What is the Portugal D7 visa?
If you're considering a move, the D7 visa Portugal may be the key to your residency. This visa is designed for individuals who are financially independent and can support themselves without working in Portugal. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Portugal D7 visa - which is a temporary visa -, including eligibility requirements, application process, and benefits. The residence visa is obtained at AIMA previously known as SEF - here is the official website for D7 visa. The D7 visa exists on the immigration law since 2007 and is also commonly known as:
1. D7 visa to Portugal
2. Portugal retirement visa - considered one of the best retirement countries.
3. Visa for retirees to Portugal
4. Visa for people living off-income
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Who can apply To the D7 visa to Portugal?
Non-EU citizens that are pensioners or retirees; people living-off stable income, such as:
1. movable property
2. Income derived of real estate - like rentals
3. Intellectual property
4. Financial investments, like dividends, bonds, income from trusts, income from ownership of companies.
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What are the elegibility requirements?
1. To have a clean criminal record;
2. Make at least 7200 euros per year in passive income
3. Deposit around 9000 euros on a portuguese bank account
What are the benefits of the D7?
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Free Circulation
‍Permanent free entry and circulation in the Schengen Space, comprising 26 European countries.
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‍Live in Portugal
‍Freedom to live in Portugal and, if so wished, to have a professional activity in this country.
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‍Tax Benefits
‍Option to become anon-habitual resident of Portugal for tax purposes (little or no tax for 10 years).
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‍Resident's Rights
‍Access to other Portugal residents’ rights, such as education, healthcare, social security.
The application procedure
The Portuguese consular missions and consular sections with jurisdiction within the area of the applicant’s current residence have the legal power for granting the D7 visa.
The deadline for the decision or the processing time of the Portuguese consulate on the visa application is 60 days since an application with all forms and documents needed are submitted.
The consular service in charge must request a legal binding opinion, after the submission of the file from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Police (SEF).
When an answer is obtained you will be requested to handle your passport to the embassy and new visa will be stamped on one of the pages of your passport.
To be able to apply for the D7 visa we support clients in preparing a successfull aplication by dealing with the bureocracy of the paperwork and making sure it's according to the guidelines before submitting.
We will guide you through all paperwok needed, forms to fill and tax number to Portugal and Bank account / rental or property purchase.
Type and validity of the visa
The D7 visa is a residence visa that is intended to enable the holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal. In this context, the visa is valid for two entries and entitles the holder to remain in Portugal for a period of 4 months, while the applicant waits in Portugal for a final resident permit issued by the immigration department.
First step:
the local consulate stamps a temporary D7 visa on your passport - processing time around 60 days.
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Second step:
the applicant travels to Portugal on that’ D7 temporary visa and waits for the final visit to the immigration department to convert the temporary visa to a final D7 residence visa - processing time 60 to 90 days.
Residence permit
The D7 visa enables the respective holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for a period of one year, which can then be renewed for successive periods of 2 years and can be converted into a permanent residence permit after 5 years.
To be able to convert and apply for the final D7 visa the applicants will need to visit the immigration department in person in order to collect fingerprints and photos and in order to deliver the original documents previously shown at the local embassy.
After this visit the Residence Visa card is mailed to the Adress of your choice. The first card will have a validity of 1 year.
Family Reunification
Members of the family of the holder of the residence permit obtained via a D7 visa are also entitled to a residence permit, based on family reunification statute.
Resident’s rights
Without prejudice to the application of special provisions and other rights provided in the law or any international convention to which Portugal is a party, the holder of a residence permit shall be entitled to, without the need for a special authorization regarding his or her foreign status, the following:
- Access to the National Health Service care;
- Acess to the Portuguese National Education Service and schools;
- Exercise of any work activity as an independent professional;
- Acess to Portuguese Vocational schooling, initial and further professional training and retraining;
- Access and protection from the Portuguese Law and legal system.
To submitt the application:
- Application form (available in SEF’s website);
- Passport or other valid travel document;
- Two identical passport size photos; with blank background, and easily identifiable;
- Valid travel insurance, with coverage for all medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation;
- Application for Criminal Record consultation by Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF);
- Certificate of criminal records issued by his/her home country of origin or the country where the applicant resided for more than one year;
- Proof that the applicant has adequate accommodation - by either buying, renting or borrowing a property;
- Proof of health insurance coverage;
- Document providing the amount of pension
OR
‍ - Proof that you have income that allows you to live in Portugal. To be eligible, you must have income or pensions amounting for 12 months: €7.200 for the first adult; €3.600 for second or more adults; €2.160 per children. You must provide 6-months of bank statements.
If you want our assistance to apply for this visa, please contact us.
