Portugal D7 vs D8: New 2026 Visa Rules & Income Updates

Look, we’ve all seen the pictures of coffee in Lisbon, surfing in Ericeira, the whole deal. It’s why everyone is rushing to Portugal right now. But let’s cut the talk and get to the part that’s a total headache: the paperwork. Most people get stuck choosing between the D7 and the D8, and honestly, it’s a mess if you don’t know the difference. One is for your passive cash, the other is for your remote job, but which one actually fits you?

Things just got tougher in 2026. Portugal’s minimum wage is now €920, so those old budget guides you’re reading online? Throw them away. The financial bar is higher for everyone now. Whether you’re a retiree with some dividends or a dev working for a US startup, you can’t just wing it anymore. I’m going to skip the legal nonsense and tell you the real strategy here, so you don’t end up with a rejected application and a wasted year

Quick Comparison: D7 vs. D8 at a Glance (2026)

“I’ve put this together so you can see the main differences without digging through 50 pages of legal text. Pay close attention to the income gap—it’s the biggest deal-breaker for most people in 2026.”

What Matters	D7 (The Passive Route)	D8 (The Nomad Path)
Source of Cash	Passive stuff (Pensions, Rent, or Dividends)	Active work (Remote job or Freelancing)
Monthly Income	€920 (Based on the new 2026 min. wage)	€3,680 (Yeah, it’s exactly 4x the min. wage)
How long can you stay?	Straight to a 2-Year residency permit	Choice: 1-Year (Temp) or 2-Year (Resident)
Bank Balance Needed	At least €11,040 in a PT bank	Same €11,040 (but have extra for family)
Who is it for?	Mostly retirees or folks with fixed income	Remote corporate employees & tech freelancers

1. Portugal D7 Visa Guide: New 2026 Passive Income Rules

Income Rules You Need to Know (2026 Update)- Everything changed in 2026, as Portugal increased its minimum wage to €920. Since the D7 is tied directly to this number, the financial bar just got a bit higher. You can’t use 2024 or 2025 numbers anymore.

Here is the real-world math for your application:

Main Applicant: You need at least €920 every month. (That’s €11,040 for the whole year).
Bringing a Partner? You’ll need to show another 50% on top of your base (€460 extra per month).
Kids/Dependents: Add another 30% per child (€276 extra per month).

A Quick Reality Check: While the law says €920 is enough, I always tell people to show a bit more if they can. Consulates love seeing a ‘safety net,’ so if your income is closer to €1,200, your chances of a ‘Yes’ are much better.

Expert Insider Tip: While the legal minimum is €920, consulates have become increasingly selective in 2026. Based on recent application trends, showing an income of €1,200 or more significantly strengthens your file and leads to much higher approval rates.

What Counts as “Passive Income”?

To satisfy the immigration authorities, your income must be “passive”—meaning it is earned without the need for active daily employment. Generally, the following sources are accepted:

Pensions: Both state social security and private retirement funds.
Rental Income: Verifiable income from long-term real estate lease agreements.
Dividends & Investments: Profits from stock portfolios or business ownership.
Intellectual Property: Ongoing royalties from books, software, or creative works.

2. The Portugal D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa Official Name)

Launched to cater to the remote work revolution, the Portugal D8 Visa (officially the Digital Nomad Visa) is for those who earn their living through active employment or freelancing for companies outside of Portugal.

The “4x” Rule for 2026: Why the D8 is Pricey

“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the money. The D8 (Digital Nomad Visa) has a much higher financial hurdle than the D7. To get your hands on a ‘Remote Work Visa’ for Portugal, the government expects you to earn at least four times their national minimum wage.

Here’s the actual breakdown for 2026:

Monthly Salary Needed: €3,680 (This is your base as the main applicant).
Bringing Family? You’ll need to add 50% for your partner and another 30% for each kid to that monthly total.

A heads-up for my fellow Freelancers: Don’t think you can just show a bank balance and get through. You’ve got to prove the work is actually happening. AIMA (the immigration folks) will want to see solid service contracts, your last 3 months of invoices, andmost importantly, bank statements that show that foreign cash actually hitting your account. If the trail isn’t clear, they won’t hesitate to deny the file.

3. Why Your Choice Actually Matters: The Big Differences

Look, it’s not just about the money; it’s about what you want your life to look like in five years. This is where most people get confused, especially with the D8 options.

A. Residency or Just a Long Visit? If you go for the D8 (Digital Nomad), you have to choose a side. It’s not one-size-fits-all:

The Temporary Stay (The 1-Year Fix): This is for people who just want to ‘try out’ Portugal. It’s valid for a year, and that’s it. You don’t get residency rights, and you can’t use this time to count toward a passport later. It’s basically for ‘slow travelers’ who aren’t looking to stay forever.
The Residency Track (The Long Game): This is the serious one. Just like the D7, this leads to a 2-year residence permit. If you want to settle down, buy a house, or eventually get Portuguese citizenship after 5 years, this is the only path you should be looking at.

B. Minimum Stay Requirements

D7/D8 Residents: You must generally spend 16 months in Portugal during the first 2-year period.
D8 Temporary Stay: No strict physical presence requirement, as it doesn’t lead to permanent residency.

C. Tax Planning (NHR 2.0)

The original Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme ended in 2024. In 2026, new residents look toward the Incentivised Tax Status (ITS) or “NHR 2.0.” This regime typically benefits highly qualified professionals (D8) more than passive income holders (D7), though certain pension exemptions still apply.

4. Step-by-Step: The Application Process

Acquire a Portuguese NIF: Your tax identification number is the “key” to Portugal.
Open a Portuguese Bank Account: Mandatory for D7; highly recommended for D8 to show Bank balance requirements for Portugal residency.
Secure Housing: You need a 12-month lease agreement or property deed. Airbnb receipts are no longer accepted for residency tracks.
VFS Global Portugal Application: Submit your file in your home country.
AIMA Appointment Portugal: Once in Portugal, you will attend a meeting with AIMA (formerly SEF) to exchange your visa for a residence card.

5. FAQs: Quick Answers for 2026 Applicants

Can I work on a D7 visa in Portugal?
Yes! Once you have your residency card, you are legally allowed to work for a Portuguese company or start a local business.
Is D7 visa only for retirees?
No. Anyone with sufficient passive income (dividends, royalties) can apply, regardless of age.
Which Portugal visa is faster in 2026?
The D8 Temporary Stay visa is often processed faster (45-60 days) than the residency tracks (90-120 days).
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, you must have Portugal health insurance for visa applications that covers you until you are registered in the public SNS system.

Final Strategy: Which One Is for You?

Choose the D7 if you have a pension, own rental property, or have a dividend-paying portfolio. It is financially “cheaper” but requires proof that the income is truly passive.
Choose the D8 if you have a high-paying remote job or a successful freelance business. It is more expensive but perfectly aligns with the lifestyle of a professional working globally from Lisbon or Porto.

Call to Action

Are you ready to start your life in Portugal? Comment below with your current income source (Passive or Active), and we’ll help you identify your best visa match! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest 2026 AIMA wait-time updates.

Disclaimer

Okay, let’s get one thing straight—I’m not an immigration lawyer or some legal guru. What you’re reading here (the €920 wage updates, the 2026 visa shifts, all of it) is just me sharing the results of my own late-night research and what I’ve seen happening on the ground. But listen, Portugal’s rules? They’re notorious for changing without warning. I’m here to help you get your head around the basics, but please, don’t treat this as the final law. Before you drop any serious cash or pack your life into a suitcase, consult with a certified attorney or the consulate. It’s your future on the line, so double-check everything first