D7 or D8 Visa? Which Portuguese Residence Visa Fits Your Income

The D7 and D8 visas are the two routes most people compare when they want to live in Portugal without a Portuguese employer. They look similar on the surface, but they are built for different kinds of income. The easiest way to choose is to look at where your money comes from.

The short answer

• D7: your income is passive, such as a pension, rent, dividends or royalties.
• D8: your income is active, from remote work, a foreign employer or your own business abroad.

Income requirements in 2026

Both visas are tied to the Portuguese minimum wage, which is €920 per month in 2026.

• D7: the main applicant must show passive income of at least the minimum wage, €920 per month (€11,040 per year). Additional adults count at 50% and children at 30%.
• D8: the applicant must show an average monthly income over the last three months of at least four times the minimum wage, which is €3,680 per month.

In both cases, meeting the minimum does not guarantee approval, so showing more than the minimum is wise.

Documents they have in common

• A valid passport and passport photos.
• A criminal record certificate from your country, apostilled.
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal.
• Health or travel insurance.
• A Portuguese NIF and, usually, a Portuguese bank account.

What is different

For the D7 you document the source of the passive income: pension statements, rental contracts, dividend statements and so on. For the D8 you document the work: an employment contract with a letter allowing remote work, or for freelancers and business owners, contracts with clients and proof of services provided, plus proof of tax residence abroad.

Which one should you pick?

• Retired or living off investments: D7.
• Employed remotely with a high salary: D8.
• Freelancer with stable foreign clients above the D8 threshold: D8.
• Mixed income: it depends on which type is larger and easier to prove; we can look at your documents and tell you.

After you arrive

Both visas lead to a temporary residence permit that has to be renewed, and time spent under it counts towards permanent residence and, later, citizenship. Read our guide on the 2026 citizenship rules to see how the clock works.

Not sure which route is safer for your case? We review your income and documents before you apply, so you can choose with confidence.

Requirements are set by the Portuguese authorities and can change; confirm current figures before applying.