There comes a moment when planning your move to Portugal stops being about sunny afternoons, beautiful towns and a different pace of life, and starts being about numbers. You open a spreadsheet, look up the visa fee and begin working out what this move is actually going to cost.
The good news? Portugal's national visa application fee is just €110. The surprise is that this is often one of the smallest expenses involved.
Between insurance, paperwork, accommodation and possibly professional help, the budget can grow quickly. Then there is the money Portugal wants you to prove you have, which is a completely different matter.
Having helped people relocate from the US, UK, Canada and elsewhere, we think the best place to begin is by separating those two figures.
The €110 is just the beginning
Whether you are applying for a D7 passive-income visa or a D8 digital nomad visa, the standard national visa fee is €110 per adult, unless an exemption applies.
In the US, applicants using VFS also pay US$43.91. In the UK, it is £32.85. These are separate from the visa fee. Canadian applicants should confirm payment arrangements with their Portuguese consular post.
After arriving, you will normally apply for your first residence permit through AIMA. Under AIMA's March 2026 fee schedule, the usual first-permit charges total €185.60 at the qualifying reduced rate or €247.30 at the standard rate. The reduced amount depends on how your application is processed.
Your first temporary residence permit normally lasts two years, with later renewals generally lasting three. Renewals carry their own fees.
Paperwork has a price too
Before applying, you will probably need a criminal record certificate, travel insurance, photographs and perhaps apostilles or certified translations. Costs depend on where you live and how many documents you need.
In the US, an FBI background check requested directly costs US$18, and a federal apostille costs US$20 per document. In the UK, an ACRO police certificate needs an apostille under the current Portuguese checklists. The standard paper apostille costs £45 plus delivery. Canada's federal authentication service is free, although some documents must go to provincial authorities instead.
For many Americans, the real bill is higher. Couriers for apostilled documents can top $100, and a fingerprint and apostille service can cost around $300 per person. If your nearest VFS centre is a flight away, travel can become one of your biggest costs.
Your age, medical circumstances and cover all affect the premium. The UK D7 and remote-worker checklists, both dated March 2026, normally require travel insurance for 120 days from intended arrival. That does not cover all the health insurance you may need during the following two years in Portugal.
Check your own consulate's list before paying for paperwork. Our document preparation guide can help.
The biggest surprise may be the rent
One uncomfortable part of relocating is that you may need to arrange accommodation before knowing whether your visa will be approved. That can mean paying rent on a home you are not yet living in, plus a security deposit.
For UK applicants, the current D7 and remote-worker checklists require a lease of at least twelve months from intended arrival when a rental agreement is used as accommodation evidence. They also ask for proof that the lease is registered with the Portuguese tax authority.
Understand the accommodation requirements before committing. Our guide to renting without a guarantor explains another challenge newcomers sometimes face.
And remember journeys to visa appointments, international bank transfers and currency exchange charges. Moving savings to Portugal is not spending them, but transfer fees certainly count.
Now, about the money you get to keep
Portugal wants reassurance that you can afford to live here. It does not mean you pay your savings to the government.
For the D7, generally aimed at people living from pensions or other qualifying passive income, the 2026 benchmark is €920 per month for the main applicant. Over twelve months, that is €11,040. For a couple, the household figure is €16,560, reflecting another 50% for the second adult. Dependent children generally add 30% each.
There is a difference between the general income benchmark and a consulate's bank requirements. The UK's March 2026 D7 checklist specifically asks a single applicant for a recent Portuguese bank statement showing at least €11,040, alongside their NIF and evidence of income. Other consulates may ask for different evidence.
The D8 works differently. Remote workers for employers or clients outside Portugal must show qualifying income averaging at least €3,680 per month over the previous three months.
The UK remote-worker checklist, which calls this residence route D9, also asks for at least €920 available in a bank account. That is money you keep, alongside the income you demonstrate.
The point is simple: showing money and spending money are different things. Our 2026 financial requirements guide explains more.
What might you actually spend?
Here are four budgets using the visa fee, first AIMA permit and €200 to €850 per adult for application-stage insurance, documents and related services. That allowance is not a guaranteed price range. Some applicants will spend more, and even the low end may be optimistic. Figures are rounded and exclude housing, travel to your visa appointment, moving, future health cover and optional DIY banking help.
| Your situation | What you spend |
|---|---|
| One person, D7, DIY | €500 to €1,210 |
| Couple, D7, DIY | €990 to €2,410 |
| One person, D8, Complete Visa Package | €2,090 to €2,800 |
| Couple, D7, Complete Visa Package | €3,380 to €4,810 |
Per adult, the visa and first-permit fees total €295.60 to €357.30. Add the €200 to €850 allowance for a DIY budget of approximately €500 to €1,210. The couple DIY budget doubles that amount. Complete adds €1,595 for one person; the couple example assumes a 50% second-person discount, making package assistance €2,392.50 for two.
Not included above: the money you must show, which stays yours. That is €11,040 for one D7 applicant or €16,560 for a couple, and €3,680 a month in qualifying income for D8.
Could you do it yourself? Yes, but what is your time worth?
If your income is simple and you enjoy paperwork, it can work. But the better question is how much your time is worth, and what a mistake would cost you.
A Portuguese visa isn't one form. It's a chain of steps, and the rules keep moving. The UK checklists changed in March 2026, for example, and older versions are still online. Requirements can also differ between consulates, so advice that worked for someone else may not apply to you. Do you have time to research every step and make sure the information is still current?
Mistakes can be expensive. One missing or outdated document can cost you your appointment, and appointments can be hard to get. If you've already rented a home in Portugal, you could be paying for it while you wait.
You can do your own taxes or sell your home without an agent, and plenty of people do. Others would rather pay an expert, because getting it wrong can cost more than the fee.
That's why our service works more like a concierge. Our lawyers guide you through each step, and they know where people tend to go wrong. They can also help with less straightforward cases, such as mixed income, family members or a past refusal, and advise you if a consulate or AIMA raises a problem.
Our Complete Visa Package costs €1,595. We help you choose the right visa, set up your NIF and bank account remotely, help you secure VFS or consulate appointments, check your documents and include Portuguese lessons to A2. Complete Visa Package PLUS costs €2,810 and adds help finding accommodation, tax advice, help with AIMA appointments if you aren't given one on approval, and a lawyer at your AIMA appointment. Government fees are separate, and if your application is refused, reapplication support is available under our service agreement.
If you only need help with part of the process, individual services start from €95, and a NIF itself is free from the tax authority.
Where we would save money first
Choose the right visa before paying for services. Check your consulate's requirements, compare insurance and transfer costs, and understand a lease before signing.
Our guides for the US, UK and Canada can help you get started.
A few questions we hear all the time
Does a D7 visa really cost just €110?
That is the standard visa application fee. Documents, insurance, possible VFS charges and your later AIMA permit cost extra.
Do I have to pay Portugal the €11,040?
No. It's the twelve-month D7 amount for one person, and it stays yours. Some consulates want it in a Portuguese account. Once you have the bank proof, you can use it for rent and bills. Book your visa appointment within three months, or the proof expires and you may need to top it up.
Do I need €44,160 in savings for a D8 visa?
No. The main requirement is €3,680 in average qualifying monthly income. The UK also asks for at least €920 available in a bank account.
Should I hire a lawyer to apply?
Not always. Some people manage alone, especially with simple circumstances. A lawyer saves you the research, helps you avoid costly mistakes and guides you through each step.