D7 Visa in Portugal

The D7 Visa allows non-EU citizens to reside and work in Portugal, as well as to move freely within the Schengen area, and it is also possible for them to extend these rights to their family members. This Visa is especially aimed at retirees, pensioners, or individuals with regular income from movable or immovable property.

Step 1 - Assignment of the D7 Residence Visa

The attribution of the residence visa is the responsibility of the Portuguese consular post of the country of nationality and/or residence of the foreign citizen. After verifying all the specificities of each Portuguese consular post, the documents usually requested for the application for this type of Visa are the following:

• Application in a specific form, made available by the competent consular post or Portuguese Embassy;
• Passport or other travel document valid for another 3 months beyond the duration of the intended stay;
• Two identical passport-size photographs;
• Valid travel insurance;
• Proof of legal residence;
• Application for consultation of the Portuguese criminal record by AIMA – form in its own model;
• Certificate of criminal record from the country of origin or the country where the Applicant has resided for more than one year;
• Proof of accommodation conditions, (e.g. public deed of purchase and sale);
• Proof of the existence of means of subsistence as defined by ordinance of the competent members of the Government;
• Proof of retirement/pension and/or other type of own income, namely income from movable or immovable property, or intellectual property, or financial investments, and/or dividends, as well as the respective amount.

Step 2 - Granting of Temporary Residence Permit

Once the residence visa has been issued by the Portuguese consular post and/or Embassy, the Applicant may legally enter the Portuguese national territory and request, at AIMA, the issuance of the respective Temporary Residence Permit. The application for a Residence Permit must be scheduled by the applicant via telephone call with AIMA. Alternatively, the appointment can be made internally by the Portuguese consulate or embassy during the visa issuance process. The application must be submitted in person, with a form signed by the applicant or their legal representative, and can be submitted at any AIMA regional office.

This application must be accompanied by the following documents:

• Two identical passport-size photographs;
• Passport or other valid travel document;
• Valid residence visa;
• Certificate of criminal record from the country of origin or the country where the Applicant has resided for more than one year (minors under 16 years of age are exempt from submitting documents relating to the criminal record);
• Proof of means of subsistence, as provided for in Ordinance No. 1563/2007, of 11/12;
• Proof of retirement/pension and/or other type of own income, namely income from movable or immovable property, or intellectual property, or financial investments, and/or dividends, with the respective amount;
• Proof that the Applicant has accommodation (as mentioned above);
• Authorization to consult the Portuguese criminal record by SEF (except for minors under 16 years of age);
• Proof of registration with the Tax Authority (whenever applicable);
• Proof of Social Security registration (whenever applicable);
• Health insurance or proof that you are registered with the National Health Service.

Please note that the granting of a residence permit requires:

• Absence of known facts that prevent the issuance of the Visa, if known by the authorities;
• Not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year in Portugal;
• The applicant must not be subject to an entry ban in Portugal, following a removal measure from the country;
• Not having an indication in the Schengen Information System;
• Not have an indication in the Integrated Information System of the SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) for the purposes of non-admission, under the terms of article 33 of REPSAE (Amendment to the Regime of Entry, Stay, Exit and Removal of Foreigners).

Family Reunification

By applying for Family Reunification, the Applicant's family members can also obtain a residence permit in Portugal. In this context, this type of residence permit can be extended to the spouse, children (minors) and economically dependent family members of the Applicant. Family members will also be eligible for permanent residency (after 5 years of temporary residence) and Portuguese nationality (also after 5 years).

Renewal

Initial temporary residency is valid for one year, renewable for two years thereafter, with plans for longer periods after successful renewals.

Without prejudice to specific legal provisions (in which the Foreigners Law provides for different deadlines), with the amendment of article 75 of the Foreigners Law by article 192 of Law no. 75-B/2020, of 31 December - State Budget for 2021, In force since 1 January 2021, the temporary residence permit is valid for a period of two years (instead of just one) from the date of issue of the temporary residence permit and is renewable for successive periods of three years (instead of just two).

Costs

The Applicant and each family member must pay the respective fees to AIMA, both for the first application and for each subsequent renewal procedure. The value of each fee is €109.30.

Source: Pares Advogados