Portugal's Golden Visa and D7 visa serve different residence plans. The Golden Visa, formally the investment residence permit or ARI, connects residence to a qualifying investment and a reduced physical presence requirement. D7 is a residence visa for people supported by their own income who intend to establish a home in Portugal.
For applicants comparing Portugal Golden Visa vs D7 visa, the deciding question is often how much time they can realistically spend in the country. Capital, income evidence, family arrangements and tax exposure then need to fit that answer.
Golden Visa vs D7: the main differences
| Decision point | Portugal Golden Visa / ARI | Portugal D7 |
|---|---|---|
| Application basis | An eligible investment under the ARI rules | Documented own income and a plan to reside in Portugal |
| Main financial commitment | Qualifying capital, plus application and ongoing costs | Reliable resources, accommodation and relocation costs |
| Presence framework | Special minimum stay rules | Ordinary temporary residence absence rules after the permit is issued |
| Typical planning priority | Maintain an international base while meeting investment obligations | Move everyday life to Portugal |
These are planning distinctions rather than approval criteria on their own. Both routes involve eligibility checks, documents and residence formalities.
Golden Visa requires an eligible investment
AIMA's ARI programme guidance lists several qualifying activities. One option is at least €500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate collective investment undertakings. This is an example, rather than a universal minimum for every ARI category: cultural, research and job-creation routes have their own conditions.
Buying an apartment for personal use does not qualify a new application under the current ARI investment routes. A property purchase and an eligible fund subscription are separate decisions.
Assess the investment before transferring money. Review its qualifying status, fees, underlying assets, reporting, withdrawal restrictions and loss scenarios. Immigration eligibility does not guarantee a return or access to capital when the investor wants to exit. Our Portugal residency by investment page provides a starting point for reviewing the available programme structure.
D7 income requirements and the 2026 benchmark
Portugal's subsistence regulation recognises pensions and income from property, intellectual property and financial investments. It requires evidence of the income, its amount and availability in Portugal, with resources assured for at least 12 months. A bank balance alone should not be treated as a guarantee that an own-income application qualifies.
D7 income requirements reference the minimum wage: 100% for the first adult, 50% for each additional adult and 30% for a minor or dependent adult child. The legal formula refers to the wage net of social security contributions; confirm the applicable calculation with the responsible consulate.
Decree-Law 139/2025 set the mainland minimum wage at €920 from January 2026. That headline figure is a useful budgeting reference, rather than a complete visa budget. Housing, healthcare and family expenditure may require substantially more.
How much time must you spend in Portugal?
The ARI rules provide for at least seven days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent two-year periods, consecutive or otherwise. These periods appear in Article 65-C of the implementing regulation. Investment maintenance and renewal evidence remain separate obligations.
A residence permit obtained through D7 falls under the ordinary temporary residence framework. Under Article 85 of the immigration law, unjustified absence of six consecutive months or eight non-consecutive months over the permit's total validity can lead to cancellation. Justifications and statutory exceptions must be assessed individually.
That is not a simple “six months every year” rule. Map travel against the actual card validity period. Minimum stay and permitted absence are different tests, so an ARI travel schedule should not be copied into a D7 relocation plan.
Application stages and documents to prepare
The D7 process normally begins with the competent Portuguese consular post, followed by residence permit formalities in Portugal. The government's own-income residence visa guidance identifies accommodation, income evidence, criminal records, a valid travel document and insurance among the required material.
ARI applications follow AIMA's investment process and require proof of the qualifying activity alongside personal documentation. Establish lawful entry arrangements, document validity, legalisation and translations before booking appointments.
For either route, build a checklist around the authority handling the application. Separate evidence you already hold from documents that must be issued closer to submission. Do not make an irreversible moving schedule depend on an advertised processing estimate.
Family applications need their own timeline
Family planning requires more than adding dependants to the main applicant's budget. Law 61/2025 introduced a general two-year residence requirement for family reunification, with exceptions and alternative provisions. Family members of ARI holders are expressly exempt from that general waiting requirement.
For a D7 household, distinguish an accompanying family visa application from a later family reunification request. Do not assume either an automatic two-year separation or immediate eligibility for every relative. Ages, dependency, relationships and the chosen procedure affect the assessment.
Prepare civil-status documents and dependency evidence early, and confirm each person's filing route before committing to school or housing arrangements.
Compare total costs and tax residence separately
For ARI, distinguish capital committed to an investment from fees and running costs. Fund charges, professional advice, government fees and renewals belong in the budget. For D7, estimate rent, utilities, insurance, translations and the cost of maintaining the household, alongside visa and permit charges.
A residence permit does not determine tax residence by itself. Article 16 of the Portuguese Personal Income Tax Code considers presence exceeding 183 days in a relevant 12-month period, or a home indicating habitual residence even with a shorter stay. Review pensions, dividends, rental income and treaty treatment before relocating.
Which route fits your residence plan?
D7 may suit someone with documented own income who genuinely plans to live in Portugal. ARI may fit an applicant who can support a qualifying investment and meet its obligations while spending less time in the country.
Before choosing, write down the household's intended travel calendar, income sources, available capital and family timetable. Neither route automatically grants citizenship. Capitals28 can help compare the investment pathway within your wider residency planning and identify where consular, investment or tax advice is needed.
