D7 Visa for Portuguese Retirement
The Portuguese D7 Residence Visa also known as the “Portugal Passive Income Visa“ is aimed at pensioners, retired foreign citizens or other foreigners who can prove they are earning a living from a stable income.
For instance pensions, movable property, real estate, intellectual property or financial investments.
Although originally aimed at foreginers of retirement age it has been popular with ‘Digital Nomads’ wanting to spend time in the country. However, as of October 30th 2022, there is a tailor-made visa they can apply for a ‘Digital Nomad Visa’.
Portuguese legislation now provides a special visa for such people in the D7 Visa. This allows foreign citizens who want to live in Portugal as retirees or live on their own current income.
Regardless of their age, they can gain entrance into Portugal to obtain a Residence Permit. The only provision is that they can prove they have sufficient income to provide them with the ability to live without government aid.
This income can come from pensions, real estate rentals, investments, and many other alternatives. To qualify, you’ll need to be earning the minimum wage which is determined by the Portuguese Government.
D7 Visa Requirements
In order to obtain the D7 Visa, applicants must prove that they have a minimum of 12 months of savings which amounts to a total of:
- €8.460 for the first adult
- €4.230 for a second or each additional adult
- €2.538 per child
Documents Required to Apply for D7 Visa
Before applying make sure you have this list of documents that are needed to apply for the D7 Visa:
- Completed D7 application form
- A valid current passport with at least 6 months remaining
- 2 passport-sized photographs
- Proof of your passive income
- Proof of your accommodation with a 12-month lease agreement
- Police Criminal background check
- Valid travel insurance which should include health coverage
- Your last 6 months’ bank statements
How Much Does the D7 Visa Cost
The cost of the D7 visa is quite low in comparison to some other schemes and you should expect to pay the following amount:
- For your D7 Visa application expect to pay €90
- For your Residence Permit expect to pay around €160,00
In addition to the above-mentioned fees, obviously, there are other costs during your immigration process, such as airline tickets, relocation, health insurance, accommodation, and so on.
Note: Also, keep in mind that the fees can be changed at any time by the authorities.
How Long Does the Application Process Take?
Applying for a temporary four-month visa from the United Kingdom can take up to 60 days, provided you have submitted all the required information.
When you receive your D7 Visa you will be given an appointment with your nearest SEF office location. This will be booked by the Portuguese Consulate when they issue your visa.
Once the SEF has collected all of your documents and your biometric data, it will take about three weeks to receive your residence card which will be posted to your Portuguese address.
If you plan ahead you should be able to apply from the UK and then book your flights to suit the appointment with the SEF.
Benefits for the holder of the D7 Visa
The D7 visa is a residence visa that enables the holder to apply for and obtain a Residence Permit in Portugal. The visa is valid for two entries and the holder is entitled to remain in Portugal for a period of 4 months at a time.
The D7 visa allows the named holder to obtain a Residence Permit in Portugal for an initial period of one year, which can then be renewed for periods of 2 years each time and can be changed into a Permanent Residence Permit after 5 years.
The holder will also be entitled to the following:
- Access to the Portuguese National Health Service;
- Entry to the Portuguese National Education Service and schools;
- Perform work activities as an independent professional;
- Access to Portuguese Vocational schooling, initial and professional training and retraining;
- Protection from the Portuguese Law and legal system.
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