D7 Residency Visa

Introduced in 2007 by the Portuguese government, this special visa known as the D7 visa allows foreign citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland the right to reside in Portugal. 

It allows you to apply for temporary residency and it can be used to obtain permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

What is the D7 Residency Visa? 

The D7 residency visa is a passive income visa that provides residency status to anyone originating from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland 

Intended to attract retirees and those living off of passive income, with the D7 Visa you do not need to have professional activities inside of Portugal. Once you receive your visa your immediate family is also permitted to enter the country under the family reunification regulations. 

It allows applicants and their families legal residency in Portugal and can also be used by freelancers, however they will need to meet a minimum wage requirement which is determined by the Portuguese government. 

The temporary residency granted on this visa has a validity of 2 years, after which you may choose to renew it in order to seek permanent residency. 

Who can apply for the D7 visa? 

Anyone can apply for the D7 residency visa, not just retirees, so long as they meet the minimum passive income requirements and so long as they are over 18 years of age. 

What do I need to qualify for the D7 Visa? 

In order to qualify for Portugal’s D7 Visa you will require the following: 

A Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) 

You will need to apply and receive your Portuguese tax number ahead of applying for your D7 visa. 

A Portuguese Bank Account 

You will be required to open an Portuguese bank account (which you cannot do until you obtain your NIF number) and to deposit a minimum of 7,000€ as a single applicant or 10,500€ if you are a married couple. 

Proof you are financially self sufficient 

Proof that you are financially stable will also need to be submitted with your D7 visa application to show you will be able to support yourself throughout your time in Portugal. Relevant documents may include proof of recurring income, significant savings or a combination of the two. 

Proof of accommodation 

You are required to prove you have adequate accommodation in place before you can travel to Portugal. Although this does not mean you have to buy a property. If you choose not to, you will need a rental lease agreement for a minimum duration of 12 months. 

Full Health Insurance 

The applicants whether the primary or dependant, must have a comprehensive EU wide health insurance policy in place. With a full 12 months cover having been paid in advance and a minimum insurance value of 30,000€ for each person covered. 

Clean Criminal Record 

You must provide a full clean criminal record. Without one your applications will be denied. 

Meet the Minimum Stay Requirement 

You must remain in Portugal as a resident for a minimum of 183 days every year. 

How do I apply for the D7 Visa? 

In order to submit your application for the Portuguese D7 visa, you will need all of the following documents: 

• D7 Application form 
• Valid Passport 
• Passport sized photographs 
• Proof of passive or regular income 
• Proof of accommodation 
• Proof you have legal residency in the country you are currently residing in 
• Full criminal record check 
• Proof of a valid health insurance policy 
• Consent for SEF to conduct a criminal record and background check on you in Portugal 
• A covering letter indicating why you are requesting the visa. 

Once you have all of these documents you are then ready to begin your D7 application. This is a 2 part process. 

Step 1: Apply for your D7 residency visa from you home country. Once the application is successfully approved you will receive a stamp within your passport that will be valid for 120 days from the date of issue. 

You are now free to entry into Portugal and this must be your first point of entry into the Schengen area. 

Step 2: You are required to schedule an appointment with SEF (Portugal’s border agency) for you to receive your temporary residences permit. This is what will allow you to remain in Portugal for the next two years. 

It may be renewed after this for a further 3 years and on completion of 5 years as a resident you then have the right to apply for Portuguese citizenship if you wish to do so. 

Here is a step by step of the process: 

1. Gather your documents and complete the application form 
2. Submit your visa application 
3. Receive your D7 visa 
4. Travel to Portugal 
5. Attend SEF appointment 
6. Get Portuguese Residency Permit 

How Long Will It Take To Get A D7 Visa and D7 Residency Permit?

The general timeframe for applying for your D7 will take you around a month to collect all the documents and complete the application. Working with someone who specialises in this will definitely speed this up for you. 

From the submission of your application, the process should take 60 days, depending on whether all the correct documents have been submitted. 

Once the D7 visa has been granted, you have 120 days to enter into Portugal and apply for your D7 residency permit. The length of time it will take to get an appointment with SEF can vary from location to location, but you must have it set within the 120 days from when your visa is issued.