Main misconception about the Portugal D7 visa: how to avoid it and get a residence permit

The D7 Visa requires a passive income, while the Digital Nomad Visa needs an active income. Possible passive sources of income include rental properties, dividends, royalties, or interest on investments.

Everything about the Portugal D7 visa

Any other types of income are not suitable for the D7 Visa. This includes remote work salary or earnings based on a self-employed status.

To get a Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must work remotely for a foreign company under an employment contract or service agreement.

Income requirements for the D7 Visa are lower. D7 Visa applicants must earn at least €820 per month, or €9,840 per year. The income for the Digital Nomad Visa should be at least €3,280 per month.

A Portuguese bank account is required for the D7 Visa application but not for the Digital Nomad Visa. D7 Visa applicants must open a bank account prior to the visa application and transfer a sufficient amount to support one year of life there.

Therefore, an applicant should go to Portugal, for example, on a Schengen visa and visit a local bank office in person to open a bank account.

To apply for a Digital Nomad Visa, foreigners do not need a bank account in Portugal. They can confirm their savings with a statement issued by any bank that is not under sanctions. An account in a Portuguese bank is needed only when applying for a residence permit and can be opened after moving to Portugal on a Digital Nomad Visa.

In addition to confirming income for the visa of choice, applicants must:

1. Rent a property for a long period. The minimum rental period is 1 year. It is also allowed to buy residential real estate rather than rent it. There are no requirements for a minimum rental or purchase price.

2. Stay in Portugal for one and a half years in a row or 16 months in total within two years to be eligible to extend a residence permit.

The family can also move to Portugal. The rule applies to spouses, as well as financially dependent children and parents.

With each added family member, the minimum income and savings increase. For example, a single digital nomad proves to have savings of €9,840. The amount increases by 50% if adding a spouse and 25% if adding a minor. Thus, a family of four with two children under 18 must have €19,680 in their bank account.

Terms for the Digital Nomad Visa applicants

The D7 Visa is valid for 4 months: applicants must come to Portugal and apply for a residence permit. The residence permit will be issued for two years with the possibility of an extension.

The Digital Nomad Visa can be a short‑term 1‑year visa: applicants can not extend or use it to obtain a residence permit. Another option is a long-term visa for 1 or more years, allowing holders to apply for a residence permit.

1. Convenient way to obtain residency in the EU. To get a visa followed by a residence permit, an applicant does not have to look for a job in Portugal, create a business plan, or invest in the country’s economy. Purchasing or renting real estate and proving income and savings is enough.

2. Residency at the lowest expenses. Getting a D7 or a Digital Nomad Visa is cheaper than a residence permit by investment. Expenses include only purchasing or renting property and paying state fees; investing at least €250,000 isn’t required.

When applying for a D7 visa, an applicant also pays to visit Portugal to open a bank account.

3. Visa-free travel within Europe. Holders of a Portugal residence permit can visit the states of the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days out of 180.

4. Access to education and healthcare. Residence permit holders and their families can be treated in local clinics; children receive free school education.

5. Opportunity to obtain Portugal citizenship. Residents can apply for citizenship after 5 years of living in the country.

The Portuguese passport allows the holder to travel to 172 countries and choose any country in the European Union to live in.

1. The main distinction for applicants is the amount and sources of income.

2. For a D7 Visa, it is enough to earn at least €820 per month, but the sources of income must be passive.

3. For a Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must work remotely under an employment contract or service agreement with a foreign company. Their income must be at least €3,280 per month.

4. Applicants do not need a bank account in Portugal to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa. The account is required only when obtaining a residence permit and can be opened after getting a visa and moving to Portugal.

5. In addition to proof of income, applicants must rent an apartment or house for at least 1 year. Another option is to buy residential real estate. There are no requirements for a minimum purchase or rental price.

6. Both D7 and Digital Nomad residence permits require staying in Portugal for at least 1.5 years in a row or 16 months in total within two years.

7. Family members can move to Portugal with the main applicant. The rule applies to spouses and financially dependent children, and parents. With each family member added, the minimum income requirement grows.