Portugal D7 vs Golden Visa: Which Route Fits You? (2026)
Two very different Portuguese routes to the same EU passport. The D7 is for people with steady passive income who will actually live in Portugal; the Golden Visa is for people with capital who want residency with almost no physical-presence requirement. One costs you time in-country, the other costs money. Here's the trade.
Side by side
| Visa | Income / investment | Cost | Work allowed | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal D7 | ~€920/mo (€11,040/yr) passive | €110 visa + lawyer ~€1,500 | Yes (including local employment) | 4-6 months | 5 years | 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU) |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal Golden | €500k fund / cultural — real estate excluded since 2023 | €500k investment + ~€10k fees | Not required | 6-12 months | 5 years | 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU) |
The details
🇵🇹 D7 Passive Income Visa — Portugal
Income: ~€920/mo (€11,040/yr) passive · Processing: 4-6 months · Cost: €110 visa + lawyer ~€1,500
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU)
Pros
- Lowest income bar in Europe
- Permanent residence after 5 years
- Work allowed in Portugal
Trade-offs
- Slow AIMA processing
- 183-day/yr presence required
- NHR tax regime ended Mar 2024
Full Portugal guide · City guides · Official source
✓ Verified 2026-10-26 against official sources. Every figure with its source
🇵🇹 Golden Visa — Portugal
Income: €500k fund / cultural — real estate excluded since 2023 · Processing: 6-12 months · Cost: €500k investment + ~€10k fees
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 10 years (7 for CPLP/EU)
Pros
- Only 7 days/yr presence required
- Family included
- Permanent residence in 5yr
Trade-offs
- Real estate option killed Oct 2023
- Long AIMA processing
- Large capital lockup
Not yet re-verified against official sources; confirm figures with the consulate.
Model both against your own numbers
GoThere runs your real income and family size against every visa's threshold, then tracks the document checklist for the one you choose.
Related
All passive-income visas · All digital nomad visas · Moving to Spain · Moving to Portugal