Hi guys, I'm just about to start my journey on moving to Portugal, I meet the criteria of getting a D7 visa, looking for residency after 5 years. Any advice/contacts/locations would be really appreciated. Thanks very much. Michelle
British lady looking to move to Portugal via D7 visa, advice please. X
MichelleClaire
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Hi, Setubal is a clear contender, I like the idea of being near Lisbon and near the sea. I'm just looking at visa requirements. I will have to open a bank account when I come, is there a preferable bank? And get a 12 month rental agreement, that doesn't sound so easy, I wonder if there are places that specialise in that? Anyway, that's enough thinking for me today, a quick portugese lesson and I'm off out, I'm currently in Copenhagen visiting friends. How do you like Paris? Chat later. Xxxxx
I'll send you more tips on towns not too far from Lisbon, including my own town.
Regarding rentals, it's very difficult to find flats to rent because there aren't enough, demand is strong, and many owners are renting their properties on AirBnB for top prices. There is also a "tradition" of landlords not wanting to give you a rental contract because they'll have to register it with the Finanças (tax office) and pay tax. That would be no good to you.
Most rentals are found by word-of-mouth locally but have a look at idealista.pt and other sites, to have an idea of what's available. When you are in PT ask around in cafes, restaurants, etc.
Flat sharing and renting a room is also accepted for visa application, as long as they give you a written confirmation that you are staying with them for 12 months, start date, details, etc. I'll put the word around to see if anything comes up.
Also AirBnBs in rural areas are very quiet in winter, almost no clients, the owners may be interested in doing a long contract for a lower rent, rather than have the place empty.
There is a portuguese agency that specializes in relocations, visas, finding accommodation, but they charge a fee. I haven't used them myself but have been following them on youtube as they have a lot of good info, and they seem honest & professional. Check them here.
Beaware that there are individuals (usually expats already in Portugal) that offer to "help" you with NIF and Bank account, and charge you a lot for something that is free. Someone was arrested in Lisbon because they had rented a 1 bed flat and had "sold" declarations to more than 1,500 people stating that they were living there in flatsharing. People who got their visas this way were fined and some deported.
Regarding banks: I like Caixa Geral de Depositos, the biggest portuguese bank, state owned but managed like any other commercial bank, and they reinvest their massive profits in community projects and sponsor a lot of arts, sports, education initiatives.
I like the idea that their profits are not going to pay outrageous bonuses to CEOs and... they offer a very good service too. They are everywhere, even small towns and around EU.
Will post more later on visas. xxxx
Renting in Portugal: Common Scams and How to Avoid Them:
Regarding rentals, it's very difficult to find flats to rent because there aren't enough, demand is strong, and many owners are renting their properties on AirBnB for top prices. There is also a "tradition" of landlords not wanting to give you a rental contract because they'll have to register it with the Finanças (tax office) and pay tax. That would be no good to you.
Most rentals are found by word-of-mouth locally but have a look at idealista.pt and other sites, to have an idea of what's available. When you are in PT ask around in cafes, restaurants, etc.
Flat sharing and renting a room is also accepted for visa application, as long as they give you a written confirmation that you are staying with them for 12 months, start date, details, etc. I'll put the word around to see if anything comes up.
Also AirBnBs in rural areas are very quiet in winter, almost no clients, the owners may be interested in doing a long contract for a lower rent, rather than have the place empty.
There is a portuguese agency that specializes in relocations, visas, finding accommodation, but they charge a fee. I haven't used them myself but have been following them on youtube as they have a lot of good info, and they seem honest & professional. Check them here.
Beaware that there are individuals (usually expats already in Portugal) that offer to "help" you with NIF and Bank account, and charge you a lot for something that is free. Someone was arrested in Lisbon because they had rented a 1 bed flat and had "sold" declarations to more than 1,500 people stating that they were living there in flatsharing. People who got their visas this way were fined and some deported.
Regarding banks: I like Caixa Geral de Depositos, the biggest portuguese bank, state owned but managed like any other commercial bank, and they reinvest their massive profits in community projects and sponsor a lot of arts, sports, education initiatives.
I like the idea that their profits are not going to pay outrageous bonuses to CEOs and... they offer a very good service too. They are everywhere, even small towns and around EU.
Will post more later on visas. xxxx
Renting in Portugal: Common Scams and How to Avoid Them:
Hi again!
I've just seen this post of yours in another thread and I think this could be a game changer, so I'm trying to reply the best I can.
You posted:
I'm hoping to move to Portugal on a D7 visa as I meet the passive income requirements from rental income but will look at the 8 unconsecutive month option and return to the UK every 2.5 months for 2 weeks to keep my bank nhs job and pick up meds unless I can arrange the meds in Portugal. I don't see it written anywhere that it is not allowed. Please contact me if you find other information. Thanks.
1) Yes, you can work after you get your D7 visa, in Portugal, UK, elsewhere, or remotely. The income that counts for the D7 visa is the passive income alone.
2) But... As soon as you get your D7 visa, you become a resident of Portugal and a taxpayer of Portugal. This means you'll have to declare all your income annually in Portugal. Any income from any source, even if it's isent of tax. The Finanças (portugese tax office) will ask you for your tax papers from UK and will calculate the tax you'll be paying in Portugal, if any. You may be taxed in UK and also in Portugal if the tax rate in Portugal is higher than UK. You could be taxed the difference, say, between 20% and 25%. Get professional advice from a portuguese accountant experienced in expat tax. Many expats move to Portugal without getting tax advice and then decide it is not in their interest to stay, and move back again. That's the main reason why so many are leaving Portugal.
3) For your D7 visa, you'll need to show proof that you are recieving passive income. This is best done by showing your UK tax documents for previous year. You cannot say "I'm going to rent my home as soon as I move to Portugal' as this is not proof of pasive income.
You'll also need to continue showing passive income during the next 5 years till you get permanent residency. That passive income will need to be transfered to Portugal to your bank account.
If you are paying expenses in UK out of it, such as mortgage, the remaining balance must be at least equal to the required by your visa.
4) When you get your D7 visa, you cannot be out of Portugal for more than a certain period of time, as it would invalidate the visa. You could reapply for a new visa but the time already lived in Portugal would not count for the 5 years. The clock would start again from the issue date of the new visa.
5) If you are resident in Portugal (or any EU country) the UK banks won't let you have an account with them because the UK did not sign to the EU finance agreements post Brexit, and they cannot have customers in EU without agreeing to EU protections & laws. UK banks may close your UK account, if they know you are officially a resident in EU. Has happened to some expats, ask around and someone will explain. But you may be able to keep them in the dark.
5) Given all these complications, you must work out if you really want to apply for a D7 visa or just come 90 days in every 180 as a visitor, with no visa & tax requirements. The 90 days do not need to be consecutive but any time spend in other Shengen area countries will be added up to it.
You can buy or rent a home in Portugal without a visa, it would be classified as a 2nd home / holiday home, but property taxes would be higher than for a main residence.
Food for thought?
I've just seen this post of yours in another thread and I think this could be a game changer, so I'm trying to reply the best I can.
You posted:
I'm hoping to move to Portugal on a D7 visa as I meet the passive income requirements from rental income but will look at the 8 unconsecutive month option and return to the UK every 2.5 months for 2 weeks to keep my bank nhs job and pick up meds unless I can arrange the meds in Portugal. I don't see it written anywhere that it is not allowed. Please contact me if you find other information. Thanks.
1) Yes, you can work after you get your D7 visa, in Portugal, UK, elsewhere, or remotely. The income that counts for the D7 visa is the passive income alone.
2) But... As soon as you get your D7 visa, you become a resident of Portugal and a taxpayer of Portugal. This means you'll have to declare all your income annually in Portugal. Any income from any source, even if it's isent of tax. The Finanças (portugese tax office) will ask you for your tax papers from UK and will calculate the tax you'll be paying in Portugal, if any. You may be taxed in UK and also in Portugal if the tax rate in Portugal is higher than UK. You could be taxed the difference, say, between 20% and 25%. Get professional advice from a portuguese accountant experienced in expat tax. Many expats move to Portugal without getting tax advice and then decide it is not in their interest to stay, and move back again. That's the main reason why so many are leaving Portugal.
3) For your D7 visa, you'll need to show proof that you are recieving passive income. This is best done by showing your UK tax documents for previous year. You cannot say "I'm going to rent my home as soon as I move to Portugal' as this is not proof of pasive income.
You'll also need to continue showing passive income during the next 5 years till you get permanent residency. That passive income will need to be transfered to Portugal to your bank account.
If you are paying expenses in UK out of it, such as mortgage, the remaining balance must be at least equal to the required by your visa.
4) When you get your D7 visa, you cannot be out of Portugal for more than a certain period of time, as it would invalidate the visa. You could reapply for a new visa but the time already lived in Portugal would not count for the 5 years. The clock would start again from the issue date of the new visa.
5) If you are resident in Portugal (or any EU country) the UK banks won't let you have an account with them because the UK did not sign to the EU finance agreements post Brexit, and they cannot have customers in EU without agreeing to EU protections & laws. UK banks may close your UK account, if they know you are officially a resident in EU. Has happened to some expats, ask around and someone will explain. But you may be able to keep them in the dark.
5) Given all these complications, you must work out if you really want to apply for a D7 visa or just come 90 days in every 180 as a visitor, with no visa & tax requirements. The 90 days do not need to be consecutive but any time spend in other Shengen area countries will be added up to it.
You can buy or rent a home in Portugal without a visa, it would be classified as a 2nd home / holiday home, but property taxes would be higher than for a main residence.
Food for thought?
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Hi. I've got 2 forms for the D7 visa and 1 form just says upto date bank account with money, other form stipulates a portugese bank account. Does that money need to sit there doing nothing? The passive income from my rentals is sufficient bit I fancied going back every 2.5 months to work for 3 weeks so I can keep my nhs bank job (need to do a shift every 3 months), it would just be some extra money is all and not like I don't have the time, I'm only 56. The tax thing I need to look at and also how do I get money transferred every month, surely there are charges? So the tax thing has become an issue for people? Thanks again for this help, now we're getting down to the nitty gritty of it. X
You don't say where did you get your forms from. Are they from the official government site for immigration, AIMA?
If yes, they are legit.
If you got these forms from somewhere else, they might just be "click bait" from "agents" trying to get people to pay them. Best avoided. They could even be about stealing your personal info.
This is the official government site for all information on visas: https://aima.gov.pt/pt
It used to be in both portuguese & english but it seems they have changed it now. I'll look through it and try to find the pages relating to D7.
Be very carefull when you do a google search for "Portugal D7 visa" the first results are always just paid-for adds. Same for "how to get a NIF number". The government does not pay for first positions and the links for official sites comes down the page. Need to be familiar with the official URLs.
Will tell you more later or tomorrow.
If yes, they are legit.
If you got these forms from somewhere else, they might just be "click bait" from "agents" trying to get people to pay them. Best avoided. They could even be about stealing your personal info.
This is the official government site for all information on visas: https://aima.gov.pt/pt
It used to be in both portuguese & english but it seems they have changed it now. I'll look through it and try to find the pages relating to D7.
Be very carefull when you do a google search for "Portugal D7 visa" the first results are always just paid-for adds. Same for "how to get a NIF number". The government does not pay for first positions and the links for official sites comes down the page. Need to be familiar with the official URLs.
Will tell you more later or tomorrow.
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Both from the Edinburgh portugese visa site but I used 2 different email addresses and got slightly different forms.
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1,468 Posts
This is rubbish.
For the OP, the truth.
There are still many banks and building societies who will allow you to keep your account open. You wont be able to open new accounts, get mortgages or loans and some will not renew credit cards either.
We moved to Spain over four years ago and I changed my details with Nationwide and they sent the new debit and credit cards here to us.
You will also have to update HMRC and if you only have pensions (OAP or private) you can get an NT code that means you dont pay tax in the UK, just in the country you have emigrated to.
It is actually fraud if you move countries and dont declare your new address.
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Thanks. If I have property in the UK with tenants paying rent and me paying stuff relating to those properties, I need a British bank account plus I'll be dual citizenship which surely means I can still maintain my British..... whatever I want?!
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I intend living in both countries, I'll do the 8 month unconsecutive month deal with trips back to Scotland to keep my nhs bank job which is minimum 1 shift every 3 months and I'll keep my room in my home there.
Hi Michelle,
Hope I haven't put you off your D7 visa. All obstacles may be overcome with foresight, I just want to say better be aware of them beforehand.
It looks like AIMA (immigration service) is not accepting new visa applications right now because they have a huge backlog of 300K+ applications waiting and not enough staff. On the portuguese TV a spokesperson from AIMA said they won't be processing new submissions till June or July, at least.
Regarding the forms you posted above, they are all good.
VFS is legit, they are a visa agency the portuguese government uses in countries where they don't have a consulate, and now also using it in UK because of shortage of staff to deal with applications. VFS only does the reception and processing of first documents, later you may have to show some more docs at interview with portuguese immigration.
The D7 visa is also called a "retirement visa" and if you look above, one of the forms you posted yesterday says:
Specific Documents
for retirement purposes
* Document certifying pension amount made available weekly, monthly ... pension statements,
tax return with pension information...
I can't read it further as it's not visible, but that is exactly the same for your passive income. If you replace the word "pension" with "rental income" or "passive income" you'll have the docs you need to provide for your visa. They may not ask for all docs straight away but you have to provide them at the interview or later in Portugal. And again each time the visa is renewed.
Regarding bank accounts: if I were you I'd ask your bank about moving to another country and keeping account in UK, but be carefull not to give out too much personal info, just in case they put it in your file. I know UK expats who had their accounts closed.
You have the right to have a holiday home in Portugal, you don't need to tell them you are a resident there.
The UK border force can see when you come in and out, but that is not a crime, perfectly normal if you have a second home. Working is also no problem. Pay the taxes correctly bith in Uk and in Portugal and all is good.
The bank is required by law to ask you the reason for transfering money to Portugal, but perfectly legal & normal if you have a holiday home there. The money transfered to your account in Portugal is yours at all times, the portuguese immigration just wants to make sure you have enough funds to give you a start, hence the bank statement request. This is more imortant for the digital nomads D8 because they need to work and could loose their job while moving to PT.
You won't have dual citizenship UK/Portuguese for a long time, first you need to live & pay tax in Portugal for 5 years, then apply for portuguese citizenship, and that'll take 2 years to be processed, 7 years from now at least...
That's all for tonight.. don't get an headache reading this.
Any questions, just ask.
Glad to help a NHS hard worker 🌷🌺🌼🌼
Hope I haven't put you off your D7 visa. All obstacles may be overcome with foresight, I just want to say better be aware of them beforehand.
It looks like AIMA (immigration service) is not accepting new visa applications right now because they have a huge backlog of 300K+ applications waiting and not enough staff. On the portuguese TV a spokesperson from AIMA said they won't be processing new submissions till June or July, at least.
Regarding the forms you posted above, they are all good.
VFS is legit, they are a visa agency the portuguese government uses in countries where they don't have a consulate, and now also using it in UK because of shortage of staff to deal with applications. VFS only does the reception and processing of first documents, later you may have to show some more docs at interview with portuguese immigration.
The D7 visa is also called a "retirement visa" and if you look above, one of the forms you posted yesterday says:
Specific Documents
for retirement purposes
* Document certifying pension amount made available weekly, monthly ... pension statements,
tax return with pension information...
I can't read it further as it's not visible, but that is exactly the same for your passive income. If you replace the word "pension" with "rental income" or "passive income" you'll have the docs you need to provide for your visa. They may not ask for all docs straight away but you have to provide them at the interview or later in Portugal. And again each time the visa is renewed.
Regarding bank accounts: if I were you I'd ask your bank about moving to another country and keeping account in UK, but be carefull not to give out too much personal info, just in case they put it in your file. I know UK expats who had their accounts closed.
You have the right to have a holiday home in Portugal, you don't need to tell them you are a resident there.
The UK border force can see when you come in and out, but that is not a crime, perfectly normal if you have a second home. Working is also no problem. Pay the taxes correctly bith in Uk and in Portugal and all is good.
The bank is required by law to ask you the reason for transfering money to Portugal, but perfectly legal & normal if you have a holiday home there. The money transfered to your account in Portugal is yours at all times, the portuguese immigration just wants to make sure you have enough funds to give you a start, hence the bank statement request. This is more imortant for the digital nomads D8 because they need to work and could loose their job while moving to PT.
You won't have dual citizenship UK/Portuguese for a long time, first you need to live & pay tax in Portugal for 5 years, then apply for portuguese citizenship, and that'll take 2 years to be processed, 7 years from now at least...
That's all for tonight.. don't get an headache reading this.
Any questions, just ask.
Glad to help a NHS hard worker 🌷🌺🌼🌼
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39 Posts
Hi. Luckily the backlog is the golden visa applications. The tax sounds like a headache. 7yrs????? I don't see anything online that says there would be that kind of delay. Anyway, best know everything now. Thanks. X
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Backlog is for ALL visa applications, most of them are visas for work, D8 and Golden visas are not very many, from 2012 till now less than 20,000 Golden visas have been issued.
Same department processes all visas.
On the other hand Portugal has already nearly 1 million immigrant workers. Not all applications are successful.
Trust me on this...
Same department processes all visas.
On the other hand Portugal has already nearly 1 million immigrant workers. Not all applications are successful.
Trust me on this...
Joined
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39 Posts
So if I get a years contract on a rental and pay 3 months in advance and they can't process my visa, I lose money and the rental?
That's sort of it.
You don't loose the rental but can't take full advantage of living there because you'd be "tourist" 3 months EU 3 months out of EU. There's some alternatives but difficult to arrange, a cheap room in a house (if landlord does the correct paperwork) just to comply with D7 requirements or a friend's place if they'll also do the paperwork. Buying a "ruin" so you have an address which is legal habitation and applying for a visa whilst having renovations done gets round the issue IF you can arrange the logistics. Going round, as a tourist, looking at various at places trying to decide if and where you want to live also gives you time to work out if you want the gamble of applying for a D7 visa. If you read posts on this forum (and elsewhere) accommodation is the biggest issue.
You don't loose the rental but can't take full advantage of living there because you'd be "tourist" 3 months EU 3 months out of EU. There's some alternatives but difficult to arrange, a cheap room in a house (if landlord does the correct paperwork) just to comply with D7 requirements or a friend's place if they'll also do the paperwork. Buying a "ruin" so you have an address which is legal habitation and applying for a visa whilst having renovations done gets round the issue IF you can arrange the logistics. Going round, as a tourist, looking at various at places trying to decide if and where you want to live also gives you time to work out if you want the gamble of applying for a D7 visa. If you read posts on this forum (and elsewhere) accommodation is the biggest issue.
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Thanks. The cheap room in a house could work then. X
The rejection rate for D7 visas is very low and usually only because applicants fail to provide all documents required. Many people get their D7 visa quickly, specially when they provide more documents than required, such as:
If they request the tax return docs for last year, you provided the last 2 or 3 years as well.
If they request a bank statement for last 6 months, you provide for 12 or 18 months.
FYI the reason Portugal is giving out D7 visas (passive income) is because the population of Portugal has been decreasing fast and they need more people paying taxes to sustain the public finances.
That's why the passive income must come from outside Portugal but visa holders can work as well if they so wish.
When applicants show more income than the bare minimum of 10,000 Euros per year, they have a better chance of getting approval.
Retirees are very welcome because Portugal will tax their pensions at 10% flat rate, and the retirees will spend their pension on services and keep the economy going. Other income will have different rates. Consulting a portuguese accountant specializing in expat tax is recommended before deciding to move.
Taxes in Portugal are very high, but there are many expenses that can be deducted from tax bill, such as health and education costs, etc.
Families have many specific discounts, such as lower interest rates on mortgages. If you know any young couples who want to have babies, send them to Portugal, we need to increase the young population.
If they request the tax return docs for last year, you provided the last 2 or 3 years as well.
If they request a bank statement for last 6 months, you provide for 12 or 18 months.
FYI the reason Portugal is giving out D7 visas (passive income) is because the population of Portugal has been decreasing fast and they need more people paying taxes to sustain the public finances.
That's why the passive income must come from outside Portugal but visa holders can work as well if they so wish.
When applicants show more income than the bare minimum of 10,000 Euros per year, they have a better chance of getting approval.
Retirees are very welcome because Portugal will tax their pensions at 10% flat rate, and the retirees will spend their pension on services and keep the economy going. Other income will have different rates. Consulting a portuguese accountant specializing in expat tax is recommended before deciding to move.
Taxes in Portugal are very high, but there are many expenses that can be deducted from tax bill, such as health and education costs, etc.
Families have many specific discounts, such as lower interest rates on mortgages. If you know any young couples who want to have babies, send them to Portugal, we need to increase the young population.
"Buying a "ruin" so you have an address which is legal habitation and applying for a visa whilst having renovations done gets round the issue IF you can arrange the logistics."
Yes but... a visa to renew a ruin would be time-limited, and would not be the same as a D7 visa. It could be renewed but only up to a deadline. It would not give permanent residency. You'd still be a visitor and the property would be a second home.
What an hassle, isn't it? The UK voted to end freedom of movement of EU citizens but it looks like they just ended theirs, EU citizens still have their FOM and can live wherever they choose.
Many EU citizens are living in Portugal but keep their tax residence in their home countries and it's all legal.
Yes but... a visa to renew a ruin would be time-limited, and would not be the same as a D7 visa. It could be renewed but only up to a deadline. It would not give permanent residency. You'd still be a visitor and the property would be a second home.
What an hassle, isn't it? The UK voted to end freedom of movement of EU citizens but it looks like they just ended theirs, EU citizens still have their FOM and can live wherever they choose.
Many EU citizens are living in Portugal but keep their tax residence in their home countries and it's all legal.
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39 Posts
Great so that 400,000 visa backlog wont apply to my d7 application? Because it would have been impossible to navigate a rental with an unknown delay. I'll go down the cheap room option to begin with and then change accommodation to something more comfortable once the visa is underway. Excellent, getting my head around it thanks to all your help. X
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39 Posts
Thanks for this information, it's very interesting, did you do that? Did you renovate it later? I'm going to go down the cheap room route until the visa paperwork is all underway then change my accommodation to something more comfortable. Just because I get a 1 year contract, doesn't mean I have to stay there, they can't make me, I'll get another 1 year contract somewhere else but because of dates and the unknown visa timeliness and even if I get one, I'm not going to risk outlaying heaps of money. All of this info is gold to ne right now, I really appreciate it. Thanks again. X
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