Portugal D7 Visa Income Requirements in 2026: The Real Numbers

The D7's income test is not a fixed euro figure written into a law — it is pegged to Portugal's national minimum wage (RMMG), which is €920/month in 2026. For a single applicant that works out to roughly €920/month; for a couple, roughly €1,380. Here is how the numbers are actually built, and what else the D7 involves.

What the D7 actually is

"D7" is a common label, not a legal term of art. It refers to the residence visa for retirees, religious workers and people living on their own income (Article 58 of Law 23/2007, regulated by Regulatory Decree 9/2018). You apply at the competent Portuguese consular post for your country; the legal decision period is 60 days. The residence authority in Portugal is AIMA, which replaced the former SEF.

How the income requirement is calculated

The means-of-subsistence rules (Ordinance 1563/2007) are indexed to the minimum wage: 100% of the RMMG for the first adult, 50% for a second or additional adult, and 30% per child under 18. The RMMG for 2026 is €920 per month (Decree-Law 139/2025, in force since 1 January 2026). So, as a calculation for 2026: a single applicant needs income around €920/month; a couple around €1,380/month; each child adds around €276/month. These euro amounts are arithmetic — the multipliers and the minimum wage are what the rules actually fix, which is why the figures change every year. Always confirm the current numbers with the consular post and AIMA before applying.

The tax consequence nobody prices in

Living in Portugal on a D7 almost inevitably makes you a Portuguese tax resident — more than 183 days (consecutive or not) in any 12-month window, or a home kept as your habitual residence, is enough (Article 16 CIRS). From that point your worldwide income is within the Portuguese tax net (Article 15 CIRS). A D7 holder can separately apply for the IFICI 20% regime, but most retirees living on passive income will not qualify — the IFICI requires an eligible professional activity. Budget for Portuguese tax as part of the move, not as an afterthought.

Keeping the residence permit

A temporary residence authorisation can be cancelled for absence from Portugal: broadly, six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months within the permit's total validity period (Law 23/2007, consolidated version). Absences beyond the limits must be justified to AIMA. If your plan involves long stretches abroad, read this rule before committing.

Practical notes

Passive-income evidence works best when it is stable and documented: pensions, rents, dividends, interest. Requirements at consular level vary by country, so treat the consular post's checklist as authoritative for your file. And remember the sequence: visa first (consulate), then the residence permit (AIMA) once in Portugal — a consular visa and a residence permit are different things.

FAQ

How much income do I need for the D7 in 2026?

The test is pegged to the minimum wage (€920/month in 2026): 100% for the first adult, +50% for a second adult, +30% per child — roughly €1,380/month for a couple, as a 2026 calculation.

Will the D7 make me a Portuguese tax resident?

Living in Portugal typically will: more than 183 days in any 12-month window, or keeping a habitual home, triggers tax residency — and with it, taxation of worldwide income.

How long can I stay outside Portugal without losing the permit?

Broadly, absences of six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months within the permit's validity can lead to cancellation, unless justified to AIMA.

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