Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen with steady passive income can apply. It’s commonly used by retirees living on pensions, rental or investment income, or by digital nomads with long-term clients. There is no upper age limit – both young and old can qualify, as long as the income criteria are met.

You must prove a minimum passive income roughly equal to the Portuguese minimum wage. As of 2025, this means about €870 per month (≈€10,440 per year) for you alone. If you have a spouse, add another 50% of that amount (≈€435 more per month); for each child under 18, add about 30% (≈€261 per month). In practice, show bank statements or pension/legal documents totaling at least one year’s worth of the required income. All income must be stable and “passive” (pension, rents, dividends, etc.).

You need a complete visa application package including: a filled visa application form, passport (valid 1+ year), two passport photos, proof of passive income (pension statements, rental agreements, bank statements, etc.), travel/health insurance certificate, criminal record certificate (apostilled), and proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or ownership). You may also need a Request for Criminal Record Inquiry form from SEF. In short, bring identity documents, financial proof, health insurance, and address proof. (MetConnect’s services can help you obtain many of these: see [NIF Portugal] for the tax ID, [NISS Portugal] for social security, [Bank Account Portugal] for local accounts, and [Rental Contract] to formalize housing).

No, Portuguese is not required to get the visa. You can apply and live in Portugal without any knowledge of the language. However, for citizenship (after 5 years) you will need at least a basic (A2) level. Portuguese officials and many people in urban areas do speak English, but learning some Portuguese will certainly help with daily life.

Yes – the D7 visa does not forbid work. In fact, holders are explicitly allowed to engage in professional activities in Portugal. What cannot happen is reporting employment as “passive income” for the visa requirement. Your qualifying income must be from abroad or passive sources. But once living in Portugal on D7, you can also do local remote work, freelance, or start a small business just as a resident. (This distinguishes D7 from Spain’s Non-Lucrative visa, which forbids any work.)

You must actually reside in Portugal, not just visit. Legally, D7 residents should spend at least six months (183 days) per year in Portugal. Stated another way, you must stay at least 16 out of each 24 months in Portugal during your first two-year permit. If you leave Portugal for too long, you risk losing your permit. In practice, plan on making Portugal your primary home.

Processing times vary by country and workload, but D7 visas often take several weeks to a few months. Some reports say the consulate may approve the visa in as little as 3 weeks once all documents are submitted. However, appointments can be delayed and AIMA appointments in Portugal can be months later. Plan accordingly and apply well before you intend to move.

Use the visa to enter Portugal, then complete the residency steps: register your address at the local Junta, open a bank account, and go to your scheduled AIMA appointment for the residence permit. Once the residence card is granted, you’ll be a legal Portuguese resident. After that, you can access health care, get a NISS (social security number) if needed, etc. In short, after arrival you must quickly handle these formalities – MetConnect can guide you with each step, including booking the AIMA appointment and preparing your application at SEF.

Yes. Your spouse, children (even adult dependent children), and dependent parents are eligible for family reunification under the D7 visa. You must prove the relationship (marriage/birth certificates, apostilled) and show you can support them. Each family member will get their own residence card once approved.

Once your residence permit is approved, you can register for Portugal’s public health system (SNS) and receive care like a resident. During the visa application, however, you must have private health insurance. Many expats carry private plans initially and then sign up for SNS (or stay on a private plan) after legal residency is granted.