Yes — for many veterans, VA disability compensation can be a solid fit for Portugal’s D7 visa, because it’s stable, recurring, and not tied to working in Portugal.
The key is simple:
- Your VA disability payments generally continue if you live overseas.
- For the D7, you must show you have enough monthly income to support yourself (and anyone you’re bringing). Portugal’s own visa documentation says the “means of subsistence” benchmark is based on the minimum monthly salary — and it’s currently €920 in 2026.
So the real question isn’t “Does Portugal accept VA disability?” It’s: does your monthly VA amount (plus any other passive income you have) meet the D7 minimum for your household?
The D7 minimum income requirement in 2026
Portugal’s official visa documentation ties “means of subsistence” to the minimum monthly salary, and notes that it is currently €920 in 2026.
In practice, most D7 applicants use the “standard” family scaling that many lawyers and visa guides reference:
- Main applicant: €920/month
- Spouse/partner: +50% (so +€460/month)
- Each dependent child: +30% (so +€276/month)
What that looks like as a household total
Monthly passive income
Savings Requirement
Single Person
€920 per month
€11,040
Couple
€1,380 per month
€16,560
Couple + Child
€1,656 per month
€19,872
Because VA compensation is paid in USD, it helps to translate this into a rough USD target. Not that exchange rates move. Most people should aim to be comfortably above the minimum to avoid a “close call” at the consulate.
Do VA disability payments count as “passive income” for the D7?
Portugal doesn’t have a special “VA category.” The D7 is usually evaluated on whether the income is:
- legal
- stable
- recurring
- enough to support you in Portugal
VA disability compensation is a regular monthly payment and, in that sense, it behaves like pension income (from a paperwork point of view).
Also, if you’re worried about whether you’ll still be paid abroad: the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ own guidance says most benefits (including disability compensation) are payable regardless of where you live.
What if your VA payment is below the requirement?
This happens. It can also happen with couples and families, since the income requirement comes from the main applicant’s income rather than a combination of two parents.
There are a few options here.
The typical solution is to combine VA disability with other acceptable passive income, such as:
- Pensions (military retirement, private pension)
- US Social Security
- Rental income
- Dividends/interest/investment distributions
- Royalties
- Annuities
- Interest from savings
If the main applicant’s income isn’t enough to cover themselves and a dependent (i.e. €920 for them and an additional 50% for a spouse or long-term partner), even with additional passive income sources, the couple (or family) may need to submit 2 visa applications.
This could be 2 D7 applications e.g. if the main applicant receives VA payments and the spouse or partner receives retirement income. Or it could be a combination of visas, e.g. the D7 for the applicant on VA payments and the Digital Nomad Visa for the other applicant, if they’re able to freelance or work remotely.
What paperwork Do You Need?
There are no official requirements. Most successful D7 files make the income evidence extremely easy to understand at a glance. For VA disability, that usually means:
- VA benefit verification letter / award letter showing the monthly amount
- recent bank statements showing the deposits landing consistently
- a short cover letter explaining what the payment is (service-connected disability compensation paid monthly by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Then you’ll combine that with the usual D7 requirements (accommodation, Portuguese banking steps, background check, insurance, etc.), which vary slightly by consulate.
Other considerations
For veterans living on VA disability income, a few practical issues are worth weighing up before you commit.
VA support and healthcare may be stronger in the US
Your VA disability payments usually continue overseas, but the support ecosystem doesn’t always travel with you. If you rely heavily on VA healthcare, know that overseas support is more limited: the VA’s Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is primarily for treatment of service-connected conditions abroad, not a full replacement for everyday healthcare.
That means you will be relying on Portugal’s public system (SNS) and/or private insurance for general healthcare needs.
€920 is the minimum
While €920 per month is the minimum “means of subsistence” figure and, in many cases, meeting that threshold can qualify you for Portugal’s D7 visa, it’s best to treat it as a legal minimum — not a comfortable budget.
€920 won’t go far once you factor in rent, utilities, food, transport, and health insurance, especially in higher-cost areas like Lisbon or the Algarve. This is especially true if you’re paying rent or a mortgage. If you will live mortgage-free, €920 could be enough to live comfortably on a non-luxurious budget.
Taxes and “where you’re resident” can get complicated
VA disability is generally tax-free in the US, but once you live abroad you may have additional reporting and residency considerations — especially if you have other income streams (rental income, investments, pensions).
This is one to get professional advice on early. Don’t assume the rules in the US also apply in Portugal.
Distance from your support network
Finally, the most overlooked factor: moving abroad can mean being further from family, familiar clinicians, and community support. If you currently rely on those day-to-day, that tradeoff matters just as much as the visa requirements.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Portugal on VA disability income can be a genuine “way out” for veterans who want a fresh start — a base in Europe, a safer day-to-day lifestyle, and access to public healthcare once you’re properly registered. Over time, it can also open the door to longer-term stability: renewing residency, putting down roots, and eventually applying for citizenship if that’s your goal. And because VA disability is stable and recurring, it can be a strong fit for the D7 framework.
Just keep your feet on the ground about the numbers. Meeting the minimum (€920) may be enough to qualify on paper, but it doesn’t guarantee a comfortable life — especially if you’re renting in a higher-cost area. Before you commit, run the cost-of-living math for the exact region you’re considering, build a buffer for exchange rates and insurance, and make sure the lifestyle you want is realistic on your income (not just legally possible).