What do Retired Americans Need to Live in Portugal?

Kenneth K. Says:

As a retired American what requirements are needed for me to live in Portugal?

IL Contributor Terry Coles Writes:

The most common type of visa is the D7, a passive income visa for retirees, digital nomads, or anyone not moving to Portugal to work for a Portuguese company as that requires a work visa.

The D7 requires the holder to be physically present in Portugal for eight months during the first visa period, and six months during the consecutive renewals. After five years of living full-time in Portugal, residents can request permanent residency or apply for citizenship, both require sufficient understanding of the language.

Some of the requirements needed to apply for the D7 visa are as follows:

  • Proof of sufficient financial support equivalent to that of the Portuguese minimum wage, $8,460 each year for the first applicant, $4,230 for the spouse, and $2,538 for children. This is the minimum requirement, but most people need more than this to live sufficiently.
  • Passport and two photos.
  • Application for Visa.
  • Proof of accommodations for one-year, rental contract, or purchased property. Hotel accommodations, Airbnb, or other short-term rentals are not accepted.
  • Proof of private health insurance that works in Portugal.
  • Proof of a bank account in Portugal.
  • A NIF, which is a financial number in Portugal.
  • FBI criminal background report
  • Personal statement as to why you wish to reside in Portugal.

Once the paperwork has been submitted each applicant must appear in person at one of three Portuguese consulates, San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, or Newark, NJ depending on the state that you reside in. Applicants must be present in the US to begin the process within 90 days of arriving in Portugal. This cannot be done from Portugal.

Once the visa is approved the applicant will receive a stamp on their passport valid for four months. After arriving in Portugal, you would make your appointment with SEF, the foreign border patrol agency. When your appointment date arrives you need to bring all the paperwork to the office to be reviewed by the agent who will issue you a temporary resident permit, valid for usually two years.

Read more about visas and residency in Portugal on the IL website.

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