Living in Portugal as a pensioner. Can I?

 Over the last few years, Portugal has been very popular with retired Brazilians who are looking for security (Portugal has been declared the 5th safest country in the world), quality of life, good food, similar customs and even tax incentives.

The decisive factor is the possibility of Residence Visa for Pensioners or Income Holdersbetter known as D7 visaThis is a specific program for retired Brazilian citizens (or those who live on their own income), which will be detailed below.

What is the D7 Visa all about?

This is a special visa that was created by the Portuguese government with the aim of attracting more income to the country, through people with stable incomes, such as pensioners.

The visa is intended for pensioners, but their family members can also benefit if the holder meets certain requirements.

What are the requirements?

The most influential factor for visa authorization is financial. The higher the applicant's income, the greater the chances of a positive outcome for the D7 visa.

Main requirements for applicant/retired:

• Proof of the applicant's means of subsistence for a period of not less than 12 months;
• Proof of the applicant's income equal to 100% of the current minimum wage (€600) = €7,200/year;

Requirements for dependents of the applicant/retired person:

• Second adult - 50% of the current salary = (€300) = €3,600/year;
• Each child or young person under the age of 18 - 30% of the current minimum wage = (€180) = €2,160/year.

So, if you are a couple with a minor child, the minimum income for that family should be €12,960/year = 180% of the current salary x 12 months.

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Who are the dependents of the D7 visa holder?

People who make up the household of the applicant and who will be able to live together with the visa holder:

• Spouse/partner;
• Minor or incapacitated children dependent on the couple or one of the spouses;
• Children over the age of 18 as long as they are single and enrolled in an educational establishment in Portugal;
• Minors adopted by the applicant when he or she is not married, by the applicant or by his or her spouse, by virtue of a decision of the competent authority of the country of origin, provided that the law of that country recognizes adopted persons with rights and duties identical to those of natural filiation and that the decision is recognized by Portugal;
• The parents of the resident or their spouse, provided they are dependent on them;
• Minor siblings, provided they are under the guardianship of the resident.

Procedures and Validity

Stage 1: Initially, the pensioner will have to issue the D7 visa at the Portuguese consulate in Brazil. This visa will have valid for 120 days. It is within this period that the pensioner must travel to Portugal and apply for a Residence Permit.

Stage 2: In Portugal, the retiree will apply for a Residence Permit with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras). If the application is granted, the Temporary Residence Permit will be issued.

Initially, the Residence Permit will be valid for 1 year, renewable for consecutive periods of 2 years. After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit, which will have no validity limit. However, the residence permit must be renewed every five years.

IMPORTANT: It may be canceled the residence permit if the holder remains absent from the country for 6 consecutive months or 8 interpolated months.

Residents' rights

• Education and teaching;
• The exercise of a subordinate professional activity;
• To carry out an independent professional activity;
• Professional guidance, training, improvement and retraining;
• Access to health;
• Access to the law and the courts.

For more information or to analyze your case, we are available to schedule an appointment. Contact us by clicking here.

Dr. Aldo Andrade

Dr. Aldo Andrade, Lawyer and Genealogical Researcher
Portuguese-Brazilian lawyer, registered with the Portuguese Bar Association, under No. 57.455P, and with the Brazilian Bar Association, Federal District Section, under No. 54.095, graduated from UniCEUB in 2014, with a postgraduate degree in Registries and Notaries from ISCET, with expertise in Portuguese Nationality Law. Genealogical researcher, specializing in locating records of Portuguese ancestors. Works in the areas of Portuguese Nationality Law, Foreigners' Law and Family Law. Fluent in English.