100% approval rate for US D7 clients
Our legal team ensures every single D7 application meets the strict criteria of the Portuguese consulates.
Live in Portugal on your retirement income, dividends, or rental earnings. A calm path to European residency.



Six years ago, we stood exactly where you are today - navigating the daunting, complex process of securing our own visas and moving our lives to Portugal. We built Roots Global because we realised Americans needed more than just legal paperwork; we needed a trusted bridge.
Now, as a fully integrated American-Portuguese firm headquartered right here in the heart of Lisbon, we have guided over 2,000 US citizens through that exact same journey.
Legal know‑how meets lived experience. We are a cohesive team of expats and local lawyers - international perspective combined with on‑the‑ground expertise, guiding you through every step with empathy, clarity, and confidence.
There is a reason why the D7 is the undisputed favorite for Americans relocating to Portugal. It grants you full residency, access to world-class healthcare, and a direct path to an EU passport, yet its financial baseline remains incredibly accessible. In fact, it is one of the most cost-effective legal residency pathways in the Western hemisphere.
Built by expats who made the move themselves, our Lisbon-based firm takes care of everything. We specialise in US and UK applicants, expertly translating your financial structures for Portuguese authorities and guiding you all the way to your final AIMA interview with zero stress.
Portugal offers two attractive residency pathways for Americans. The D7 is built for those with stable non‑employment income; the D8 for active remote workers. Most clients qualify cleanly for one, and the wrong choice extends timelines by months.
Seven short questions on your income, family, and timeline. No email required to read your personalised result.
At Roots Global, we take care of the bureaucracy so you can focus on the move. Our experienced legal team takes ownership from start to finish, ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and fully aligned with consulate requirements. We make the complex simple - so you can focus on your next chapter, not the paperwork.
We open with a calm, structured conversation - no sales pressure. By the end of the call you will know whether the D7 fits, what your timeline looks like, and what your case will cost. If we are not the right firm, we will say so.
Documentation format is the single biggest reason US D7 applications are rejected. We have refined the exact structure each consulate expects across more than two thousand US cases.
You attend your appointment at the Portuguese consulate nearest you. We brief you on what each consulate asks and how to answer - with the precise phrasing that has worked in past cases.
Your initial four-month entry visa is issued. We coordinate your arrival logistics in Portugal and pre-schedule your residency appointment so there is no waiting.
AIMA is the immigration authority. We walk in with you, sit through the appointment, and intercept any issue in real time. Clients tell us this is the single most reassuring part of the process.
You are officially a Portuguese resident. The card grants Schengen travel, work rights, public healthcare access, and starts the clock toward permanent residency and citizenship.
Tick off everything you already have below. We handle whatever is missing - including the Portuguese‑side items that cannot be obtained without local representation.
Yes - the United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. However, the US-Portugal tax treaty and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion typically prevent double taxation. We connect you with US-Portugal cross-border tax specialists during onboarding.
You continue to file FBAR (FinCEN 114) annually for any Portuguese account holding over $10,000, and FATCA obligations remain. This is standard for US expats and your tax advisor handles it routinely. We brief you on which Portuguese banks make this least painful.
Yes. Most clients maintain US banking throughout. Some US banks restrict accounts for non-US-resident holders - we advise on which banks remain accessible after you change your address of record.
Medicare does not cover care outside the United States. Most D7 residents enroll in Portuguese public health (SNS) after residency and maintain Medicare Part A as a safety net for US visits. Many choose private Portuguese insurance for around €50 - €150 per month.
The D7 is designed for passive income, but limited remote work is generally tolerated provided your primary qualifying income remains passive. If your income is primarily from active remote work, the D8 visa is the correct route - we will tell you honestly which fits.
Five years of legal residence. Portugal counts the time from your initial D7 issuance, not from when you arrive. Basic Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level) is required at application - most clients learn gradually over the residency period.
No. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are highly English-friendly. A2-level Portuguese is only required when you apply for citizenship after five years. Most clients learn gradually through a tutor or app during their first three years of residence.
Mixed income is common and workable. The key is that your qualifying threshold is met through passive sources alone - active income is a bonus, not the basis. We structure documentation accordingly and flag any consulate-specific sensitivities.