In October 2022, the Portuguese government launched the new digital nomad visa, designed for salaried remote workers and freelancers to get residency.
Getting residency with the Portugal digital nomad visa requires proof of a monthly income of at least €3,040, along with savings of at least €36,480.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the application process, plus share a few tips and tricks to make it easier.
I’m a digital nomad and remote worker who has lived in Portugal for the last three years. I spoke with several legal professionals while in the process of researching this article, so the information is as accurate as possible.
By Samantha North / November 27, 2023
Contents
If you plan to become a digital nomad in 2024, then Portugal is a great choice.
Benefits of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Relatively straightforward application process – no need to find an employer or sponsor in Portugal
Path to Portuguese/EU citizenship after five years of residency (if you meet the requirements, including passing the CIPLE language exam at A2 level)
Allows you the option of working in Portugal (once you have your residence permit)
Opens up visa-free travel across Europe (this is especially useful if you needed a Schengen visa previously)
Access to certain tax benefits via Portugal’s NHR program (although this may soon end)
The Different Routes Explained
Moving to Portugal with a digital nomad visa is a great route for those who work remotely for foreign companies.
Portugal offers two types of digital nomad visa:
1) The long-term residency visa. This is valid for four months after you arrive in Portugal. You’ll need to convert it into a residence permit after you arrive. Note, if applying for Portuguese citizenship is your long-term goal, then you’ll need the long-term residency visa.
2) The temporary stay visa. This is valid for one year and can be renewed. It lets you make multiple entries into Portugal, but it doesn’t lead to a residence permit.
The temporary stay visa is a great fit if you want to try out Portugal for a short time (but longer than the 90 day Schengen tourist allowance), without committing to becoming a long-term resident.
Both types of visa have the same income requirements and document requirements.
The key difference is – with long-term residency, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit at the immigration authority, once you arrive in Portugal. This residency permit is then valid for two years, before you’ll need to renew it.
You don’t need to take this step if you’re using the temporary stay visa.
Eligibility Requirements
It’s pretty straightforward to get the digital nomad visa if you already have a remote job based outside of Portugal.
Here are the main requirements:
You must be aged over 18
You must be a non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen
You must work fully remote for a non-Portuguese company or be a freelancer for clients outside of Portugal
Your total monthly income must be at least €3,040 (or the equivalent in other currencies)
You must show proof of at least one year of accommodation in Portugal already arranged (e.g. a lease registered with the tax authority)
Bringing Your Family to Portugal
You can also bring your family with you to Portugal as accompanying members on your digital nomad visa.
If your family aren’t earning, then you’ll need to prove enough income to support all of them during your stay.
Eligible family members include the following:
Your spouse or long-term partner
Any dependent children under 18
Any children aged between 18 and 35 (provided they’re unmarried and still financially dependent on you)
Your parents aged over 65 (or younger, if financially dependent on you)
Income Requirements and Associated Fees
First of all, you’ll need to prove your monthly income is at least €3,040.
You’ll also need proof of savings. This must be a minimum of 12 times your monthly salary. So that’s €36,480 (or the equivalent in your home currency).
You’ll also need to pay several government fees in the process of obtaining the visa.
In 2023, the government fees are as follows:
Temporary stay visa = €75
Long-term visa = €90
You’ll pay these fees at the nearest Portuguese embassy where you submit your visa application.
Also, each person applying (including your family members) will need private medical insurance for the first 6-12 months in Portugal. Once you receive your residence card, you can join Portugal’s state health care system.
Another significant cost associated with getting the digital nomad visa (probably the biggest), is renting accommodation for the first 12 months.
Rent costs in Lisbon are rising fast. At the time of writing (October 2023), a one bedroom apartment in the city center rents for around €1500 per month.
If you’re looking for more affordable accommodation, it’s better to avoid Lisbon, Porto, and Funchal, and instead explore the smaller Portuguese towns in the north or center of the country.
Document Requirements
Everyone who applies for the digital nomad visa (whether temporary stay or long-term), needs to present the same set of documents.
Here’s the typical list (please note, the embassy may ask for further documentation at their discretion)
Here’s the typical list (please note, the embassy may ask for further documentation at their discretion)
Valid passport copy
Two passport sized photos
Copy of your employment contract (if employed), or copies of freelancer agreements with your clients (if freelance)
Bank statements showing income of at least €3,040 or equivalent (six months of history is preferred)
Bank statements showing a minimum of €36,480 in savings (for one applicant)
Proof of a clean criminal record from your country of citizenship and any other countries you’ve lived in for over six months
Proof of accommodation – a tenancy agreement of minimum 12 months. Your landlord must register this with the tax authorities. If you’ve bought property, you can also show your deed.
A letter of intention (in English), explaining your reasons for wanting to move to Portugal (this can be fairly simple, don’t overthink it)
Proof of an active private health insurance policy that covers the whole Schengen zone and is valid for at least six months.
Before submitting your application at the embassy, you’ll also need to get a Portuguese taxpayer’s number (NIF), and open a local bank account.
Most embassies prefer to see your proof of savings from a Portuguese bank account, rather than in your home country’s bank account.
Alternatives to the Digital Nomad Visa
#1. D7 Visa – Passive Income Visa
Originally designed for pensioners, the D7 visa is a good fit if you have passive income from outside of Portugal.
Types of passive income that are eligible for the Portugal D7 visa include: pension income, dividends, rental income, or royalties.
Before the digital nomad visa existed, remote workers could apply for the D7. But that’s typically no longer the case. Now, anyone with salaried remote work or freelance income must use the digital nomad visa route.
The main advantage of the D7 visa is the lower monthly income requirement compared to the digital nomad visa.
You just need to show proof of one month of Portugal’s minimum wage: €760, plus 12 times that amount in savings.
In reality, this sum is far too low to live comfortably in Portugal, especially in the major cities: Lisbon, Porto, or Funchal.
I’d recommend showing proof of at least €1000 a month, preferably more.
The more passive income and savings you can show, the stronger your application will be.
#2. D2 Visa – Business Visa
For those without remote work or passive income, the D2 visa is another possible Portugal digital nomad visa alternative.
The D2 could be useful if you plan to open a new business in Portugal, set up a Portuguese branch of an existing business, or move to Portugal to run a business that’s already here.
Success with the D2 visa depends on having a viable business (or business idea) that you can run in Portugal. The business can be anything from a coffee shop to a wellness retreat to a real estate agency – there are no restrictions.
You’ll need proof of sufficient financial means to set up and run the company. As you’re incorporating a company in Portugal, you’ll need to pay Portuguese corporation tax every year, along with social security contributions.
Applying for the D7 or digital nomad visa is much more straightforward than the D2.
Residency in Portugal for EU citizens
If you’re an EU passport holder, you don’t need the digital nomad visa to work remotely in Portugal.
You can enter freely and stay for up to three months without registering.
If you wish to stay longer than three months, you should declare your presence at the local municipality office (camâra municipal) and get a temporary residency certificate (known as the CRUE and usually valid for five years).
FAQs
Do digital nomads pay tax in Portugal?
If you stay in Portugal for longer than 183 days in a year, then you may be considered a tax resident. In that situation, you may have to pay tax on your worldwide income. However, you may be eligible for special tax status through Portugal’s NHR tax scheme. You should talk to a professional tax advisor to clarify your individual situation.
Do I need a visa to be in Portugal?
If you hold an EU passport, you can enter Portugal freely and stay indefinitely without a visa. Those from third countries with a special agreement with Portugal can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in 180. Other nationalities will require a Schengen visa to enter Portugal.
Why is Portugal the best place to work as a digital nomad?
Portugal is the best place to work as a digital nomad because it has some of Europe’s fastest Internet speeds, along with diverse and beautiful destinations, from the lively city of Lisbon to the beautiful tropical island of Madeira. Portugal also has a good infrastructure for digital nomads, including many laptop-friendly cafes, co-working spaces, co-living spaces, and entrepreneurial networking events.
What’s the internet speed like in Portugal?
The Internet speed in Portugal is generally very good, especially in the large cities and on Madeira Island. At present, the highest internet speed you can get in Portugal is 1 Gbit/s. Standard internet service provides about 350 Mbit/s, with fibre optic internet still in the process of being implemented.
Before you go…
Portugal now offers a straightforward way for digital nomads to get residency.
The Portuguese government officially launched the digital nomad visa in October 2022 – providing a great option for salaried remote workers who want to live in Portugal.
You can also use the Portugal digital nomad visa as a pathway towards permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.
About The Author
Samantha North
Samantha has spent the past 5 years researching and analyzing all 25+ citizenship by naturalization pathways across Europe. Her motivation was to regain her own EU citizenship in the wake of the UK's Brexit vote. Samantha is currently pursuing Portuguese citizenship based on residence, while detailing her first-hand experience of the process – and related areas – on this blog.
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postal address along with the service of collecting parcels and letters in your absence
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