Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Guide

Your complete guide to obtaining the D8 Digital Nomad Visa for Portugal. Live, work remotely, and explore one of Europe's most beautiful countries.

60-90
Days Processing
€3,280
Min. Monthly Income
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.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Income Requirements

You must earn at least €3,280 per month (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

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

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

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

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.

3

Submit Application

1 day

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

4

Wait for Processing

60-90 days

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
3-5 Months

From document gathering to receiving your residence permit

Estimated Costs
€500-1,500

Including visa fees, translations, apostilles, and health insurance

Cost Breakdown

Visa Application Fee€90
Document Translation€100-300
Apostille Services€50-100
Health Insurance (annual)€300-800
Residence Permit Fee€80
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

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.

Immigration Lawyers

Expert legal guidance through the entire application process

From €800

Document Translation

Certified translations of all required documents to Portuguese

From €150

Relocation Services

Find housing, open bank accounts, and settle into Portuguese life

From €500

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work for Portuguese companies with this visa?â–¼

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?â–¼

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.

Can I bring my family?â–¼

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?â–¼

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?â–¼

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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