France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) vs Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa is faster: 2 months vs 3 months for France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur).
- ›Lower income bar: Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa requires $820/mo; France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) requires $1,640/mo.
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) France · passive income | Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa Portugal · passive income | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | Portugal |
| Category | Passive Income | Passive Income |
| Application Fee | $99 | $540 |
| Minimum Income | $1,640 /mo | $820 /mo |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 3 months | 2 months |
| Family Included | Accompanying family members must each apply for their own VLS-TS Visiteur permit and demonstrate sufficient resources | 50% of main applicant's required income per additional adult dependent; 30% per minor child |
| Path to PR | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Physical Presence | Holder must reside primarily in France; the visa is a long-stay visa (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour) valid for 1 year, renewable annually. Must validate the visa within 3 months of arrival via ANEF portal. | Must stay in Portugal for at least 183 days per year, or maintain a habitual residence |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Holders residing in France become French tax residents subject to income tax on worldwide income. Work of any kind — including remote work for foreign employers — is strictly prohibited under this visa category. | Qualifying applicants may apply for Portugal's NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, offering a 10% flat tax on foreign pension income and tax exemptions on certain foreign-sourced income for 10 years |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | $245 | $320 |
About France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
The France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) is a one-year renewable permit for financially independent individuals who wish to reside in France without engaging in any professional activity. Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient income from passive sources such as pensions, investment income, or rental income, and may not work remotely or otherwise. After five years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for a long-term resident card and eventually French citizenship.
Full France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) profile →About Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa
Portugal's D7 visa is designed for individuals with stable passive income — including pensions, rental income, dividends, or investment returns — who wish to reside in Portugal without active employment. The minimum income threshold is tied to the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €9,840 per year for the primary applicant), with additional amounts required for dependents. The D7 provides a path to permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after five years, with access to Portugal's public healthcare system (SNS) and the right to live and travel freely within the Schengen Area.
Full Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa profile →Gotchas to Watch For
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
- ⚠Explicitly prohibits professional activity — remote-work-for-foreign-clients grey zone occasionally enforced against "digital nomads"
- ⚠Must pay French income tax on worldwide income once tax-resident (usually after 183 days)
- ⚠Does NOT qualify for PUMA healthcare until 3 months of stable residence
Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa
- ⚠AIMA backlogs can delay residence card issuance 12+ months beyond stated timelines
- ⚠NHR programme closed to new applicants in 2024; IFICI is narrower in scope
- ⚠Minimum income requirement is per applicant; family members require additional income proof
- ⚠Physical presence of 16 months within first 2 years is strictly enforced
- ⚠Passive income must be genuinely passive — active freelance/employment income does not qualify for D7
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.