Income threshold sourced from: vistos.mne.gov.pt — Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (PCM Regulatory Decree n.º 139/2025, €920/month confirmed). Also verify with: UK Gov Portugal travel advice.
The D7 (Passive Income Visa) is the primary route for UK nationals, retirees and remote workers relocating to Portugal. It requires proof of sufficient passive income or remote employment income.
Requirements accurate as of April 2026. AIMA (formerly SEF) processes D7 applications. Always verify current requirements with the Portuguese Consulate in your country.
Main applicant: exactly €920/month — the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage (confirmed by official Portuguese government regulatory decree PCM n.º 139/2025). This is the legal minimum; in practice many immigration lawyers recommend demonstrating €1,100–1,300/month for a stronger application. Dependants require an additional 50% per spouse (€460/month) or 30% per child (€276/month). Income can come from pension, rental income, dividends, investments, or remote employment income from a foreign employer.
Valid passport, criminal record certificate (apostilled), proof of income (pension statements, bank statements, employment contract for remote workers), proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property deed), private health insurance for the duration of initial visa, completed visa application form. Requirements can vary by consulate — always check with the specific Portuguese Consulate processing your application.
Apply at the Portuguese Consulate in your home country before moving. Initial D7 visa valid for 4 months. Upon arrival, apply for a 2-year residence permit at AIMA. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, currently eligible to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
⚠️ Citizenship timeline — important update: The Portuguese Parliament approved changes on 1 April 2026 extending the naturalisation period from 5 to 10 years for non-EU nationals (7 years for EU nationals). As of April 2026, the law is with the President for review — it is not yet in force and the current 5-year rule still applies. However, Parliament approved the change by a two-thirds majority, making it very likely to pass. Anyone planning for Portuguese citizenship should take urgent specialist legal advice and consider filing under the current 5-year rule before the new law is enacted. Source: Official statements from the Portuguese Parliament, April 2026.
Opening a Portuguese bank account is straightforward once you have your NIF (tax number) — which you can obtain before or shortly after arrival. A Portuguese bank account is required for paying rent, utilities, and eventually for the residence permit process.
The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is a Portuguese tax number required before opening a bank account. You can obtain this at a local Finanças office with your passport. Non-residents can appoint a fiscal representative to obtain a NIF before arrival. Several services offer this for a fee — useful if you want to open a bank account before moving.
The main Portuguese high street banks. English-language service available in Lisbon and Porto branches. All require NIF, passport, and proof of address. Processes are bureaucratic but manageable. Caixa is state-owned and has the widest branch network outside cities.
Wise supports EUR and allows spending in Portugal at the mid-market rate before your local bank account is open. Essential buffer for the first weeks.
Portugal has a public health system (SNS — Serviço Nacional de Saúde). EU citizens can access it; non-EU nationals including UK nationals post-Brexit have limited access initially. Private health insurance is required for the D7 visa application.
Obtain international health insurance before applying for the D7 visa — both to meet the visa requirement and to ensure you have cover from day one. Cigna Global and AXA International both cover Portugal and include access to Portuguese private hospitals. Once resident and SNS-registered, you can reassess whether to continue full international cover or supplement with local Portuguese private health insurance (which is significantly cheaper).
NOS, Vodafone Portugal and MEO are the main networks. Coverage is good across Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Rural coverage can be patchy. As an EU/EEA country, roaming caps apply — UK post-Brexit does not benefit from EU roaming deals.
Portugal eSIM plans from around $5 for 3GB. Covers you from landing until your local SIM is sorted. Useful for the airport, first apartment viewings and getting your NIF.
Get a Portugal eSIM from Airalo (AD)Indicative figures for a single person. Lisbon is significantly more expensive than Porto or the Algarve. Figures in GBP at April 2026 rates. Lisbon property prices have risen sharply in recent years.
Rental costs in Lisbon have increased significantly. Budget more than these figures if moving in 2026.
There's a gap between arriving in a new country and getting long-term health insurance sorted. Travel insurance covers you in that window — and for trips back home, visits to neighbouring countries, and activity-based incidents that IPMI doesn't always cover. It's not a substitute for proper expat health cover but it fills the gap.
Designed specifically for travellers and new expats. Covers emergency medical, trip cancellation, adventure activities and personal liability. Available to residents of most countries. Get a quote online in minutes — cover can start immediately.
Travel insurance is not a substitute for international private medical insurance for long-term residents. See our health insurance comparison →
Most people moving abroad ship less than they expect and buy more locally than they planned. That said, some things are worth shipping — clothes for all climates, specialist equipment, sentimental items. Get multiple quotes before committing.
International removals by sea and air. Door-to-door service covering most of our destination countries. Competitive for partial loads. Quote online.
Get a removals quote (AD)Before booking a container, price up buying equivalent items at your destination. In Thailand and Malaysia, furniture and electronics are often cheaper locally. In UAE and Singapore, not so much. Ship what you can't replace, buy the rest.
A hire car is useful for your first weeks while you're finding your feet, viewing apartments and getting oriented. Longer term you'll work out whether you need your own vehicle — until then, hiring gives flexibility without commitment.
Compares rates from local and international car hire companies. Usually cheaper than booking direct. Includes free cancellation options on most bookings. Book in advance for best rates.
Portuguese is required for D7 visa renewal and citizenship applications (A2 level minimum). More practically, it makes daily life significantly easier — landlords, local services and government offices outside Lisbon and Porto often have limited English. Start before you arrive.
Structured lessons designed for conversational use, not academic Portuguese. Around 15 minutes a day. European Portuguese available (which is what you need — Brazilian Portuguese is a different beast). Subscription-based with a money-back guarantee.
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