Main Blog How to get Portugal residence in 2025 — D7/D8/D2 permits & renewals

How to get Portugal residence in 2025 — D7/D8/D2 permits & renewals

120

9/24/2025

How to get Portugal residence in 2025 — D7/D8/D2 permits & renewals

Looking for Portugal residence in 2025? The most popular pathways are the D7 passive income visa, the D8 digital nomad visa, and the D2 entrepreneur visa. Family members join via the D6 reunification route. Since 2023, all residence files are handled by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which replaced SEF. This guide explains eligibility, documents, step-by-step filing, renewals, mistakes, and key 2025 changes.

Key terms (Portugal-specific)

AIMA: Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — the authority handling residence permits, renewals, and nationality after SEF reform.
D7 visa: Passive income visa for retirees and applicants with stable funds (pensions, rentals, dividends).
D8 visa: Digital nomad visa for remote workers or freelancers with steady monthly income above official thresholds.
D2 visa: Entrepreneur visa for company founders, investors, and self-employed professionals with a viable business plan.
D6 visa: Family reunification route, allowing spouses, children, and dependants to join residents.
NIF: Portuguese tax number required for contracts, rentals, and banking.
NISS: Social security number needed for employment/self-employment registration.
Residence card: The plastic ID issued after AIMA approval; renewable at 1–2 year intervals before long-term residence.

Routes at a glance (one clear table)

Route (2025)	Who it fits	Income/investment	Initial validity	Renewal	Notes
D7 Passive Income	Retirees, remote income holders	≥ 100% of Portuguese minimum wage/month (proof of funds)	2 years	Renewable for 3 years	Must show accommodation and insurance
D8 Digital Nomad	Remote workers, freelancers	~€3,280 gross monthly income (2025)	1–2 years	Renewable	Employment/clients abroad; proof of work contracts
D2 Entrepreneur	Founders, investors, self-employed	Viable business plan; capital in company	2 years	Renewable for 3 years	Requires tax registration, activity proof
D6 Family Reunification	Spouses, children, dependants	Sponsor’s income must cover household	Aligned to sponsor	Aligned to sponsor	Marriage/birth docs, housing proof

Eligibility checklist (2025)

Valid passport with at least 6+ months before expiry.
NIF and Portuguese bank account (often required for rentals and proof of funds).
Accommodation proof — rental contract, property deed, or invitation letter.
Health insurance covering Portugal.
Income proofs — pensions, contracts, payslips, dividends, or business filings.
Police clearances from countries of recent residence.
Translations/legalisation of foreign documents (apostille or consular legalisation).

Step-by-step (Portugal residence 2025)

Pick the right route (D7, D8, D2, D6).
Secure NIF and bank account to manage contracts and funds.
Collect documents — income proofs, contracts, insurance, housing, police clearances.
Apply at Portuguese consulate in your home country for visa (D7/D8/D2).
Enter Portugal and book AIMA appointment for residence permit.
Attend biometrics — fingerprints, photo, signature.
Collect residence card and register with local authorities if required.

Documents (by route)

D7: Pension statements, rental/dividend income, bank funds, rental contract, insurance.
D8: Remote work contract, proof of freelance income, recent invoices, bank statements, tax filings.
D2: Business plan, company registration, capital investment evidence, NISS registration if self-employed.
D6: Marriage/birth certificates, sponsor’s residence card, proof of shared accommodation and income.

Costs & timeline (2025)

Consular fees for D7/D8/D2 visas apply at embassies. AIMA fees apply at permit issuance (approx. €150–250). Translations/legalisation costs vary by origin country. Timelines: 2–3 months for consular processing; 2–8 weeks for AIMA appointments and card issuance. Apply early due to backlogs.

What changed in 2025

AIMA fully operational — all residence cases now processed here, replacing SEF.
D8 income threshold updated (~€3,280 gross/month based on national average).
Golden Visa real estate route closed (since Oct 2023). Alternatives: funds, R&D, jobs.
Digital filing expansion — partial online submissions, but biometrics remain in person.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Using tourist stay for residence filing instead of the proper D-visa.
Underestimating income thresholds (especially D8 digital nomad).
No housing proof — leases without NIF registration may be rejected.
Missing apostilles on foreign civil-status docs.
Delaying AIMA booking — slots can take weeks to months.

Expert opinion

“The strongest Portugal residence files in 2025 combine solid income proofs, clean police clearances, and early AIMA bookings. Most delays come from missing apostilles or underestimated income thresholds for D8.” — VelesClub Int. Immigration Team

FAQ (quick answers)

What income is needed for the D7 visa?
At least the Portuguese minimum wage per month (~€820 in 2025) plus 50% per dependant; show stable pensions, rentals, or dividends.

How much income is needed for the D8 digital nomad visa?
At least ~€3,280 gross per month (4x minimum wage), proven with contracts, invoices, and tax records.

Can family members join me?
Yes. Spouses, children, and dependants join via D6 family reunification with proof of relationship and income.

How long until permanent residence?
Usually after 5 years of continuous residence; requires integration, stable income, and clean conduct.

Do I need Portuguese language?
For residence, not initially. For citizenship after 5 years, an A2 level test is required.

Next steps

Planning to apply for Portugal residence in 2025? Use your workspace and the Residency & Citizenship hub to generate a personalised checklist, timeline, and document tracker for your route (D7, D8, D2, D6).