Neutral guide • Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8), explained for everyone
A clear, country-agnostic path to the D8. We map requirements, documents, timelines, and common pitfalls for applicants from the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, and beyond. No sales talk. Just what you need to prepare a file that matches how officers actually review applications.
- Works for remote employees & freelancers
- Income test = 4× PT minimum wage (updated yearly)
- Apply abroad → finish at AIMA in Portugal
What the D8 visa is (and is not)
The D8 is Portugal’s “digital nomad” route for people who earn their income from outside Portugal. It fits remote employees, contractors, and freelancers who can document consistent pay and a genuine ongoing role. The core idea is straightforward: bring your work with you, base yourself legally in Portugal, and contribute without taking a local job.
The application happens in two phases. First, you apply abroad, typically via a VFS/consulate for your jurisdiction. Once your visa is issued, you travel to Portugal within the entry window and complete the residence permit step with AIMA. Your card is the document that confirms your right to live in Portugal beyond the visa’s initial validity.
The D8 is not a work permit for new Portuguese employment, and it’s not a golden visa. It expects proof of remote income at or above the threshold and evidence that you will support yourself without relying on local employment.
Income threshold, simplified
The D8 requirement equals 4× Portugal’s monthly minimum wage. It’s updated annually. Use this helper to estimate add-ons for dependents.
Eligibility checklist
- Remote income from outside Portugal (employee or self-employed).
- Monthly income at or above the live threshold (4× PT minimum wage).
- Proof of accommodation aligned to your consulate’s expectations.
- Valid health insurance that meets visa requirements.
- Clean criminal record certificate with apostille/legalization as applicable.
- Complete file: forms, fees, photos, and any translations required.
Document bundle (typical)
- Application form + passport (validity beyond the intended stay).
- Income proofs: payslips, contracts, invoices, tax transcripts, and 3–6 months of bank statements.
- Accommodation evidence (lease/long-stay contract or what your center accepts).
- Insurance certificate with coverage wording your center recognizes.
- Criminal record certificate from country of nationality and/or residence, with apostille/legalization.
- Any required declarations (remote work statement, purpose of stay, means of subsistence).
Officer perspective: what helps
- Clear monthly totals that meet or exceed the threshold after currency conversion.
- Employer/client letters that explicitly state remote work and ongoing engagement.
- Bank statements that show regular inflows matching your contracts or invoices.
- Accommodation with realistic dates that align with your planned arrival.
- Clean, consistent file names and translated items when not in English/Portuguese.
- Avoiding gaps: every checklist line matched with a document in your file.
Income threshold, explained
The D8 income rule tracks Portugal’s monthly minimum wage. The requirement equals four times that wage. Because the minimum wage changes over time, your target updates automatically by year. Applicants from any country can qualify if they demonstrate remote income at or above the current figure and present consistent documentation.
If you apply with dependents, some centers ask for additional means per spouse or child. The percentage varies by jurisdiction. Treat any dependent add-ons as an estimate and always check your center’s checklist before filing. When in doubt, show stronger monthly income or cash reserves that make the case easy to approve.
Dependents add-on: —
Estimated total: —
How the application flows
1) Prepare your file
Collect income proofs, employer/client letters, accommodation, insurance, police certificate, translations, apostilles/legalizations, forms, and photos. Organize everything exactly to your center’s checklist with clear file names.
- Match checklist wording line-by-line.
- Use consistent names: 01_Passport.pdf, 02_Form.pdf, etc.
- Include 3–6 months of bank statements that show regular inflow.
2) Submit via your consulate/VFS
Book the correct jurisdiction. Attend with a complete file. If you’re asked for additional information, reply quickly with precise documents. Keep your contact details active for notifications.
- Carry originals and copies when requested.
- Double-check fees and accepted payment methods.
- Don’t over-explain; let the documents speak clearly.
3) Enter Portugal & complete AIMA
Travel within your visa’s entry window. Your AIMA appointment may be pre-scheduled or arranged after arrival. Bring required originals. After biometrics, your residence card arrives by mail.
- Keep accommodation active for address confirmation.
- Expect variability in appointment and delivery times.
- Plan travel around potential delays.
Accommodation evidence
Centers differ on what they accept and for how long. Many applicants use a lease or long-stay contract aligned with their intended arrival. Short-term stays can work when explicitly allowed, but they’re more often questioned. Align dates with your likely travel, avoid gaps between visa validity and housing, and keep a copy of your landlord’s ID or registration when the checklist mentions it.
- Use real, verifiable addresses and contact details.
- Ensure the contract dates make sense with your timeline.
- If using temporary housing, include a plan for your longer-term address.
Health insurance expectations
Your policy should explicitly cover you in Portugal for the intended period with sufficient benefits. Provide a certificate or letter that uses recognisable wording for your center. If the plan auto-renews monthly, include proof that coverage is active for the initial months. Keep your member ID and the policy summary ready in case it’s requested.
- Certificate naming the insured, territory, and coverage period.
- Emergency and inpatient coverage clearly visible.
- Policy or brochure page that matches the certificate language.
Region-specific practical notes
U.S. & Canada
Expect FBI/RCMP or provincial police certificates with apostille/authentication where applicable. Employer letters should confirm remote status, compensation, and continuity. Bank statements in USD/CAD are acceptable; consistency matters more than currency.
- Use official police channel; avoid third-party “checks” not accepted by consulates.
- Translate only if documents are not in English/Portuguese.
- Keep tax transcripts or assessment notices handy to support income stability.
Latin America
Police certificates may be federal and/or state. Apostille applies in Hague countries; otherwise follow consular legalization. Bank statements in local currency work; ensure totals and payers are clear. If contracts are in Spanish, consider certified translations as required.
- Match the exact document name used by your country’s authority.
- Attach apostille/legalization and translations as your center requests.
- Show a realistic accommodation plan rather than only tourist stays.
Europe & other regions
Criminal record extracts vary by name and issuing office. Hague members use apostille; others require legalization. Provide certified translations when documents are not in English/Portuguese. Keep employer/client contacts ready if verification is requested.
- Confirm whether you need the national record, local record, or both.
- Bundle translations with the original certificate and apostille/legalization.
- Ensure income proofs align with contracts and invoicing cycles.
Timelines you can actually plan around
Processing time depends on your center, season, and file completeness. Plan in phases: (1) booking and attending your appointment, (2) waiting for the visa decision, (3) entering Portugal within the entry window, and (4) completing AIMA and receiving your card. Each step has its own variability. A buffer of weeks on either side prevents cascading delays in flights, leases, and employer plans.
If your center requests more information, respond cleanly and quickly with exactly what was asked. Avoid adding unrelated pages that create new questions. If you change jobs mid-process, provide updated letters and contracts that prove continuity and the same remote conditions you applied under.
Find your consulate or VFS hub
Start on your jurisdiction’s page for checklists, booking links, and practical notes. Requirements change. Use the “last verified” banner and re-check before you submit.