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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P.S. You can use any old house or ruin which is registred as habitation and has an address, to apply for any visa, including the D7 visa. But you'd still need to provide all the other requested documents for the D7.
While a visa request just to stay in Portugal while renovating would not require minimum income and tax.
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Very interesting. Definitely something I will look at later when I'm there, love an old ruin 
bit of an old ruin myself but to get the inexpensive ball rolling I'll get acroom in a house. Thanks.
bit of an old ruin myself but to get the inexpensive ball rolling I'll get acroom in a house. Thanks.It looks like these folks here on the expatforum may have the answer to your rental contract questions:
Need to click on link to see email.
Need to click on link to see email.
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Hi, thanks, I've already spoken to this lady, they live way inland and originally I wasn't interested but I'm getting closer to being interested. X
When I said many people got their visa quickly, I meant the people that have applied in the past. Since AIMA is not accepting or processing any new applications now, it may take a lot longer. Who knows? The AIMA spokesperson on the TV said it'll take around 6 months for them to clear the backlog.
I think they have removed all info about D7 from their webpage, can't find it anywhere, same for consulate site. Before it used to be there in very clear portuguese & english.
I suggest you ring or emai VFS Global in UK and ask if they are still accepting applications for D7 and waiting times.
They have a contract with Portugal to process the applications, so they should know. You could also ask the Portuguese Consulate in UK, but by the time you get an answer... if ever... it would no longer be needed. They used to receive something like 30K emails per day, with only a dozen staff or so. No wonder they took the webpages offline.
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Oh wow. I'll contact them. Thanks.
A bit of bank info which may (or may not) be useful.
In the UK Starling bank - online/app based - you open current account in pounds then they let you open a Euro current account, you get one debit card but can pick to pay from pounds or euros account. Both accounts are fee free and you get a little bit of interest. You can do fee free transfer of Euro from this account to a Portuguese account.
In Portugal Activo bank (owned by MillenniumBCP but they don't share info) does a fee free current account which can be UK address/mobile number based, it's internet/app based BUT Activo has some offices where you go in, use the touch screen to make an appointment, when your number comes up get called to a counter (you enter your phone number so can wander off sit in the sun with a cold beer and get a txt when your number is called) and they go thorough filling the application with you, look at your passport etc then give you an ATM card and passcode, go to an ATM with you to check it all works (and sends a code to your phone) then get you to change the password.
In UK there some Portugese bank offices, Millennium BCP London EC4N 4UA is one, you can call and make an appointment then, with your paperwork and NIF, go there and they will open an euro account at whichever branch in Portugal you chose, I think you have to deposit 20 euro then card etc will be posted to your UK address. These accounts charge a monthly fee.
These are useful if you buy stuff in the EU to bring it back to the UK and want to reclaim that EU countrys VAT - there's obviously rules to follow for this. I bought stuff and got EU VAT refund in September
In the UK Starling bank - online/app based - you open current account in pounds then they let you open a Euro current account, you get one debit card but can pick to pay from pounds or euros account. Both accounts are fee free and you get a little bit of interest. You can do fee free transfer of Euro from this account to a Portuguese account.
In Portugal Activo bank (owned by MillenniumBCP but they don't share info) does a fee free current account which can be UK address/mobile number based, it's internet/app based BUT Activo has some offices where you go in, use the touch screen to make an appointment, when your number comes up get called to a counter (you enter your phone number so can wander off sit in the sun with a cold beer and get a txt when your number is called) and they go thorough filling the application with you, look at your passport etc then give you an ATM card and passcode, go to an ATM with you to check it all works (and sends a code to your phone) then get you to change the password.
In UK there some Portugese bank offices, Millennium BCP London EC4N 4UA is one, you can call and make an appointment then, with your paperwork and NIF, go there and they will open an euro account at whichever branch in Portugal you chose, I think you have to deposit 20 euro then card etc will be posted to your UK address. These accounts charge a monthly fee.
These are useful if you buy stuff in the EU to bring it back to the UK and want to reclaim that EU countrys VAT - there's obviously rules to follow for this. I bought stuff and got EU VAT refund in September
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That is super helpful thanks. One form I have stipulates just an up-to-date current account with the €10000 in it. If I have to get the portugese account, show I have the money, I'd want to put the money back in to nsi premium bonds where I have the chance of winning money every month, that money just sitting in a portuguese current account is no good to me at all since I'll be living off of income, that's my savings. Do they check again the money is there, every year or something like that? Thanks again. X
Yes, Michelle, they can check whenever they want through the NIF number as it'll be associated with everything you do moneywise but usually they'll only check in these circunstances:
* Every time you transfer money to your portuguese bank account the money laundering & fraud department will know. All this will be done digitally, no alarm bells = no intervention.
* Then you transfer the same money back again... and it could trigger an alarm. They may check what's going on? What is your status in PT? What reasons have you given for the money transfer in & out? Is it related to money laundering?
* Just one transfer back won't be an issue, youn can say you are covering a cash flow issue in your finances in UK but if you keep doing it with the passive income you are supposed to bring to PT, they'll investigate and may decide you are not fullfiling the visa requirements.
And you'll need a certain amount to pay for living costs in PT, so if you do not keep your passive income in PT and spend / invest it in PT, they'll want to know how are you paying your rent & bills. Drug dealing??? Black market money??? Better avoid any suspicions.
* Each time your visa comes up for renewal, they'll be checking what you've been up to through your NIF number. They don't even need to ask you questions. Not enough funds transfered? Little or no tax paid? Alarm bells may lead to visa renewal delayed or rejected. (It happens to a lot of folks but they won't brag about it, they just say they are leaving PT).
* And finally... when / if you apply for permanent residence or citizenship, they'll be checking if there are / were any issues that could warrant a rejection. I've heard complaints that they are not very keen on red marks.
Don't panic, in UK it would be much worse: they test you on the political history of Britain and you'd have to sing the athem to be considered a British subject. None of that in PT.
I understand your point of having 10K sitting in a bank account doing nothing, but... you'll be spending some of it to sign a rental contract, usually 1 month rent + 3 months deposit could be around 2,500 for a flat, less for a room. The balance or part of it, you can put in a easy access savings account in your PT bank that'll earn you interest.
As long as you can provide the initial bank statement for your visa, it does not matter what the bank balance is, it'll go up and down as you receive transfers from UK and pay bills in PT.
Banks in PT usually show all deposits including current account, and savings account in same statement, so no problem to show the total amount for your visa.
I suggest you do not transfer any money back to UK, as there will be fees, and exchange rates are not always in your favour, so you'd be losing a lot of money. UK transfer fees are far higher than within EU.
The bank suggested above by Strontium may be a good option for you but... it's not a portuguese bank and your visa requires a portuguese bank, so it would not serve your visa or your banking needs in PT. And in UK you already have your bank(s), you can continue using same (unless they wanted to close your account).
These online banks may be free, but they need to earn their money from somewhere, usually from poor exchange rates. Just saying, I don't have experience of them myself.
Keep smiling!
* Every time you transfer money to your portuguese bank account the money laundering & fraud department will know. All this will be done digitally, no alarm bells = no intervention.
* Then you transfer the same money back again... and it could trigger an alarm. They may check what's going on? What is your status in PT? What reasons have you given for the money transfer in & out? Is it related to money laundering?
* Just one transfer back won't be an issue, youn can say you are covering a cash flow issue in your finances in UK but if you keep doing it with the passive income you are supposed to bring to PT, they'll investigate and may decide you are not fullfiling the visa requirements.
And you'll need a certain amount to pay for living costs in PT, so if you do not keep your passive income in PT and spend / invest it in PT, they'll want to know how are you paying your rent & bills. Drug dealing??? Black market money??? Better avoid any suspicions.
* Each time your visa comes up for renewal, they'll be checking what you've been up to through your NIF number. They don't even need to ask you questions. Not enough funds transfered? Little or no tax paid? Alarm bells may lead to visa renewal delayed or rejected. (It happens to a lot of folks but they won't brag about it, they just say they are leaving PT).
* And finally... when / if you apply for permanent residence or citizenship, they'll be checking if there are / were any issues that could warrant a rejection. I've heard complaints that they are not very keen on red marks.
Don't panic, in UK it would be much worse: they test you on the political history of Britain and you'd have to sing the athem to be considered a British subject. None of that in PT.
I understand your point of having 10K sitting in a bank account doing nothing, but... you'll be spending some of it to sign a rental contract, usually 1 month rent + 3 months deposit could be around 2,500 for a flat, less for a room. The balance or part of it, you can put in a easy access savings account in your PT bank that'll earn you interest.
As long as you can provide the initial bank statement for your visa, it does not matter what the bank balance is, it'll go up and down as you receive transfers from UK and pay bills in PT.
Banks in PT usually show all deposits including current account, and savings account in same statement, so no problem to show the total amount for your visa.
I suggest you do not transfer any money back to UK, as there will be fees, and exchange rates are not always in your favour, so you'd be losing a lot of money. UK transfer fees are far higher than within EU.
The bank suggested above by Strontium may be a good option for you but... it's not a portuguese bank and your visa requires a portuguese bank, so it would not serve your visa or your banking needs in PT. And in UK you already have your bank(s), you can continue using same (unless they wanted to close your account).
These online banks may be free, but they need to earn their money from somewhere, usually from poor exchange rates. Just saying, I don't have experience of them myself.
Keep smiling!
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so i would use the portugese bank account then yearly when the visa is up for renewal transfer money that ive accrued from passive income into the bank account again from the uk?
I'm not familiar with the nitty-gritty of when you have to make the transfers of passive income and I can't check online as the AIMA portal has taken down the relevant info pages on D7.
But for pension income (which is also passive) I think applicants have to make arrangements to have it paid into portuguese account. I may be wrong.
Please take note that all visa laws have changed a lot over the last 5 years. They could change again.
Portugal has become very popular since the lockdown and the portuguese authorities have been catching up... with the demand.
But for pension income (which is also passive) I think applicants have to make arrangements to have it paid into portuguese account. I may be wrong.
Please take note that all visa laws have changed a lot over the last 5 years. They could change again.
Portugal has become very popular since the lockdown and the portuguese authorities have been catching up... with the demand.
I am not suggesting anyone should open or use these accounts but from personal experience the bank Activo (owned by Millenniem BCP) IS a Portuguese bank with it's accounts suitable for visa.
Starling account fees for transfers are Quote "
Sending money from your Euro Personal Current Account in Euro (whether in the UK or outside the UK): it is free to send money from your Euro Personal Current Account in the following ways:
- SEPA Payments;
- Direct Debits; and
- Standing Orders (Recurring SEPA Payments).
Receiving money into your Account
Receiving money from the UK: we do not charge a fee for you to receive Euro into your Euro Personal Current Account.
Receiving money from outside the UK: we will not charge a fee for receiving Euro from outside the UK into your Euro Personal Current Account " end Quote
Obviously there is no currency exchange in a transfer from UK Starling Euro to Portuguese Activo Euro or back so no exchange rates apply.
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That sounds super good and easy too, the more I can organise from my end the better. I'm trying to get online for the visa application and am having problems with it, if there's a massive delay then all my plans will be delayed but at least I can get that done my end. Thanks very much. X
Hi Michelle,
I'm looking through the VFS UK site trying to find any info on processing times, but only found this page, I guess you've already seen it but here it is:
Found this very recent info published on 7th Nov.2024 that may affect your docs, or not:
This seems to be the page where VFS UK publishes the latest changes for Portugal visas, as they happen. Maybe you want to bookmark it: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/prt/
Don't stress too much, you'll get there in the end.😕
I'm looking through the VFS UK site trying to find any info on processing times, but only found this page, I guess you've already seen it but here it is:
Found this very recent info published on 7th Nov.2024 that may affect your docs, or not:
This seems to be the page where VFS UK publishes the latest changes for Portugal visas, as they happen. Maybe you want to bookmark it: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/prt/
Don't stress too much, you'll get there in the end.😕
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Hi. Yes 60 days, now I'm getting dates in my head, how much work I want to do b4 I go etc and it's a 2 entry visa. I'm calculating right now. Xxx
I think it's going to be a bit longer than 60 days because..
The first link was published on 23rs Nov. 2023 with the info "The deadline to decide on a National resident visa application, except in circumstance stipulated by law, is 60 days."
But since then on 9th July 2024 they published this:
"Processing time: Customers applying at VFS Edinburgh, VFS London and VFS Manchester, the processing time has increased to minimum 2 -3 weeks in addition to normal processing time."
And you can only start counting after you submit your new application and they accept it.
The first link was published on 23rs Nov. 2023 with the info "The deadline to decide on a National resident visa application, except in circumstance stipulated by law, is 60 days."
But since then on 9th July 2024 they published this:
"Processing time: Customers applying at VFS Edinburgh, VFS London and VFS Manchester, the processing time has increased to minimum 2 -3 weeks in addition to normal processing time."
And you can only start counting after you submit your new application and they accept it.
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Hi All and thank you Mariza for your information.
I am retired from NHS and together with my husband we have started our journey through D7 visa application process. We have got everything ready to move on BUT it has been already a second month since we started hunting for a slot to get an appointment with VFS global office in London. This has appeared to be an impossible task. We are paying our rent in Pt but cannot use the property. I am wondering if anyone has had a similar obstacles in particular with booking the appointment. We have tried various tactics, have been communicating with VFS to no avail, and so on.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
AT
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