Portugal has a way of getting under your skin. The light, the coastline, the historic towns where life still unfolds at a human pace. People linger over coffee. Neighbors stop to chat. You watch that and think: I could get used to this! And, then you have to get on a plane and go home. But, did you know retired Americans can move to Portugal?

How the D7 Process Works

How does Portugal’s D7 Visa process actually work? It’s easy to assume that such a move would require millions or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, but in reality you need just €920 per month as an individual in passive income (2026 figures). At the time of writing, that’s a little less than $1,100 so you can ignore the € symbol and you won’t be too far off. What kind of passive income qualifies? Social security, pensions, 401k’s, dividends from investments and even rental income. Basically, any income you don’t work for.

Over the course of this article, I’ll walk you through how the D7 visa works, what the income requirements look like in real life, and a few practical details that are helpful to understand before you begin the process. The figures and guidance mentioned here are based on Portugalist’s guide to the retirement visa, which also includes a helpful calculator that lets you estimate the income requirements based on your situation.

Let’s Talk Passive Income

Portugal wants to see that you have income arriving regularly without needing to work for it. For retirees, this usually fits naturally. Social Security, pensions, withdrawals from retirement accounts, dividends, and rental income are all commonly accepted. What doesn’t count? A remote job or freelancing income, both of which now fall under Portugal’s Digital Nomad visa (D8). And, savings alone usually isn’t enough unless it generates passive income. The minimum income requirement is fairly straightforward:

• €920 per month for an individual applicant (2026 figures)
• +50% for a spouse or long-term partner
• +30% for each dependent child (usually under 18, with some flexibility for students)
• A couple applying together would typically need around €1,380 per month in passive income.

Savings

Along with income, you’ll normally be expected to show some savings. A common rule of thumb is 12 months of the minimum wage, which currently comes to about €11,040 for a single applicant in 2026. Many advisors suggest keeping a bit more than that, just to strengthen the application. These savings should usually be placed in a Portuguese bank account.

Opening an account with a Portuguese bank, such as Activo Bank, can be done remotely either through online services or with the help of an attorney, which can often be the easiest route. Opening an account in person is possible, but Americans in particular may sometimes, run into issues because of strict anti-money laundering regulations. But, this is not always the case.

Portuguese Address

The next requirement is the one many people find the trickiest. You need to show proof of accommodation in Portugal before the visa is approved. In practice, that usually means renting somewhere, and most landlords expect a 12-month lease. Occasionally consulates will accept six months, but it’s safest to assume a year. You can either come to Portugal to find a rental property or contact landlords directly through sites like Idealista and accommodation Facebook groups. It’s also possible to stay with someone and have them sign a “term of responsibility” form, but unless you have friends or relations in Portugal, this one isn’t likely to be feasible.

Other Essentials

Along with the big items above, there are a handful of other documents you’ll typically need for Portugal’s D7 Visa process.

• NIF. Portugal’s tax number. Easy to obtain and often arranged online for under
  €100. You’ll normally need it before opening a Portuguese bank account.
• A criminal record report, from your home country and anywhere you’ve lived for more than a year, issued within the last 90 days and apostilled.
• Permission for a criminal record report in Portugal. Portugal’s version of the FBI wants to run their own search on you within Portugal.
• Travel Insurance for at least €30,000 in coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation. Some consulates require at least four months of coverage, others twelve.
• A short letter explaining why you want to move to Portugal and outlining your income sources.
• A passport valid beyond the 120-day visa period and two passport photos.
• A marriage certificate if applying as a couple and birth certificates for any dependent children, although these have to be younger than 18 or in full-time education.

Finally, consulates sometimes add their own requirements such as a flight itinerary, a notarized copy of your driver’s license, or even the contact details of your Portuguese landlord. It can be tricky as each consulate can (and does) make up their own rules. You’ll either need to thoroughly research the specific requirements for that particular VFS office, or hire an attorney to take care of the research for you.

Portugal’s D7 Visa

For many Americans, the idea of retiring in Europe stays exactly just that: an idea. Maybe a someday dream. In reality though Portugal is one of the few countries that makes it feel genuinely possible. That doesn’t mean the process is effortless. There is paperwork, planning, and a fair amount (sometimes a lot) of patience involved. But if you’re looking at Europe and wondering where a retirement move might actually be within reach, Portugal stands out. Other EU countries, including Spain, do offer retirement pathways, but few feel as attainable, practical, and realistic for ordinary retirees as Portugal’s D7 visa. And that, really, is what makes it so appealing.

So, if you’ve been thinking about a new chapter, and if Europe still has that pull, Portugal is one of the strongest places to start. Not because it promises a fantasy, there are plenty of downsides to Portugal as well as upsides, but because it gives people a real chance to build a life there by working through Portugal’s D7 Visa process.

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