If you’re planning to retire in Portugal 🇵🇹 in 2025, the Portugal Retirement Visa—officially called the D7 Visa—offers a clear and affordable path to residency. This step-by-step guide explains the entire process, what you need to do at each stage, how long each part takes, and what you can expect from Portuguese authorities. Whether you’re just starting to think about retiring abroad or you’re ready to begin your application, this guide will help you understand the journey and manage your expectations along the way.
Understanding the Portugal Retirement Visa (D7 Visa)
The Portugal Retirement Visa, known as the D7 Visa, is designed for non-EU citizens who want to live in Portugal 🇵🇹 and can show a steady passive income. This income can come from pensions, rental properties, dividends, or other non-work sources. Unlike the Golden Visa, which is based on investment, the D7 Visa is focused on retirees and people who earn money without working in Portugal.
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Income Requirements
Before you start, make sure you meet the basic requirements:
- Stable passive income: You must show you have a regular income from sources like pensions, rental income, or investments.
- Minimum income: For 2025, you need at least €870 per month (or €10,440 per year) for yourself. If you’re bringing a spouse, add 50% of this amount. For each child, add 30%.
- Proof of funds: You must have this amount available for at least the first year and show it in a Portuguese bank account.
For example, if you’re applying with your spouse and one child, you’ll need to show:
– Main applicant: €10,440
– Spouse: €5,220 (50%)
– Child: €3,132 (30%)
– Total: €18,792 for the first year
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Collect all the documents you’ll need. Having everything ready will make the process smoother and help avoid delays.
- Valid passport
- Proof of passive income (bank statements, pension letters, investment documents)
- Medical insurance that covers you in Portugal 🇵🇹
- Police clearance certificate from your home country
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property deed)
- Portuguese tax identification number (NIF)
- Two recent color photos
- Marriage or birth certificates for any family members applying with you
You’ll need to get your NIF (tax number) before you can open a Portuguese bank account. Many people use a local lawyer or relocation service to help with this step.
Step 3: Open a Portuguese Bank Account
Next, open a bank account in Portugal 🇵🇹 and deposit enough money to cover your first year’s income requirement. This shows the authorities you have the funds you need to support yourself.
- Most banks will ask for your passport, NIF, proof of address, and sometimes proof of income.
- You can often open an account remotely, but some banks may ask you to visit in person.
Step 4: Apply for the D7 Visa at the Portuguese Consulate
Once your documents and bank account are ready, submit your D7 Visa application at the Portuguese consulate in your home country.
- Application forms: Fill out the official D7 Visa application form, which you can find on the official Portuguese government website.
- Submit documents: Bring all your documents, including proof of income, accommodation, insurance, and police clearance.
- Pay the fee: Fees can change, so check with your local consulate for the latest amount.
Estimated timeframe: The consulate usually takes 2 to 3 months to process your application, but it can be longer if there’s a backlog or missing documents.
Step 5: Receive Your Visa and Travel to Portugal
If your application is approved, you’ll get a D7 Visa that lets you enter Portugal 🇵🇹 twice within a four-month period. This gives you time to move and settle in.
- What to expect: The visa is valid for four months. You must travel to Portugal and start the next step before it expires.
Step 6: Apply for Your Residence Permit with AIMA
Once you arrive in Portugal, you need to apply for a residence permit through the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA).
- Book an appointment: You can schedule your appointment online or at an AIMA office. Since 2025, the process is more digital, with online document uploads and automated appointment scheduling.
- Bring documents: You’ll need your passport, visa, proof of accommodation, proof of income, health insurance, and your NIF.
- Register your address: You must have a registered address in Portugal to get your residence permit.
Estimated timeframe: AIMA aims to process applications within 4 to 6 months, thanks to new service points and digital improvements.
| Country/Type | Visa Category | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D7 Visa application | 2-3 months |
| Portugal | AIMA residence permit | 4-6 months |
| Portugal | D7 Visa minimum stay requirement | 6 months per year |
| Portugal | Golden Visa minimum stay requirement | 7 days in the first year, 14 days every two years |
Step 7: Receive Your Residence Card
If your application is approved, you’ll get a residence card valid for two years. After that, you can renew it for another three years.
- Family members: Your spouse, children, and even dependent parents can be included under your visa.
- Rights: You can live, work, and study in Portugal 🇵🇹. You can also travel freely within the Schengen Area.
Step 8: Maintain Residency and Meet Stay Requirements
To keep your residency, you must spend most of your time in Portugal. The D7 Visa requires you to be physically present in the country for at least six months per year (or eight months if you travel for short periods).
- Tip: Keep records of your stays, such as utility bills or rental payments, in case you need to prove your presence.
Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residency or Citizenship
After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship.
- Citizenship application: You’ll need to show you’ve lived in Portugal for five years, have basic knowledge of the Portuguese language, and have no serious criminal record.
- Benefits: Portuguese citizenship gives you the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
Comparing the D7 Visa and the Golden Visa
The D7 Visa is ideal for retirees and people with passive income who don’t want to make a large investment. The Golden Visa, on the other hand, is for those who can invest at least €250,000 in cultural projects or €500,000 in funds or businesses.
- Golden Visa: Requires less time in Portugal (just seven days in the first year and 14 days every two years after that). It’s popular with investors but no longer allows real estate as a qualifying investment.
- D7 Visa: Requires more time spent living in Portugal but is much more affordable and doesn’t require a big investment.
Recent Changes and What to Expect in 2025
- Income requirements: Updated to match the new minimum salary (€870/month).
- Faster processing: AIMA has expanded offices and digital services to speed up applications.
- New investment options: The Golden Visa now includes the Solidarity Visa, which supports social projects.
- Digital process: Golden Visa applications are now fully online, with digital document uploads and automated appointments.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Process
- Start early: Gathering documents and opening a bank account can take time.
- Double-check requirements: Rules can change, so always check the latest information on the official Portuguese government immigration website.
- Consider professional help: Many retirees use lawyers or relocation services to help with paperwork and translations.
- Stay organized: Keep copies of all documents and emails with authorities.
What Happens If You Face Delays or Problems?
- Consulate delays: If your application takes longer than expected, contact the consulate for updates.
- Missing documents: If you forget something, you may be asked to provide it later, which can slow things down.
- AIMA backlog: Processing times can vary, but improvements are being made to reduce waiting periods.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Portugal Retirement Visa (D7 Visa) offers a clear, affordable path to living in Portugal 🇵🇹 for non-EU retirees. By following each step carefully—checking your income, gathering documents, applying at the consulate, and working with AIMA—you can make the process as smooth as possible. The Golden Visa remains an option for those with investment funds, but for most retirees, the D7 Visa is the best choice.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Portugal’s retirement visa system continues to attract people from around the world thanks to its flexibility, low cost, and the high quality of life in Portugal. If you’re ready to start your journey, visit the official Portuguese government immigration website for the latest forms and guidelines, and begin planning your move to one of Europe’s most welcoming countries.
Learn Today
D7 Visa → A Portuguese visa for non-EU retirees with passive income seeking residency in Portugal.
Passive Income → Earnings from pensions, rental properties, or investments not involving active work.
NIF → Portuguese tax identification number required to open bank accounts and access services.
AIMA → Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum managing residence permits in Portugal.
Golden Visa → Portuguese residency visa requiring large investments, differing from the D7 retirement visa.
This Article in a Nutshell
Portugal’s D7 Visa offers retirees with passive income an affordable path to residency. Step-by-step, it details eligibility, document preparation, and digital process improvements from application to residence permit. It’s ideal for those seeking low-cost, flexible living in Portugal over investment-heavy alternatives like the Golden Visa.
— By VisaVerge.com
