Portugal Visa Types and Requirements: D7, D8, D2 and Golden Visa Compared [2026]

The residence visas available for moving to Portugal from Japan fall into four types: the D7 for people living on pensions or passive income, the D8 for people living on remote-work income, the D2 for people starting a business or working independently in Portugal, and the Golden Visa, which uses an investment to keep the stay requirement to a minimum. All four share the same basic conditions (a clean criminal record, sufficient means of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance); what differs is the kind of income or capital you use to meet them and how long you are required to live in Portugal. This article compares the conditions of the four visas using the 2026 reference amount (a minimum wage of EUR 920), and covers bringing your family, the number of years to permanent residence and citizenship, and the application steps and documents at the Portuguese embassy in Japan. The Golden Visa investment routes and costs are explained in detail in Portugal Golden Visa: Requirements and Costs (in Japanese), so here we focus on how it compares with the other visas.

*Amounts and rules are as of September 12, 2026. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.

*This article is a general explanation based on information published as of September 12, 2026 (guidance from the Portuguese government, AIMA and Portuguese diplomatic missions; the Foreigners Act amendment Lei n.º 61/2025, in force from October 2025; and the Nationality Act amendment Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, in force from May 2026). Income thresholds change with each year's minimum wage revision, and the documents required differ between consulates. Please check with a professional before applying regarding your individual eligibility and any tax questions.

Summary: four types of residence visa for moving to Portugal

First, here are the four types at a glance. The income thresholds are set with reference to Portugal's 2026 minimum wage (EUR 920 per month).

For the D7, D8 and D2, once the embassy approves your application you are issued an entry visa valid for four months, and after arrival you receive a two-year residence permit from AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). For the Golden Visa you apply directly to AIMA and receive a two-year residence permit. After that, the D7, D8 and D2 permits are renewed every three years and the Golden Visa every two years; in every case, five years of legal residence makes you eligible for permanent residence and ten years for citizenship (nationality). In other words, the entry conditions differ, but the path after arrival is the same.

Conditions common to all visas

Before choosing a visa type, it helps to check the conditions required for every visa; this makes it easier to judge which one you can use. Under the new Foreigners Act (Lei n.º 61/2025), in force from October 23, 2025, the review of means, accommodation and identity has become stricter than before.

• Clean criminal record: Submit a Japanese police clearance certificate (criminal record certificate). It must be issued within the last three months and carry an apostille from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Sufficient means of subsistence: The reference amount is EUR 11,040 per year (minimum wage of EUR 920 × 12 months). Add 50% for a spouse and 30% for each child under 18. This is often shown with the balance of a Portuguese bank account, and some consulates require you to open an account and obtain a NIF (tax identification number) before applying.
• Accommodation in Portugal: A lease agreement or proof of property ownership. A lease of at least 12 months is generally required.
• Health insurance: Medical insurance covering the period from entry until you obtain your residence permit.
• Actual residence: To maintain the residence permit, you must not leave Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total during the permit period (the Golden Visa is an exception).
• Validity of the visa: Under the new law, type D entry visas are valid only within Portugal. Once you receive your residence permit card, you can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Living costs: rent is the core of your budget

The means threshold (EUR 920 per month) is the minimum for the review; actual living costs vary greatly with rents in the city where you live. According to Statistics Portugal (INE), the median rent for new leases signed in January–March 2026 was EUR 9.46 per square metre nationwide and EUR 17.42 per square metre in the city of Lisbon.

Household spending in Portugal averages EUR 23,900 per year, of which 39.3% goes on housing (INE Household Budget Survey 2022/2023, including utilities). In Lisbon, rent alone can exceed the means threshold, so build your budget by adding up rent, private health insurance and taxes. Points that people often regret after moving, such as rent, taxes and healthcare, are explained with figures in Disadvantages of Moving to Portugal and Common Regrets (in Japanese).

Bringing your family: no waiting period if you apply together

Your spouse and children under 18 (generally up to about 24 for students) can receive residence permits together with you if they apply at the consulate at the same time as you. On the other hand, for "family reunification", where you move first and bring your family later, the new law now requires that you have held your residence permit for two years (exceptions include minor children, family members of Golden Visa holders and spouses of highly qualified professionals). If you are moving as a family, applying for everyone at the same time from the outset is the more reliable approach. The 1-year type of the D8 (temporary stay visa) does not allow family members to accompany you, so families should choose the 2-year type.

D7 visa (retirement visa): for people living on pensions, rent, dividends or other passive income

The D7, also known as the "passive income visa", is obtained by showing that you have income that allows you to live without working. It is the visa most used by retirees moving to Portugal.

The threshold equals the minimum wage and may look low, but the review checks whether the income is stable and ongoing. A Japanese pension can be evidenced with the pension payment notice or pension amount revision notice, rental income with the lease agreement and deposit records, and dividends with the annual transaction report from your securities company. Applications are more likely to succeed if you have income of 1.5 to 2 times the threshold and savings equal to one year's amount, rather than just meeting the minimum.

Note that the D7 accepts passive income only; salaries from an employer in Japan and fees under service contracts are, as a rule, not eligible. If you want to move on remote-work income, use the D8 described next.

D8 visa: for people living on remote-work or freelance income

The D8 is a digital nomad visa introduced in 2022. You meet the conditions with employment income from employers or clients outside Portugal. It is aimed at people who work remotely while remaining employed by a company in Japan, and freelancers with overseas clients.

The threshold is four times that of the D7 because employment income is regarded as something that could be lost. The law does not state whether the EUR 3,680 threshold is gross or net, and it depends on the consulate's practice. It is safest to confirm with the embassy in Tokyo before applying.

If you are aiming for permanent residence or citizenship, choose the 2-year type (residence visa) from the start. The 1-year type is treated as a temporary stay, and time spent on it does not count towards the permanent residence requirement. Also, if you live in Portugal while remaining employed by a Japanese employer, your tax residence becomes an issue in both Japan and Portugal. We cover this in Taxes and Resident Registration When Moving Abroad (in Japanese).

D2 visa: for people starting a business or working independently in Portugal

The D2 is a visa for entrepreneurs and independent professionals. It is aimed at people setting up a company in Portugal, people acquiring an existing business, and freelancers who sign service contracts with Portuguese clients.

The D2 has no minimum investment, but in exchange the feasibility of the business plan is at the centre of the review. It is used for plans to open physical businesses such as restaurants or guesthouses, and for import/export businesses with Japan. Setting up a company requires a Portuguese NIF, a bank account and registration, and it is common to prepare with a local accountant or lawyer before travelling.

Golden Visa: for people who want to minimise the stay requirement through investment

The Golden Visa (ARI) grants a residence permit in exchange for an investment in Portugal. Its biggest difference from the other three types is the extremely short stay requirement of 7 days in the first year and then 14 days every 2 years, which suits people who want a European residence status while keeping their base in Japan.

The real estate purchase route was abolished in October 2023. In addition to the investment, there are AIMA official fees and legal fees; we estimate the total including family members in Portugal Golden Visa: Requirements and Costs (in Japanese).

Years to permanent residence and citizenship: 5 years to permanent residence, citizenship extended to 10 years

Because all four visas lead to the same residence permit after arrival, the path to permanent residence and citizenship is the same. However, the requirements for citizenship changed significantly with the amendment to the Nationality Act in force from May 19, 2026.

Before the amendment the requirement was 5 years, but for nationals of countries outside the EU and the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), including Japan, it is now 10 years (details of the amendment are explained in the "Permanent residence and nationality" section of Portugal Golden Visa: Requirements and Costs (in Japanese)). The provision that counted the time spent waiting for AIMA's decision after applying for a residence permit towards the years of residence has also been abolished. In addition to Portuguese language ability, applicants must now show knowledge of the culture, history and national symbols, and take an oath to respect the principles of democracy. Nationality applications submitted by May 18, 2026 are assessed under the old law (5 years).

For Japanese nationals: Japan does not allow dual nationality, so a Japanese national who acquires Portuguese nationality loses Japanese nationality. Whether to stop at permanent residence or go on to citizenship should be considered with reference to The Differences Between Permanent Residence, Citizenship, Visas and Tax Residence (in Japanese).

Application steps and documents from Japan

If you live in Japan, you apply for the D7, D8 or D2 at the Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo (Consular Section). Reception desks and booking methods may change, so check the embassy's guidance before applying. Since June 2024, the option of applying for a residence permit while staying in Portugal has been abolished, so you must always apply in Japan before travelling. The steps are as follows.

Of the documents prepared in Japan, the police clearance certificate and the family register (koseki) certificate need an apostille (the koseki certificate applies to Japanese nationals). Portugal is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so with an apostille from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs no consular legalisation by the embassy is needed. Translations may be accepted in English or a Portuguese translation may be required; confirm with the embassy before preparing them.

Our Apostille and Consular Legalisation Service Office (in Japanese) handles apostilles for police clearance certificates and English and Portuguese translations. For family members living abroad who need a koseki certificate, please use our Koseki Certificate Retrieval Service (in Japanese).

Frequently asked questions

Can I move on a D7 while remaining employed by a company in Japan?

As a rule, no. The D7 is for passive income such as pensions, rent and dividends, and salaries or service-contract fees are usually not accepted. If you are moving on salary income, use the D8 (at least EUR 3,680 per month).

What happens if my income is slightly below the threshold?

The likelihood of refusal increases. The threshold is the minimum, and the review also looks at the stability of your income and your savings balance. It is common to strengthen your application before submitting it, for example by holding at least one year's amount in your account or combining several sources of income.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

Not for the visa application or obtaining the residence permit. Portuguese at around A2 level is required when applying for permanent residence and citizenship, and knowledge of culture and history is also assessed for citizenship.

Which leads to permanent residence faster, the Golden Visa or the D7?

They are the same. Both make you eligible to apply for permanent residence after five years of legal residence. The difference is the stay requirement: with the D7 you need to live in Portugal for most of the year, whereas with the Golden Visa 14 days every two years is enough.

Is the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime still available?

The original NHR in principle closed to new applicants at the end of 2023 (with only transitional arrangements in 2024) and was replaced by the IFICI ("NHR 2.0"), which is limited to researchers, highly qualified professionals and similar groups. The preferential treatment for pensioners no longer exists, so if you move on a D7, check in advance how your pension (for example, a Japanese pension) will be taxed in Portugal.

Conclusion: your type of income decides the visa, and the stay requirement decides how you live

The visa for moving to Portugal is determined by the type of income or capital you have: the D7 for pensions and passive income, the D8 for remote-work income, the D2 for running a business locally, and the Golden Visa for minimising the stay requirement through investment. After arrival they all become the same two-year residence permit, and the path of permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years is common to all. The key procedural points are to apply together if you are moving as a family, and to obtain apostilles for your Japanese documents.

How Portugal compares with other countries

Within Europe, Portugal's D7 income threshold (EUR 920 per month) is low, and 5 years to permanent residence is standard. On the other hand, with citizenship now extended to 10 years, Portugal no longer has the same advantage for people whose goal is nationality. In Southern Europe, Greece's Golden Visa, which can be obtained through real estate investment, is a useful comparison (Greece Golden Visa: Requirements and Costs). The minimum costs of permanent residence and citizenship in each country are listed in Costs of Permanent Residence and Citizenship Around the World (in Japanese).

References (primary sources)

• Explanation of Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (Nationality Act amendment, in force May 19, 2026)
• Clark Hill: Portugal Nationality Law Changes 2026
• Explanation of Lei n.º 61/2025 (Foreigners Act amendment, in force October 23, 2025)
• Portugalist: D8 visa income threshold (2026, four times the EUR 920 minimum wage)
• Global Citizen Solutions: D7 visa (updated September 2026)
• Global Citizen Solutions: D2 visa
• Genki Guide: D8 visa fees and documents (updated August 24, 2026)
• This site: Portugal Golden Visa: Requirements and Costs (as of October 2, 2026) (in Japanese)
• GrowIN Portugal: AIMA fee schedule 2026 (Portaria n.º 307/2023, checked August 27, 2026)
• idealista: INE rents for new leases, January–March 2026 (June 26, 2026)
• Economia e Finanças: INE Household Budget Survey 2022/2023
• Government of Portugal: minimum wage raised to EUR 920 for 2026

Fees in this article are as of September 12, 2026.