2025 at-a-glance
American applicants need:
- Remote income ≥ €3,480 per month (4 × Portugal’s €870 minimum wage)
- 12 months of Portuguese accommodation
- Valid health & travel insurance
- Clean FBI background check with apostille
- Completed D8 application submitted at a Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in the U.S.
Table of Contents
- 1. Quick eligibility checklist
- 2. Income requirement demystified
- 3. Acceptable income evidence for Americans
- 4. Full document list & formatting tips
- 5. Health insurance rules
- 6. Accommodation proof
- 7. Criminal record & apostille
- 8. Portuguese NIF & bank account
- 9. Fees & processing times
- 10. What gets applications rejected
- 11. Ready to apply?
- 12. FAQ
1. Quick eligibility checklist (2025)
| Requirement | 2025 figure / rule | Where Americans usually trip up |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 + | Nothing specific |
| Monthly income | €3,480 (gross) | Forgetting remote aspect—W-2 wage from U.S. employer is OK, rental dividends are not |
| Savings buffer | Recommended ≥ €10,440 (3 months) | Balance must sit in Portuguese or U.S. account; show last 3 months |
| Accommodation | 12-month lease or Airbnb + landlord letter | Lease must be signed by both parties |
| Health cover | Min. €30,000 medical + repatriation | Buy 12-month Schengen plan; later switch to SNS |
| Background check | FBI Identity History Summary + Hague apostille | Timing—report <90 days old on appointment day |
| Passport validity | 3 + months past intended stay | Renew now if expiring before Oct 2030 |
| NIF & bank account | Strongly recommended before consulate appointment | Use online NIF agents & Wise bank |
2. Income requirement demystified
Portugal sets the D8 income bar at 4 × the national minimum wage—€870 on 1 Jan 2025—bringing the monthly threshold to €3,480.
Because wage decrees change every January, refresh figures each Q4.
Annual view:
€3,480 × 12 = €41,760 gross.
Couples add +50 % (another €1,740/mo).
Kids add +30 % each.
3. Acceptable income evidence for Americans
| Profile | Documents that work | Consulate “nice-to-have” |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 employee | Last 6 pay stubs, W-2, remote-work letter | Company Zoom screenshot confirming remote role |
| 1099 freelancer | Signed client contracts, last 6 months invoices + bank deposits | CPA letter certifying average income |
| LLC owner | Operating agreement, K-1, last 6 bank statements | Screenshot of Stripe/Plaid dashboard |
| Remote contractor | Master service agreement, Form 1042-S if paid abroad | Employer letter stating “work is performed outside Portugal” |
Pro-tip: highlight USD-to-EUR conversion at the top of your financial summary on submission day (XE.com rate print-out).
4. Full document list and formatting tips
- Official application form (type D)
- Passport – color copy of data page + every stamped page
- Two photos 35 × 45 mm, white background
- Proof of remote income (see §3)
- Bank statements – last 3 months, stamped by bank
- 12-month accommodation – lease or Airbnb + landlord SEF form
- Health & travel insurance – €30k coverage, 12 months
- FBI background check + apostille (both originals)
- Motivation letter – 1 page; mention ties to U.S. & plan to contribute to Portugal
- NIF number certificate (pdf)
- Portuguese bank statement (if opened)
Upload every file as PDF < 4 MB and label:LASTNAME-DocType-MMYY.pdf
5. Health insurance rules
- Must cover entire Schengen zone, not just Portugal.
- Minimum coverage €30,000 for medical emergencies & repatriation.
- Popular nomad-friendly policies: SafetyWing Remote Health, Cigna Global, IMG Global.
- Switch to Portugal’s SNS once resident card arrives.
6. Accommodation proof
Best-practice hierarchy:
- 12-month fixed lease (strongest)
- 6-month lease + notarized landlord letter promising renewal
- Airbnb / short-term contract plus statement of responsibility from property owner
All docs must display your name and Portuguese address.
7. Criminal record and apostille
- Request FBI Identity History Summary online (avg. turnaround 3 – 5 days).
- Mail report to U.S. Department of State for Hague apostille (expedited courier recommended).
- Both documents must be < 90 days old on your consulate appointment date.
8. Portuguese NIF and bank account
- Not mandatory at consulate stage but strongly recommended; raises approval odds.
- NIF: use online services (E-residence, Bordr.io) – usually 5 days.
- Bank: Millennium BCP or NovoBanco accept remote openings with NIF + U.S. passport.
9. Fees and processing times {#fees-and-processing-times}
| Item | Cost (USD, May 2025)** | Payable to |
|---|---|---|
| Consular D-Visa fee | $124.96 | Money order (“Consulate General of Portugal”) |
| VFS Global VFS service fee | $43.17 | Card or money order |
| FBI background check | $18 + optional $50 channeler | FBI |
| Apostille | $20 + shipping | U.S. Dept. of State |
| Resident card (SEF/AIMA) | ~€170 | AIMA in Portugal |
Processing time: 30-60 days at VFS San Francisco; Washington DC often stretches to 90 days.
10. What gets applications rejected {#what-gets-applications-rejected}
- Bank statements don’t match invoices
- FBI report older than 90 days
- Lease lacking landlord tax ID (NIF)
- Health insurance shorter than visa validity
- Missing apostille on any U.S. public document
11. Ready to apply? {#ready-to-apply}
➡️ Start your D8 Application — our free tool walks Americans through every doc template, reminder, and consulate-specific step in under 30 minutes.
12. FAQ (2025) {#faq}
How much do I need to earn for Portugal’s D8 visa?
€3,480 per month in 2025 (4 × minimum wage).
Can passive rental income count?
Yes—provide lease agreements plus bank deposits, but remote “work” income is viewed more favorably.
Do I need a Portuguese tax number before applying?
Not mandatory but highly recommended; it can shorten SEF processing.
How long does the whole process take?
Average 2–3 months from VFS appointment to visa sticker, plus 4–6 weeks to schedule your AIMA card in Portugal.
Can I bring family?
Yes—file family-reunification after your resident permit is issued; each member must show 50 % of your income requirement.