Is the D7 Passive Income Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa faster to get?

They are similar: the D7 takes about 2–6 months and the D8 about 2–6 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

How much do the D7 and D8 cost?

Both carry roughly $250 in official government fees. That figure excludes legal help, document translation, skills assessment, and relocation, which often dwarf the visa fee itself.

Can I get permanent residency with the D7 Passive Income Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?

The D7 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the D8 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the D7 or the D8?

No. Neither the D7 nor the D8 requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

D7 Passive Income Visa vs D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal · D7vs Portugal · D8

Quick answerUpdated 2026-05-02

Both lead to permanent residency. Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your income source. Both are Portuguese residency visas with identical timelines and costs, but they serve different financial profiles. The D7 is built for people living off passive income or savings, while the D8 targets active remote workers. Your monthly earnings will determine which one you actually qualify for.

Section 01

At a glance

Processing time

2–6 months

Application fee

$250

Initial validity

2 yrs

Path to PR

Yes, ~5 yrs

Points-based

Employer sponsor

Not required

Minimum salary

—

$45,000/yr

Language test

Not required

Verified

2026-05-02

Section 02

Which one fits you?

01
Monthly income threshold
Pick D7
Pick D7 if you have passive income of €820/month or savings-based funds, not employment income.
Pick D8
Pick D8 if you earn €3,480/month or more from remote work with non-Portuguese employers.
02
Work experience required
Pick D7
Pick D7 if you have zero work experience or are fully retired with no employment history.
Pick D8
Pick D8 if you have at least one year of documented remote work experience.
03
Income source type
Pick D7
Pick D7 if your funds come from pensions, investments, rental income, or savings.
Pick D8
Pick D8 if you earn money through freelancing, remote employment, or client work abroad.
04
Proof of income complexity
Pick D7
Pick D7 if providing bank statements or investment evidence is easier than employment contracts.
Pick D8
Pick D8 if you have clear client contracts or employment agreements proving four times minimum wage.

Section 03

Common questions

Is the D7 Passive Income Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa faster to get?: They are similar: the D7 takes about 2–6 months and the D8 about 2–6 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.
How much do the D7 and D8 cost?: Both carry roughly $250 in official government fees. That figure excludes legal help, document translation, skills assessment, and relocation, which often dwarf the visa fee itself.
Can I get permanent residency with the D7 Passive Income Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?: The D7 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the D8 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Do I need a job offer for the D7 or the D8?: No. Neither the D7 nor the D8 requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Section 04

Read the full pathway

D7 Passive Income Visa

Residency for retirees and the financially independent. €820/mo (Portuguese minimum wage) for the main applicant, plus 50% per adult dependant and 30% per child. Citizenship eligible at 5 years.

Full D7 guide

D8 Digital Nomad Visa

For remote workers earning ≥4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,480/mo) from non-Portuguese employers or clients. Two-year residence permit, citizenship eligible at 5 years.

Full D8 guide

Official D7 source Official D8 source