If you want to retire in Portugal and you are not an EU citizen, the D7 Passive Income Visa is almost always the route. It is built for pensioners and anyone living on rental, investment or other passive income. It does not ask for an investment, a degree or a language test.
The D7 in numbers
| Visa | Government fee | Processing | Money floor recorded | First permit | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa | $250 | 2–6 months | $11,000 | 2 yr | PR after 5 years |
The government fee we record is $250, processing runs 2–6 months, and the first residence permit lasts 2 years. We record a path to permanent residence after 5 years.
The income rule
The main applicant must show resources worth 12 Portuguese minimum monthly wages for the year. A second adult adds 50% of that amount and each child under 18 adds 30%. The requirement can be halved if you prove your accommodation is already secured. Our catalogue records the base figure as about $11,000 a year for one person. The minimum wage is revised every January, so the euro figure moves each year. Check the Portuguese consular visa portal for the current amount before you file.
Consulates want two things for each income source: proof of the amount, and proof it is available in Portugal. Pensioners send pension statements. People living on investments send statements showing the income they generate. A Portuguese bank account and a Portuguese tax number (NIF) are the usual first steps.
What you need to file
This is the checklist the Portuguese consular network publishes for US applicants through its visa centre. Other consulates ask for the same core set.
- The national visa application form, signed, plus two passport photos
- A passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay, with a copy of the data page
- Travel insurance covering medical expenses, urgent care and repatriation
- A police certificate issued less than 90 days before you apply, apostilled
- A signed personal statement: why Portugal, where you will live, and what kind of housing
- Proof of financial resources for at least 12 months
- Proof of the pension or passive income, and proof it is available in Portugal (a Portuguese bank account)
Tax: NHR is closed to new retirees
For years the pitch for retiring in Portugal was the Non-Habitual Resident regime. That pitch is out of date. A binding ruling from the Portuguese tax authority confirms the 2024 State Budget revoked NHR and introduced IFICI in its place, while people already in NHR keep it for the rest of their 10 years.
IFICI applies a special rate to employment and self-employment income in research, higher education and innovation roles. A pension is neither, so a retiree arriving now is taxed under the normal progressive rules. Get advice on the double tax treaty between Portugal and the country paying your pension before you move. This is not tax advice, and the treaty often decides more than the headline rate.
See if your pension clears the D7 bar
Transita checks your income against the D7, Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa and Italy's Elective Residence together. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceWhat retiring in Portugal costs
Portugal scores 78/100 on cost of living in our country data (higher means cheaper), 88/100 on healthcare and 92/100 on safety. Typical monthly budgets for one person:
- Lisbon: $1,300–2,000 a month
- Porto: $900–1,400 a month
- Funchal: $800–1,200 a month
City detail lives in the Lisbon and Porto guides.
D7 against the alternatives
| Visa | Government fee | Processing | Money floor recorded | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa | $250 | 2–6 months | $11,000 | PR after 5 years |
| Portugal: D8 Digital Nomad Visa | $250 | 2–6 months | Not recorded | PR after 5 years |
| Spain: Non-Lucrative Visa | $130 | 1–3 months | $32,000 | PR after 5 years |
| Italy: Elective Residence Visa | $125 | 1–3 months | Not recorded | PR after 5 years |
Still working? The D7 vs D8 comparison covers the split. Weighing Spain? Our Non-Lucrative Visa checklist has the full document list. Portugal's investment route changed too: read what is left of the Portugal golden visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much passive income do you need for the Portugal D7 visa?
The D7 floor is tied to the Portuguese minimum monthly wage for the main applicant, with smaller additions for a spouse and children. Our catalogue records it as about $11,000 a year for one person, which makes it the lowest money bar of the European retirement visas we track.
Can I retire in Portugal on Social Security or a pension?
Yes. Pensions are the classic D7 income. Consulates ask for proof of the amount and proof that it is available in Portugal, which in practice usually means a Portuguese bank account.
Is the NHR tax regime still available for retirees?
No, not for new arrivals. Portugal's 2024 State Budget revoked the Non-Habitual Resident regime and replaced it with IFICI, which covers employment and self-employment income in research and innovation roles. Pensions are outside it. People already in NHR keep it until their 10 years run out.
How long does the D7 take?
We record 2–6 months for the visa itself. After you arrive you still need your residence permit appointment, and the first permit lasts 2 years.
D7 or D8: which one should I use?
The D7 is for passive income. If your income comes from remote work you are still doing, the D8 Digital Nomad Visa is the matching route ($250 fee and 2–6 months processing in our data).
Related guides
official sources: D7 · vistos.mne.gov.pt