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Which Visa Should You Apply for Based on Your Income?

  • Blog Post
  • Immigration, Live in Portugal

Which Visa Should You Apply for Based on Your Income?

When choosing a Portuguese visa, one of the most important questions is: what kind of income do you have? A pension, a remote salary, freelance income, a Portuguese job or investments each point to a different visa — with different financial requirements. Here’s how to match your income to the right visa.
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💶 The Reference: Portugal's Minimum Wage

Most financial requirements are based on the Portuguese minimum wage (salário mínimo nacional), which is €920/month in 2026. For family members, the usual rule is:

  • +50% for a spouse or other adult
  • +30% for each child

 

Some visas use other references, such as the IAS (Social Support Index — €537.13 in 2026) or multiples of the minimum wage.

🏖️ Passive Income (Pensions, Rents, Dividends) → D7

  • Income types: pensions, rental income, dividends, interest, royalties
  • Minimum: €920/month (€11,040/year) for the main applicant
  • Example: a couple needs around €1,380/month; a couple with one child around €1,656/month
  • Savings: many consulates also expect savings in a Portuguese bank account, often around 12 months of the minimum

 

 

Salary or remote work income doesn’t count for the D7.

💻 Remote Salary or Freelance Income From Abroad → D8

  • Income types: salary from a foreign employer, or freelance/business income from clients outside Portugal
  • Minimum: four times the minimum wage — €3,680/month on average over the last three months
  • Family: additional amounts for each family member
  • Proof: contracts, invoices, payslips and bank statements

🇵🇹 Salary From a Portuguese Employer → D1 or D3

  • D1 (work): a contract with a salary of at least the minimum wage (€920/month)
  • D3 (highly qualified): a contract for a highly qualified role, generally with a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average salary or 3 times the IAS (around €1,611/month in 2026)
  • Tech Visa: a contract with a certified company, with a salary of at least 2.5 times the IAS
  • EU Blue Card: a highly qualified contract with a salary above the Blue Card threshold

💼 Business or Freelance Income in Portugal → D2

  • Income types: profits from your own company, or freelance income from clients in Portugal
  • Minimum: means of subsistence equivalent to at least the minimum wage, supported by a business plan, contracts or savings
  • Startup Visa: own funds of around €6,445 per founder (12 times the IAS)

🎓 Scholarship or Family Support → D4

  • Income types: scholarships, family support, savings
  • Reference: the minimum wage for the duration of your stay
  • Proof: scholarship letter, sponsor’s declaration with proof of their income, or bank statements

💰 Significant Capital → Golden Visa

  • No income requirement — the requirement is the investment
  • Amounts: from €250,000 (culture and heritage) to €500,000 (investment funds, research, companies)

🔀 Mixed Income?

Many people have more than one source of income — for example, a pension and some freelance work. In those cases:

  • Choose the visa based on your main and most stable source of income.
  • Make sure the conditions of the visa match what you’ll actually do in Portugal.
  • Get advice — the right structure can make a big difference.

✅ Tips for a Strong Financial Application

  • Show more than the minimum — consulates assess sustainability, not just thresholds.
  • Show regular income — months below the threshold can raise questions.
  • Keep savings in a Portuguese bank account when your visa type expects it.
  • Document everything — contracts, statements and tax returns, translated where needed.
  • Think about taxes — living in Portugal usually means paying tax here on your worldwide income.

🚀 Final Considerations

Your income type is the best starting point for choosing a visa. Matching the two correctly makes your application stronger — and your renewals much easier.

📢 Expert Advice: Thresholds are minimums, not targets. Applicants who show comfortable, regular income with savings on top are the ones who get approved without surprises.

Not sure which visa matches your income? Step Inside Portugal can review your finances and recommend the right route — find out more about our immigration services here. ✨

This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Amounts reflect 2026 values and can change; confirm the requirements that apply to your case.

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