Portugal D7 Visa vs. Golden Visa: A Comprehensive Comparison

Explore Portugal's premier residency programs to discover which visa aligns with your lifestyle, financial goals, and long-term plans in 2025.

D7 Visa Passive Income Visa

Minimum passive income of €9,840/year for a single applicant (€820/month, adjusted for 2025).

Reside in Portugal for at least 6 months (183 days) per year.

Provide proof of accommodation (rental agreement or property ownership).

Affordable fees: €600 application, €300/renewal (approx.).

Processing time: Typically 2-4 months, subject to consulate workload.

Golden Visa Investment Visa

Minimum investment of €500,000 in funds or €250,000 in cultural preservation (updated options for 2025). Learn more about Portugal Golden Visa

Minimal stay: 7 days in the first year, 14 days per 2-year renewal period.

No prior accommodation proof required at application.

Higher costs: €5,400 application, €2,700/renewal per person (approx.). View detailed cost breakdown

Processing time: 4-8 months, depending on investment verification.

Feature D7 Visa Golden Visa
Financial Requirement €9,840/year passive income (single); €13,776 for couple €500,000 (funds) or €250,000 (cultural investment) View qualifying funds
Stay Requirement 6 months/year (183 days) 7 days/year 1; 14 days/2-year period
Initial Validity 2 years 2 years
Renewal Period 3 years 2 years
Processing Time 2-4 months 4-8 months
Application Fee (approx.) €600/person €5,400/person
Family Inclusion Spouse, children under 18, dependent parents Spouse, children under 26 (if students), dependent parents
Tax Implications Subject to Portuguese tax on worldwide income if resident Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) benefits possible for 10 years Learn about tax benefits
Path to Citizenship 5 years (with A2 Portuguese proficiency) 5 years (with A2 Portuguese proficiency) View visa statistics

Which Visa Suits Your Goals?

D7 Visa Ideal For:

Retirees with pensions, dividends, or rental income meeting the €9,840 threshold.

Remote workers or freelancers with verifiable passive or stable income streams.

Individuals committed to living in Portugal full-time and integrating into local culture.

Budget-conscious applicants seeking lower upfront and ongoing costs.

Those prioritizing a straightforward application process with faster approval.

Golden Visa Ideal For:

High-net-worth individuals diversifying assets through Portuguese investment funds.

Busy professionals or global citizens needing flexibility with minimal stay requirements.

Families seeking Schengen access and education opportunities for children under 26.

Investors eyeing Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime for up to 10 years. Find a qualified immigration lawyer

Those comfortable with higher costs for long-term EU residency and potential returns. Compare with other Golden Visa programs

For U.S. Investors

Why U.S. Clients Choose Zoark

A single, coordinated process for Portugal’s fund route—attorney-led filings, U.S. tax-aware workflows, and documentation first.
Dimension Zoark Typical Immigration Firm General Practice Law Firm
Core Focus Portugal fund-route residency for U.S. investors Multiple visa types; broad audience General legal services; immigration as one practice
U.S. Compliance Built around IRS, FATCA & FBAR routines; coordination with your CPA Limited U.S.-specific processes Outside scope
IRA/401(k)/Trust Workflows Custody & participation workflows aligned to eligible funds Not offered Not offered
Advice Boundaries No recommendations or ratings; fact-only fund coverage & eligibility checks May provide introductions; approach varies N/A
Case Handling Attorney-led filings with documented SLAs Volume model; variable oversight Depends on team; immigration not always core
Privacy Privacy-first handling; NDA on request Standard intake policies Standard firm policies
Fees Transparent, fixed-scope engagement Mix of flat + add-ons Primarily hourly billing
Time to file-ready Typically ~10 business days after complete documents Varies Varies
Ongoing Support Renewals and audit-trail documentation Limited Limited

The Zoark Advantage

Fund-Route Specialists for U.S. Clients

End-to-end coordination—from eligibility and documents to filings and renewals—built for American investors.

U.S. Tax-Aware Process

Workflows designed around IRS, FATCA and FBAR requirements; we collaborate with your CPA and counsel.

IRA/401(k)/Trust Participation

Clear custody and subscription steps for qualified accounts and trusts participating in eligible Portuguese funds.

Privacy & Discretion

Confidential handling, clean audit trail, and NDA availability for family offices and HNW families.