Passive income earners, including retirees, who intend to move to Portugal, may advantageously apply for a specific residence permit: the D7 Visa. This civil residency right can advantageously be accumulated,, if convenient for the holder, with a special tax status (NHR program - non-habitual tax resident) that grants to the applicant a 10-year income tax break.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who intend to relocate to Portugal and have a reasonable net regular passive income can apply for this option of residency without being subject to any investment activities in Portuguese territory.

The D7 Visa is a two stages process that starts at the Portuguese Consulate of the applicant residency area – to apply for a residency visa that allows for a maximum of two entries and a stay in Portugal – and is concluded in Portugal before the Immigration Office with an interview to obtain a residency permit card.

The process for a passive income D7 visa is considerably faster and less costly to obtain, entitling the holder to the main benefits of Portugal residency, namely:

• Security, democracy and life quality;
• Free entry and circulation in the Schengen Area;
• Family reunification;
• Freedom to live in Portugal and to develop, or
• not, a professional activity;
• Option to apply to the NHR tax program for tax
• purposes (low or no taxation for 10 years on most foreign-source income, applicable to pension income, dividends, interests, royalties and real estate income foreigned sourced);
• Access to Portugal residents’ rights, such as education, recognition of diplomas and qualifications, healthcare, social security, trade union protection, justice and courts;
• Access to permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years, subject to passing a language test of basic Portuguese.

The main documents for a successful application are the following ones:

1. Declaration outlining reasons for obtaining Portuguese residency;
2. Criminal record certificate;
3. Documentary evidence of having
4. accommodation in Portugal (property title
5. deed or rental agreement);
6. Documentary evidence of sufficient economic
7. means available in Portugal for a 12-month
8. period;
9. Documentary evidence of having a reasonable
10. net regular passive income (pensions, dividends, rents, etc.).

The D7 visa must be renewed at the end of the first year and then every two years. Except for duly justified cases based in personal or professional reasons, the holder of the D7 Permit shall not be out from Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months neither for 8 non-consecutive months during the validity of each card.

Learn More About Relocating to Portugal with a Passive Income

Caiado Guerreiro is a multi-jurisdicitonal full service law firm headquartered in the heart of Lisbon. The immigration team provides legal advice to international clients, including large corporations, governments and private individuals. The practitioners often deal with complex legal questions and restructuring projects, and maintain excellent relationships with the Foreigners and Borders Service and other public bodies.

Contact Sara to further discuss immigration pathways to Portugal.