Portugal D7 Visa

J

JUSTINHALEWOOD

Active Member
Joined
10 Dec 2019
Messages
55
Visit site
Hi All,
We're hoping to head off to Portugal at the beginning of Spring and have been looking at obtaining a D7 Visa to allow us to stay longer than the current 90 days limit. We'd be really interested to hear of others who may have applied for the D7 whilst in the UK and for the purpose of cruising in Portugal. We think we comply with the basic requirements but are not sure of the best way to stipulate an address in Portugal on our visa application as we would like to cruise, rather than base ourselves at a particular marina for a longer period of time. Do we take a month's marina contract somewhere and attempt to use that? Or will the consulate accept that fact that we will be moving along the coast during our stay? Any other advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Justin
 
I don't know if this is the best place to have your question answered as most of us with residence obtained it under EU Citizen rules which applied until 31/12/20 so have no experience of the D7. A quick scan of these notes - Portugal D7 Visa for Foreigners: The Complete Guide (govisafree.com) stipulates -

You need to rent or buy property in Portugal before you apply for the initial visa. If you have friends or acquaintances in Portugal, they can also prepare a statement as proof of accommodation. It must state that you live with these individuals in the same place.

Until last December being EU citizens gave us an automatic right to be resident in Portugal and it was more or less just a formality, being boat based wasn't a problem. Perhaps better to find a forum aimed at third country citizens who will most likely have experience of using the D7 for gaining residence.
 
Graham376 said:
One point to bear in mind is that if you obtain residence, you can't use a non-EU VAT paid boat without paying VAT on it. The 18 months TA for UK boats doesn't apply to residents.
Click to expand...
Thanks Graham, I hadn't realised this and will probably put a stop to our plans unfortunately.
 
JUSTINHALEWOOD said:
Thanks Graham, I hadn't realised this and will probably put a stop to our plans unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Maybe for next year but who knows what the future holds? I remember reading about some EU countries including Portugal considering introducing long stay tourist visas but we'll have to wait and see if it happens. As a tourist, TA would then apply to boat.
 
Graham376 said:
One point to bear in mind is that if you obtain residence, you can't use a non-EU VAT paid boat without paying VAT on it. The 18 months TA for UK boats doesn't apply to residents.
Click to expand...

EU VAT. Thinking outside the box.

One option is to avail yourself of the current boom in the second hand market in the UK; sell your current boat and buy a Brit flagged EU VAT registered boat in the EU. Use your UK home address to transfer the SSR registration and take it from there.

Best of luck with your adventure??
 
Thank
nortada said:
EU VAT. Thinking outside the box.

One option is to avail yourself of the current boom in the second hand market in the UK; sell your current boat and buy a Brit flagged EU VAT registered boat in the EU. Use your UK home address to transfer the SSR registration and take it from there.

Best of luck with your adventure??
Click to expand...
Thank you - this is about the best I can come up with also. However after two years of refit, I'm not sure I can bring myself to sell!
 
Graham376 said:
Maybe for next year but who knows what the future holds? I remember reading about some EU countries including Portugal considering introducing long stay tourist visas but we'll have to wait and see if it happens. As a tourist, TA would then apply to boat.
Click to expand...
Thanks Graham. Looks like the schengen shuffle is probably our best option given the situation.
 
JUSTINHALEWOOD said:
Hi All,
We're hoping to head off to Portugal at the beginning of Spring and have been looking at obtaining a D7 Visa to allow us to stay longer than the current 90 days limit. We'd be really interested to hear of others who may have applied for the D7 whilst in the UK and for the purpose of cruising in Portugal. We think we comply with the basic requirements but are not sure of the best way to stipulate an address in Portugal on our visa application as we would like to cruise, rather than base ourselves at a particular marina for a longer period of time. Do we take a month's marina contract somewhere and attempt to use that? Or will the consulate accept that fact that we will be moving along the coast during our stay? Any other advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Justin
Click to expand...
We were told that a marina contract is no longer an option. A lease on a property was required.
There really doesn't seem to be a visa option suitable for somebody living on a yacht. It all assumes you are going to be living in a house.
 
geem said:
We were told that a marina contract is no longer an option. A lease on a property was required.
There really doesn't seem to be a visa option suitable for somebody living on a yacht. It all assumes you are going to be living in a house.
Click to expand...
I assume you are referring to Portugal?

Please advise where you got this change of policy.
 
geem said:
A guy here in Portugal called Steve Robinson who is acting as a residency consultant. He is very well informed.
Click to expand...

One thing that is both great and frustrating about Portugal is that NO ONE knows the rules and local authorities speak about the rules but interpret them as they see fit.

IIRC Webcraft recently got residence using a marina berth.

Ref boat status I have to show ships registration and insurance every year at Nazare to the Marina but I don't think the info goes any further. In 6yrs my UK boat has attracted no further interest.

Currently on the Silver Coast the majority of new immigrants are US, Canadian and UK (even after Brexit!).

The Portuguese welcome people that are bringing money into their economy BUT are not going to be a burden. Hence they require proof of income IIRC about €760pm (one of the lowest in the EU) some places check this but we have never been required to produce proof. The other is medical cover. As we are retired and over 65 we applied for the S1 form from the UK and they refund the Portuguese any health costs (cheaper for the NHS to pay for equivalent treatment in Portugal than UK costs!)

If you want examples of actual experience rather than a consultants gold plated advice I suggest you post on "Silver Coast our Home". Its a Facebook group for immigrants to Silver Coast. Its full of useful info.

Trust this helps.
 
Last edited:
Sailfree said:
One thing that is both great and frustrating about Portugal is that NO ONE knows the rules and local authorities speak about the rules but interpret them as they see fit.

IIRC Webcraft recently got residence using a marina berth.

Ref boat status I have to show ships registration and insurance every year at Nazare to the Marina but I don't think the info goes any further. In 6yrs my UK boat has attracted no further interest.

Currently on the Silver Coast the majority of new immigrants are US, Canadian and UK (even after Brexit!).

The Portuguese welcome people that are bringing money into their economy BUT are not going to be a burden. Hence they require proof of income IIRC about €760pm (one of the lowest in the EU) some places check this but we have never been required to produce proof. The other is medical cover. As we are retired and over 65 we applied for the S1 form from the UK and they refund the Portuguese any health costs (cheaper for the NHS to pay for equivalent treatment in Portugal than UK costs!)

If you want examples of actual experience rather than a consultants gold plated advice I suggest you post on "Silver Coast our Home". Its a website for immigrants to Silver Coast. Its full of useful info.

Trust this helps.
Click to expand...
I already have residency.
 
Sailfree said:
If you want examples of actual experience rather than a consultants gold plated advice I suggest you post on "Silver Coast our Home" Its a website for immigrants to Silver Coast. Its full of useful info.
Click to expand...

Hi Sailfree - just checking, is "Silver Coast our Home" a facebook group (as sadly I don't use fb) or a website (hoping so, but I can't find a link) ?
 
nortada said:
EU VAT. Thinking outside the box.

One option is to avail yourself of the current boom in the second hand market in the UK; sell your current boat and buy a Brit flagged EU VAT registered boat in the EU. Use your UK home address to transfer the SSR registration and take it from there.

Best of luck with your adventure??
Click to expand...
Good morning Notada - I am a new Member and apparently unable to PM you. I would be really grateful if you could perhaps please message me, as I have a specific question to ask about living aboard in a Portuguese marina (in this case ANG in Vila Real de Santo Antonio), Many thanks in anticipation
 
geem said:
We were told that a marina contract is no longer an option. A lease on a property was required.
There really doesn't seem to be a visa option suitable for somebody living on a yacht. It all assumes you are going to be living in a house.
Click to expand...
Good morning.

I have just secured (and paid for) a berth in the ANG marina in Vila Real de Santo Antonio; although they are not the visa authority (which is the Consultate in London) nor the Immigration/Residency authority (which is SEF), the local Town Council (Freguesia de Vila Real de Santo António ) have refused to accept either the receipt for my mooring or a formal (stamped) declaration from the Porto de Recreio do Guadiana as proof of accommodation.

Its a bit chicken and egg - the Town Hall wont accept the contract until I am physically moored up and resident here, but I cant get a D7 Visa to become resident here without proof of accommodation

The VAT situation on imported yachts is apparently NOT impossible to overcome, provided that it is handled as part of the initial immigration process via the SEF

I am desperate for any information anyone might have on this topic
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top