Updated on November 20, 2024

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Residence permit in the country by the ocean to enjoy the privilege of travelling around EU and getting citizenship in 5 years

€3,280+

Monthly income

6+ months

Visa obtaining period

5 years

To citizenship

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is issued to foreigners who work remotely. Freelancers, employees of foreign companies, self-employed, and individual entrepreneurs can qualify.

Visa applications are accepted only from foreigners from non-EU and non-EEA countries.

Article 53 of Law No. 23/2007, dated 04.07.2007, provides the visa rules.

Digital Nomad Visa applicants confirm a monthly income of at least €3,280. They also need to buy or rent residential properties in Portugal.

The Digital Nomad Visa gives the right to get a Portugal residence permit for 2 years, subject to extension.

Residents must reside in the country to keep their permits.

Benefits of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

  • 1

    Moving to Europe

    With a Digital Nomad Visa, applicants can move to Portugal with their families and get residence permits there.

  • 2

    Creating a safe haven

    With a low crime rate, stable political system, and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries, Portugal is safe to live in and raise children. The country ranks seventh in the Global Peace Index 2024.

  • 3

    Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area

    Digital nomads with Portugal residence permits can travel visa-free to other Schengen countries and spend up to 90 days out of 180.

  • 4

    High-quality education and healthcare

    Portuguese residents get free education in public schools and universities, with their diplomas recognised worldwide. Medical services are also available on the same rights as for the citizens.

  • 5

    European bank accounts

    The digital nomad must open a bank account in Portugal and transfer sufficient savings to live in the country as one of the requirements for getting a residence permit.

    The services of international and Portuguese banks have become available to keep money and make transactions in hard currencies worldwide.

  • 6

    Convenient path to a residence permit

    Getting a Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is faster than getting a work residence permit since digital nomads have fewer requirements. They do not need to invest in the country’s economy; it is only necessary to confirm the required income amount and rent or buy real estate.

  • 7

    Portugal citizenship in 5 years

    After holding residency in Portugal for 5 years, the digital nomad can apply for permanent residence or citizenship. Portugal passport holders can visit 172 countries visa-free.

  • 8

    Citizenship for newborns

    If a child is born in Portugal to holders of Portuguese residence permits, the newborn becomes a citizen of Portugal, provided that the parents' residence permits were obtained at least a year before the child’s birth.

price

Guide on the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

  • Step-by-step procedure

  • Requirements for applicants

  • Required documents

  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa requirements for applicants

  • Main applicant

    • Over 18

    • No criminal record

    • Non-EU and non-EEA citizen

    • Remote work

    • Income of at least €3,280 per month

    • Bought or rented housing in Portugal

  • Spouse

    • No criminal record

    • In an official marriage or partnership with the main applicant

  • Children under 18

  • Children aged 18 to 30

    • Unmarried

    • Financially dependent on the main applicant

  • Spouses’ parents under 65

    Financially dependent on the main applicant

  • Spouses’ parents over 65

Digital Nomad Visa costs

The Digital Nomad Visa cost depends on the number of applicants and the type of real estate — rented or purchased.

If the applicant purchases the property, they pay the stamp duty and annual property tax.

The fees are subject to change and can vary depending on the specifics of each individual case. The final fee amount will be determined based on the applicant’s residency status, age, family composition, and other relevant factors.

Expense item

Amount

Purchase or rent a real estate

No requirements for property or rental cost

Stamp duty

0,8% of the property value at purchase

Annual municipal property tax

0.3 to 0,8% of the property value

Travel insurance when applying for a visa

€14+ per month

Visa application fee

€90 per family member

Processing fee under the residency application

€80+

Fee for a residence permit card

€70

Health insurance when applying for a residence permit

€20+

Individual cost calculation for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Individual cost calculation for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees

Real estate and income requirements for applicants

Housing. The digital nomad buys or rents a residential property in Portugal. In the case of renting housing, they conclude a lease agreement for at least one year.

The applicant’s monthly income is €3,280. It doesn’t depend on the number of family members under the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa application.

To be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa, the applicant must work remotely under an employment or partnership agreement or service agreement, be an individual entrepreneur, or be self-employed.

Savings. The Portugal Remote Work Visa applicant must demonstrate that they have enough money to live in Portugal besides the monthly income. It is recommended to provide a bank statement with a balance of at least 12 minimum wages under Portuguese legislation.

In 2024, the minimum wage in Portugal is €820 a month. Therefore, the digital nomad must have at least €9,840 in their bank account. If the applicant gets the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa with family members, they must add 30% per spouse or parent and 25% per child.

A benefit of the Digital Nomad Visa is that the applicant doesn’t have to open a bank account in Portugal before applying for a visa. Having an account in any bank operating with the SEPA payment system is enough.

Residential properties for purchase in Portugal

https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bff8a288cbf6f2c6f8850f3edea96e72_zntm0a5_galleru_full.jpg-1.webp

location iconPortugal, Albufeira

€1,400,000 — €4,500,000

Apartments and villas in a luxury resort managed by Marriott International
square icon194 m² — 386 m²
bed icon3
bathroom icon3
https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/schermata-2020-09-07-alle-15.42.35-e1599486413447.jpg

location iconPortugal, Lisbon

€860,000 — €2,500,000

Apartments in a hotel managed by Hyatt
square icon88 m² — 251 m²
bed icon3
bathroom icon3
https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/schermata-2020-08-20-alle-09.47.26-e1597910280211.jpg

location iconPortugal, Lisbon

€1,900,000 — €3,400,000

Apartments in a luxury residential complex
square icon137 m² — 245 m²
bed icon3—4
bathroom icon3—4

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Individual selection of investment properties

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  • Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase

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Required documents for the Digital Nomad Visa

Immigrant Invest lawyers help applicants collect the necessary documents, fill out forms and check them. Documents for visa application include the following:

  1. An international passport.

  2. Two colour photos 4,5×3.5 cm in size.

  3. An English motivation letter explaining why the applicant wants to move to Portugal.

  4. A work contract and other agreements proving that the applicant works remotely.

  5. A bank statement proving a monthly income of €3,280.

  6. Tax return statements or tax receipts.

  7. Proof of sufficient funds to reside in Portugal — a bank statement showing at least the last 12 salaries of the digital nomad. In 2024, the account balance should be no less than €9,840.

  8. A certificate of no criminal record from the country of residence.

  9. Proof of kinship between family members: marriage or birth certificates.

  10. A rental agreement or a certificate of real estate ownership in Portugal.

  11. Health insurance.

  12. Tickets to Portugal on the approximate date of arrival with the visa.

  13. A NIF registration certificate.

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa types

Portugal has been issuing Digital Nomad Visas since October 2022. It’s a national type D visa, which comes in two forms: for a temporary stay and for obtaining residency.

The temporary stay, or the short-stay visa, allows the holder to reside in Portugal for up to 12 months. It’s a multi-entry visa: holders can leave and enter Portugal as often as they wish.

This visa type does not allow obtaining a residence card in Portugal or inviting family members, and it won’t lead to permanent residency or citizenship in five years.

A temporary stay visa is renewable; however, the digital nomad will have to leave the country and apply for the Portugal D8 visa at a consulate.

The residency visa, or the long-term visa, is intended for foreigners looking to reside in Portugal. The visa is valid for 4 months and allows two entries into the country. Once the visa holder arrives in Portugal, they can use it to apply for a 2-year residence permit.

If a digital nomad stays in Portugal for over 183 a year, they will be able to renew their permit for another 3 years. After that, they can obtain permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal.

Temporary stay and long-term visas comparison

Duration

Temporary Stay

12 months

Residence Visa

24 months

Renewable

Temporary Stay

Yes

Residence Visa

Yes, for 36 months

Accommodation

Temporary Stay

Minimum 4-month lease

Residence Visa

Minimum 12-month lease

Police Clearance

Temporary Stay

Yes

Residence Visa

Yes

Family reunification

Temporary Stay

No

Residence Visa

Yes

Permanent residency or citizenship in 5 years

Temporary Stay

No

Residence Visa

Yes

Taxes for digital nomads in Portugal

Digital nomads pay taxes in Portugal after they become tax residents, which happens if they spend over 183 days a year in the country.

Portuguese residents pay taxes at a progressive scale. The rate depends on the taxpayer’s annual income. A digital nomad with a monthly salary of over €3,280 will pay 37—48% of tax, depending on their total yearly income.

How is the Digital Nomad visa different from the D7 visa to Portugal?

While the Digital Nomad Visa to Portugal is for freelancers, remote workers and individual entrepreneurs, the D7 visa is intended for foreigners who can live off of their passive income.

To obtain a D7 visa to Portugal, one must present a monthly passive income of at least €820. The source of income can be rent, dividends, interest, royalties, or pension. Other requirements for applicants include having €9,840 in savings and accommodation in Portugal — rented or owned.

D8 and D7 visas to Portugal comparison

Monthly income

D8: Digital Nomad Visa

€3,280 from remote work

D7: Passive Income Visa

€820 in passive income

Savings

D8: Digital Nomad Visa

€9,840

D7: Passive Income Visa

€9,840

Requirement to have accommodation

D8: Digital Nomad Visa

Yes

D7: Passive Income Visa

Yes

Ability to include family members

D8: Digital Nomad Visa

Yes

D7: Passive Income Visa

Yes

Permanent residency and citizenship prospect

D8: Digital Nomad Visa

Yes

D7: Passive Income Visa

Yes

Best places to relocate for digital nomads in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most picturesque places in Europe, with a warm climate, developed economy, and high safety level. The Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal is a good opportunity for those who work remotely to relocate to the country.

Lisbon is considered one of the most popular cities in the world for digital nomads. It offers a wide range of different coworking places. For those who seek privacy and silence, there are numerous cafes, bookshops and libraries with an authentic atmosphere.

Business professionals call Lisbon one of the best places to live in Portugal. Beautiful coasts, refined architecture, and high-tech scenes become attractive to digital nomads.

From Lisbon, Digital Nomad Visa holders typically start their exploration of Portugal. The capital is a great place to adapt, get in touch with local culture and prepare for travels to more rustic areas.

Porto is suitable for residents who need a cosier and more restful atmosphere. It has its mediaeval charm and is cheaper to live in than Lisbon.

Although the infrastructure is less developed than in Lisbon, many coworking places exist in the historical centre and the river banks.

Cascais is a wonderful city for digital nomads who need to escape from the fast pace of life and relax the mind. It offers coworking places of different styles, from totally minimalistic spaces to those surrounded by nature.

Step-by-step procedure on how to get a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa and a residence permit

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary check of the digital nomad before concluding an agreement. A certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer checks information in international legal and business databases.

The check helps discover the facts that may affect obtaining a visa and residence permit in Portugal and reduce the risk of refusal. For example, providing additional documents or choosing another program may be necessary.

The preliminary Due Diligence is confidential and takes 1 business day.

Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit.

Evaluate chances
2

10+ business days

Getting a Portuguese taxpayer number

The digital nomad needs a taxpayer number (Número de Identificação Fiscal, NIF) to rent or buy real estate and open an account in a Portuguese bank. In the future, the NIF will be valid for many actions, from making an appointment with a doctor to accessing the Internet.

Non-EU citizens get NIFs through a tax representative in Portugal. The procedure is remote. Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare a power of attorney, under which the Portuguese representative gets an NIF for the applicant.

3

Up to 2 months

Purchasing or renting housing

Immigrant Invest real estate experts offer properties for rent or purchase. The applicant picks a property remotely or travels to Portugal to see the options in person.

Buying a property takes up to two months. Renting is faster and takes only several days.

4

3+ weeks

Collecting and submitting documents for a Digital Nomad Visa

Immigrant Invest lawyers help applicants collect the necessary documents, fill out forms, and check them.

Digital Nomad Visa applicants submit documents and biometric data to a Portuguese consulate in the country of residence.

5

90+ business days

Obtaining a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

The Portuguese Consulate processes the visa application within 90 days. The digital nomad receives a passport with a visa sticker, which indicates the date of the visit to the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) to apply for a residence permit.

If the consulate has not set a date for a visit to the AIMA, the digital nomad needs to sign up personally or with the help of a representative, such as an Immigrant Invest lawyer.

6

1 day

Entry to Portugal with a Digital Nomad Visa

The visa is valid for four months. The applicant needs to come to Portugal and apply for a residence permit to the AIMA.

7

1—1.5 months

Opening a bank account

The Portugal Remote Work Visa applicant must open a bank account in the country, transfer the required amount of savings, and provide a bank statement with the balance when applying for a residence permit.

Immigrant Invest lawyers help choose a bank and open an account.

8

1 day

Applying for a residence permit

The digital nomad personally submits the documents for a residence permit at an appointed time and day. An Immigrant Invest representative accompanies the applicant.

9

2+ weeks

Getting a residence permit card

After the application is approved, a residence permit card is sent to the applicant’s registered address in Portugal.

The first residence permit is issued to digital nomads for 2 years. It can be extended for 3 more years if the digital nomad proves they have spent at least 1.5 years in a row or 16 months in total in Portugal within 2 years of holding a residence permit.

Renewal of the 3-year residence permit or applying for permanent residency or citizenship is possible if the digital nomad has spent 2.5 years in a row or 28 months in total in Portugal within the 3 years with the second residence permit.

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Why trust in Immigrant Invest?

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent that works only with government programs in the EU and the Caribbean under licence from the respective governments.

We have been working since 2006 and know everything about the industry: the nuances of laws in each foreign jurisdiction, how Due Diligence is carried out, and the best ways to solve the issues.

Immigrant Invest has an in-house Compliance Department. It conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check, which reduces the risk of refusal of a visa and residence permit to 1%.

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Answers to frequently asked questions

  • Does Portugal have a Digital Nomad Visa?

    Yes, Portugal started issuing special Digital Nomad Visas for non-EU remote workers and freelancers in October 2022. The requirement is to earn at least €3,280 per month. It takes about 90 days to obtain this visa.

    The D8 visa is one of the long-term visa types to Portugal for work and investigation.

  • How much does a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa cost?

    The applicant’s costs to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal include purchasing or renting a residential property and related taxes. In addition, the applicant gets health insurance and pays fees for visa applications and residence permit cards. The total cost depends on the applicant’s family composition. To learn more, get an individual cost calculation.

  • How to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

    To get a Digital Nomad Visa, foreigners collect the required documents and submit them to the Portuguese consulate in the country of their citizenship or residence. The processing of the visa takes about 90 business days.

  • Is Portugal good for digital nomads?

    Yes, Portugal is good for digital nomads, allowing them to apply for a residence permit as soon as the visa is ready. Residency cards are issued within 4+ months.

    Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world and provides numerous opportunities for remote work, from multiple and accessible WiFi spots to sea getaways.

  • Are digital nomads taxed in Portugal?

    Yes, remote workers and freelancers in Portugal who moved there with a Digital Nomad Visa pay taxes there. They must stay in Portugal for at least 1.5 years in a row or 16 months in total while holding the first residence permit to be able to renew it. Therefore, tax obligations may arise as foreigners become Portuguese tax residents after spending at least 183 days a year in the country.

  • What is the minimum income for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

    The minimum required income for digital nomads is €3,280 a month.

  • How much does it cost to live in Portugal as a digital nomad?

    €2,000 is the standard monthly expense for a single digital nomad, including renting, all the utilities, food and entertainment. However, Portugal Digital Nomad Visa applicants prove they earn at least €3,280 per month.

  • How much tax do digital nomads pay in Portugal?

    Digital Nomads pay the same taxes in Portugal as other residents of the country. A foreigner starts paying taxes after they become a tax resident, which happens if they spend over 183 days a year in the country. The income tax rate in Portugal is 13.25—48%, depending on the taxpayer’s income.

  • What is the difference between the D7 and D8 visas in Portugal?

    These visas are created for different categories of applicants. Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal, or D8 visa, is intended for freelancers, remote workers, and individual entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the D7 visa, or Passive Income Visa, caters to foreigners with stable passive income sources — rent, dividends, pension, etc.

  • What documents do I need for a Digital Nomad Visa to Portugal?

    To obtain a Portugal “nomad visa”, one must present an employment contract proving that the applicant works remotely or another type of agreement appropriate for a digital nomad.

    Aside from that, the applicant presents their passport, health insurance, bank statements, and other documents.

  • How do Egyptians get a Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

    If an Egyptian citizen can work remotely and earns more than €3,280 a month, they can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal.

    The process of getting a Portugal Remote Work Visa and a residence permit is the following:

    1. Get a Portuguese taxpayer number through a local tax representative.

    2. Purchase or renting housing in Portugal.

    3. Collect documents and submit them to a Portuguese Consulate.

    4. Come to Portugal with a Digital Nomad Visa.

    5. Open a bank account in Portugal and transfer the required amount of money.

    6. Apply for a residence permit to the Portuguese migration service.

    7. Get a 2-year residence permit.

  • What are the benefits of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa for Egyptian citizens?

    The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa grants the right to:

    • move to Portugal and live there for at least 2 years;

    • travel visa-free across the Schengen Area;

    • get treated at Portuguese clinics;

    • get an education in Portugal;

    • open accounts in Portuguese banks;

    • qualify for citizenship after 5 years of holding residency.

Explore the benefits and requirements of the Digital Nomad Visa to Portugal

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Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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