The Golden Visa and the D7 lead to the same residence status but suit very different people. The biggest difference is not money but how much time you plan to spend in Portugal. Work through these scenarios.
The Golden Visa mainstream route is a €500,000 subscription in a qualifying fund. The D7 requires regular passive income of at least €920 per month in 2026.
The Golden Visa needs only 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each later two-year period. The D7 expects you to actually live in Portugal.
A pension above €920 a month and a plan to live in Portugal full-time is the classic D7 profile; no large investment is needed.
Golden Visa holders are exempt from the 2-year family reunification rule introduced by Lei 61/2025. D7 holders are not, so D7 families should move together.
Tax residency follows the 183-day and habitual-residence tests, not the visa. D7 holders live in Portugal and become tax resident; Golden Visa holders who stay under 183 days usually do not.
Real estate stopped qualifying for the Golden Visa in 2023. For the D7, owning or renting a home is just proof of accommodation, not a qualifying investment.
Under Lei Orgânica 1/2026 both routes need 10 years of legal residence before citizenship (7 for EU and CPLP nationals). Golden Visa holders must also meet the A2 language and civic requirements.
Golden Visa permits are renewed every two years. D7 permits start with two years and are then renewed for three-year periods.
This quiz is general information based on Portuguese rules in force on the review date above, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds change every January with the minimum wage, and laws change often. Confirm your case with a lawyer before applying.