1
May 2026 Update: New Nationality Law Now in Force
Parliament approved the new Nationality Law on April 1, 2026 (151 in favor, 65 against), extending the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for non-EU/non-CPLP nationals. The President promulgated the law in early May 2026. This is the most significant change to Portugal's citizenship path in a generation and directly affects everyone on a D7, D8, or Golden Visa track.
- Before: 5 years of legal residency → eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship
- Now: 10 years of legal residency for most foreign nationals, including Americans, Brits, Canadians, Australians, and Indians
- Exception: 7 years for CPLP nationals (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe, East Timor) and EU citizens
- Residency visas (D7, D8, Golden Visa) are NOT affected — you can still move to Portugal and become a legal resident on the same terms
- Permanent residency after 5 years is NOT changing — only the citizenship path extends
- Transitional provisions protect applications already submitted under the prior 5-year rule — consult a Portuguese immigration lawyer for your specific case
- Golden Visa investors counting on the 5-year passport math should review their timeline with counsel — start dates and case-status protections are critical
- The law also introduces stricter grounds for citizenship revocation and a reduced threshold for criminal-conviction restrictions
2
Your Residency Options at a Glance
Portugal offers a structured set of residency visas designed for different types of expat — passive income earners, remote workers, investors, students, and those with family ties. Every path leads to a 2-year residence permit, renewable, with permanent residency after 5 years. The new Nationality Law (promulgated May 2026) extends citizenship eligibility to 10 years of legal residency for non-EU/non-CPLP nationals (7 years for EU and CPLP citizens). Law 61/2025 (in force October 2025) also tightened migration pathways: the 'manifestação de interesse' tourist-to-residence conversion is gone, and CPLP nationals must now obtain a residence visa from origin before entering.
- D7 Visa: For retirees, landlords, and passive income earners — minimum €920/month (2026)
- D8 Visa: For remote workers and freelancers — minimum €3,680/month (4× min. wage, 2026)
- Golden Visa (ARI): For investors — cultural donation from €250,000 or fund investment from €500,000 (real estate route closed since 2023)
- Student Visa (D4): For enrollment in accredited Portuguese institutions
- Qualified Job-Seeker Visa: New — 120-day stay for highly qualified professionals in tech, healthcare, etc.
- Family Reunification: For spouses and dependent children of legal residents — now requires 2 years of legal residence
- All residency visas lead to permanent residency after 5 years
3
D7 Passive Income Visa — The Expat Favorite
The D7 remains the most popular residency visa for non-EU expats and is specifically designed for those with regular passive income — pensions, rental income, dividends, royalties, or savings interest. It's straightforward: prove you have enough passive income to support yourself, have a Portuguese address, and hold private health insurance. The visa grants a 4-month initial entry visa, during which you apply for a 2-year residence permit.
- Minimum income (2026): €920/month for main applicant; +50% for spouse (€1,380/mo); +30% per child (€1,196/mo)
- A family of 3 needs approximately €1,656/month minimum
- Eligible income: pensions, rental income, dividends, royalties, savings interest — must be passive
- Savings buffer: equivalent of 12 months minimum wage (≈€10,440) strongly recommended
- Required: NIF (Portuguese tax number), Portuguese address, health insurance, clean criminal record
- Government fees: ~€80 consulate visa + ~€170 AIMA residence permit = ~€250 total
- Processing: 60 days at consulate; 6+ months for residence permit via AIMA appointments
4
D8 Digital Nomad & Freelancer Visa
Launched in 2022, the D8 visa is designed for remote workers, freelancers, and self-employed professionals with an online income. It requires proving consistent income of at least 4× the Portuguese minimum wage — €3,680/month as of 2026 — with 4–12 months of income history. It comes in two forms: a Temporary Stay Visa (up to 1 year, renewable) for those not ready to commit, and a Residency Visa for those seeking the full 2-year residence permit path.
- Minimum income (2026): 4× minimum wage = €3,680/month; +50% for spouse, +30% per child
- Savings requirement: minimum €11,040 (12× minimum wage) in accessible funds
- For employees: employment contract confirming remote work is permitted
- For freelancers: invoices, client contracts, bank statements showing 12 months of income history recommended
- Additional requirements: NIF, Portuguese bank account, proof of accommodation, health insurance
- Temporary Stay Visa: up to 1 year, renewable; simpler requirements
- Residency Visa: 4-month entry visa, then apply for 2-year residence permit at AIMA
- Processing: 30–60 days at consulate; faster than D7 in many consulates
5
Golden Visa (ARI) — Investment Route
Portugal's Golden Visa remains active but was significantly restructured in 2023 when the real estate investment route was eliminated. The program now focuses on cultural, scientific, and fund investments. Its key advantage is the minimal physical presence requirement — just 7 days per year — while building a path to permanent residency. AIMA processing has improved significantly in 2025-2026, with backlogs largely cleared.
- Real estate route closed since October 2023 — no longer available
- Cultural donation: minimum €250,000 to recognized Portuguese cultural institutions
- Scientific research investment: minimum €500,000
- Fund investment: minimum €500,000 in regulated investment funds (60% deployed in Portugal)
- Minimum presence: 7 days/year in year 1; 14 days/2 years thereafter
- Processing time (2026): 6–9 months — significantly improved from prior backlogs
- Path to PR: 5 years of Golden Visa residency; citizenship timeline may extend to 10 years pending new law
- Used primarily by high-net-worth individuals for EU access and Schengen travel
6
Step-by-Step Application Process (D7 & D8)
Applying for Portuguese residency takes 3–9 months from decision to card-in-hand. AIMA launched a digital platform in January 2026 improving transparency, and online renewal is available since June 2025 without in-person appointments (if biometrics are still valid). Using an immigration lawyer (€500–€2,000) is optional but can reduce stress.
- Step 1: Obtain your NIF (Portuguese tax number) — via Portuguese consulate, tax office, or fiscal representative
- Step 2: Open a Portuguese bank account (NIF required; Banco Best, Millennium BCP, and ActivoBank allow remote opening)
- Step 3: Secure accommodation — signed rental contract or property deed required
- Step 4: Obtain comprehensive health insurance covering Portugal (from €30–€80/month)
- Step 5: Book consulate appointment in your home country — book early, wait times can be 1–4 months
- Step 6: Submit visa application with all documents; receive 4-month entry visa
- Step 7: Enter Portugal and book AIMA appointment for biometrics and residence permit
- Step 8: Attend AIMA appointment; receive 2-year residence card by post (4–8 weeks)
