Portugal digital nomad visa (D8) for remote work: Complete guide

Do you dream of sipping port wine and snacking on pastel de nata by the beach without missing a beat at work? Portugal now offers visas for digital nomads geared toward helping adventurous remote workers from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) legally live and work in Portugal. Unlike short-term tourist visas, which don’t allow employment in Portugal, the digital nomad visa program permits remote workers who don’t live in Europe to settle in Portugal for extended periods, as long as they’re self-employed or work for a foreign employer.

So whether you hope to explore Lisbon’s hilly cobblestone streets, Porto’s castles, Madeira, Algarve, or anywhere in between, Portugal’s digital nomad visa may be your chance to follow your dreams and relocate. Keep reading to learn more about the program, including who’s eligible, how to apply, frequently asked questions, and more.

Portuguese digital nomad visa: The 2 types

Portugal offers two types of visas under its D8 visa program for digital nomads. One is for remote workers who want to live and work in Portugal for extended periods but only temporarily. The other offers a path to permanent residence or even Portuguese citizenship.

Temporary stay visa for digital nomads

Portugal’s temporary stay visa allows digital nomads to stay in the country for an initial period of 12 months. The visa can be extended up to four times for a total stay of five years, but it can’t be used to seek permanent residency.

Long-term residency visa for digital nomads

Portugal’s long-term visa (or residency visa) is initially valid for four months. Once a digital nomad uses it to enter Portugal, they then apply for a two-year residence permit. Visa holders can renew their residence permits for an additional three years, for a total stay of five years. After living in Portugal for five years with this permit, visa holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship, provided they meet all the requirements under Portuguese law.

Who is eligible for a Portuguese digital nomad visa?

Both types of digital nomad visas in Portugal have certain eligibility criteria you have to meet.

General requirements

To apply for a digital nomad visa in Portugal, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a non-EU citizen (those from the EU don’t need a visa to live and work in Portugal)
• Provide evidence you work remotely, either through self-employment or for a foreign employer
• Have a clean criminal record from your home country

This visa allows you to bring certain family members to Portugal with you, including a spouse, children, or other dependents. This will change the financial and document requirements (more on that below).

Financial requirements

To qualify for the digital nomad visa in Portugal, you must show proof of income that meets the minimum income requirements:

• €3,280 per month for the temporary stay visa
• €3,040 per month for the long-term residency visa

In addition to monthly income, you must have savings of at least 12 times the Portuguese minimum wage. In 2024, that’s €820 a month, so you would need €9,840 in savings. If you are bringing family members to Portugal with you, you’ll need 50% more savings for a spouse and 25% more for each dependent.

Health insurance

Finally, you must provide proof that you have full health insurance coverage for yourself and any family members coming to Portugal with you for at least the first four months of your stay, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 per person. If you’re seeking a long-term residence visa, you’ll become eligible to apply for local healthcare once you receive your residence permit and establish tax residency in Portugal.

How to apply for the Portuguese digital nomad visa

The application process for Portugal’s digital nomad visa is very straightforward compared to other countries with similar visa programs. Here’s what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Apply for your NIF

Before you can apply for a visa in Portugal, you need a Número de Identificação Fiscal or Número de Contribuinte (NIF). This is an individual tax ID number you’ll use for just about any economic activity in Portugal, like paying taxes, opening a Portuguese bank account, renting an apartment, or signing a contract. Getting your NIF is free and can be done online before you arrive in the country.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Gather the necessary documents, including your passport and proof of residence in your home country (a utility bill or rental contract will work).
2. Log into the NIF website, fill out your application, and upload your documents.
3. After you submit everything, your NIF number should be generated in just a few minutes.

You can also choose to have a lawyer or tax representative obtain your NIF for you on your behalf. This service comes with a cost, but for some expats (especially those who don’t speak Portuguese), it can be worth the added convenience and peace of mind.

Step 2: Gather the necessary documents

First, make sure you have all the required documents in the correct languages and formats. You will need:

• A valid passport
• Two passport-sized photos in color (4.5 x 3.5 centimeters)
• A letter in English explaining why you want to move to Portugal
• Employment contracts or other documentation to prove your status as a remote worker
• Bank statements or other documentation proving your income
• Bank statements or other documentation proving your savings
• Tax returns or tax receipts
• A clean criminal record from your home country (translated into Portuguese)
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Proof of your relationship with any family members accompanying you to Portugal (i.e., marriage or birth certificates)
• Proof of accommodation showing where you plan to stay in Portugal (or a letter explaining why you haven’t yet booked accommodations)
• Your NIF certificate

Step 3: Fill out and submit the visa application

Once you have all your documents in order, fill out your digital nomad visa application form. The application form for the D8 visa is available from any Portuguese consulate or embassy, whichever is closest to you.

When everything is complete, make an appointment at your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate to submit your application and documents.

Step 4: Wait for approval

Processing times for the Portuguese digital visa application can vary, sometimes taking four months or more. You’ll be notified once your application is approved or denied.

Step 5: Pick up your visa and travel to Portugal

If your visa application is approved, it will be stamped into your passport. You can then pick it up and use it to enter Portugal.

Step 6: Apply for residency (if seeking a long-term residency visa)

If you were approved for the long-term residency visa, you’ll only be issued your initial visa to enter the country, which is valid for four months. Upon entering Portugal, you’ll need to visit the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to apply for your residence card, which is valid for your first two years.

Living and working in Portugal with a digital nomad visa

Portugal is home to a lively and thriving digital nomad and expat community, with international workers from all over the world taking advantage of the country’s low crime rate, developed economy, stable politics, and year-round warm weather. Portugal also has a low cost of living compared to much of Western Europe (and other developed countries around the world), so many remote workers can stretch their salaries further here, enjoying a higher quality of life.

Portugal’s cities are packed with restaurants, cultural experiences, and coworking spaces. For those who enjoy nature or a slower pace of living, the country’s smaller towns and countryside also have much to offer. As a bonus, Portugal’s digital nomad visa allows for visa-free travel to and from other European countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days out of every 180-day period, making it easy to explore the continent.

Working in Portugal

If you work remotely for a non-Portuguese company, you can continue to do so with a Portuguese digital nomad visa. But the visa also accommodates entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other self-employed workers. As long as you can work from Portugal and meet the monthly income requirements without working for a local employer, the digital nomad visa may be for you.

Tax implications for digital nomads living in Portugal

Portugal requires anyone who lives in the country for more than 183 days a year to become a tax resident. Prior to 2024, digital nomads were eligible for Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) status, which provides 10 years of tax breaks, including reducing the tax rate on income earned in Portugal from 48% to 20%, and making global income tax-free. However, the NHR tax regime is now in the process of being phased out.

In its place, the Portuguese government has introduced the Incentivized Tax Status Program (ITS). This program reduces income taxes on Portuguese income to 20% and eliminates the majority of taxes on foreign-sourced income, including dividends, interest, capital gains, and rent. However, unlike the NHR program, it doesn’t exempt foreign pensions from being taxed.

Similar to any country, your tax situation in Portugal will depend on your home country’s tax laws and your personal employment situation. You should always consult with a qualified tax professional if you have questions about your taxes as a digital nomad.

Renewing or extending your Portuguese digital nomad visa

Both types of Portuguese digital nomad visas can be extended for total stays of up to five years. However, you must extend your visa before it expires.

The short-term visa can’t be extended to seek permanent residency; after five years on this visa, you must leave Portugal and apply for a different visa if you want to enter the country again.

After living in Portugal for five years with a long-term residency visa, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements under Portuguese national law.

Other visa options

If you want to live and work in Portugal (or even just visit) without getting a digital nomad visa, you have many options. Here are some other popular visa types:

• Tourist visa (Schengen visa): For many visitors, a tourist visa is sufficient. Depending on your home country, you can typically remain in Portugal (or any other Schengen country) on a tourist visa for up to 90 days, though you aren’t permitted to work with this visa, and it doesn’t offer any paths to permanent residence.
• Passive income visa: The passive income visa (also known as the D7 visa) was originally meant for retirees, but it was popular with digital nomads before the D8 was introduced. This visa is initially granted for 120 days, and after entering Portugal, you can visit the SEF to receive a residence permit for two years. To qualify, you must prove you have passive income amounting to at least €8,460 (plus €4,230 per year if you’re bringing a spouse and €2,538 per year per dependent). Passive income can be generated by a pension, rental income, investments, etc.
• Entrepreneur visa: This visa, also known as the D2 visa, encourages investment in startups and local businesses. It’s initially granted for 120 days, and after entering Portugal, you can visit the SEF to receive a residence permit for five years. After living in Portugal for five years, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship. To qualify for the entrepreneur visa, you must show proof of funds to sustain yourself and any family members during your time in Portugal (at least €8,460 per person per year). You’ll also need proof of your own resources or a Portuguese bank loan, along with a business plan demonstrating how you’ll invest in your local community and economy.
• Golden visa: Portugal’s golden visa is for those who make significant investments in the country. You can:
• Invest in real estate or an investment fund. If you buy property in a low-density or rehabilitation area, you can make a lower investment.
• Make a capital investment of at least €1.5 million.
• Create at least 10 jobs in a business you own or invest at least €500,000 in a Portuguese business that helps create at least five jobs over three years.
• Donate at least €250,000 to the preservation of national heritage or at least €500,000 to research and development in Portugal.

Portugal digital nomad visa FAQs

How long does Portugal’s digital nomad visa last?

It depends on which of the two types of digital nomad visas you pursue:

• The temporary stay visa initially lasts for one year. It can be extended up to four times for a total of five years, but it can’t be extended into permanent residency.
• The long-term residency visa initially lasts for four months. Upon arriving in Portugal, you can use this visa to apply for a residence permit that lasts for two years and can later be extended for an additional three years. After five years of living in Portugal, digital nomads on this type of visa can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

How much does Portugal’s digital nomad visa cost?

The total cost of obtaining the visa will depend on your home country and personal circumstances. Extra services like having a tax agent obtain your NIF for you can increase the cost.

Application fees for the visa itself depend on which visa you’re seeking:

• Temporary stay visa: €75 per person
• Long-term residency visa: €90 per person

Who is eligible for Portugal’s digital nomad visa?

Remote workers who live outside of the EU and EEA and meet income and other requirements can apply for a Portuguese digital nomad visa.

How long does it take to get a Portuguese digital nomad visa?

Processing times vary, but it can take four months or longer from the time you submit your visa application and documents to when you get a decision.

What other countries offer digital nomad visas?

As of 2024, there are 65 countries with digital nomad visas other than Portugal:

• Albania
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bali
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Brazil
• Cabo Verde
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Grenada
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Montenegro
• Montserrat
• Namibia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Panama
• Peru
• Romania
• Saint Lucia
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Vietnam

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.