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For the Portugal D7 (passive-income) visa, Movingto is a strong full-service option for international applicants who want one team from consulate to AIMA at a fixed fee (from €1,760), with named Portuguese lawyers and a perfect 5.0 Google rating across all 14 reviews. Liberty Legal is the budget option (from €1,500); Edge International suits complex cases (30+ years). Compare every firm by named-lawyer involvement, consular and AIMA support, fee transparency, and written scope. The D7 needs proof of roughly €920/month in passive income and no investment; no provider can guarantee approval, which is decided by Portuguese authorities.
Best Portugal D7 visa law firms and advisers at a glance
Eight firms compared for the D7 passive-income route. "Quote-based" means the firm does not publish a fixed fee; ask for written scope before signing.
| Firm | From | Processing | Best for | Named PT lawyer | Consular + AIMA | Pricing published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movingto | from €1,760 | 3–4 mo | Full-service, one team consulate→AIMA | Yes ✓ (Bar #s public) | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ |
| Edge International | Quote-based | 4–6 mo | Complex cases (30+ yrs) | Confirm assigned lawyer | Yes | No |
| Lexidy | from €2,200 | 3–5 mo | Digital-first, tech-savvy | Confirm assigned lawyer | Yes | Yes ✓ |
| ERG Legal | Quote-based | 4–5 mo | Boutique, senior-lawyer access | Confirm assigned lawyer | Yes | No |
| Liberty Legal | from €1,500 | 4–6 mo | Budget / simple pension cases | Confirm assigned lawyer | Confirm scope | Yes ✓ |
| Oliveira Lawyers | Quote-based | 3–5 mo | US clients, Social Security cases | Confirm assigned lawyer | Yes | No |
| Brites Matos | Quote-based | 4–6 mo | Porto & northern Portugal | Confirm assigned lawyer | Confirm scope | No |
| Belion Partners | Quote-based | 3–4 mo | Tax + immigration, higher-net-worth | Confirm Portuguese counsel | Confirm scope | No |
Which D7 firm is best for your situation?
| Your situation | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| US applicant (Social Security, 401(k)/IRA, pension) | Movingto or Oliveira Lawyers | US-income documentation and consular nuances (NYC tends strictest); confirm who files. |
| UK applicant (post-Brexit) | Movingto or Belion Partners | London consulate routing and UK-linked coordination; confirm Portuguese counsel. |
| Budget / straightforward pension case | Liberty Legal | Lowest published entry price (from €1,500) for simple files. |
| Complex income, corporate or tax structure | Edge International or Belion Partners | Deeper legal/tax capability for non-standard income or structuring. |
| Family application (spouse, children, parents) | Movingto or Edge International | Family-member documentation, dependant rules, and timing across the file. |
| Porto or northern Portugal | Brites Matos | Local presence in the north; confirm D7 and consular experience. |
| Want one fixed-fee team from start to residence permit | Movingto | Published fixed fee and one team across NIF, bank, consular filing, and AIMA. |
These are fit-based starting points, not a universal ranking. Always confirm the named Portuguese lawyer and written scope before engaging.
How we evaluated these firms
We compared providers on visible, checkable criteria: named Portuguese lawyer involvement and Bar registration, passive-income (D7) experience, consular-stage and AIMA support, family-case capability, fee transparency, and clear service boundaries. We do not score firms numerically or treat "best" as universal, and no provider can guarantee approval. Movingto publishes this guide and is included in it.
The top three in detail
1. Movingto — best full-service option
From €1,760 · 3–4 months · founded 2021 · Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, Sydney
Movingto runs the full D7 process end to end for international applicants: named Portuguese lawyers, a fixed fee published before you engage, and one team coordinating NIF and bank setup, document prep and translation, the consular filing, and the AIMA handoff. Every file goes through lawyer-reviewed eligibility screening, and most clients travel to Portugal only for biometrics.
Your casework is led by David Simões Fitas (Portuguese Bar #67185P), with Paulo Moura (Portuguese Bar #71517P) also publicly registered. Verify either lawyer on the Ordem dos Advogados register before you sign.
Included in the fixed fee: NIF (tax number), Portuguese bank account, document preparation and translation, VFS/consulate appointment booking, consular filing and tracking, AIMA-stage handling, and discounted 2-year renewal support.
Strengths: lawyer-reviewed screening before you commit; named, Bar-verified lawyers; published fixed fee (no hourly billing); a perfect Google rating (5.0 across all 14 reviews, June 2026); remote-friendly; same team also handles D8 and the Golden Visa. Trade-offs: not the cheapest for very simple cases; can have a waitlist in peak months (Jan–Mar, Sep–Oct).
2. Edge International Lawyers — best for complex cases
Quote-based · 4–6 months · 30+ years in practice · edge-il.com
A traditional immigration-law firm that takes on the cases other providers decline: complex income structures, prior refusals, and applicants who want ongoing legal involvement across renewals and longer-term residency. Pricing is not published, so request a written fee scope and confirm the assigned lawyer's Ordem dos Advogados registration before engaging.
3. Lexidy — best digital experience
From €2,200 · 3–5 months · founded 2017 · lexidy.com
A tech-forward legal-services platform with a polished online process and published pricing, suited to applicants who prefer a digital-first experience across multiple countries. Confirm which Portuguese lawyer owns the D7 filing and the consular/AIMA scope before you sign.
The other five firms in the table (ERG Legal, Liberty Legal, Oliveira Lawyers, Brites Matos, and Belion Partners) are credible options for specific needs — boutique service, budget, US clients, northern Portugal, or tax-plus-immigration — but publish less public detail; treat the comparison table as the starting point and request written scope from any of them.
What does a Portugal D7 visa lawyer cost in 2026?
| Tier | Lawyer/adviser fee | Typically includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €1,500–€2,000 | Core application support and document checklist for a simple, single-applicant file. |
| Mid-range | €2,000–€3,500 | NIF and bank setup, document review, consular filing, and basic AIMA-stage support. |
| Premium / full-service | €3,500–€8,000+ | Complex income structuring, family files, end-to-end coordination, and renewal support. |
Lawyer/adviser fees run from about €1,500 to €8,000+ depending on complexity. Add Portuguese government fees and third-party costs (translations, apostilles, insurance): a realistic total budget is around €2,500–€5,000 for a straightforward single-applicant case. These are market ranges; each firm confirms its own quote in writing after scope review.
How to verify a D7 lawyer before you sign
| Check | Why it matters | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese lawyer / firm registration | Legal advice and filing should come from a licensed Portuguese lawyer, not a generic adviser label. | Ordem dos Advogados register |
| Passive-income evidence | The D7 turns on stable passive income of roughly €920/month for the main applicant. | Bank statements, pension/dividend/rental proof; lawyer review. |
| Written fee scope | Confirm whether the quote covers family members, renewals, translations, apostilles, and AIMA follow-up. | Written engagement letter and fee schedule. |
| Consular experience | Portuguese consulates differ in process and timing (e.g., NYC, SF, London). | Ask which consulate the firm files through and recent experience there. |
| AIMA-stage handling | Approval at the consulate is only the first step; the residence permit is issued by AIMA in Portugal. | Confirm who manages the AIMA appointment and follow-up. |
| Approval language | No firm can guarantee a D7 approval or a future citizenship outcome. | Look for conservative wording and referral to independent legal/tax advice. |
Portugal D7 visa lawyer FAQ
How much does a Portugal D7 visa lawyer cost?
D7 lawyer and adviser fees range from about €1,500 to €8,000+ in 2026: roughly €1,500–€2,000 for budget application support, €2,000–€3,500 mid-range, and €3,500+ for premium full-service work. Including government fees and third-party costs, a realistic total is around €2,500–€5,000 for a straightforward case.
Do I need a lawyer for a Portugal D7 visa?
A lawyer is not legally required, but most applicants use one. The D7 spans a consular application abroad, income and accommodation evidence, NIF and bank setup, and an AIMA residence-permit stage in Portugal — coordination that is hard to manage remotely without professional support.
How long does the D7 visa take with a lawyer?
Most D7 applications run about 4–8 months end to end, depending on the consulate, document readiness, and AIMA scheduling. A well-coordinated team reduces friction but cannot control consulate or AIMA timelines.
What is the minimum income for a Portugal D7 visa?
The main applicant generally needs passive income of about €920/month (tied to the Portuguese minimum wage), with roughly an extra 50% for a spouse and 30% per dependent. No investment is required — only proof of stable passive income.
Can US citizens get a Portugal D7 visa?
Yes, and Americans are one of the largest D7 groups. Social Security, 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, pensions, rental income, and dividends commonly qualify. Applications are filed through a Portuguese consulate in the US, and processing experience varies by consulate.
Can UK citizens get a Portugal D7 visa?
Yes. Since Brexit ended EU free movement, the D7 has become a popular route for UK nationals with stable passive income. Applications are typically filed through the Portuguese consulate in London.
How do I verify a Portuguese immigration lawyer is legitimate?
Check the lawyer or firm on the Ordem dos Advogados (Portuguese Bar) public register at portal.oa.pt, ask for the named lawyer handling your file, and require a written engagement letter. Avoid providers that will not disclose lawyer credentials.
What is the difference between the D7 and the Golden Visa?
The D7 requires proof of passive income (about €920/month) and no investment, but has a real minimum-stay requirement. The Golden Visa requires a qualifying investment (commonly €250,000–€500,000 depending on the route) but only minimal physical presence. The D7 suits retirees and passive-income earners; the Golden Visa suits investors who want low presence.
Sources & further reading
New to the route? Our full Portugal D7 Visa guide covers eligibility, the income rule, benefits, the minimum-stay requirement, and how the D7 compares with the Golden Visa and D8.
- AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — Portuguese immigration authority.
- Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Act) — legal basis for the D7 residence visa.
- Ordem dos Advogados — Portuguese Bar register for lawyer verification.
- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) — naturalisation now generally 7 years (EU/CPLP) or 10 years (other nationals); pending procedures follow the previous law.
- Movingto pricing guide — published service fees (indicative; final quote confirmed in writing).
Last reviewed June 2026. Immigration rules change; verify current requirements with AIMA or a licensed Portuguese lawyer before applying. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
