One of the main requirements established by Portuguese law for granting a residence visa or residence permit to a foreign citizen is the possession of sufficient means of subsistence. Article 11(1) of Law No. 23/2007, of July 4, specifically states that: “Entry into the country shall not be permitted to foreign citizens who do not have sufficient means of subsistence, either for the period of their stay or for their return to the country where their admission is guaranteed, or who are not in a position to lawfully acquire such means.” It is therefore essential to determine exactly what is meant by “means of subsistence,” the amount required, and how such means can be proven.

The definition of “means of subsistence” is provided by Ordinance No. 1563/2007, of December 11, which establishes the financial resources that foreign citizens must have in order to enter and remain in Portuguese territory.

Article 2(1) of this Ordinance defines means of subsistence as “stable and regular resources that are sufficient for the essential needs of the foreign citizen and, when applicable, of their family, namely food, housing, and health and hygiene care.”

But what is the exact monetary amount a foreign citizen must have in order to obtain a residence visa or residence permit in Portugal? The calculation of this amount is made in accordance with Article 2(2) of Ordinance No. 1563/2007, of December 11, which states that it “is made by reference to the guaranteed minimum monthly remuneration,” that is, the national minimum wage, which in 2025 is set at 870 euros.

Therefore, to determine the amount a foreign citizen needs, one must consider the value of the national minimum wage and the type of residence visa or residence permit being requested.

Let us take, for example, a foreign citizen applying for a residence visa or residence permit to engage in an employed or self-employed professional activity. In this case, Portuguese law requires the applicant to have, per month, 100% of the value corresponding to the national minimum wage. This means that, in 2025, the applicant must prove a monthly income of at least 870 euros.

Now suppose that this same person wishes to be accompanied by their family in Portugal. Must the household have 870 euros for each family member? The answer is no. In this case, the law requires smaller amounts that vary according to the family member.

For each additional adult, the household must have an additional 50% of the national minimum wage, i.e., 435 euros in 2025.

For each child or young person under 18 years of age, or for adult children who are dependent, the household must have an additional 30% of the national minimum wage, i.e., 261 euros in 2025.

At this point, it is worth noting the types of documents that can be presented to prove that a person has sufficient means of subsistence to cover their essential needs and those of their family.

Various documents can serve this purpose — for example, an employment contract and corresponding payslips, a service provision contract, self-employment income receipts, or documents proving income from financial investments, among others.

Finally, it is important to mention that, in some cases, the law allows for an exemption from the requirement to prove means of subsistence, provided that a term of responsibility (termo de responsabilidade) is submitted, signed by a Portuguese citizen or a foreign citizen legally residing in Portugal. By signing this declaration, the person becomes responsible for ensuring the essential needs of the foreign citizen in Portugal, as well as for covering any expenses related to their removal from the country, should that become necessary.