Questions & Answers

"Has there been a recent change to the passive income requirements for a D7 visa?"

YES - Changes go into effect January 1st, 2026. The practical income requirements for the D7 Visa have recently increased in effect because of changes in the national minimum wage, which the Portuguese Parliament/government approved. This impacts how much passive income you must prove for a successful application.

1. Single Applicant

Monthly passive income: €920/month / Annual total: ~€11,040
Savings required: At least €11,040 (12× monthly amount) held in a Portuguese bank account.
(This is the basic guideline — some lawyers recommend showing 24 months of savings for stronger proof, but 12 months is the standard minimum.)

2. Couple (Main + Spouse)

Monthly passive income: €920 + 50% (€460) = €1,380/month / Annual total: ~€16,560
Savings required: At least €16,560 (12× combined amount).

3. Couple + 1 Child (Dependent)

Monthly passive income: Main applicant: €920 + Spouse: +50% (€460) + Child: +30% (€276)

Total: ~€1,656/month / Annual total: ~€19,872

Savings required: At least €19,872 in Portuguese bank account.

"What is a NIF number in Portugal?"

The Portugal NIF Number (Número de Identificação Fiscal), also referred to as the contribution number (Número de contribuinte), is an individual Portuguese tax number for all Portuguese citizens, residents, and non-residents who are conducting business or making any purchases that involve tax.

The tax identification number is issued by the Portuguese tax authority, also known as the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira – AT), has nine digits, and is unique to each person.

A NIF in Portugal is used for most financial transactions like purchasing property, inheriting Portuguese assets, opening a bank account in Portugal, paying taxes in Portugal, taking out a mobile phone contract, entering a rental agreement, applying for a Portugal Golden Visa, receiving social security payments, attending a Portuguese university, signing up with health insurance companies, and pretty much all other financial transactions. You’ll also need a NIF number if you’re hoping to find a job in Portugal.

"How long does it take to get a residency card, I have read that there are lots of delays?"

OK - There is a lot of conversations going on out there about long delays, how bad AIMA is, and how long it takes to get a card. I believe the process with VFS Global and my appointment with AIMA went smoothly because I followed this mindset: prepare thoroughly, cover every detail, and trust the process. Here’s how my approval timeline turned out:

Began my Research and Made my Decision: January 1st, 2025
Meeting at VFS Global: June 30th, 2025
D7 Visa Approved: September 17th, 2025
Arrived in Portugal: October 3rd, 2025
Requested AIMA Appointment: October 7th, 2025
Appointment Approved: October 10th, 2025
Appointment at AIMA: November 3rd, 2025
Received Residency Card: November 21st, 2025

Total time from visa approval to receiving the residency card: 66 days.

I have read that the renewal of the residency card is more difficult and has delays, I haven't got to that phase yet but will post when I find out some solid information on that issue.