Portugal is the single most popular EU retirement destination for British nationals. The D7 Passive Income Visa — Portugal's dedicated long-stay visa for retirees and people living on passive income — is widely regarded as the most accessible EU retirement route available to UK nationals post-Brexit. This guide covers everything you need to know for a 2026 application.

What is the D7 visa?

The D7 (Visto de Residência para Pessoas com Rendimentos Estáveis, Regular e Suficiente) is a Portuguese long-stay visa for people who can demonstrate stable passive income. The UK State Pension qualifies as passive income for D7 purposes. Upon entry with a D7 visa, you apply for a residence permit (Autorização de Residência) through AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, which replaced SEF in 2023).

The D7 grants you:

• The right to live in Portugal indefinitely (renewable)
• Access to the SNS national health system
• The right to bring family members
• A path to permanent residency after 5 years and Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency
• Full Schengen Area travel rights (90/180 in other Schengen countries; unlimited in Portugal)

2026 income requirements

The minimum monthly income threshold for D7 is set at 100% of the Portuguese minimum wage:

• 2026 minimum wage: €870/month (confirmed January 2026)
• Required income (single applicant): €870/month or €10,440/year
• Spouse add-on: +50% per dependent adult (€435/month extra)
• Child add-on: +30% per dependent child (€261/month extra)

The full UK new State Pension is £11,973/year (£997/month) for 2025/26, which at £1 ≈ €1.17 converts to approximately €1,166/month — well above the D7 threshold.

If you receive only a partial State Pension, you can combine it with:

• Private pension (SIPP, final salary, defined benefit)
• UK rental income
• Dividends or investment income
• A Portuguese bank account with 12 months of minimum wage in savings (as a substitute proof of funds)

Step-by-step application process

Step 1: Open a Portuguese bank account

You need a Portuguese bank account to demonstrate financial ties to Portugal. The most accessible options for non-residents are:

• Banco CTT (Post Office bank) — opens accounts for non-residents online
• BPI / Millennium BCP — require an NIF first
• ActivoBank / Santander Portugal — various requirements

You must first obtain a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) — your Portuguese tax number. In 2026, UK nationals can apply for a NIF:

• In person at a Portuguese consulate in the UK (London, Kensington)
• Via a fiscal representative in Portugal (paid service, around €150–300)
• In person at a Finanças office in Portugal on a tourist visit

Step 2: Secure your accommodation

D7 applicants must prove they will have a registered address in Portugal. Acceptable evidence:

• Signed rental contract (12-month minimum, registered with the Finanças) — preferred
• Deed of purchase (if buying property)
• A letter of accommodation from a host if staying with family (less common, may be questioned)

In 2026, rental market conditions remain tight in Lisbon and the Algarve coast. Expect:

• Lisbon 1-bed: €900–1,400/month
• Algarve coast (Albufeira, Lagos): €800–1,200/month
• Algarve interior (Loulé, São Brás): €600–900/month
• Interior (Alentejo, Alentejo coast, Coimbra area): £450–700/month

Step 3: Apply at the Portuguese consulate in the UK

Applications must be submitted in person at:

• Portuguese Consulate General London, 11 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PP

Appointment booking: consular-london.mne.gov.pt (appointments often booked 6–10 weeks in advance — apply early).

Required documents (2026 checklist):

• Valid UK passport (+ photocopy)
• Completed Portuguese visa application form (online, then printed)
• 2 recent passport photos
• Proof of income:

- UK State Pension award letter (showing weekly/annual amount)

- Most recent 3 months' bank statements showing pension deposits

- If adding private pension: latest statement + payment confirmations

• Portuguese bank account statement (showing funds deposited — recommend €10,440+ for year-1 cover)
• Signed 12-month rental contract or property purchase deed, registered with Finanças
• Criminal record certificate (from ACRO Criminal Records Office — allow 4 weeks)
• Travel/health insurance covering Portugal (valid for the application period)
• Proof of NIF
• Application fee: currently €90

Step 4: Receive your D7 visa

Processing time: 4–10 weeks from appointment. The consulate may request additional documents; respond promptly.

You receive a D7 visa valid for 4 months, allowing 2 entries. You must travel to Portugal and book your AIMA appointment before the visa expires.

Step 5: Book your AIMA appointment and receive your residence permit

In Portugal, book your AIMA appointment via the online system (agendamento.sef.pt redirects to AIMA). In 2026, AIMA wait times in the Algarve and Lisbon are 4–8 months. Book as soon as you arrive.

Bring to your AIMA appointment:

• Your D7 visa (passport)
• Proof of accommodation (rental contract or purchase deed)
• NIF
• Proof of income (pension statements, bank statements)
• Criminal record certificate
• 2 passport photos

AIMA issues your Autorização de Residência (residence card) — a biometric card. Initial permits are valid for 2 years; renewed for 3 years; permanent residency after 5 years total.

Healthcare for D7 holders

Once you have your residence card, you can:

1. Register with a SNS health centre (centro de saúde) in your local area — bring your residence card, NIF, and proof of address
2. Request an S1 form from the UK before you leave — register it at SNS on arrival to ensure the UK funds your Portuguese public healthcare
3. Take out private top-up insurance during the AIMA waiting period (required by some visa categories; advisable regardless for dental, optical, and private hospital access)

SNS quality is good in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Rural areas have longer GP wait times; most British retirees use SNS for serious healthcare and a low-cost private plan for speed and dentistry.

Tax on your UK pension in Portugal

Portugal's famous NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, which offered a 10% flat rate on foreign pension income, closed to new applicants in December 2023.

For new residents from 2024:

• Your UK State Pension is taxed under standard Portuguese income tax (progressive rates from 14.5% to 48% depending on total income)
• The UK–Portugal double-tax treaty generally means you pay tax only in Portugal (not both countries) — submit form DT-Individual to HMRC to receive an NT code
• At pension income levels of £12,000–20,000/year, effective Portuguese income tax is typically 8–18% after the personal allowance (deduction specific)
• UK government service pensions (civil service, armed forces, NHS, teachers, police) may remain UK-taxable under the treaty — check the specific articles

For complex tax situations (multiple pension sources, rental income, capital gains), take specialist cross-border tax advice.

Common questions

A: Yes. A spouse or civil partner joins as a dependent on your D7 application. Their income threshold is 50% of the main applicant's: an additional €435/month required. They apply at the same consulate appointment.

A: Yes. UK rental income counts towards your D7 income requirement and continues under the UK–Portugal tax treaty. You may have to declare it in both countries depending on amount — Portuguese residents declare worldwide income; HMRC may require self-assessment. Take advice.

A: Your D7 visa can be extended while waiting. If your 4-month D7 expires before your AIMA appointment, apply for a Temporary Stay Visa extension at AIMA or the nearest IRN office. Keep proof of your booked appointment at all times.

A: The Algarve functions almost entirely in English; Lisbon and Porto have excellent English in most situations. For AIMA appointments and Finanças visits, bring a Portuguese-speaking friend or hire a relocation agent (€100–200/appointment).

A: Yes for most retirees. The climate, lifestyle, S1 healthcare, low cost (outside Lisbon), safe environment and D7 accessibility are unchanged. Higher earners with complex finances should model the tax carefully, but for a typical UK pensioner on £15,000–25,000/year combined pension income, the effective Portuguese tax rate remains competitive.

Costs summary

*Last reviewed: May 2026. Figures confirmed against Portuguese government sources and Consulate General London guidance.*

Next steps:

• Compare Portugal with other EU destinations
• Read about S1 healthcare for EU retirees
• Use the wizard to see if Portugal is right for you
• See the full Portugal destination page

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