D8 Visa Portugal 2025: Complete Digital Nomad Visa Guide

Your complete guide to obtaining the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa. Learn the requirements, income thresholds (4x minimum wage), application process, and how to live and work remotely in one of Europe's most beautiful countries.

4-8
Weeks Processing
€3,280
Min. Monthly Income
(~$3,800 USD)
1 Year
Initial Validity
5 Years
Path to Residency

What is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (also known as the D8 Visa) allows remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs to live in Portugal while working for companies or clients outside of Portugal.

Launched in 2022, this visa gives you the opportunity to enjoy Portugal's climate, culture, and cost of living while maintaining your international career. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency.

Not sure if you qualify? Take our free eligibility quiz or compare the D8 visa with alternative options.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Income Requirements

You must earn at least €3,280 per month (~$3,800 USD) (4x the Portuguese minimum wage). This must be proven through:

  • Bank statements from the last 3 months
  • Employment contract or freelance agreements
  • Tax returns or income statements

Use our income calculator to check if you meet the requirements with your family size.

2. Remote Work Proof

Evidence that you work remotely for a company registered outside Portugal, or provide services to clients abroad:

  • Employment contract stating remote work
  • Company registration documents (if self-employed)
  • Client contracts and invoices (for freelancers)

3. Other Requirements

  • Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay)
  • Clean criminal record from country of residence
  • Health insurance covering Portugal
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal

Required Documents

Get our interactive document checklist to track your progress. For US citizens, see our detailed guide on D8 visa requirements for Americans.

1

Valid Passport

Original passport with at least 3 months validity beyond your planned stay, plus 2 photocopies of the ID page

2

Visa Application Form

Completed and signed national visa application form from the Portuguese consulate

3

Passport Photos

2 recent passport-size photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm) with white background

4

Proof of Income

Bank statements (3 months), employment contract, tax returns, or freelance invoices showing €3,280+ monthly income

5

Remote Work Evidence

Employment contract stating remote work, or company/client documentation for self-employed applicants

6

Criminal Record Certificate

Clean criminal record from your country of residence (issued within last 3 months), apostilled or legalized. US citizens can use our FBI Apostille service.

7

Health Insurance

Valid health insurance policy covering you in Portugal with minimum coverage (recommended: €30,000)

8

Proof of Accommodation

Rental agreement, hotel reservation, or property deed showing where you'll stay in Portugal

9

Travel Insurance

Insurance covering repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care, and emergency hospital treatment

Application Process

US citizens should read our comprehensive D8 visa application guide for Americans. Use our timeline calculator to estimate your specific processing time.

1

Prepare Documents

1-2 weeks

Gather all required documents listed above. Have them translated to Portuguese by a certified translator if needed.

2

Schedule Consulate Appointment

2-6 weeks wait

Contact the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence to schedule a visa application appointment. Book early as wait times can be several weeks. Use our consulate locator to find your nearest location, or see our VFS appointment guide if applying through VFS Global.

3

Submit Application

1 day

Attend your appointment at the consulate. Submit all documents and pay the visa fee (€90-120). You may be interviewed about your application.

4

Wait for Processing

4-8 weeks

The consulate will review your application and documents. You may be contacted for additional information or documents.

5

Receive Visa Decision

1 week

If approved, collect your visa from the consulate. If denied, you'll receive explanation and can reapply.

6

Travel to Portugal

Within 4 months

Enter Portugal with your D8 visa within its validity period (usually 4 months from issue date).

7

Apply for Residence Permit

First 30 days in PT

Within your first month in Portugal, apply for your residence permit card at AIMA (Portuguese Immigration Agency).

Timeline & Costs

Total Timeline
4-6 Months

From document gathering to receiving your residence permit

Estimated Costs
€500-1,500

Including visa fees, translations, apostilles, and health insurance

Cost Breakdown

Compare living costs with our cost of living calculator to budget for your move to Portugal.

Visa Application Fee€90-120 (~$104-139)
Document Translation€100-300
Apostille Services€50-100
Health Insurance (annual)€300-800
Residence Permit Fee€158 (~$183)
Optional: Legal/Consulting Services€500-2,000

Benefits of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Schengen Area Access

Travel freely within 27 Schengen countries

Path to Permanent Residency

Apply for permanent residence after 5 years

NHR Tax Benefits

Potentially qualify for Non-Habitual Resident tax regime. See our tax guide for details.

Family Inclusion

Bring your spouse and dependent children

Healthcare Access

Access to Portuguese National Health Service

Quality of Life

300+ days of sunshine, beaches, and low cost of living

Professional Services

Navigate the visa process with confidence. Our vetted partners can help with every step of your journey. View all services →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work for Portuguese companies with this visa?

No, the D8 Digital Nomad Visa requires you to work remotely for companies or clients outside of Portugal. If you want to work for Portuguese companies, you'll need a different type of work permit.

Do I need to pay taxes in Portugal?

If you stay in Portugal for more than 183 days per year, you'll become a tax resident. However, you may qualify for the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, which offers reduced tax rates on foreign income for 10 years. Read our complete tax guide for digital nomads for more details.

Can I bring my family?

Yes, you can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your application. They'll receive the same visa validity and residence rights as you.

How long is the visa valid?

The initial D8 visa allows you to enter Portugal within 4 months. Once in Portugal, you'll exchange it for a residence permit valid for 1 year, renewable for 2-year periods.

Can I apply from within Portugal?

No, you must apply at a Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. You cannot apply while in Portugal on a tourist visa.

What happens if my income drops below €3,280/month?

You must maintain the minimum income requirement throughout your stay. When renewing your residence permit, you'll need to prove you still meet the income threshold.

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