Portugal's D7 and D8 Visas Explained: How to Move Here as a Retiree, Remote Worker, or Digital Nomad in 2026

If you want to live in Portugal but do not have a job offer from a Portuguese employer, two visa categories are likely to be your route in: the D7 (passive income visa) and the D8 (digital nomad visa). Together, they cover retirees, pensioners, freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who earns their income outside Portugal.

This guide explains both visas in detail — who qualifies, how to apply, what documents you need, how much it costs, and what changes in the rules you need to know about for 2026.

D7 Visa: The Passive Income Visa

Who Is It For?

The D7 visa is designed for people who can support themselves in Portugal through passive or stable income earned abroad. This includes:

• Retirees and pensioners (state or private pensions)
• People living on rental income, dividends, or investment returns
• Freelancers and self-employed workers with regular foreign clients

The key requirement is that your income is regular, stable, and sufficient to support yourself without needing to work for a Portuguese employer.

Minimum Income Requirements

You must demonstrate income equivalent to at least 100 per cent of the Portuguese minimum wage for the main applicant. In 2026, the minimum wage is EUR 870 per month (EUR 10,440 per year). For each additional adult dependent, add 50 per cent (EUR 435/month), and for each child, add 30 per cent (EUR 261/month).

In practice, consulates often expect applicants to show income significantly above the minimum — particularly if you are applying from a high-cost country. Bank statements showing consistent income over the previous 12 months carry more weight than a single recent deposit.

How to Apply

1. Book an appointment at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence (or the VFS Global visa centre that serves your region).
2. Gather your documents:
   • Completed visa application form
   • Valid passport (at least six months' validity, two blank pages)
   • Two passport-sized photographs
   • Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract, deed, or hotel reservation for the initial period)
   • Proof of income (pension statements, bank statements, tax returns, employment/freelance contracts)
   • Portuguese NIF (tax identification number) — you will need to obtain this before or during the application process
   • Travel insurance or proof of health coverage valid in Portugal
   • Criminal record certificate from your country of residence (apostilled)
   • Declaration stating you intend to reside in Portugal
3. Pay the visa fee: approximately EUR 90 for the initial visa application.
4. Attend the consular interview (where required).
5. Wait for processing: standard processing takes 60 to 90 days, though delays are common.

After Arrival

Once you arrive in Portugal with your D7 visa, you must:

• Schedule an appointment with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) to apply for your residence permit.
• Your initial residence permit is valid for two years.
• It can be renewed for successive three-year periods.
• After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship (provided you meet the language and other requirements).

D8 Visa: The Digital Nomad Visa

Who Is It For?

Introduced in late 2022, the D8 visa targets remote workers and digital nomads who are employed by or provide services to entities outside Portugal. This includes:

• Employees of foreign companies working remotely
• Freelancers and independent contractors with foreign clients
• Entrepreneurs whose business is registered and operates outside Portugal

Key Difference From the D7

The D7 is for passive income (pensions, investments, rental income); the D8 is for active earned income (salaries, freelance fees, business revenue). If you are a remote worker on a salary from a US or UK company, the D8 is your visa. If you are retired on a pension, the D7 is yours.

Minimum Income Requirements

D8 applicants must demonstrate monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which in 2026 means EUR 3,480 per month (EUR 41,760 per year).

This higher threshold reflects the government's intention to attract high-earning remote workers who contribute to the local economy through spending and taxes, rather than competing with Portuguese workers for local jobs.

How to Apply

The application process mirrors the D7 closely:

1. Book an appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global centre.
2. Gather documents (same as D7, plus proof of employment contract or freelance activity with foreign entities).
3. Pay the visa fee (approximately EUR 90).
4. Processing time: 60 to 90 days.

After Arrival

The post-arrival process is identical to the D7: apply for a residence permit through AIMA, receive an initial two-year permit, renewable for three-year periods, with a path to permanent residency and citizenship after five years.

Tax Implications: The IFICI Regime

Both D7 and D8 visa holders who become Portuguese tax residents may be eligible for the IFICI regime (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação), which replaced the former Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime in 2024.

The IFICI regime offers a flat 20 per cent income tax rate on qualifying Portuguese-source employment and self-employment income for a period of 10 years. However, it has narrower eligibility criteria than the old NHR — it is primarily aimed at researchers, academics, and workers in qualified professions, and does not automatically apply to all new residents.

Pension income is no longer tax-exempt under IFICI. D7 visa holders who are retirees should plan for their pensions to be taxed at standard Portuguese IRS rates unless a double-taxation agreement with their home country provides relief.

For a complete breakdown of Portuguese tax rates and the IFICI regime, see our guide: Taxes in Portugal Explained.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a NIF: Most consulates now require a Portuguese tax number as part of the application. Get yours first. See our guide: NIF Explained.
• Insufficient proof of income: A single bank statement is not enough. Provide 6–12 months of consistent income evidence.
• Confusing D7 and D8: Choosing the wrong visa category can lead to refusal. If you earn active income from remote work, apply for the D8, not the D7.
• Ignoring the fiscal representative requirement: Non-EU citizens who are not yet tax-resident in Portugal may need a fiscal representative. This requirement was relaxed for EU/EEA citizens in 2023 but still applies to many non-EU applicants.
• Assuming NHR still exists: The NHR regime closed to new applicants in 2024. Do not rely on outdated advice promising tax-free pensions.
• Missing the AIMA appointment: After arriving, book your AIMA appointment as early as possible. Backlogs can stretch to months.

D7 vs D8: Quick Comparison

Useful Contacts

• AIMA (immigration appointments): aima.gov.pt
• Portuguese Consulates: Find yours at portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt
• VFS Global (visa application centres): vfsglobal.com/portugal
• Portal das Finanças (NIF and tax): portaldasfinancas.gov.pt
• SEF/AIMA helpline: 808 202 653

Legal Basis

• Law 23/2007 (Immigration Act), as amended by Law 18/2022 and Law 56/2023
• Regulatory Decree 84/2007, as amended
• Portaria 208/2022 (D8 visa creation)
• Decree-Law 249/2009 (IFICI regime framework, revised 2024)