Portugal
Choosing between Portugal's D7, D8 and Golden Visa comes down to one question: where does your money come from? In short, the D7 is for people with passive income (pensions, rentals, dividends), the D8 is for remote workers and freelancers earning from abroad, and the Golden Visa is for investors who want EU residency without moving to Portugal full-time. All three include your family and lead to permanent residency and, in time, Portuguese citizenship. Below is a side-by-side comparison and a simple way to pick the right one.
At a glance: D7 vs D8 vs Golden Visa
| D7 Visa | D8 Visa | Golden Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Retirees & passive income | Remote workers & freelancers | Investors who can't relocate |
| Requirement | ~€920/mo passive income | ~€3,680/mo remote income | €500,000 fund investment (in some cases the investment can be lower) |
| Time you must spend in Portugal | You must live there (minimum stay) | You must live there (minimum stay) | About 7 days per year |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months | 4-8 months | 6-12 months |
| Complexity | Medium | Medium | High |
| Path to citizenship | 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP) | 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP) | 5 yrs → PR, then citizenship |
| Family included | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Figures are 2026 guidelines for the main applicant; add more for a spouse and each child. Requirements change, so confirm the current numbers for your household before applying.
The D7 Visa: for passive income and retirees
The D7 is Portugal's income-based residency route. It's built for retirees and anyone with stable, recurring passive income from outside Portugal: pensions, rental income, dividends, investment returns or royalties. The 2026 guideline is around €920 per month for the main applicant, plus savings held in a Portuguese bank account. It's the most affordable route, but it expects you to actually live in Portugal: there are minimum-stay requirements to keep the residency valid. Typical processing is 6-9 months.
The D8 Visa: for remote workers and freelancers
The D8, Portugal's digital-nomad visa, is for people who earn active income by working remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal. The 2026 income guideline is roughly €3,680 per month, about four times the Portuguese minimum wage, and a savings buffer strengthens the case. Both employees (with a remote contract) and freelancers (with client agreements) qualify. Like the D7, it's a route for people who intend to live in Portugal, and it usually processes in 4-8 months.
The Golden Visa: for investors who can't relocate
The Golden Visa is Portugal’s residency-by-investment route. The most popular option is a qualifying transfer of at least €500,000 into a Portuguese investment fund that meets the applicable legal requirements, with the investment maintained throughout the required residency period. Its defining feature is flexibility: the physical-presence requirement averages approximately seven days per year, allowing you to continue living and working abroad while progressing toward permanent residency and, subject to meeting all requirements, Portuguese citizenship. It is the most expensive and complex route, and the residence permit process may take several months.
There are also qualifying options requiring a lower amount. For example, a contribution of at least €250,000 may be made to support artistic production or the recovery and preservation of Portugal’s national cultural heritage. When an eligible investment is carried out in a legally designated low-density territory, the applicable minimum amount may be reduced by 20%, potentially lowering the cultural contribution threshold to €200,000. These alternatives are more specialized and require careful verification to ensure that the project, recipient and location satisfy the Golden Visa rules.
Pros and cons of each visa
| Visa | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| D7 Visa | ✓ Lowest income bar of the three✓ Best fit for retirees and pensioners✓ Cheapest route to residency✓ Full right to live and work | ✗ You must actually live in Portugal✗ Minimum-stay rules apply✗ Only passive income counts |
| D8 Visa | ✓ Built for remote workers and freelancers✓ Usually the fastest to process✓ Live and work in Portugal freely✓ Salary or freelance income qualifies | ✗ Higher income bar (about 4× the minimum wage)✗ Income must come from outside Portugal✗ Minimum-stay rules apply |
| Golden Visa | ✓ Almost no time required in Portugal (about 7 days a year)✓ Keep living and working abroad✓ Same path to permanent residency and citizenship✓ Family included | ✗ Requires a €500,000 investment✗ Most expensive and most complex route✗ Capital stays committed for years |
How to choose the right Portugal visa
Choose the D7 if you have passive income and plan to live in Portugal
If you're retired or living off pensions, rentals or investments, and you genuinely want to make Portugal your home, the D7 is usually the best-value route. It has the lowest income threshold of the three.
Choose the D8 if you work remotely for companies or clients abroad
If you earn an active salary or freelance income from outside Portugal and want to relocate, the D8 is designed for you. Choose it over the D7 when your income is earned work rather than passive returns.
Choose the Golden Visa if you want EU residency without moving
If you can invest €500,000 and your priority is securing EU residency (and an eventual path to citizenship) while keeping your base abroad, the Golden Visa's near-zero stay requirement is what sets it apart.
Frequently asked questions
Which Portugal visa is the cheapest?
The D7 has the lowest financial bar, around €920 per month of passive income, making it the most affordable of the three. The D8 needs roughly €3,680 per month of remote income, and the Golden Visa requires a €500,000 investment.
Which Portugal visa is the fastest?
The D8 is typically the quickest at 4-8 months, followed by the D7 at 6-9 months and the Golden Visa at 6-12 months. Actual times depend on AIMA appointment availability.
Do all three lead to Portuguese citizenship?
Yes. The D7, D8 and Golden Visa are all renewable residency routes that build toward permanent residency and, after the legally required period (generally 10 years, or 7 for EU/CPLP nationals), eligibility to apply for citizenship.
Can I work in Portugal on these visas?
The D7 and D8 allow you to live and work in Portugal once resident. The Golden Visa also lets you live, work or study in Portugal whenever you choose; you're simply not required to.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No Portuguese is required for any of these visas themselves. A basic level (A2) only becomes relevant later, if and when you apply for citizenship.
Which Portugal visa should I choose if I'm not sure?
If your situation is mixed (for example, some pension income plus remote work), the best route isn't always obvious. Viv Europe's team can confirm your eligibility and the strongest fit on a free assessment before you commit to any application.
