Relocation Guide
Moving From Zuid-Afrika To Portugal
South Africans moving to Portugal usually choose the D7 for passive income or the D8 for remote work, often with family links to Madeira or mainland Portugal. What is different from South Africa: a Schengen visa for visits, SAPS police clearance with an apostille, exchange-control allowances for moving money, and the SARS process for ceasing tax residence.
Updated 1 oktober 2026
Quick answer
South African citizens can move to Portugal on the D7 (passive income from €920 a month) or the D8 (€3,680 a month from remote work), applying through the Portuguese visa centre in South Africa. Get a SAPS police clearance certificate apostilled, plan transfers within SARB exchange-control allowances, and tell SARS when you cease to be tax resident. South Africa and Portugal have a tax treaty.
As of 1 oktober 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short visits | We confirm this for your case |
| Visa appointments | We confirm this for your case |
| Documents | Apostille accepted: your country is in the Hague Apostille ConventionSource · checked 2 oktober 2026 |
| Double tax treaty | A comprehensive income tax treaty is in forceSource · checked 2 oktober 2026 |
| Dual citizenship | We confirm this for your case |
| Minimum | €920 a month (100% of the 2026 minimum wage); +50% for a spouse, +30% per childSource |
What is different from Zuid-Afrika
Moving money out
Individuals can use the single discretionary allowance and, with tax compliance approval from SARS, the foreign investment allowance. Larger amounts need SARB approval, so plan transfers and proof of funds together.
Ceasing tax residence
When you become non-resident, SARS can treat most worldwide assets as sold (an exit charge on capital gains). Retirement annuities have their own withdrawal rules after three years of non-residence.
Documents
The SAPS police clearance certificate and civil documents are apostilled (by DIRCO or the High Court, depending on the document) and translated where required.
Portuguese descent
If a parent or grandparent was Portuguese, you may have a nationality claim that avoids the visa route entirely; ask us to check.
Routes open to you
Figures are statutory minimums from official sources. Official fees are estimates and change; our own fees are quoted for your case.
D7 passive income visa
Retirees and people with regular passive income (pension, rent, dividends).
- Minimum
- €920 a month (100% of the 2026 minimum wage); +50% for a spouse, +30% per child
- Official fees
- Consular visa fee: €90
- Path
- Citizenship after 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking CPLP nationals) under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026
D8 digital nomad visa
Remote workers and freelancers with clients or employers outside Portugal.
- Minimum
- €3,680 a month (4× the 2026 minimum wage)
- Official fees
- Consular visa fee: €90
- Path
- Citizenship after 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026
Not sure which route fits?
An adviser checks your eligibility from Zuid-Afrika and replies within one working day.
Step by step from Zuid-Afrika
Check for Portuguese descent
A parent or grandparent born Portuguese can open a nationality route.
Choose D7 or D8
D7 for passive income, D8 for remote work for non-Portuguese clients.
Documents and allowances
SAPS clearance, apostilles, SARS tax compliance status for transfers.
Apply in South Africa
Submit at the Portuguese visa centre for your area.
AIMA and SARS
Complete the residence permit in Portugal and notify SARS of your change in residence.
Documents and legalisation
Get public documents (birth and marriage certificates, police certificate, degrees) apostilled in Zuid-Afrika, then have them translated by a sworn translator where the destination asks for it.
You will usually need a police certificate from Zuid-Afrika and from every other country you have lived in recently.
Where to apply
Apply for the national (D) visa at the Portuguese consulate or its visa centre in your country of legal residence, then complete the residence permit with AIMA in Portugal.
Tax: what to check before you move
Double tax treaty: A comprehensive income tax treaty is in force Listed in AT CDT table 2023
General information, not tax advice. Tax points on this page are awaiting review by a tax specialist.
Sources and review
Last updated 1 oktober 2026
- Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs: national visas
- AIMA (Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
- South African Police Service: police clearance certificate
- South African Reserve Bank: exchange control (individuals)
- SARS: ceasing to be a tax resident
- Portuguese Tax Authority: double taxation conventions
Parts of this page are awaiting review by our legal team; we confirm every point for your case before you apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Do South Africans need a visa to visit Portugal?
Yes, a Schengen visa for short visits; the D7 and D8 are separate national visas.
How much money can I take out of South Africa?
Up to the single discretionary allowance without approval, plus the foreign investment allowance with SARS tax compliance status; more needs SARB approval.
Will I lose South African citizenship if I become Portuguese?
The rules on losing citizenship by taking another nationality changed after a 2025 court ruling; we confirm the current position before you apply.
Is there a South Africa–Portugal tax treaty?
Yes, a comprehensive double tax treaty is in force.
Which route suits me best?
It depends on your goal: living in the country, a second passport, tax planning or a base for your family. The routes on this page are ranked by fit for people moving from your country.
How long does it take to move?
Timelines depend on the route, the completeness of your file and government processing. Each programme page shows its published processing range.
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