Portugal Minimum Wage: New Visa Income Requirements:
Portugal’s minimum wage is expected to increase from €920 to €970 per month on 1 January 2027, representing a 5.43% rise. While this change primarily concerns employment and salaries, it will also have important consequences for foreign nationals planning to move to Portugal. Many Portuguese visa and residency procedures use the national minimum wage to calculate the financial resources applicants must demonstrate.
Consequently, the Portugal minimum wage 2027 increase is expected to affect financial requirements for several immigration procedures, including the D7 Passive Income Visa, D8 Digital Nomad Visa, and family reunification applications. For applicants preparing to relocate in 2027, understanding these changes in advance can help prevent financial and documentary difficulties during the application process.
In this article, Flow Legal explains the expected financial thresholds, how they are calculated, and what applicants should consider when preparing a Portuguese visa or residence application.
Important: The €970 minimum wage for 2027 has been confirmed as a Government policy objective, but its definitive legal implementation must be verified once the relevant legislation is published. The calculations below are therefore projections based on the announced amount.
Foreign nationals applying for certain Portuguese visas or residence permits must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and, where applicable, their dependent family members.
Under Portuguese immigration law, these resources are known as means of subsistence (meios de subsistência).
Ordinance No. 1563/2007, of 11 December, establishes the general legal framework for calculating these financial requirements, using Portugal’s national minimum wage (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida, or RMMG) as a reference.
Article 2 provides a general framework based on the following percentages:
Article 13 also provides for the automatic adjustment of the applicable amounts according to changes in the national minimum wage.
This means that an increase in the minimum wage can directly affect the financial thresholds applicable to immigration procedures governed by these rules.
However, applicants should bear in mind that specific immigration categories may have additional requirements, different methods of financial assessment, or legally established exceptions.
The minimum wage in mainland Portugal is currently €920 per month in 2026. The Portuguese Government has announced a planned increase to €970 in 2027, following the wage growth commitments established in its agreement with social partners. Assuming this increase takes effect as planned, the general monthly means-of-subsistence references will change as follows.
| Household composition | 2026 | 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | €920 | €970 |
| Couple | €1,380 | €1,455 |
| Couple with one dependent child | €1,656 | €1,746 |
| Couple with two dependent children | €1,932 | €2,037 |
For immigration procedures requiring financial resources to be demonstrated over 12 months, the corresponding annual reference amounts would be:
| Household composition | 2027 annual reference |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | €11,640 |
| Couple | €17,460 |
| Couple with one dependent child | €20,952 |
| Couple with two dependent children | €24,444 |
These figures are based on the general percentages established by Ordinance No. 1563/2007. They should not be interpreted as universal bank deposit requirements for every visa category. The appropriate form of financial evidence depends on the specific immigration procedure and the applicant’s circumstances.
The Portugal D7 Visa, frequently referred to as the Passive Income Visa, is a popular immigration option for retirees and individuals who receive qualifying income from sources such as pensions, rental properties, or investments. Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves while living in Portugal. With the planned minimum wage increase, the general monthly financial reference for a single applicant is expected to rise from €920 to €970 in 2027. For a couple, the combined monthly reference will increase to €1,455.
Based on the projected minimum wage, the general amounts would be:
| Applicant | Monthly reference | 12-month reference |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult | €970 | €11,640 |
| Couple | €1,455 | €17,460 |
| Couple with one child | €1,746 | €20,952 |
These figures provide a useful starting point for financial planning. However, D7 eligibility involves more than reaching a specific monthly income threshold.
Portuguese consular authorities may also assess:
Depending on the consular requirements, applicants may need to demonstrate available financial resources in addition to providing evidence of their qualifying income. Meeting the minimum income reference does not automatically guarantee approval of a D7 Visa. For applicants planning to submit their applications in 2027, an early review of their financial situation is particularly important.
The Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa has specific financial eligibility criteria. This visa is intended for foreign nationals who perform professional activities remotely for employers, companies, or clients based outside Portugal.
Unlike the general means-of-subsistence calculation, the D8 Visa requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum average monthly professional income equivalent to four times Portugal’s national minimum wage.
Under Article 31-A of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007, applicants must demonstrate qualifying professional income earned during the previous three months.
| Financial requirement | 2026 | 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal minimum wage | €920 | €970 |
| D8 minimum average monthly income | €3,680 | €3,880 |
If the planned increase takes effect, the minimum average monthly income required for the D8 Visa will rise by €200. This change will be particularly relevant for remote employees, freelancers, independent contractors, and business owners working with clients or companies outside Portugal.
The documentation depends on whether the applicant works as an employee or as a self-employed professional. For employees, relevant evidence may include an employment contract, an employer’s declaration, and financial documents demonstrating the required income. For self-employed applicants, relevant evidence may include service agreements, proof of services provided, invoices, and financial records supporting the professional income declared.
Applicants must also provide evidence of tax residence, as required by the applicable regulations. Importantly, the minimum income calculation is based on the applicant’s qualifying professional earnings over the relevant three-month period. Therefore, someone planning to apply for the D8 Visa in 2027 should verify that their financial documentation demonstrates the updated threshold. Other documentary requirements, including evidence of financial resources, must also be considered separately.
Yes. Portugal’s family reunification procedures generally require applicants to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support their household. Article 9 of Ordinance No. 1563/2007 establishes that, under the applicable general framework, financial resources must be secured for a period of at least 12 months. The amount depends on the number of adults and dependent children included in the household.
For a household consisting of two adults and one dependent child, the projected calculation is:
Total monthly reference: €1,746
Total 12-month reference: €20,952
This calculation illustrates how the minimum wage increase will affect the general financial assessment for family reunification. However, applicants should be aware that family reunification rules vary according to the legal status of the sponsor and the applicable immigration framework. In particular, different requirements may apply to family members of Portuguese citizens or other European Union citizens. Consequently, financial eligibility should always be assessed under the specific legal regime governing the family’s application.
One of the most important questions for applicants is whether the new financial requirements will affect applications already submitted in 2026. The minimum wage legally in force in mainland Portugal during 2026 is €920.
The planned increase to €970 is expected to take effect in January 2027, subject to the publication of the relevant legislation. However, this does not automatically mean that every pending application submitted in 2026 will need to meet the projected 2027 financial thresholds.
The requirements applicable to a particular application may depend on several factors, including:
For applicants preparing to submit a visa application towards the end of 2026, the timing of the procedure may therefore be particularly relevant.
A case-specific legal assessment can help determine which financial requirements should be considered and whether additional supporting documentation may be appropriate.
If you are planning to move to Portugal in 2027, it is advisable to review your financial eligibility before beginning the application process.
The projected increase in the national minimum wage means that some applicants who currently meet the minimum thresholds may need to demonstrate higher income or financial resources next year.
However, successful visa preparation involves much more than calculating the required amount.
Applicants should also consider whether their income is eligible under the relevant visa category, whether their financial records are sufficient, and whether they can provide the other supporting documents required.
For example, a D7 applicant receiving passive income and a D8 applicant working remotely may have significantly different documentary obligations, even though both are applying for residence in Portugal.
Early preparation can help identify potential problems before submission and allow applicants to organise their documentation appropriately.
The Portuguese Government has announced plans to increase the national minimum wage from €920 in 2026 to €970 in 2027.
The increase is expected to take effect on 1 January 2027, subject to formal legal implementation.
Based on the projected minimum wage, the general monthly financial reference for a single D7 applicant will be €970.
Applicants must also demonstrate that their income qualifies under the relevant visa requirements and provide the necessary supporting documentation.
If the planned minimum wage increase is implemented, the minimum average monthly professional income for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa will rise to €3,880.
This corresponds to four times the projected national minimum wage.
€11,640 represents the projected 12-month financial reference for a single applicant.
However, this should not be interpreted as a universal deposit requirement in every case. The applicable financial evidence must be assessed according to the relevant consular requirements and the applicant’s circumstances.
Yes. The planned increase will affect the general financial reference amounts used in family reunification procedures governed by the relevant means-of-subsistence rules.
The applicable requirements and any exceptions will depend on the family’s legal circumstances.
Not necessarily.
Applications submitted before the new minimum wage enters into force must be assessed under the relevant legal framework, including any applicable transitional provisions.
Applicants should avoid assuming that every pending application will automatically be subject to the new financial thresholds.
The figures discussed in this article refer to the national minimum wage applicable in mainland Portugal.
The Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores may establish different regional minimum wage amounts. Applicants whose circumstances involve these regions should confirm the relevant legal requirements.
The planned increase in Portugal’s minimum wage highlights the importance of preparing immigration applications with a clear understanding of the applicable financial requirements.
Whether you are considering a D7 Passive Income Visa, a D8 Digital Nomad Visa, or family reunification, understanding the relevant legal framework and preparing the appropriate documentation are essential steps.
At Flow Legal – Relocation Simplified, we provide personalised legal assistance with Portuguese immigration and residency procedures.
Our team advises international clients on visa eligibility, financial and documentary requirements, and the different stages of their relocation process.
If you are planning to move to Portugal in 2027, contact Flow Legal to discuss your circumstances and receive legal guidance tailored to your immigration plans.
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We’ll never spam you or share your information. This is just our way of staying connected and offering the right support for your journey. If you want to know more about how we handle your data, feel free to check our Privacy Policy .