Country guide

Portugal,
decoded.

A D7 visa needs €920/month in passive income. A home costs a median €2,198/m². The Algarve gets 3,000+ hours of sun a year. Here's everything else — from official sources, checked and dated.

Portugal quick facts · verified 2 July 2026
11.4MPopulation, of which 14% are foreign residents (INE, Dec 2025)
€920/mo2026 minimum wage — the basis for D7 visa income requirements
€9.46/m²Median rent on new leases nationally, Q1 2026 (Lisbon: €17.42) — INE
€2,198/m²Median home price, Q4 2025 (Algarve: €3,295) — INE
2.3%2025 average inflation (INE)
81.5 yrsLife expectancy at birth (INE 2022–24)
#6Worldwide English proficiency ranking (EF EPI 2025)
10 yrsResidency now required for citizenship — changed May 2026
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2026 rule changes

Three things that changed recently — and matter

Citizenship now takes 10 years. Organic Law 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) raised the naturalisation requirement for non-EU/CPLP nationals — that's Americans and Canadians — from 5 to 10 years, counted from when your first residence permit is issued. Applications filed before 19 May 2026 keep the old 5-year rules. Permanent residency is still 5 years.
You can no longer move first and regularise later. Law 61/2025 (October 2025) abolished the "manifestation of interest" route. Residency now starts with a visa application at a Portuguese consulate in the US or Canada — before you move.
The NHR tax regime is gone; IFICI replaced it. The old 10% pension deal is closed to new applicants. Its successor, IFICI, gives 20% flat tax to qualifying professionals for 10 years — but excludes pensions entirely. Retirees now pay standard progressive rates on pension income.
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