Portugal D8 Visa Income Requirement Rises to €3,680 in 2026

Portugal’s D8 visa income requirement now sits at about €3,680 a month for a single applicant in 2026. The rise came automatically, because advisers peg the threshold to four times the national minimum wage, which increased in January. Here is what changed, what is official and what is still adviser interpretation.

Last checked: September 2026. We compared Portugal’s official gazette, the labour ministry agency DGERT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal with reporting from immigration advisers. So where a figure rests only on an adviser’s reading, we say so.

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What Changed for the D8 Visa in 2026

The D8 is Portugal’s route for remote employees and freelancers who work for clients outside the country. By contrast, the D7 is the passive-income visa that retirees and people with rental or investment income typically use.

The change itself came from the minimum wage, however. Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025, published in the Diário da República on December 29, 2025, set it at €920 a month from January 1, 2026. DGERT confirms the same figure.

As a result, the four-times multiplier moved the D8 figure from about €3,480 to €3,680, according to GrowIN Portugal. As of September 2026, we found no announcement of any change to that formula.

How the D8 Visa Income Requirement Is Calculated

Advisers including GrowIN Portugal and Global Law Experts describe the D8 test as average monthly income of four times the minimum wage. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsistence page we checked does not state that multiplier for the D8. So treat it as the widely reported rule, not a quoted legal text.

The income is a proof-of-means test, not a fee. In practice, consulates check it against payslips, contracts, invoices and bank statements, alongside evidence that the remote work will continue.

Adding a Partner or Children

Portugal’s general subsistence rules, published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal, count the first adult at 100%, a second adult at 50% and each child at 30%. These are general per-person rules, not a D8-specific table.

Applying those shares to the €920 minimum wage, Global Law Experts estimates about €460 extra for a partner and €276 per child. So a family of four would need roughly €4,692 a month under that reading.

Household	Estimated monthly income	Basis
Single applicant	about €3,680	4 × €920, as reported by advisers
Plus partner	about €4,140	+50% of €920 (MNE per-person rule)
Plus partner and two children	about €4,692	+30% of €920 per child (Global Law Experts estimate)

One timing point also matters. GrowIN Portugal reports that AIMA, the immigration agency, assesses income using the minimum wage in force on the date of your residence appointment. That claim comes from advisers rather than an official AIMA text, but it is still wise to leave a buffer if your appointment could slip into a new year.

Documents Applicants Are Typically Asked For

Document lists vary by consulate, so treat the items below as a typical set rather than an official checklist. For example, Global Law Experts lists proof of remote income, an employment contract or client agreements, and recent bank statements.

Depending on the consulate, you may also be asked for a valid passport, health insurance, proof of accommodation, a criminal record certificate and a Portuguese tax number (NIF). So check your own consulate’s list for the exact set.

Foreign documents often need an apostille and a certified translation into Portuguese. Therefore, start ordering them early, because these steps can take several weeks in some countries.

Finally, keep your income evidence consistent across documents. If your contract, invoices and bank statements disagree, a consular officer may ask for more proof. That can add weeks.

Costs and Timelines

Beyond the income test, Global Law Experts estimates total costs of roughly €600 to €1,200 for a single applicant. For example, that range covers consular fees, VFS Global service charges, AIMA card issuance, translations, apostilles and health insurance.

The same source puts the full process at about three to six months. That includes gathering documents, waiting for a consular slot, the visa decision and a separate AIMA appointment after you arrive.

The AIMA Backlog

Meanwhile, AIMA replaced the former SEF border service and inherited a large case backlog. According to GrowIN Portugal, citing official figures, AIMA issued about 386,000 residence permits in 2025, up about 60% on 2024.

Even so, the in-country appointment for your residence card can take weeks or months to book, depending on the office. Therefore, plan your move date around both the consular step and the AIMA step.

If Your Income Is Close to the Threshold

Freelancers with uneven months face the biggest risk, because the test looks at average monthly income. For example, one strong quarter followed by two weak ones can pull your average below €3,680 even if your annual total looks fine.

So smooth out the evidence where you can. A longer statement history, signed retainers and recurring client invoices generally make a stronger case than one large payment.

Also, apply for the partner and child amounts from the start if your family will join you. Adding them later may mean proving the higher income again under the rules in force at that time.

What to Do Before You Apply

If your remote income sits well above €3,680 a month, the income test is unlikely to be your main hurdle. Instead, timing and appointment availability usually cause more delays.

If you are close to the threshold, build in a margin in case a new minimum wage applies before your appointment. Also, check the current rules on AIMA’s subsistence-means page and with your consulate before booking.

First, collect three to six months of bank statements and client contracts. Then book your consular appointment early. Finally, keep proof of income updated until your AIMA appointment is complete.

Eligibility, documents and processing times vary by consulate and personal situation. So confirm your case with AIMA or a Portuguese embassy or consulate before you apply or travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much income do I need for Portugal’s D8 visa in 2026?

Advisers put the figure at about €3,680 a month for a single applicant, or four times the €920 minimum wage. However, a partner or children raise the amount, so confirm the current figure with your consulate.

Can I work for Portuguese companies on a D8 visa?

Generally no, since the D8 is built for work with employers or clients outside Portugal. Therefore, check any local work arrangement against AIMA guidance before relying on this visa.

Why did the D8 income threshold rise?

Because advisers tie the threshold to the minimum wage, it rose when Decreto-Lei 139/2025 set that wage at €920 for 2026. So expect a similar change whenever the minimum wage next increases.