Most people researching Portugal hit these two options and can't tell them apart. The distinction is simpler than it looks — and getting it right at the start saves months.
The core difference in one line
D7 is for income that arrives without you working for it. D8 is for income you earn by working — remotely, for clients or an employer outside Portugal. Almost everything else follows from that distinction.
The D7 in plain terms
Portugal's D7 is the long-standing route for people with stable passive income: pensions, rental income, dividends, and similar. It's often called the "passive income visa" or, informally, the retirement visa — though you don't have to be retired to use it.
Typically suits: retirees, people living on investment or rental income, people with reliable recurring income that isn't tied to their labour.
The D8 in plain terms
The D8 is Portugal's more recent digital nomad route, built for people who work remotely — either employed by a company abroad or freelancing for clients abroad. The key point is that the income comes from outside Portugal.
Typically suits: remote employees, freelancers and contractors with international clients, including people earning through platforms.
How to tell which one is yours
Ask one question: if you stopped working tomorrow, would the income continue?
- Yes — pension, rent, dividends → you're looking at the D7.
- No — it stops because it depends on your work → you're looking at the D8.
Mixed situations are common, and that's where a specialist earns their fee: someone with both a small pension and freelance income may qualify either way, and the better route depends on how the income is documented, not just what it is.
What both routes have in common
- Proof of income at the level Portugal requires, higher if family come with you
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- Health insurance or coverage arrangement
- Criminal record certificate, legalised and translated
- A Portuguese tax number (NIF) — usually one of the first practical steps
Figures and document formats change, so this article doesn't quote them. Check current requirements before you build your file.
The part people forget: tax
Your visa route and your tax position are separate questions, and the second one is easy to postpone until it's expensive. Portugal has a tax regime for new residents with its own conditions and timing — worth understanding before you become resident, not after. See Portugal's tax regime for new residents.
The short version
Passive income → D7. Remote work income → D8. If your income is mixed, get one conversation with a specialist before you assemble documents — choosing the wrong route costs far more time than choosing carefully at the start.
This guide is general information to help you orient yourself, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Requirements change and every situation is different — always confirm the current rules for your specific case with a qualified professional.