D7 Visa or D8 Visa: Which is right for you to live in Portugal?

Written by Vivian Perfeito on 13 de October, 2025. Posted in Immigration Law.

Immigrating to Portugal is a huge and life-changing step. The process can be challenging, but with the right guidance, your journey becomes safer, more strategic and more efficient. Immigrating is more than a decision – it’s an act of courage and foresight.

Among the most popular visas are the D7 and D8, both valid for legal residence in Portugal. But which one is right for you?

👉 The D7 visa is suitable for retirees, people with rental income, investments or other passive income. It’s the best option for those who don’t depend on active work.
👉 The D8 Visa was created for digital nomads and remote workers, who provide services for companies or clients outside Portugal.

The main difference is where the income comes from. If it comes from passive sources, the D7 is the way to go. If it comes from digital remote work, the D8 is the most suitable visa. In addition, the amounts of proof vary: €870 per month for the D7 and €3,480 per month for the D8 (2025 figures).

Immigration is a constantly updated topic and legislation can change at any time. Organizing the process in advance and relying on expert advice is essential to avoid frustration.

⚠️ Important note: When sharing personal and confidential information, it is essential to entrust this responsibility to a qualified professional. You can check professional credentials at the following link: https://portal.oa.pt/advogados/pesquisa-de-advogados/.

Portuguese Nationality

Intellectual Property

Notarial Acts

Diploma Recognition

Dra. Vivian Perfeito

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Ashishkumar Soni

21:19 11 Aug 25

Highly recommend. Always helpful. Exceptionally professional. 5/5. Dra. Vivian Perfeito resolved my each and every query. She has in depth knowledge of laws and she guides with perfection. God bless you madam.

hadi rashidi

18:23 11 Aug 25

They listen attentively and give the best guidance. I strongly recommend benefiting from their advice.

Ameer hashim Ameer hashim

13:49 02 Aug 25

Jordi

18:10 30 Jul 25

Very attentive and helpful. Thank you Vivian!

Batul Qamri

18:19 17 Jul 25

Extremely well informed, transparent and well versed with her work. Detailed advice given, and an extremely pleasant person to interact with! Highly recommend 20/20!

Andriele Karla

10:06 15 Jul 25

Super attentive, polite and very friendly, willing to help and resolve issues. The meeting was light, everything was clear and I left with all the answers I needed! Dr. Vivian, thank you.

Leoz Abreu

19:29 10 Jul 25

It was a pleasure meeting Dr. Vivian!I enjoyed and felt good about the work and advice Dr. Vivian offered for my case.Her work helps us understand the best options.I recommend Dr. Vivian!Thank you.

Alexandra Ruggiero

15:33 08 Jul 25

Dra. Vivian Perfeito was great and I would highly recommend her to anyone. She was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. She was able to answer all of my questions fully. I feel very secure that the citizenship process for my husband will be very easy and thorough working with Dra. Vivian Perfeito.

pierre morin

20:37 19 Jun 25

Very responsive, quick and effective at helping me get a NIF. Obrigado !

José Guillén

10:11 19 Jun 25

Vivian is simply the best, we were left very satisfied with the proposed solutions to the problems we presented. There's a couple of things we need to finalize, but we're definitely coming back

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12:33 17 Jun 25

She is very honest and very helpful

Lavandaria Rústica

11:28 27 May 25

Vivian is really perfect in every way with assisting regarding renewal of residency. She communicates clearly, friendly and gives valuable advice. This was the most amazing experience I have had in Portugal dealing with these matters. Thank you Vivian. I am feeling blessed that I found you. Gratitude Marianne

Vitor Neto

16:11 24 May 25

Dr. Vivian handled the entire process quickly and efficiently! I highly recommend her 🙂

Tony White

10:22 22 May 25

Highly professional and personable, Vivian makes you feel very comfortable whilst taking you through a highly personalised approach to immigration in Portugal. Would recommend to anyone, and will also recommend to my network when needed.

Lau A-K

20:02 27 Feb 25

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Dra. Vivian Perfeito who, from the first meeting to the final email, accompanied us with great professionalism, passion and unfailing responsiveness in the process of recognizing my spouse's diploma. We couldn't have found a better lawyer. Her advice, determination and positive energy carried us through these very trying stages. It's with great pleasure that we ask her to be our official representative for all other formalities before and after our arrival. Thank you again, because professionals as serious and committed as you are becoming increasingly rare. It's important to feel supported, and that's what we got from you. You made a real difference.

Jacky Singh

15:49 21 Feb 25

Gavin Kose

11:43 21 Feb 25

Vivian was absolutely amazing and I’ll always get a quick response from her. She helped me with my Portugal tax number and it was very fast. Her instructions were clear and we got it within a week of submission. Highly recommended her for any of your Portugal legal needs.

Kulchandra Gyawali

09:18 14 Feb 25

Troy Whalen

11:49 05 Feb 25

We had a wonderful experience working with Dra. Vivian Perfeito. She is a trusted source for anyone seeking assistance with opening a bank account or seeking a visa in Portugal.

Ashleigh H

08:50 19 Jan 25

My online appointment with Vivian was exactly what I was looking for. She was very kind, thorough, and she is clearly very knowledgeable about immigration laws and standards. She answered all of my (many) questions and helped me gain a thorough understanding of the process for my family very quickly.

Alberto Estrada

20:03 22 Nov 24

I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding legal services provided by the lawyer Vivian Perfeito in helping me obtain my residence in Portugal. From the very beginning, Vivian demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication to my case.The process of securing residency can be overwhelming, but she made it seamless. She took the time to explain each step of the procedure in detail, ensuring that I fully understood the requirements and expectations.Vivian was always available to answer my questions and provided timely updates, which gave me peace of mind.Thanks to Vivian, I was able to secure my appointment and successfully complete the necessary steps to obtain my residency in Portugal. I highly recommend Vivian to anyone looking for expert legal assistance in navigating the complexities of immigration law in Portugal.Thank you again, Vivian, for your invaluable support!Alberto Estrada

Zsuzsanna Vágenhoffer

16:29 27 Oct 24

Me and my husband contacted Vivian for help regarding the Portuguese citizenship. She always answered for us quickly and helped us with any questions we had. She is an excellent professional and we totally recommend her. Since Vivian knew the system and processes, we felt in good hands.

Thais Belletti

10:50 09 Oct 24

Peter Brandt

08:35 08 Oct 24

Vivian is very responsive and knowledgable. Highly recommended for complex immigration matters!

Jill Douglas

13:47 30 Sep 24

Vivian Perfeito is AMAZING!!! We had two previous immigration attorneys who failed us miserably and we were ready to throw in the towel. Our Realtor, Bruno Silva recommended Vivian and we decided to give it one last shot. She exceeded expectations and seamlessly helped us obtain our D7 visa and residency card. She accompanied us to the appointment, spent time managing our difficult case and was kind, professional and lovely to work with. Vivian is a ROCK STAR, i would recommend her to anyone going through this process. She is very intelligent, organized, a good communicator, and answers emails quickly. Our only regret is not finding her a year ago!

M K

15:52 27 Sep 24

Dra. Vivian is a kind, trustworthy and friendly person and very knowledgeable about her practice areas. I recommend all her services without hesitation. You can reach out to her with full confidence. You will be in good hands.

Shafique Ahmad

19:11 14 Sep 24

I am trying to contact you from last three Months but unfortunately no Response from your side. I emailed multiple times & WhatsApps but no response. Heartbroken 💔💔💔

Cavalier Numedien

13:03 06 Aug 24

Dear Dra. Vivian Perfeito,I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable assistance you provided. Your kindness and availability during our phone conversations were remarkable. Unlike others, you took the time to answer my questions without demanding any payment, which reflects your great professionalism and humanity.Furthermore, your offer to help my friends and me obtain our residence cards is a gesture we will never forget. Your support is extremely valuable to us, and I will not hesitate to recommend your services to anyone seeking a competent and dedicated lawyer.With all my appreciation.

Jim Hudgins

14:51 31 Jul 24

Vivian Perfeito is by far the best attorney I have used in international and domestic legal services. Vivian’s level of expiernce and expertise far exceeding my expectations. I highly recommend using her services for all your legal needs in immigration, visa applications, business startups and all real estate transactions as well. I will be using her services with our transition from the states to Portugal.

Allen Wittert

16:34 25 Jul 24

I took a chance with going to see Vivian because I am hesitant about finding someone online. But, not knowing many people in PT, and after seeing Vivian speaking confidently and concisely on YouTube links and sharing knowledge generously, I made an appointment and went to see her about my current and future residency status. Vivian is a warm and intelligent lawyer, and gave me quality time, and quickly gained an insight into what would be the best way forward for me. We have just started the process but I feel confident she knows her stuff, and has my best interests at heart, a rare quality to find in any person.

Randy Rava

13:31 20 Jun 24

Hello my name is Randy Rava. I decided to move to Portugal 🇵🇹. I found Vivian Perfeito on internet. She is worth every penny. Vivian was there for me every step of the way. Her fees are very low, she was always there for me and she always answered my emails and gave me good direction. She is very honest and kind. She put in much more time with me and helped me in many ways. If you want to immigrate to Portugal 🇵🇹 without the help of a lawyer it would be foolish because of the many mistakes that you would make that would cost you valuable time and money. I found Vivian Perfeito and she is a blessing because she knows exactly what to do at every point in the process, her fees are very reasonable and she is very honest and reliable. Without her knowledge of Portuguese law I would have made mistake after mistake and would never have even known it. I highly recommend Vivian Perfeito Advogada extrordinare the finest most skilled lawyer in all of Portugal.

Prashant Basanagoudar

19:39 07 Jun 24

Dra. Vivian Perfeito is a diligent professional who is reliable and trustworthy. Vivian represented me at Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira/Portal das Finanças for NIF and delivered the result in under 48 hours. I highly recommend Vivian for her exceptional work-ethic and responsiveness.

Samer Marrash (Sqmer)

16:56 27 May 24

So far I had one call with Dra. Vivian, and I could already see that she is a very nice person who is very knowledgable about her domain. She was able to answer all my questions as well as recommend other people to me who could help me. She actually cares about her client's cases and takes her time to study the case (via email) before joining the call to give the best experience. I highly recommend Dra. Vivian

Rebecca “Becks” Byrnes

17:10 09 May 24

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of working with Vivian for drafting and reviewing a rental contract. Vivian's warmth, responsiveness, and genuine friendliness made the entire process a breeze for both of us. She not only showed incredible professionalism but also made us feel like valued clients every step of the way. With Vivian's expertise and delightful personality, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wholeheartedly recommend Vivian to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you, Vivian, for your exceptional service!! :)

Cláudia Rodrigues

19:05 20 Mar 24

Great. I needed help and Doctor Vivian was very quick to respond and helped prevent me from spending a lot of money too. I am truly grateful for the availability and attention she gave me.

Pedro CesarPiress

08:33 18 Mar 24

Extremely competent professional, I recommend him.

Gil Aldor

10:53 15 Mar 24

Vivian was really kind and professional in her service and helped me with everything I needed. Recommended!

Dianne Eleonora Monnier

23:51 13 Mar 24

Dra. Vivian provided excellent and timely advice to my inquiry. Highly recommended.

Raphael B

05:32 04 Mar 24

Vivian and team were excellent in executing my citizenship application!

Abdul Rehman Yasin

16:07 16 Feb 24

Dra. Vivian is the most humble and caring lawyer I have met in a long while. I am writing this as a lawyer myself, she is very sincere and dedicated in solving her client's issues. Keep up the good work and I wish her best of luck !

NWCHEVY

19:16 19 Jan 24

My wife and I made a decision to start our immigration process in October of 2023. Vivian was recommended to us around that same time.We both appreciate everything Vivian has helped us with through the process. We are now waiting on our visa. Vivian has proved very knowledgeable and without her help, we would have struggled. Her communication has always been excellent and never missed a meeting. We communicated in English with no problems. Her dedication and experience are highly rated by us.

Flávio Allevato Ramalho

08:26 19 Jan 24

Dr Vivian was incredibly kind to deal with. She is very confident and knows her job very well, preparing my emigration to Portugal. Her vast legal knowledge leaves me safe and confident in future decisions regarding the purchase or rental of property, avoiding the traps and tricks so common in this segment.

Dennis Keithly

00:55 18 Jan 24

Dra. Vivian Perfeito went above and beyond, plus exceeded my expectations on getting banking and insurance handled with special notary requirements. I highly recommend her on your tax ID, banking and insurance matters. She has been a God send with the Potugues bureaucracy,

Cilmar Kuczkowski

23:22 17 Jan 24

Samir Costa

15:44 15 Jan 24

Dr Vivian Perfeito is an excellent lawyer. My family is in the process of applying for citizenship for their Portuguese grandson and their attention, dedication and constant support impresses us. We recommend your services. Distinguished professional in her area of expertise.

Marco Quelho

17:42 02 Jan 24

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Vivian Perfeito on business opening issues. She was extremely helpful in guiding me through the process of opening a business in Portugal. Her experience and knowledge in business law were evident from the beginning, and she kept me informed at every step of the process. She was very professional and attentive, and I recommend her services to anyone who needs help with business issues.

Fernando Pernica

09:54 12 Dec 23

Dr. Vivian was more than a helping hand when I moved to Portugal! In addition to carrying out the work I hired her for, she was always available to answer my questions; and I had many! Always responding to my emails within 24 business hours, she took care of what was a stressful process for me, and helped me focus on the other aspects of the move. If I could, I would hire her as a lawyer in all areas!

Becky Shurson

19:01 08 Dec 23

Dra. Vivian Perfeito provided professional and timely assistance with our foreign corporate tax issue. She demonstrated her expertise and knowledge and provided resources to help us to find the best solution for the situation. She was extremely helpful and courteous throughout our interactions, and I am thankful for her support and guidance.

Monica

10:49 07 Dec 23

Sergio Sousa

17:22 06 Dec 23

Dra.Vivian Perfeito is very professional and courteous.Highly recommended!!

James Parker

11:27 05 Dec 23

If you need a attorney in Portugal, I highly recommend Vivian Perfeito. She is a kind and professional person. My wife and I are from the United States, and are now living here in Portugal. Mrs Vivian took care of us before we arrived. She acquired our NIF'S for us quickly and at a very reasonable rate. I also know I can count on her to answer any questions that may arise. Mrs Vivian responds quickly and her communication skills are excellent. My wife and I fully trust her with her expertise. She truly is a exceptional person and attorney..!!!

Tania Custodio

17:40 20 Nov 23

Dr Vivian Perfeito is a highly-capable, professional, diligent, charismatic, caring, and above all, honest, attorney! It has been and continue to be a pleasure working with her, and we would highly recommend her to anyone in need of legal services. Thank you Vivian! Best Regards, Tania and Luiz Custodio.

Ilana Amar Leshem

15:00 27 Oct 23

I found Dr. Vivian Perfeito online. I asked to speak to her, and she responded immediately. She is not only a good lawyer , but also a super nice person. We are immigrants in Portugal, and she referred me first of all, to all the no cost options of getting our documentation! I was very impressed by her willingness to help get us on our feet! I highly recommend it!

ilan

16:22 10 Oct 23

I was referred to Vivian and I wanted to thank her for her responsiveness and help. Vivian is very thorough and professional, in addition to being very nice person. Her English proficiency was very much appreciated and it made our communication easy. I would definitely recommend her for anybody who is looking to purchase property in Portugal or move to this wonderful country and I will definitely use her legal services in the future.

Paula Correia

15:09 10 Oct 23

D7 Visa or D8 Visa: Which is right for you to live in Portugal?

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