Portugal D7 Visa for Canadians: Requirements and Steps
← Guide to Portugal for Canadians · Part of our 8-step guide to moving to Portugal from Canada
For Canadians who want to live in Portugal on a pension, rental income or investments, the D7 visa is the most popular route. It is often called the passive income visa or the retirement visa, and it is one of the most affordable residency options in Europe. This guide explains the Portugal D7 visa for Canadians: who qualifies, how much income you need, the documents to gather in Canada, and how owning a home in Portugal can strengthen your application.
The D7 fits into the bigger journey covered in Step 7: Becoming a Resident in Portugal. Here we go deeper on the D7 alone.
What Is the Portugal D7 Visa?
The D7 is a national residence visa for non-EU citizens who have a stable, regular passive income. It lets you live in Portugal full time, travel freely in the Schengen area, bring your family, and work toward permanent residency. As a Canadian, you can already visit Portugal for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but to stay longer you need a residence visa like the D7.
Who Qualifies for the D7 Visa?
The D7 is built for people whose income does not depend on working in Portugal, including:
- Retirees receiving CPP, OAS, a workplace pension or RRIF withdrawals
- Landlords with rental income from property in Canada
- Investors with dividends, interest or other investment income
- People earning royalties or similar recurring income
Salary from a remote job usually does not qualify. If you work online for an employer or clients, the Digital Nomad visa (D8) is generally the better fit.
D7 Visa Income Requirements
The income threshold is tied to Portugal’s national minimum wage, which is €920 per month in 2026. The requirement is:
| Applicant | Monthly passive income |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (100%) | €920 |
| Spouse or partner (+50%) | +€460 |
| Each child (+30%) | +€276 |
| Couple | €1,380 |
These are minimums. In practice, consulates look more favourably on applicants with income comfortably above the threshold. Many applicants also show savings equal to about 12 months of the required income, held in a Portuguese bank account.
Documents Canadians Need for the D7
- A valid Canadian passport
- Proof of passive income: pension statements, rental leases, investment statements and recent tax returns
- A Portuguese NIF (tax number). See how Canadians get a NIF
- A Portuguese bank account with your savings. See how to open a bank account in Portugal
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal: a deed, a 12-month lease, or a formal invitation from a host
- An RCMP criminal record check, apostilled
- Travel and health insurance covering your first months
Since Canada joined the Apostille Convention in 2024, authenticating Canadian documents for Portugal is much simpler than it used to be. Documents not in Portuguese or English may need certified translations.
How Buying a Home Helps Your D7 Application
Proof of accommodation is one of the hardest pieces for many applicants, because landlords often want a residence permit before they sign a lease. Owning your home solves this: the deed is strong, long-term proof of where you will live. It also shows ties to Portugal, which consulates like to see. Our guide to the best areas in Portugal for Canadian buyers can help you choose where to settle, and you can browse properties for sale in Portugal.
If you buy before becoming a tax resident, remember that non-residents now pay a flat 7.5% IMT. Becoming a Portuguese tax resident within two years can let you reclaim part of it. See our guide to Portugal property taxes and closing costs.
The D7 Application Process, Step by Step
- Get your NIF and open a Portuguese bank account. Both can be arranged remotely with a representative.
- Secure accommodation. Buy a property or sign a 12-month lease.
- Gather and apostille your documents in Canada.
- Apply through VFS Global, which handles Portuguese visa applications in Canada, and pay the visa fee.
- Receive your visa. It is valid for four months and allows two entries, so you can travel to Portugal.
- Attend your AIMA appointment in Portugal for biometrics and your residence permit application.
- Receive your residence card, first valid for two years, then renewable for three.
From application to residence card, many applicants should plan for six to nine months, and longer in busy periods.
Staying in Portugal: Time Requirements
D7 holders are expected to make Portugal their home. During each permit period, you should not be away for more than six consecutive months, or eight months in total. If you want to spend only a few weeks a year in Portugal, the D7 is not the right visa.
Taxes When You Move on a D7
Spending more than 183 days a year in Portugal, or keeping a home there you intend to live in, generally makes you a Portuguese tax resident. Portugal’s old NHR regime is closed to new applicants, and its replacement (IFICI) is aimed at specific professions rather than retirees, so most D7 holders are taxed at Portugal’s standard rates. On the Canadian side, leaving Canada can trigger departure tax rules, and CPP and OAS have their own withholding rules. Speak with a cross-border tax advisor before you move.
D7 to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After five years of legal residence, D7 holders can apply for permanent residency. Citizenship now takes longer: under Portugal’s updated nationality law, most non-EU applicants, including Canadians, need ten years of legal residence, plus language and civics requirements. For what daily life looks like once you arrive, read Life in Portugal: What It’s Really Like to Live Here.
FAQs: The Portugal D7 Visa for Canadians
How much income do I need for the Portugal D7 visa?
The main applicant needs passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage, €920 per month in 2026. Add 50% for a spouse and 30% for each child, so a couple needs at least €1,380 per month.
Can Canadians apply for the D7 visa?
Yes. Canadians are non-EU citizens, so they can apply for the D7. Applications are submitted in Canada through VFS Global.
Do I need to buy property to get a D7 visa?
No. A 12-month lease also works. But owning a home is strong proof of accommodation and shows ties to Portugal.
Can I work in Portugal on a D7 visa?
The D7 is based on passive income, but holders are generally allowed to work in Portugal once they have their residence permit. If remote work is your main income, the Digital Nomad visa is usually a better fit.
How long does the D7 visa take to get residency?
Plan for about six to nine months from application to residence card. Permanent residency is possible after five years, and citizenship after ten years for most Canadians.
Talk to a Portugal Property Specialist
Every purchase is different, and Portugal’s tax rules change often. If you are a Canadian thinking about buying in Portugal, get in touch with Annamarie for a no-pressure conversation, or tell us what you are looking for on our Help Me Find a Property page.
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm the numbers for your situation with a Portuguese lawyer and a Canadian tax professional.
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