D8 Visa Requirements for US Citizens 2025: Complete Checklist
Everything you need to qualify for Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa as an American. Complete requirements breakdown with income thresholds, document specifications, and eligibility criteria updated for 2025.
Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Income
€3,280/month gross income from remote work
Core Documents
Passport, contracts, bank statements, background check
Clean Record
FBI background check, apostilled
Portugal Address
Rental agreement or accommodation booking
The Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa has clear, straightforward requirements that most American remote workers can meet. Unlike some European visa programs, Portugal doesn't require extensive asset documentation, Portuguese language skills, or minimum investment amounts. The focus is simple: prove you can support yourself financially through remote work.
High Approval Rate for Americans
US citizens who meet these requirements and submit complete applications have approval rates exceeding 95%. Portuguese consulates in the US are experienced with digital nomad applications and process them efficiently.
Minimum Income Requirement
This is 4x the Portuguese minimum wage (SMN), the legal baseline for D8 visa applicants. The amount is gross income (before taxes).
Income Requirement by Family Size
The minimum income increases when applying with dependents. Here's the breakdown for 2025:
Calculate Your Exact Requirement
Use our income calculator to determine your exact income requirement based on your family size, get it converted to USD at current exchange rates, and see if you qualify.
Use Income CalculatorWhat Types of Income Count?
Accepted Income Sources
- ✓W-2 employment salary (US companies)
- ✓Freelance/consulting income
- ✓Remote business ownership income
- ✓1099 contractor income
- ✓Commission-based remote work
- ✓Online business revenue (e-commerce, SaaS)
NOT Accepted
- ✗Income from Portuguese sources
- ✗Portuguese employment contracts
- ✗Work for Portuguese clients (direct)
- ✗Passive investment income only*
- ✗Rental income (unless business)*
- ✗Cryptocurrency gains*
*Consider D7 Passive Income Visa instead
Proof of Income: What You'll Need
For Employees (W-2)
- Employment contract or offer letter - Must show your position, salary, start date, and ideally mention remote work permission
- Employer letter on company letterhead - Confirming remote work arrangement, your role, and salary
- Last 3 months of pay stubs - Showing consistent income meeting the threshold
- Last 3 months of bank statements - Clearly showing salary deposits from employer
For Freelancers & Self-Employed
- Active client contracts - Minimum 3-6 months of contracts or service agreements
- Invoices issued to clients - Last 3-6 months showing consistent income
- Bank statements - 3-6 months showing client payments and income pattern
- Business registration - LLC, S-Corp, sole proprietorship documents
- Tax return (previous year) - Form 1040 with Schedule C or C-EZ
Remote Work Arrangement
You must prove that your work can be performed remotely from Portugal and that your income comes from sources outside of Portugal.
Who Qualifies?
Remote Employees
Working for US or international companies with permission to work from Portugal
Freelancers
Independent contractors serving clients outside Portugal with ongoing contracts
Business Owners
Entrepreneurs running online businesses registered outside Portugal
Critical Requirement
Your work and income must be from outside Portugal. You cannot work for Portuguese companies, provide services to Portuguese clients, or enter the Portuguese labor market on a D8 visa. If you want to work locally in Portugal, you need a different visa type.
Valid US Passport
Passport Requirements:
- Valid for 6+ months beyond entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned entry to Portugal
- Minimum 2 blank pages
Needed for visa stamps and entry/exit stamps
- Original passport required at submission
You'll need to submit your actual passport (not a copy) during application. You'll get it back with your visa affixed.
Need to renew your passport? Do it now! US passport renewal takes 8-11 weeks for routine service or 5-7 weeks for expedited. Apply early to avoid delays in your D8 visa timeline.
Clean Criminal Record
You must provide an FBI background check showing you have no serious criminal convictions. This document must be apostilled by the US Department of State.
FBI Background Check Process:
Submit electronically through FBI's website or mail fingerprint cards. Electronic is faster (3-5 days vs 12-14 weeks).
You'll receive a document showing your criminal history (or lack thereof). This needs to be on official FBI letterhead.
Send the FBI report to US Department of State for apostille certification. This validates the document for international use. Cost: $15, processing: 3-8 weeks (or use expedited service).
The apostilled FBI check is valid for 90 days from the apostille date. Time your application accordingly.
Pro Tip: Use an Expedited Service
Document processing companies like OneSourceProcess, VisaHQ, or CIBTvisas can handle the entire FBI check + apostille process in 7-10 days for around $200-300. This is much faster than DIY (which can take 3-4 months total).
Proof of Accommodation in Portugal
You must show where you'll live in Portugal. This proves you have a plan and aren't entering as a tourist.
Accepted Options
- ✓Rental Agreement
6-12 month lease (most common)
- ✓Property Deed
If you purchased property
- ✓Hotel Booking
Minimum 3-6 months
- ✓Invitation Letter
From Portuguese resident
Finding Accommodation
Most Americans secure a short-term Airbnb/hotel for their first month, then sign a proper rental agreement after arriving. This is acceptable as long as you have proof of at least initial accommodation.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Take our 2-minute quiz to see if you meet all D8 visa requirements and get personalized next steps.
Take Eligibility Quiz