Thinking of making Portugal your second (or first!) home? Whether you’re an investor, retiree, or remote worker, there’s a visa that could open the door—literally. But each comes with its own path, perks, and pitfalls. Here’s how the Golden Visa, D7, and D8 stack up in 2025.
🥇 1. The Golden Visa – For Investors Who Want Maximum Flexibility
What it is: A residency-by-investment program for those with capital to deploy.
Best for: People who want minimal stay requirements but access to Europe.
Perks: Only ~7 days/year stay required, family can join, path to EU citizenship.
Challenges: Investment minimums start around €500K, changing rules and government scrutiny, limited to certain funds or real estate rehab projects.
🧘♀️ 2. The D7 Visa – For Passive Income and Peace of Mind
What it is: A residency visa for those with passive income (pensions, rentals, dividends).
Best for: Retirees, FIRE folks, and those living off investments.
Perks: Low financial bar (as low as €820/month), no investment required, full resident rights.
Challenges: Must stay in Portugal 183+ days/year, tax implications (NHR changes in 2024), may need to show long-term housing lease up front.
👩💻 3. The D8 Digital Nomad Visa – For Remote Workers and Tech Nomads
What it is: A newer visa for remote workers with higher monthly income (from outside Portugal).
Best for: Freelancers, remote employees, and digital entrepreneurs.
Perks: Clear 12-month renewable visa, no need to prove passive income, easy for tech workers and online businesses.
Challenges: Must earn 4x minimum wage (~€3,280/month), paperwork proving employment/clients, potential tax complexity.
💬 Final Thoughts
Portugal remains one of the most welcoming countries for those looking to relocate, invest, or slow down. Whether you’re seeking EU access, a lower cost of living, or simply a better quality of life, there’s likely a visa for you—but the fine print matters. 2025 brings continued tweaks, so be sure to check with an immigration expert (or shoot me a message and I’ll point you to one I trust).
Disclaimer: This isn’t legal advice, just the quick-and-dirty rundown I wish I’d had when I started looking into all this. 🇵🇹