Updated on 30 November 2023

Portugal Review

If you are searching for Visa-Free Travel in the Schengen Area, Portugal should be one of your options for a digital nomad visa.

Updated on 30 November 2023

4.8

Visa-Free Travel in the Schengen Area
Annual or Two-Year Stay
Renewable for an Extra Three Years

Starting From

$79/fee

Get Started

Recommended: Schengen Visa-Free Access

Portugal is one of the most digital nomads-friendly countries, as it comes with two types of visas. The temporary stay visa allows you to reside in Portugal for less than a year, while the residency visa is valid for 4 months and requires applying for a residency permit. Holders of these visas can also benefit from visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, adding to the appeal of choosing Portugal. Coupled with its impressive internet speeds and a low crime index, Portugal offers an attractive package for digital nomads seeking a safe and connected work environment.

Cost of Living	Medium
Price	Starts At $79
Internet	Fast Speeds and 5G Coverage in Cities and Large Towns
Safety	Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Duration	One or Two Years; Can Be Renewed for an Extra Three Years

Portugal Visa Review: Unlocking the Schengen Area Without a Visa

Choosing the best country for digital nomad visas is a bit of a challenging process. You must consider the opportunities you’ll get, the safety, the application complexity, and whether you’re eligible to apply for a digital nomad visa.

Don’t worry! I prepared a thorough guide that will help you make an informed decision. Portugal is one of the best countries for digital nomads. It offers you a one-year or two-year digital nomad visa, allowing you to enjoy the opportunities that this region provides.

In this article, we’ll explore why Portugal is so highly rated, who can apply for a digital nomad visa, what documents you need to submit, how the application process takes place, and what benefits you’ll have from the digital nomad visa. I’ll finish by providing a pros and cons list.

So, let’s not waste more time and get straight down to business!

Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa At A Glance

Digital nomads choose Portugal over many other countries for a few reasons. It is safe, the weather is always sunny, and the cost of living is relatively lower when compared to other countries. So, no matter whether you are an SEO specialist, blogger, content writer, or marketer, you may enjoy your stay in Portugal.

Best SEO Tools

SEO tools are every website’s necessity as it can boost the site’s rank on search engines. Find the best SEO software the market has to offer here!
READ THE FULL GUIDE

2.

Surfer SEO

Surfer SEO

1.

Majestic SEO

Majestic SEO

3.

SEMRush

SEMRush

READ THE FULL GUIDE

In fact, Lisbon took the first place on the list of the most popular cities for digital nomads for three years in a row (according to Nomadlist). Moreover, the Nomad Report 2023 by Flatio reveals that Portugal is the most attractive destination for digital nomads.

The main reason for this is that Portugal has a budget-friendly cost of living, a warm climate, and a low crime index. Besides this, digital nomads choose Portugal for its landscapes, cuisine, and eye-catching architecture.

When it comes to the cost of living, Portugal is 20% more affordable compared to Rome. More so, it is ranked in the 7th place in the annual Global Peace Index Report. In Portugal, the safety of kids is a top priority, making it a suitable country to go to with your family.

Important

Kids of foreigners who have a residence permit can go to government-funded kindergartens and schools.

When it comes to the Portuguese digital nomad visa, which is also known as the D8 digital nomad visa, you can choose between an annual or a two-year one. Portugal launched such a visa in the fall of 2022, and since then, it has become more and more attractive to digital nomads.

Note

The one-year visa allows you to reside and work in Portugal for a year, while the two-year permit enables a longer stay with additional benefits.

Benefits of the One-Year D8 Digital Nomad Visa

As the name implies, the one-year digital nomad visa lets you stay and work in Portugal only for a year. But this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t provide some amazing benefits. Let’s have a look at what you can get:

Option to live and work in Portugal as a freelancer or self-employed business owner for a maximum of one year, entirely legally
Explore Portugal without the need for a long-term residency
Visa-free travel in all of the countries from the Schengen area

Note

The Schengen area includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Option to renew your digital nomad visa for an extra six months
Either pay taxes in your home country or in Portugal (not both)
You don’t need to open a Portuguese bank account

Benefits of the Two-Year D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Although the annual digital nomad visa offers some fantastic benefits, the two-year D8 visa comes with even better ones. So, here is a detailed overview of the benefits you’ll receive:

Opportunity to live and work legally in Portugal for up to two years, regardless of whether you are a freelancer or a self-employed business owner
Establish a Portuguese company or extend your already-existing business in Portugal
Get a Portuguese residency card to replace the 4-month visa in your passport
Enjoy visa-free Schengen area travel
You can apply for Non-Habitual Residency status and enjoy added tax benefits

Warning

You must reside in Portugal for at least 183 per year so you can become eligible for paying taxes.

You are allowed to renew your visa for an additional three years (a total of five years)
Request a permanent residency in Portugal after your five-year stay
Take advantage of the Portuguese residency rights, like government-funded education and healthcare
Option to bring your family with you

But this is just scratching the surface. The Portuguese digital nomad visa comes with a lot more benefits, so let’s get more familiar with the D8 visa and the whole application process and requirements.

Who Can Qualify for the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal is one of the countries with fewer requirements for a digital nomad visa. In other words, you become eligible for the D8 visa easier than if you apply in other countries. But in order to make it even easier for you, I decided to put up a list of who can qualify for the D8 visa:

You must be 18 years or older
You must be a non-EU or EEA citizen
You must have a monthly salary of more than $3,210
You must be self-employed, a freelancer, or a remote employee (you shouldn’t work for a Portuguese company)
You must have arranged accommodation in Portugal

Warning

The visa is issued for four months. Afterward, you need to enter Portugal and get a residency permit.

Required Documents in the D8 Digital Nomad Visa Application Process

If you have ever applied for the Portugal D7 visa, you will be familiar with the required documents. But if you haven’t, don’t worry. I am here to guide you through the process! Before you apply for the digital nomad visa, you must be aware that you will need to submit a lot of documents. Therefore, check out this list in order not to forget anything:

Note

As this visa is relatively new, the information provided below could change in the future.

A valid passport
Two passport photos (4.5×3.5)
A work contract or partnership agreement to prove your remote employment
A bank record of your monthly salary
A bank statement that claims you have savings in the amount of $38,528
A NIF registration certificate
Evidence that you regularly pay taxes or a tax refund voucher
A letter in which you’ll state why you want to go to Portugal (in English)
Ticket to Portugal
Valid health insurance
Proof of no criminal record (police certificate translated into Portuguese)
A Portuguese lease agreement or proof that you own property in Portugal
Evidence of your relationship with your family members (if you decide to bring any)

Portuguese D8 Digital Visa Application Process

The application process for the Portugal digital nomad visa includes six steps. At first, this may seem complex, but it is much easier and comes with less hassle than you think. Now, I will focus on the application steps and explain each one thoroughly. Are you ready to get a clear image of the Portuguese D8 visa application? Let’s get down to business!

Submit the Required Documents

The first step of the application process is to gather all of the documents that you need and submit them. Also, pay attention to whether all of your documents are valid so you don’t encounter any issues when applying.

Tip

You can find all of the required documents on the official website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fill Out the Application Form

After submitting your documents, you will be required to fill out an application form. The application document consists of 32 fields that you need to complete, so read it out carefully and inform yourselves about any uncertainty before sending out the form.

Schedule an Appointment with a Portuguese Consulate

The next step of the process includes having an appointment with a Portuguese consulate. At this appointment, you need to have all the required documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa and submit them.

Pay the Required Fee

Of course, you can’t apply for the D8 visa without paying a non-refundable fee. Depending on the type of Portuguese digital nomad visa you choose (one-year or two-year), you will need to pay a fee of $79 or $95.

Warning

There are additional fees throughout the process if you are accepted for a digital nomad visa. This is just the initial one.

Travel to Portugal

Although you can receive the digital nomad visa, you might need to go to Portugal yourself. This is only in the event of applying for a long-term or residency visa.

Therefore, the consulate will schedule an appointment with SEF (the Immigration and Borders Service in Portugal), where you will need to submit the same documents you submitted at the consulate.

Warning

This step requires paying a fee of and you need to pay a fee of $179.

Receive the D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Once you finish all of the steps explained above, you should wait for the application to be processed. However, this may take a lot of time, as the Portugal digital nomad visa is usually processed within 60 to 90 days. After the authorities review it, you will receive an answer. If you’re approved, the visa will be stamped in your passport.

Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa Pros & Cons

Best for

Discovering Portugal while working there
Stay longer than 90 days
Visa-free travel in the Schengen area
Affordable cost of living
Relatively safe country
Many perks for your family
Chance to obtain European citizenship
Pretty straightforward application process
Opportunity to renew your digital nomad visa

Not good for

Lengthy application processing
Gathering a bunch of documents
High additional fees
Required to stay for at least 183 days per year in order to get citizenship

Conclusion for Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, Is It Worth It?

With the rise of remote work and the popularity of digital nomads, Portugal decided to create a new type of visa – the D8 digital nomad visa. This visa enables digital nomads to live and work in Portugal legally.

It is also an excellent opportunity because it provides high-speed Internet, co-working spaces throughout the country, beautiful landscapes, and breathtaking architecture. It is also among the safest digital nomad countries.

PS: Don’t forget about the Free Travel in the Schengen Area to discover and enjoy other European countries.

I wish you luck!

Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for the D8 digital nomad visa, you should first gather all required documents. Then, you need to submit them, complete the application form, attend an appointment with a Portuguese consulate, pay the initial fee, travel to Portugal, and get your D8 visa.

The Portugal digital nomad visa is valid for one year or two years. The main difference is that with the annual visa, you can stay up to a year and renew it for six months, whereas the two-year D8 visa lets you stay longer, continue it for up to 5 years, and even get Portuguese citizenship.

The Portuguese digital nomad visa is relatively affordable. The initial non-refundable fee is $79 for the one-year visa or $95 for the two-year visa. However, if you are accepted, you need to pay an additional $179 fee.

You can apply for the Portuguese digital nomad visa if you are older than 18, have a salary of at least $3,210 monthly, live outside of EU and EEA countries, have a contract for remote working, self-employment, or freelancing, and if you have already found Portuguese accommodation.

Yes, you are allowed to take your family with you. However, to do this, you must pay an extra $268 for a minor family member or $401 per adult. Also, you need to provide family relation proof in the application if you decide to bring your family with you.

The minimum income requirement is $3,210 per month or $38,528 in your bank account. This is because the minimum wage in Portugal is $802.90.

You can find all of the necessary details regarding the application procedure on the official website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They provide all the information and required forms and documents that you need to submit.

get started

The Logician

Trademark of a Living Legend

Portugal Review

4.8

$79/fee

Recommended: Schengen Visa-Free Access

Frequently Asked Questions

The Logician

$85/fee

$85/fee

$85/fee

$327.5/fee

$327.5/fee

$327.5/fee

Portugal Review

4.8

$79/fee

Recommended: Schengen Visa-Free Access

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?

For How Long is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Valid?

Is the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa Expensive?

What are the Requirements to Apply for the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa?

Am I Allowed to Take My Family with Me?

What is the Income Requirement?

Where Can I Find All of the Necessary Details Regarding the Application Procedure?

The Logician

Related Products

$85/fee

$85/fee

$85/fee

$327.5/fee

$327.5/fee

$327.5/fee