Portugal’s D7 Visa, The Secret Everyone’s Talking About, and It's Not Just for Expat Retirees

A calm, affordable path for those ready to trade chaos for cobblestones and a café life.

My desire to find a quality place to retire — and do something I enjoy without breaking the bank — began to take shape late in 2024. I only had my Social Security benefits as income but wasn’t done working yet, so money was going to be tight. I just wanted work to be fun and bring in a few extra bucks to fund my crazy hobbies.

My search took me across Mexico and Europe until I narrowed it to three final choices: Costa Rica, Italy, and Portugal. I’ve written in other posts about all the reasons Portugal came out on top, but what I want to tell you about specifically is the Portuguese D7 Visa — and why it helped seal my decision.

Below is a detailed list of the requirements to qualify, and with each item I’ll try to explain as much as possible about what’s needed. This isn’t an exhaustive list as rules change, so the keyword here is research — but don’t go completely bat-shit-crazy over it. Things changed for me during the process as they might for you; you’ll need to adjust and go with the flow — in other words, do a little drifting and make the best of it.

OK — just the facts, ma’am. We want the facts…

The Portuguese D7 Visa is a residency visa, not a citizenship visa. It’s also known as the Passive Income Visa or Retirement Visa, but let’s keep it simple: D7 Visa.

It allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens aged 18 and older (with no upper age limit) to obtain temporary residency in Portugal if they can prove a minimum passive income of €870 per month (€10,440 annually) and intend to make Portugal their primary residence. Another financial requirement is proof of funds equivalent to one year’s income (€10,440) in a Portuguese bank account. This visa is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and anyone living off pensions, dividends, or rental income.

Below is the list of requirements and documents posted on the VFSGlobal.com website that you’ll need to prepare before your VFS appointment. VFS Global is an intermediary between applicants and the Portuguese consulate — they submit your documents and coordinate the visa approval process.

FYI: they only submit. They do not approve applications, nor can they tell you if or how long approval will take. (Patience is required here — lots of patience.)

RESIDENCY VISA FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES OR PEOPLE LIVING OFF INDIVIDUAL REVENUES

General requirements (copied from the VFS application form with additional notes)

• National Visa Application: Filled out and duly signed by the applicant. (For minors or incapacitated individuals, the legal guardian must sign.)

• Passport photos (2): Passport-type, recent, and in good condition to identify the applicant (one for this form). I recommend getting four or five copies, as you’ll need them for other documents later and it’ll save time.

• Passport or other travel document: Must be valid for three months after your estimated date of return.

• Proof of regular situation: Proof of legal residence if you’re applying from a country other than your nationality. This must be valid three months after your estimated date of return.

• Proof of means of subsistence: Bank or credit card statements in your name from the past three months.

• Valid travel insurance: Minimum coverage of €30,000 per person. Coverage must include medical expenses, urgent assistance, and possible repatriation. This is travel insurance and not the required medical insurance you’ll need later for your AIMA appointment once you arrive in Portugal.

• Criminal record certificate: Issued by the competent authority of your nationality (or country of residence, if you’ve lived there over a year). For U.S. citizens that’s the FBI. It must be apostille certified or remain unopened in the original sealed envelope. (An apostille is simply an internationally recognized notary certification.)

• Request for Portuguese criminal record: A background check by SEF (Immigration and Border Services). Not applicable to minors under sixteen.

• Personal statement: A signed statement specifying your reasons for wanting to settle in Portugal, your intended area of residence, and your type of accommodation (rental, purchase, or family home).

• Proof of accommodation: A signed lease agreement, letter from an inviting institution, or declaration from a family member residing in Portugal. Hotel or Airbnb reservations may be accepted but typically only for long stays (minimum six months). I’ve read that short-term bookings can lead to denial, so I didn’t take the chance — I found an apartment with a one-year lease.

Specific documents

• Religious purposes: Statement of responsibility and certification of religious status, duly recognized under Portuguese law.

• Retirement purposes: Document certifying your retirement income.

• People living off personal revenue: Documents verifying income from movable/immovable property or financial assets.

• Proof of address (U.S.): Copy of your lease agreement and/or driver’s license.

Important: Applicants in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., must pay the National Visa D/E fee via money order or cashier’s check payable to the “Consulate General of Portugal.” The VFS service fee can be paid by debit/credit card at the time of application.

And there you have it — not such a bad list after all. (Oh, silly me.)

It took me around eight months to gather and prepare everything for my VFS appointment in San Francisco. The deeper details — how to obtain each item, when to request them, and how to avoid mistakes — are covered in an in-depth PDF guide I’ve prepared (see the link below).

As you can see, there’s a lot to do, but it’s absolutely doable. I managed it all while working a full-time job. You could do it faster, but that might drive you a little insane — so take your time and do it right the first time.

This post is an effort to help you understand the challenges with the process and hopefully make it as easy as possible. I made an early commitment not to give up and to finish what I started. That decision has rewarded me with the confidence that I can do anything, no matter how big or difficult. The other reward? I’m now living my dream — in Portugal — and planning future adventures to other beautiful countries and exciting places.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get going and start your own Wayward Drift.

( Link to My PDF Guide )