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PORTUGUESE RESIDENCY
There are three main legal routes to obtain Portuguese residency as a non-EU citizen. Each was designed with a different profile in mind. We’ll help you understand which fits yours.
Choosing the right visa is the first, and most important, step of the entire journey. A well-informed decision at this stage avoids setbacks, unnecessary costs, and frustration. On this page we present, in a clear and comparable way, the three main options currently available to those who want to live in Portugal.
Each visa has its own requirements, its own timeline, and its own impact on your daily life. The good news is that, for most profiles, there is a suitable path.
A comparative view of the three routes to help orient your thinking. Click on each visa to learn about the process in detail.
For investors and high-net-worth families
Residency through qualified investment in Portugal. Does not require a change of primary residence, only 7 days per year in Portuguese territory. The preferred route for those who want to keep their current life abroad while gaining access to the European Union.
Most popular type of investment: CMVM-regulated funds from EUR 500,000.
For retirees and passive income
Designed for those with regular income from pensions, rental properties, dividends or other passive sources. Requires making Portugal your primary residence and is the most common route for international retirees.
Minimum income: approximately 12 times the national minimum wage per year.
For remote workers and digital nomads
Created for those who work remotely for employers or clients based outside Portugal. Applies to both employees and freelancers. Requires residing in Portugal as your primary home.
Minimum income: “approximately 4 times the national minimum wage in a 3 month period
A complete side-by-side view to compare structural and legal characteristics of each framework.
| Parameter | Golden Visa | D7 Visa | D8 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE | Investors, high-net-worth individuals, and those who wish to maintain their primary hub abroad. | Retirees, landlords, and individuals receiving dividends, stable royalties, or pension yields. | Remote salaried employees, independent tech/digital freelancers, and location-independent nomads. |
| MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIRED | EUR 500,000 in CMVM-regulated funds (Real estate pathways are closed under current ARI rules). | None required. | None required. |
| MINIMUM INCOME REQUIRED | None. | Approx. 12x national minimum wage per year (~EUR 9,840/year for main applicant). | Approx. 4x national minimum wage per month (~EUR 3,280/month for main applicant). |
| MANDATORY PHYSICAL PRESENCE | Only 7 days per calendar year. | 183 days per year (cannot be absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 months non-consecutively). | 183 days per year (cannot be absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 months non-consecutively). |
| TAX RESIDENCY IN PORTUGAL | Optional (Only triggered if you reside in Portugal more than 183 days a year). | Mandatory (Inherent to maintaining primary residence in Portuguese territory). | Mandatory (Inherent to maintaining primary residence in Portuguese territory). |
| FAMILY REUNIFICATION | Spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents over 65 can be included. | Spouse, dependent minor/student children, and dependent parents over 65. | Spouse, dependent minor/student children, and dependent parents over 65. |
| PATH TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY | Eligible to apply after 5 years of holding legal residency. | Eligible to apply after 5 years of holding legal residency. | Eligible to apply after 5 years of holding legal residency. |
| PATH TO PORTUGUESE CITIZENSHIP | Eligible to apply after 10 years of legal residency (subject to A2 Portuguese language certification). | Eligible to apply after 10 years of legal residency (subject to A2 Portuguese language certification). | Eligible to apply after 10 years of legal residency (subject to A2 Portuguese language certification). |
How to decide
The choice between Golden Visa, D7 and D8 depends on several personal factors: where you currently live, what capital you have available, whether you plan to move to Portugal or simply gain access to the European Union, whether you work or live on passive income, among others.
The clearest way to know what fits your case is a conversation with our team. In a no-obligation session, we assess your specific situation, explain the tax and legal implications of each path, and suggest what we consider makes the most sense for you and your family.
