in touch today to begin your immigration journey.
Read More: Country Comparisons: Residency Requirements for Applying Citizenship
Read More: E.U. Citizenship: 5 Benefits of Having an E.U. Passport
