Which visa can I apply for?

Which Visa can I apply for? Is this a question that has gone through your mind lately? Are you overwhelmed by all the different stories and advises? Please let WESTMARK guide you through the process of the D7 visa, which is the most likely visa for you.

The D7 Visa was implemented by Portugal in 2007 but people choose for the Golden Visa most of the time. Now that the Golden Visa is very restricted and not connected to property investment anymore, the D7 visa is your best option.  It is also known as Portugal Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa.

This residence visa allows any non-EU citizen who has a reasonable net regular passive income to apply for residency in Portugal. This income can be from pensions, transferable equity, real estate, intellectual property, or financial investment.

The minimum required value of income to be eligible for this visa is an annual income of €8,460 for the primary applicant.

When you want to include your family in the visa there is an additional € 4.230 for the spouse and € 2.538 for each dependent child. This is regardless of the person’s country of origin.

So let´s say you’re a family from the US with 2 children and you want to apply for the D7 Visa to move to Portugal, your annual income needs to be € 17.766 (USD 19.165 on August 2024).

This visa allows you and your family legal residence in Portugal, with all the European Union benefits such as free traveling throughout the Schengen area. It is intended to attract retirees and those living on passive income to reside in Portugal in an effort to boost the economy. Additionally, holders of this visa are not precluded from having a professional activity in Portugal.

Portugal D7 Visa Requirements:

You can apply if you meet the Portuguese D7 visa requirements which are:

• You are currently a non-EU national,
• Proven to have the funds to support yourself,
• No registered criminal record,
• Can show a residence address in Portugal,
• You need to spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the first 2-year period.

You can apply for the D7 visa at the Portuguese consulate through a series of residence applications. After you have your visa, your immediate family also becomes entitled to a residence permit there under the family reunification regulations.

Additionally, this visa allows you to travel through the Schengen zone Visa-Free as it is registered with the Schengen Information system.

What are your benefits:

The D7 visa allows you visa-free entry and circulation through the Schengen Area.

Once you have the D7 visa, you are allowed to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for one year. After that, you can renew for two years successively.

After five years of legal residency, you may apply for permanent residency. You can also apply to become a Portuguese National through naturalization. However, to be naturalized in Portugal, you’ll have to pass a Portuguese language test.

What will be your rights:

• Access to the National Health Service Care
• Access to the National Education Service and school in Portugal
• Conducting any professional activity as an independent professional
• Access and protection from the Portuguese Law and Legal System
• Access to Vocational Schooling in Portugal

Family Reunification

Once you have the D7 visa, your family is entitled to join you in Portugal. You’ll need to request family reunification in AIMA. You will have to legally prove your relationship to all and any members of your family whom you wish to include under this program.

The following is the list of family members who may qualify for family reunification under the D7 visa:

• Your spouse or partner
• Your children under 18 years of age, or incapacitated children.
• Children over 18 years of age who are dependent on you or your spouse.
• Your parents or your spouse/partner’s parents.
• Your minor siblings.

Bonus advise: Financial stability is important to prove when the goal is to secure your D7 Visa. You can achieve this goal through your Portuguese bank account.

Your bank statements will show proof of your monthly passive income for the prior six months. When it comes to your minimum income, you need €760 monthly passive income at least. It becomes €9,120 when calculated per year. If you plan family inclusion, you may consider an additional 50% for your spouse and 30% for each child as well. 

Also read our Blog page: How to open a bank account in Portugal!

When you need more information contact us through info@westmark.pt and we also can help you to find your home in Albufeira, Vilamoura, Loulé and Santa Barbara de Nexe.