TL;DR: The D7 is the most common visa route for non-EU families moving to Portugal. You apply at the Portuguese consulate in your home country, demonstrate sufficient passive or remote income, open a Portuguese bank account, then complete your residency permit at AIMA after arrival. With two children, expect to show approximately €1,800–€2,000/month in income. Budget 3–6 months from application to arrival.
The D7 visa is the route most families we know used to move to Portugal — including us. It was created for retirees and those with passive income, but it has evolved into the main pathway for remote workers, freelancers, and anyone with stable income from outside Portugal.
This guide covers everything a family needs to know: the income requirements, the full document checklist, the consulate process, what happens after you arrive, and the mistakes that cause delays. It is based on the D7 rules as they stood in 2026 — but immigration rules in Portugal change, and you should verify current requirements with AIMA or a qualified immigration lawyer before submitting your application.
Is the D7 the Right Visa for Your Family?
The D7 suits families who have:
- Passive income — rental income, dividends, investments, royalties
- A pension — state or private, from any country
- Remote work income — employed or freelance, paid by a non-Portuguese company
- Savings — used to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency alongside income
The D7 does not require you to have a job offer in Portugal. You are not moving to work for a Portuguese employer — you are moving as a financially self-sufficient resident. This is what makes it so well-suited to the remote-working families who now make up a large portion of Portugal’s expat intake.
If you’re employed remotely and your income is above the D8 threshold (approximately €2,600–€3,500+/month for the main applicant in 2026), it’s worth discussing both D7 and D8 with an immigration specialist — some applicants qualify for either and the D7 can be more flexible in terms of documentation.
EU and EEA citizens do not need the D7 — they have the right to live and work in Portugal and register residency directly on arrival. See our visa options overview if you’re not sure which category you fall into.
D7 Income Requirements for Families (2026)
The D7 income threshold is calculated as a percentage of Portugal’s national minimum wage (salário mínimo nacional), which was €870/month in 2026. The thresholds are:
| Family member | Monthly income required |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | 100% of minimum wage — approx. €870/month |
| Spouse or partner | 50% — approx. €435/month |
| Each dependent child | 30% — approx. €261/month |
For a family of four (two adults, two children), the combined threshold is approximately €1,827/month. In practice, consulates often look for income comfortably above this — and having additional savings in a Portuguese bank account strengthens any application significantly.
Important: minimum wage in Portugal is reviewed annually. The thresholds above are based on 2026 figures — always verify the current minimum wage and multipliers with the Portuguese consulate or AIMA before applying.
What counts as income for the D7?
- Pension payments (state or private, from any country)
- Rental income from property you own
- Dividends or investment income
- Royalties
- Remote employment income (salary from a foreign employer)
- Freelance/contractor income from foreign clients
- Income from a business you own that operates outside Portugal
The consulate wants to see that income is regular and demonstrable. Irregular or undocumented income is harder to use. If your income is freelance or variable, showing 12 months of consistent bank statements is more persuasive than any single payslip.
What about savings?
Savings are not an alternative to income — but they are an important supplementary proof of financial stability. Most immigration lawyers recommend holding the equivalent of 12 months of living expenses in a Portuguese bank account before or shortly after application. There is no fixed savings requirement in law, but consulates do assess overall financial profile. A family showing modest income but substantial savings in a Portuguese account typically has a stronger application than one showing income alone.
Opening a Portuguese Bank Account Before You Apply
You will need a Portuguese bank account to demonstrate financial ties to Portugal and to receive your income or hold savings during the process. Opening one from abroad is possible but has become more complicated as Portuguese banks have tightened their procedures.
The most practical route for non-residents applying from abroad is to use a bank that allows remote or semi-remote account opening. In 2026, Banco CTT and ActivoBank have been the most accessible for non-residents, with some processes completable online or with limited in-person requirements. Millennium BCP and Novo Banco have also worked for expat families but typically require more steps.
Some families open accounts in person on a pre-move visit to Portugal, which remains the most reliable approach. You need your NIF (Portuguese tax number) to open a bank account — so obtaining your NIF is the first step. See our NIF guide for how to do this remotely through a fiscal representative.
The Full D7 Document Checklist for Families
Requirements vary slightly between consulates and individual circumstances — this list covers what is typically required. Your consulate may ask for additional documents. Always check the current list on the Portuguese consulate website for your country.
For each adult applicant:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended stay — ideally longer)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Completed D7 visa application form (available from the consulate)
- Proof of income — payslips, pension statements, dividend statements, bank transfers (typically the last 3–6 months)
- Bank statements showing income and savings (typically last 3–6 months)
- Proof of Portuguese bank account (statement or account confirmation letter)
- NIF (Portuguese tax number) for each adult
- Criminal record certificate from your home country (apostilled — see below)
- Health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid in Portugal (required for the visa stage) — SafetyWing is a popular flexible option for the transition period
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal — either a signed rental contract, or a property purchase deed
- Completed declaration of means of subsistence (a form declaring your financial capacity)
For dependent children:
- Birth certificate (apostilled and officially translated into Portuguese if not already in Portuguese or English — check consulate requirements)
- Passport (valid)
- NIF for each child (optional at this stage but useful to obtain in advance)
- If parents are separated or divorced: notarised consent from the non-travelling parent for the child to move abroad
A note on apostilles and translations
An apostille is an official government stamp that certifies a document is genuine — required for foreign documents used in Portuguese immigration applications. In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). In the US, they are issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued. Processing typically takes 1–4 weeks — build this into your timeline.
Documents in English are generally accepted at most Portuguese consulates without translation. Documents in other languages typically require a certified Portuguese translation. Confirm with your specific consulate.
The D7 Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Obtain your NIF
Your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number. You need it before you can open a Portuguese bank account, and some consulates ask for it at the application stage. You can obtain a NIF remotely through a fiscal representative (a licensed agent in Portugal) without visiting the country. The process typically takes 1–3 weeks and costs €100–€300 depending on the service used. See our complete NIF guide.
Step 2: Open a Portuguese bank account
Once you have your NIF, open a Portuguese bank account and begin transferring funds to demonstrate financial stability. Aim for at least 3 months of account history before your consulate appointment if possible.
Step 3: Secure accommodation in Portugal
You need a signed rental contract or property deed as proof of accommodation for the D7 application. This is one of the trickier aspects — you need to rent a property before you’ve been approved to live there. Most families sign a short-term lease (6–12 months) for a property sight-unseen or after a short reconnaissance visit. Some landlords are reluctant to sign contracts with tenants who haven’t yet arrived — this is where using a local relocation agent or estate agent familiar with expat applications can help.
Step 4: Gather and apostille your documents
Collect all documents, obtain apostilles for criminal records and birth certificates, and arrange any required translations. This step takes longer than most people expect — start it 8–12 weeks before your intended consulate appointment.
Step 5: Book and attend your consulate appointment
Submit your D7 application at the Portuguese consulate in your home country. Every family member applying must typically attend in person, including children. Consulate appointment availability varies enormously — in the UK, waits of 4–8 weeks are common. In some US cities, waits have been longer. Book as early as possible.
At the appointment, you submit your documents and pay the visa fee. Processing time after submission is typically 30–60 days, though this varies. You cannot travel to Portugal on your D7 visa until it is approved and the visa sticker is placed in your passport.
Step 6: Travel to Portugal
Once your D7 visa is approved, you receive a visa valid for 4 months, allowing two entries. You must travel to Portugal and complete your residency permit registration within this window. Don’t delay — you cannot extend the entry visa once issued.
Step 7: Book your AIMA appointment
AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) is the Portuguese immigration authority that replaced SEF in 2023. After arriving in Portugal on your D7 visa, you must book an AIMA appointment to complete your residency permit (autorização de residência). This is where you submit biometrics and finalise your residency status.
AIMA appointment availability has been a significant bottleneck for expat families — waits of several months have been common. Book your appointment as soon as you arrive, or ideally before you travel if the online system allows it. While waiting for your AIMA appointment, your D7 visa entry stamp serves as proof of legal status — you are permitted to stay.
Step 8: Attend AIMA and receive your residence permit
At your AIMA appointment, you submit biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) and your supporting documents. Your residence permit card is issued separately, typically within a few weeks. The initial residence permit is valid for 2 years. After that, you renew for a further 3 years. After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Realistic Timeline: D7 Start to Finish
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Obtain NIF (remotely) | 1–3 weeks |
| Open Portuguese bank account | 2–6 weeks |
| Gather and apostille documents | 4–10 weeks |
| Book consulate appointment | 4–8 weeks wait (varies widely) |
| Consulate processing after submission | 30–60 days |
| Travel to Portugal | Within 4 months of visa issue |
| AIMA appointment wait | 2–6 months (variable — book immediately) |
Total realistic timeline from starting the process to receiving your residence permit: 6–12 months. Families who’ve tried to compress this into 3 months often hit problems — apostilles delayed, consulate appointments unavailable, AIMA backlog. Starting early is the single most important thing you can do.
Common Mistakes That Cause D7 Delays
- Not apostilling documents early enough. Criminal record certificates and birth certificates need apostilles, and apostille services have their own processing times. This is the step most families underestimate.
- Insufficient income documentation. Bank statements showing irregular or undocumented income are a common rejection reason. Three to six months of clean, regular statements are the minimum.
- Not having a Portuguese bank account. Trying to substitute a foreign account doesn’t work well. Open a Portuguese account as early as possible.
- Booking the AIMA appointment too late. Book the moment you arrive in Portugal — or before, if the system allows. Every week of delay extends the limbo period before you have a residence permit card in hand.
- Accommodation proof issues. A rental contract that isn’t signed, notarised, or in the correct format can cause problems. If using a short-term let, ensure it covers the duration of your visa and is a formal contract.
- Not including children correctly. Each child needs their own documentation. If parents are separated, the non-travelling parent’s consent is required — get this early.
- Applying without legal advice. The D7 is achievable without a lawyer, but a qualified immigration specialist who knows your consulate’s specific expectations is worth the cost, particularly for complex income situations.
D7 Costs: What to Budget
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| NIF (per person, via fiscal representative) | €100–€300 |
| Apostille fees (per document, varies by country) | £15–£75 / $25–$100 |
| Portuguese translations (per document, if needed) | €50–€150 |
| D7 visa application fee (per adult) | approximately €90 |
| Health insurance (annual family policy minimum) | €800–€2,000+ |
| Immigration lawyer (optional but recommended) | €500–€2,000 depending on complexity |
| AIMA residence permit fee (per person) | approximately €320 |
For a family of four, budget €2,000–€5,000 for the visa and residency process itself, excluding accommodation deposits and moving costs.
After the D7: What Comes Next
Once you have your residence permit, you are a legal resident of Portugal. Practically, this means:
- You can enrol children in Portuguese state schools
- You can register with the SNS public healthcare system
- You can open additional bank accounts, sign contracts, and engage with Portuguese bureaucracy as a resident
- You pay Portuguese income tax on worldwide income (the NHR regime, now replaced by the IFICI incentive, may apply — seek specialist tax advice)
- After 2 years, you renew your residence permit for a further 3 years
- After 5 years total, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship
Tax residency implications are significant and worth taking seriously. Once resident in Portugal, you are typically taxed in Portugal on worldwide income — though double tax treaties (including the UK-Portugal treaty) affect how this works in practice. See our UK-Portugal tax treaty guide and consult a cross-border tax specialist before making assumptions.
Do You Need an Immigration Lawyer?
Strictly speaking, no — you can apply for a D7 without legal representation. In practice, most families benefit from at least a one-hour consultation with a qualified immigration specialist. The reasons:
- Document requirements vary by consulate and change without much notice
- Income edge cases (freelance, variable, mixed sources) are handled differently by different consulates
- Mistakes cause delays measured in months, not days
- A good lawyer can tell you within 30 minutes whether your income situation qualifies cleanly for D7 or whether there are complications to address first
For recommendations on immigration lawyers used by expat families in Porto specifically, see our immigration lawyers guide.
Immigration rules, income thresholds, and processing procedures change. This guide reflects the D7 process as understood in 2026 — always verify current requirements with AIMA (aima.gov.pt) or a licensed immigration specialist before submitting your application. Nothing in this article constitutes legal or immigration advice.
Planning your move to Portugal with kids? Our free family relocation checklist covers the D7 application timeline, NIF, bank account, schools, and everything you need for the first 30 days on the ground.
For transferring funds to Portugal to meet the D7 income threshold — or setting up your Portuguese bank account — Wise avoids bank exchange rate losses on currency transfers. See our sending money guide for the full comparison.