Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement) 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
- ›Lower income bar: Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa requires $820/mo; Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement) requires $2,800/mo.
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement) Mexico · retirement | Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa Portugal · passive income | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Mexico | Portugal |
| Category | Retirement | Passive Income |
| Application Fee | $40 | $540 |
| Minimum Income | $2,800 /mo | $820 /mo |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 2 months | 2 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and dependent children may obtain derivative Temporary Resident visas linked to the primary holder; some consulates require additional income evidence for dependants | 50% of main applicant's required income per additional adult dependent; 30% per minor child |
| Path to PR | Yes — 4 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Physical Presence | Must reside in Mexico; Temporary Resident status is valid for up to 4 years (1-year initial permit renewable up to 3 times). After 4 years of legal residence, holders may apply for Permanent Resident status. | Must stay in Portugal for at least 183 days per year, or maintain a habitual residence |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Residents spending 183+ days per year in Mexico are subject to Mexican income tax on worldwide income. Mexico has double taxation treaties with several countries. Foreign pensions may be partially exempt depending on the applicable treaty. | 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 | $40 | $320 |
About Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement)
Mexico's Temporary Resident Visa is the standard route for retirees and those living on passive income or savings; Mexico has no formal 'pensionado' category, so retirees use the same Temporary Resident visa as everyone else. The defining requirement is either monthly income of roughly MXN 50,000–56,000 (~$2,800–$3,100, based on 300× the daily minimum wage) or savings/investments around MXN 1,000,000 (~$56,000); exact thresholds are set by each consulate and adjust periodically. It does not permit work or business without a separate permit. The consular fee is low (~$40, though total government fees near $400), with realistic first-year costs of $3,000–7,500. Processing runs about 10–22 weeks; on arrival, holders must register with the INM within 30 days to collect a residence card. Spouse and dependent children can obtain derivative visas. Temporary status is valid up to four years, after which permanent residency is available; citizenship follows after five years, with dual nationality allowed. Spending 183+ days triggers Mexican tax on worldwide income, though foreign pensions may be partially treaty-exempt.
Full Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement) 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
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement)
- ⚠Mexico has no formal "pensionado" visa — retirees use same Temp Resident category as other applicants
- ⚠Social Security payments are recognized but foreign pension must be clearly documented
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.