D7 vs D8: which visa is right for you

The D7 and D8 lead to the same outcome — Portuguese residency with a path to citizenship. But they suit different people. The key question: is your income passive, or is it pay for remote work?

The D7 visa — passive income

For those with stable passive or regular income unrelated to work in Portugal: pension, rent, dividends, interest, royalties.

• Who it's for: retirees, rentiers and investors with stable income.
• Threshold: roughly Portugal's minimum wage for the main applicant, +50% for a second adult, +30% per child.
• The logic: you prove you can live in Portugal without local employment.

Read more on the D7 visa page.

The D8 visa — remote work

The "digital nomad" visa: for those who work remotely for foreign employers or clients.

• Who it's for: freelancers, remote workers and IT professionals with foreign contracts.
• Threshold: higher than the D7 — roughly four times the minimum monthly wage.
• Formats: both a temporary (up to one year) and a residency option are available.

Read more on the D8 visa page.

What they share and how to choose

Both visas grant residency for the whole family, visa-free travel across Schengen and a path to permanent residency and citizenship. In short: if your income is passive, it's the D7; if it's active remote work with higher income, it's the D8. In borderline cases, the choice depends on how your income is structured and which documents you can provide.

This information is for general guidance only. Financial thresholds are tied to the minimum wage and reviewed each year — check the latest figures or get in touch with us.