Watch our quick Digital Nomad guide:
Are you a digital nomad looking for a new adventure in Europe? Portugal may just be the perfect destination for you. The country has recently launched a digital nomad visa that allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to one year. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about the Portugal Nomad Visa, including how to apply, eligibility requirements, required documents, the application process, and more.
What is a Portugal Nomad Visa?
The Portugal Nomad Visa, also known as the D8 visa, is a visa that allows digital nomads to live and work in Portugal for up to one year. The visa is designed to attract remote workers to the country and boost its economy. It also allows digital nomads to enjoy the country's high quality of life, beautiful scenery, and rich culture.
Compare Prices from Law firms
Partners we recommend could result in us getting compensated. For more details, see our advertiser disclosure.
How to Apply for a Portugal Nomad Visa Summary
To apply for a Portugal Nomad Visa, you will need to follow these steps:
- Check if you meet the eligibility requirements
- Gather all the required documents
- Submit your application online or at a Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country
- Attend an interview (if required)
- Wait for the visa approval
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a Portugal Nomad Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Not an EU-Citizen and is not in Portugal irregularly.
- No prior criminal record (sentenced to a penalty of deprivation of liberty).
- Have a valid passport
- According to this new type of visa, to apply as a Digital Nomad, it is required to have an average monthly income for at least four times the Portuguese monthly wage (in 2023, a total of 3.040€).
- Applicant needs to prove one year of means of subsistence in a Portuguese bank account, considering the family unit.
- All family members can apply for a residence visa along with the main 2 month Visa Application applicant
Required Documents
To apply for a Portugal Nomad Visa, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid passport
- Proof of income or financial means to support yourself while in Portugal
- Health insurance coverage
- Criminal record certificate (if required by the embassy or consulate)
- Housing accommodation in Portugal
Application Process
To apply as a Digital Nomad, it is required to have an average monthly income of €3040, increasing with €380 per additional adult family member, and €251 per every minor family member. Besides this monthly income, you should prove to have enough financial means according to your family unit deposited in a Portuguese bank account, for one year:
- For the main applicant: € 9120,
- For each accompanying adult family member: € 4560,
- For each underage family member: € 3010,
To apply for a Portugal Nomad Visa, you can submit your application online or at a Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country. The online application process is faster and more convenient, but some embassies or consulates may require you to submit your application in person. Once the visa is issued, you have four months to enter Portugal and change it to the residence permit, which will be issued for a period of two years and renewed for three years, as you can see in the file below:
Once you've submitted your application, you will need to wait for the embassy or consulate to process it. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the volume of applications they receive. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa and can start making plans to move to Portugal.
Overview and Timeline
1. Portugal NIF
The NIF is requested before the Tax Authorities by a fiscal representative through a Power of Attorney. A Portuguese bank account is not mandatory for applying to a D8 Visa.
2.Visa application
Personally at the Portuguese Consular Section/Embassy or a competent authority in country of origin or legal residence. Visa requirements may vary depending on the Consulate or Embassy. Visa fee: 90€ per applicant (average price)
3.Visa Issue ( 2 months)
Resolved within 60 business days of submission
4. Enter in Portugal ( 4 months)
Must enter Portuguese Territory within the validity of the visa (4 months)
5. Apply for residency permit
The first residence permit is issued for 2 years and renewed for 3 years. After 5 years, the resident may apply for a permanent residence permit, valid for 5 years, and for Portuguese citizenship.
Interview and Approval
In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview before your Portugal Nomad Visa is approved. The interview is usually conducted at the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application. During the interview, you may be asked questions about your background, work, and plans while in Portugal.
If your application is approved, you will receive a visa that is valid for up to one year. You can then make plans to move to Portugal and start enjoying the country's beautiful scenery, delicious food, and vibrant culture.
Extending and Renewing the Visa
If you wish to stay in Portugal for more than one year, you can apply to extend your Portugal Nomad Visa. The extension process is similar to the initial application process, and you will need to provide proof of income, health insurance coverage, and housing accommodation.
If your visa is about to expire and you wish to stay in Portugal for longer, you can also apply to renew your visa. The renewal process is similar to the initial application process, but you may need to provide additional documentation to prove that you have been living and working in
We strongly advise traveling to Portugal first to fully appreciate its distinctive atmosphere and choose your ideal location. We've teamed up with Uniplaces to provide an exclusive 25% discount using code UARA15CL in order to make your exploratory trip more affordable. You can experience Portugal firsthand before relocating thanks to their reasonably priced lodgings.
Minimum stay and work as a freelancer
The minimum number of days you have to stay in Portugal is 183 days, this means you will be considered a Portuguese tax resident. After registering as a tax resident, you can apply for the NHR Regime, which could reduce the tax burden from the general progressives rates from 14.5% to 48%. Read more about it in our NHR blog post
If you work as a Freelancer, it would be mandatory to register as an independent professional before the Tax Authority and Social Security, these are steps that we have to take into consideration when starting your application. Also it's mandatory to have health insurance, our Digital Nomad Insurance partner start from only $1.45 a day.
As a digital nomad you must internet or broadband to work remotly, check your best internet options on our Ultimate Guide to Broadband and Phone Providers in Portugal
We’ve partnered with the best law firms and compare them so you can quickly view a glimpse of all the different prices and ratings based on feedback on our client's experiences, to help you choose the best company based on your needs, budget, and preferences. If you still unsure about what visa to get , you can check our other Portugal visas. Are you ready to move?
Written by
Ana Fankhauser
Ana has worked in many startups and moved to a few countries, which led her to create MovingTo. She believes that remote work is a growing trend that is here to stay and that digital nomads will move to countries that have more to offer than the ones you were born into. She mostly writes opinion pieces for MovingTo.
Connect with Ana on LinkedIn
Other Articles
