A complete 2026 breakdown of immigration costs in EUR for moving to Portugal — verified against AIMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal, and Portuguese government sources.
Overview
Portugal has become one of Europe's most-searched migration destinations over the past decade, driven by its D7 passive-income visa (popular with retirees), its D8 digital nomad visa launched in 2022 (popular with remote workers), and the Golden Visa / ARI investment-residency route that has now closed real-estate purchase as a qualifying investment. Visa applications are handled by Portuguese consulates abroad; residence permits are issued by AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — which replaced the former SEF in October 2023 and has been working through a substantial inherited backlog ever since. This guide covers every fee you'll meet — consulate visa fees set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE), AIMA residence-permit fees, the income thresholds set by reference to the 2026 minimum wage (EUR 920/month per PCM Regulatory Decree 139/2025 of 29 December 2025), Golden Visa investment minimums under Article 90.º-A of the Foreigners Act as amended by Regulatory Decree 1/2024, and the hidden costs (health insurance, translations, NIF setup) that most relocation guides skip. All figures cite official Portuguese gov sources.
Visa Categories and Indicative Consulate + AIMA Fees
Visa application fees are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) and paid at the Portuguese consulate where you apply. The AIMA residence permit fee is paid after arrival when you formalise your residence permit. The figures below are indicative — confirm current fees on vistos.mne.gov.pt and aima.gov.pt before submitting.
| Visa | Description | Income / Investment Threshold (2026) | Indicative Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D7 | Passive income / retirement | ≥ EUR 11,040/yr primary (12 × EUR 920 minimum wage); +50% per adult dependent, +30% per child | Consulate ~EUR 90 + AIMA residence permit fees |
| D8 | Digital nomad / remote worker | ≥ EUR 3,680/month (4× minimum wage), demonstrable | Consulate ~EUR 90 + AIMA fees |
| D2 | Entrepreneur / self-employed | Business activity in Portugal | Consulate ~EUR 90 + AIMA fees |
| D3 | Highly qualified worker | Job offer requiring high qualifications | Consulate ~EUR 90 + AIMA fees |
| Tech Visa | Worker for a Portuguese tech-certified company | Certification of employer + offer | EUR 75–90 + AIMA fees |
| Startup Visa | Founders entering with Portuguese incubator backing | Innovative business + incubator endorsement | Consulate fees + AIMA fees |
| ARI (Golden Visa) | Investment-based residency under Art. 90.º-A | EUR 500K in qualifying fund (60%+ in Portuguese commercial companies, 5-yr maturity); EUR 500K startup creating 5 jobs; EUR 250K cultural; EUR 500K research | Substantial — see Golden Visa section |
| CPLP | Mobility for Lusophone-country citizens (Brazil, Cabo Verde, Angola, Moçambique, Guiné-Bissau, São Tomé, Timor-Leste, Equatorial Guinea) | Simplified process | Reduced fees |
| Family reunification (reagrupamento familiar) | Spouse / children / dependents | Sponsor's income + accommodation | Consulate + AIMA fees per applicant |
The 2026 Minimum Wage Anchor
Portuguese visa income thresholds anchor to the national minimum monthly wage (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida — RMMG), set annually by the government. For 2026, RMMG is EUR 920 per month, set by PCM Regulatory Decree 139/2025 of 29 December 2025. This figure flows through into:
- D7 minimum income: 12 × EUR 920 = EUR 11,040/year for the primary applicant (means of subsistence must cover at least 12 months).
- D7 dependents: +50% per adult, +30% per minor on top of the primary's requirement.
- D8 minimum income: 4 × EUR 920 = EUR 3,680/month, demonstrable over the prior 3 months.
- Family reunification: Sponsor must show income sufficient to support all family members (calculated against RMMG).
Other Costs to Budget For
- Comprehensive health insurance (mandatory for visa application until SNS access): EUR 300–800/year/adult for travel-grade insurance, EUR 600–1,500/year for resident-grade comprehensive plans.
- NIF (Portuguese taxpayer number): Free if applied for in person at a Finanças office (after arrival, or at consulate). EUR 150–300 if you use a fiscal representative remotely before arrival.
- NISS (social security number): Free — issued automatically after employment registration or via the Segurança Social online portal.
- Apostille + sworn translation of foreign documents: EUR 25–60 per document via a tradutor certificado.
- AIMA appointment booking: Free but the bottleneck — appointments at popular AIMA offices (Lisbon, Porto) can take months to obtain. The 'Pendency Recovery Plan' (Plano de Recuperação de Pendências) launched in 2024 to address the backlog.
- Migration lawyer (optional): EUR 1,500–5,000 for an end-to-end D7 or D8 application.
Golden Visa (ARI) — What Qualifies in 2026
The Portuguese Golden Visa, formally Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI) under Article 90.º-A of the Foreigners Act, was amended by Regulatory Decree 1/2024 of 17 January 2024. The amendments closed real-estate purchase as a qualifying investment. The currently qualifying routes are below. Verify current categories on aima.gov.pt before committing capital.
| Route | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investment fund subscription | EUR 500K+ in a qualifying Portuguese collective investment vehicle with ≥ 5-year maturity, where ≥ 60% of investment goes to commercial companies headquartered in Portugal | Most common 2026 route |
| Business creation | EUR 500K capital transfer + 5 jobs created in a Portuguese commercial company | Direct job creation pathway |
| Research | EUR 500K+ in scientific research at public/private Portuguese research institutions | Less common but eligible |
| Cultural / artistic | EUR 250K+ in support of Portuguese artistic production or cultural heritage | Lowest entry threshold currently |
| Real estate | NOT QUALIFYING since Regulatory Decree 1/2024 (17 Jan 2024) | Closed route |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum income for a Portuguese D7 visa in 2026?
The D7 visa requires you to demonstrate means of subsistence for at least 12 months at the level of Portugal's national minimum wage (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida, RMMG). For 2026, the RMMG is EUR 920 per month (PCM Regulatory Decree 139/2025 of 29 December 2025), so the minimum is EUR 11,040 per year for the primary applicant. For dependents, add 50% of the RMMG per adult dependent and 30% per minor on top — so a couple with one child needs roughly EUR 11,040 + EUR 5,520 + EUR 3,312 ≈ EUR 19,872 per year demonstrable passive income. Income can be from pensions, rental income, investment dividends, or other passive sources.
How much income do I need for the Portuguese D8 digital nomad visa?
The D8 visa for remote workers requires income of at least 4 times the Portuguese minimum wage, demonstrable over the prior 3 months. For 2026, with RMMG at EUR 920/month, that's EUR 3,680/month or about EUR 44,160/year. The income must come from work performed for non-Portuguese employers or clients (this is the 'remote work' qualification). You demonstrate this via 3 months of bank statements + employment contract or freelance contracts.
Can I still get a Portuguese Golden Visa by buying property?
No. Real estate purchase was removed as a qualifying investment for the Golden Visa (ARI) by Regulatory Decree 1/2024 of 17 January 2024. The currently qualifying routes are: investment funds (EUR 500K+ in a qualifying Portuguese collective investment vehicle with at least 60% deployed to Portuguese commercial companies, 5-year minimum maturity); business creation (EUR 500K + 5 jobs); cultural support (EUR 250K+); and scientific research (EUR 500K+). Applications submitted before the 2024 changes under the old real-estate rules continue to process under the rules in effect at the time of submission.
How long does AIMA take to issue a Portuguese residence permit in 2026?
AIMA inherited a substantial backlog when it replaced SEF in October 2023. Processing times in 2026 vary substantially by office and case complexity. AIMA has been operating the 'Pendency Recovery Plan' (Plano de Recuperação de Pendências) since 2024 to address inherited cases. Initial residence permits following an approved visa typically take longer than historical SEF norms; renewals via the Renewals Portal (Portal das Renovações) launched by AIMA have been progressively faster. Check the latest processing status at aima.gov.pt.
Do I need to be in Portugal to get my NIF (taxpayer number)?
Not necessarily. Portuguese residents and non-residents can both get a NIF. If you're in Portugal, apply in person at any Autoridade Tributária (Finanças) office — free, immediate. If you're outside Portugal, you can either visit a Portuguese consulate (free) or use a fiscal representative (a Portuguese resident who acts as your tax address). Fiscal representatives charge EUR 150–300 typically and are required only for non-EU residents until you obtain your own NIF with a Portuguese address.
What does AIMA stand for and when did it replace SEF?
AIMA is the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). It replaced SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in October 2023 as part of a broader reform that split SEF's responsibilities — AIMA took over residence permits, integration, and the asylum side, while border policing functions moved to other agencies. The transition created a substantial backlog that AIMA has been working through since.
What's the difference between a Portuguese D7 visa and a Golden Visa?
The D7 is for passive-income residents (retirees, rentiers) who actually move to Portugal and become tax residents — minimum income roughly EUR 11,040/year, you must spend significant time in Portugal each year. The Golden Visa (ARI) is for investors who want Portuguese residency but don't need to relocate full-time — minimum stay is just 7 days in year 1, 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period. The Golden Visa requires a significant investment (EUR 250K–500K depending on route), while the D7 requires no investment. Both lead to permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship eligibility, but the Golden Visa retains more flexibility for keeping tax residence elsewhere.
Is Portuguese health insurance free with a D7 or D8 visa?
No, not initially. When you apply for the visa, you must show comprehensive private health insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 for emergencies and repatriation. Once you become a Portuguese resident and register with the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde), you gain access to Portugal's public healthcare. SNS access for residents is heavily subsidised but not entirely free — small co-payments apply for some services. Private insurance is usually maintained as a top-up for faster specialist access. Annual private insurance cost: EUR 600–1,500/year for an adult on resident-grade plans.