The Portugal digital nomad visa regime is one of the most attractive in Europe, making the country a most suitable option for individuals who wish to set up their headquarters for remote work in a beautiful and vibrant country.
Digital nomads enjoy the possibility to work remotely, not needing to be based in their home country. This grants them an above-average level of flexibility, allowing them to change the location from which they work as they please.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
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Special regime for a digital nomad visa in Portugal (Yes/No) |
The D2 visa or the D7 visa can be used by non-EU digital nomads |
| Visa entry requirements for Portugal
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Application form, valid passport, travel health insurance, documents proving financial resources, etc. |
|
Maximum period in the country without a visa |
6 consecutive months |
| Short-term residence duration |
1 year or less |
| Long-term residence duration | 2 years |
| Visa for frequent travelers |
Visa free entry and circulation within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days out of any 180 days |
| Documents required for the self-employed applying for a digital nomad visa in Portugal | Application form, valid passport, proof of sufficient regular or passive income (according to the type of visa, D7 or D2), proof of accommodation and health insurance, etc.
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| Self-employed person visa validity | 4 months, during which the holder applies for a temporary or permanent residence permit (1 year or less) |
| Minimum income for self-employed persons | Minimum €705 per month in most cases; more when joined by family members |
| Investor or business visa available (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Permanent residence in Portugal (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Permanent residence conditions |
At least 5 years of lawful, permanent stay in Portugal, without leaving the country for more than 6 months a year |
| Dependents can join the visa holder in Portugal | Family reunification is possible under the D2 visa regime and the D7 visa |
| Family reunification option | Family reunification is possible under the D2 visa regime and the D7 visa |
| Taxation requirements for the holder of a digital nomad visa in Portugal | Flat income tax rate of 20% in income derived from Portugal under the Non-Habitual Resident regime; double tax treaties apply for foreign-sourced income |
| Why work as a digital nomad from Portugal | A pleasant, mild climate Affordable prices and living costs Local food and culture Networking opportunities with other digital nomads or foreign investors |
| Digital nomad visa renewal possibility | Yes, renewable for successive one-year periods. |
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Digital nomad visa renewal conditions |
You will need to maintain the same situation (derive income from outside Portugal). |
|
Your rights if married to a Portuguese citizen |
The right to Portuguese nationality when married to a Portuguese citizen for more than 3 years. |
| Becoming employed in Portugal as a digital nomad | If this is the case, your type of residence permit needs to change to reflect your new situation. |
| Buying property in Portugal as a digital nomad |
Yes, possible for those interested in making a real estate investment. |
| Residency after buying property as a digital nomad |
Possible under the Portuguese golden visa regime for non-EU citizens. |
| Other options for digital nomads |
If you wish to apply for another type of residence permit, you will need to comply with the conditions applicable to that particular type. |
| Residency for a child born in Portugal to a digital nomad living in the country |
This is a special situation for which residence can apply to a minor born in Portugal to a parent who is a holder of a Portuguese residence permit at the time of the child’s birth. Conditions apply. |
| Residency for a child who is no longer a minor |
If your child staying in Portugal under family reunification turns 18 years old, he/she will need to apply for and obtain a residence permit on his/her own. |
| Portuguese nationality for digital nomad with Portuguese descent | If you are a citizen of a former Portuguese colony and have parents with Portuguese lineage, you may want to apply for a residence permit based on descent, rather than for a digital nomad. Conditions apply. |
| Citizenship by naturalization conditions |
Live in Portugal for at least 5 years, have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language, have no criminal convictions, etc. |
| Special ceremony for granting naturalization |
Ceremony and oath of allegiance. |
| Your rights as a Portuguese citizen |
No restrictions on entering/exiting the country, hold a Portuguese passport, vote, etc. |
| Dual citizenship |
Yes |
| When to contact us for application assistance | As soon as you decide that you wish to relocate to Portugal as a digital nomad. |
| Why work with our team | Our team has extensive experience in assisting foreign nationals from many different countries, irrespective of the type of residence permit they wish to apply for. |
Remote working in Portugal is available to nationals of EU member states without a visa, however, all other citizens can also benefit from all the beautiful country has to offer if they intend to work from Portugal.
Digital nomads in Portugal come from all around the world to enjoy the mild climate, the beautiful beaches, and the lively cities. The digital nomad visa for Portugal is in place in the form of a visa that allows the holder to either remain temporarily in the country or to remain for longer periods based on passive income.
If you want to move to Portugal for one year or more and work as a digital nomad, our team can help you apply for the right type of visa.
Once you read this article and decide that you want to join other Portugal digital nomads, our immigration agents can answer personalized questions, according to your type of current income and nationality.
What are the main advantages of working as a digital nomad in Portugal?
Portugal is one of the countries in Europe offering a digital nomad visa or as defined by the authorities, a visa for residency (for more than 1 year) for the purpose of independent work or entrepreneurs.
Our Portugal immigration agents list the main benefits of the equivalent of the Portugal digital nomad visa below:
- the holder can choose to apply for a visa for temporary stay (less than 1 year) or for residency (over 1 year), and he or she can renew the visa;
- the Portugal digital nomad visa also offers the option of bringing family members, subject to a number of conditions;
- the application procedure is not a complicated one, and it is based on the ability to show that one will have sufficient income; moreover, our team can help you prepare the documents as requested by the authorities;
- Portugal is not only a beautiful country with an excellent climate, but it is also a European country with a low cost of living.
US citizens who wish to work remotely can use this option, and so can other foreign nationals.
A nomad visa can serve as a temporary residence permit in Portugal. The holder will be conditioned to meet the minimum monthly income requirements. Our team can give you more details about how to renew your digital nomad, visa so that you can continue to live in the country and ultimately apply for permanent residency after the minimum number of years, if this is what you wish for.
It is useful to point out that remote working in Portugal is possible based solely on a temporary stay visa, which is issued to foreign nationals of non-EU/EEA countries who wish to remain in the country for no more than a visa.
Those who wish to become Portugal digital nomads, however, will often look for the alternative to the temporary residence permit, which is the visa for long-term stay based on passive income.
In most cases, the minimum required income is defined as the minimum means of subsistence and it is the equivalent of the minimum wage in the country, which can be subject to change from one year to the next.
The type of Portugal remote work the applicant will engage in will be evaluated by the authorities in order to determine that the income is sufficient.
Portugal remote working is available to quite a few professionals in different business fields who are not location dependent, as well as to freelancers, as long as they meet the minimum income criteria.
What are the types of visas available to Portugal digital nomads?
As previously mentioned, non-EU/EEA foreign nationals who are interested in remote working in Portugal can apply for a temporary residence permit or a visa that allows them to remain in the county based on their income.
The D7 visa can be seen as an equivalent of the digital nomad visa for Portugal, although it refers to those who are able to prove that they have passive income.
The Portuguese authorities will carefully evaluate the applications for the D7 visa that is used for Portugal remote work.
The most important criteria is for the applicant to be able to show that he/she has regular income from remote or freelance work. In a manner of speaking, this can be seen as a Portugal online worker visa, as the foreign national will be working online (remote) for a foreign-based employer or for foreign-based clients.
Many digital nomads in Portugal will be able to meet the income threshold, however, the application is still carefully considered by the authorities to make sure that the declared type of income is regular.
As part of the documents submitted with the application, the digital nomad will be asked to provide a statement or term of responsibility certifying the fact that he or she will be able to assume accommodation in the country, the period and the address at which accommodation is secured.
When the person who applies for the Portugal digital nomad visa is accompanied by another individual, the statement will also include the second person’s information.
The Portugal D2 visa is another option, suitable for entrepreneurs, freelancers and independent service providers. We could also refer to this as an online worker visa for Portugal, as the work will also take place online, remote
The D2 visa is also the one suitable for migrant entrepreneurs, this is why it is more commonly used by those who intend to invest in the country. However, it can also be used for remote working in Portugal, if the applicant can prove that he or she has an independent professional activity.
Portugal remote working under the D2 visa is possible for those who can prove that they are engaged in independent professional activity.
While this independent work can be provided in Portugal, the authorities can favorably evaluate the D2 application when the individual is able to show that he or she has one or more contracts or written services proposals with entities outside of Portugal.
Once more, those who wish to work remotely from Portugal under the D2 visa will need to provide the authorities with information on how the means of subsistence will be calculated.
What are the application requirements for the Portugal digital nomad visa?
As for all types of visas, there are a number of conditions when applying for a permit that allows the holder to remain in the country for remote work purposes.
The following conditions are relevant for those applying for the Portugal digital nomad visa:
- Identification documents: two recent photographs, a passport or another valid travel document;
- Proof of sufficient means: this can be shown through a promise of work or a work contract in force; this agreement for work should cover a sufficient period;
- Proof of accommodation: in addition to proving one’s financial means, the applicant will also need to show that he/she has accommodation in the country; a rental agreement is commonly used;
- Criminal record: special permission for this step is granted to the Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service;
- Others: when it is relevant for the profession, the applicant will need to prove that he/she has the necessary qualifications to perform the activity (if such profession is subject to qualifications in Portugal).
According to Eurostat, Portugal released 84,397 first residence permits to applicants in 2020. Other data shows that:
- 32,666 of these permits, or 38.7% were issued for employment purposes;
- 12,285 permits were issued for education purposes;
- 35,735 permits were for family purposes;
- 3,711 permits were for other purposes.
Why choose Portugal?
The nature of their work allows digital nomads to change their location frequently or, in all cases, as they see fit. While some will truly choose to remain in one country for several months to a year (thus having to observe the requirements for a temporary residence permit or visa), others will only stay in one location for as long as they may have free visa entry (as may be the case in some countries, according to the digital nomad’s country of origin).
Regardless of the personal or travel reasons that may make a digital nomad consider Portugal, we wish to highlight some of the country’s top advantages for these types of professionals:
- The location: living in Portugal allows digital nomads to easily travel to neighboring countries where they may have networking or work opportunities;
- The cost of living: compared to other countries in Europe, the cost of living in Portugal can be lower; of course, the costs will vary from one city or region to another;
- The networking opportunities: Lisbon and Porto are the two largest cities and, naturally, they offer many options for coworking spaces and co-living spaces, however, the Algarve region and other areas are worth exploring (see below);
- The climate: many digital nomads are attracted to Portugal because of its sunny and warm climate; they can live and work by the Atlantic Ocean, taking in the beautiful rugged views of the Portuguese coastline;
- The digital nomad village: in Ponta do Sol, a special project was designed by the authorities, in collaboration with other parties, to attract digital nomads to this beautiful location.
Overall, Portugal is a country that has designed a visa regime that welcomed digital nomads, all in addition to its already existing strong points for tourists. It is a country with a rich history and digital nomads will enjoy exploring it beyond its popular cities Lisbon and Porto.
If one or more of these reasons is appealing to you, do not hesitate to reach out to our team to find out more about the Portuguese digital nomad visa, or your other options to extend your stay based on your nationality.
Essential steps for digital nomads considering moving to Portugal
A digital nomad who will essentially remain in the country based on what can be seen as a Portugal online worker visa (as he or she will be performing his work online) will need to consider not only the process of lawfully residing in the country under one of the two visas described herein but also other essential post-arrival steps for remaining in the country.
Lisbon is one of the top cities in the world for digital nomads and it is also one of the preferred locations for digital nomads and finding suitable accommodation (according to one’s budget) is an essential step and one that can start as early as the foreign national begins the first steps for acquiring the visa.
Some of the most important issues a digital nomad will need to decide on after arriving in Portugal will be the following:
- Accommodation: if you are unable to rent an apartment before you arrive in Portugal, you have plenty of options for short-term stays in hotels, however, for someone who will be remaining in the country with the equivalent of an online worker visa for Portugal, medium to long-term is preferred;
- Relocation services: depending on the period you will be spending in Portugal, you may need to enlist the services of an international moving company (if you plan on transporting more than the checked-in luggage on your way to Portugal);
- Getting the NIF number: this is the fiscal identification number and it is mandatory for all financial transactions that involve the payment of taxes in the country; it is used by residents and non-residents; when you relocate to the country as a digital nomad, you will need to apply for and obtain this number from the Tax and Customs Authority;
- Health insurance: while many foreign nationals who relocate to Portugal are eligible to enlist in the country’s state healthcare system, some choose to take out private health insurance;
- Driver’s license: you will be allowed to drive once you arrive in Portugal (and you will need proper car insurance), however, if you are not relocating from an EEA country, for example, South Africa, you will need to change your permit for an international one after six months;
- Learn Portuguese: understandably so, even if you will be working online with your regular employer or clients, living in a new country will also mean learning the language; taking Portuguese classes after work is an excellent opportunity for socialization and networking as an expat.
Our Portugal immigration experts can give you more details about each of these steps and will also be able to answer other questions. We commonly assist foreign nationals who need to apply for the NIF in Portugal and we highlight the fact that this is mandatory for both permanent residents, as well as temporary residents, a category that also includes digital nomads.
As the holder of what can be seen as the Portugal online worker visa, you will need the NIF to open a bank account or set up new utility agreements. You will also need it in order to apply for the Portuguese driving license (once the non-EU/EEA cannot be used, as previously mentioned), as well as if you wish to buy a car in Portugal during your stay here as a digital nomad.
The NIF number is applied for at the local office of the Tax and Customs Authority (in the area where you live), or at the Citizen Shop (the local branch in your area). Our friendly team will be able to answer your questions once you are ready to discuss this step.
Other options for foreign nationals who wish to relocate to Portugal
Digital nomads enjoy a particular lifestyle, and they have the unique possibility to relocate often and take their work with them. However, if you are not a digital nomad, you may still be interested in exploring your options for a temporary stay in Portugal. If this is your case, the following may apply:
- if you are an EU resident, you can freely enter Portugal without a visa; this allows you to remain in the country not for employment purposes, but as part of a sabbatical perhaps;
- you can continue your studies in Portugal with the help of a study visa; this will be needed for all foreigners who remain in the country as a student; proof of enrollment is required;
- you can work in Portugal, provided that you have secured employment with a Portuguese company or you are subject to an intra-company transfer;
- you can retire to Portugal if your pension (and other sources of income) comply with the requirements for the D7 visa described above.
Foreign investors in Portugal who are able to make a substantial investment can discuss their options for residency with one of our team members.
Portugal offers several types of visas, among which some are suited to the digital nomad work profile, while others are designed for study, employment, or investment. If you wish to relocate to Portugal, you can reach out to us as soon as you start considering your options.
How can your team help me?
If you are a digital nomad looking to change locations, our immigration lawyer in Portugal can help you throughout all of the visa application steps.
We offer tailored solutions, according to the applicant’s nationality, his or her purpose of stay, and whether or not they are accompanied by family members (dependents).
Joining the foreign nationals who already work as Portugal digital nomads is quite easy with our assistance, once we help you determine which type of visa will best suit your digital nomad needs.
Seeking pre-application assistance is often recommended when applying for any type of visa or residence permit, including the Portugal digital nomad visa. This way, the applicant can rest assured that the files and properly submitted and that no relevant documents are omitted.
If you are a non-EU citizen and investing in Portugal is (also) an option, our team can also help you apply for a golden visa in Portugal.
The nature of their activities and the manner in which they have chosen to work will mean that digital nomads will be interested in a short-term residence permit for Portugal. However, our team is available to digital nomads who also have other types of questions, particularly after they arrive in the country to engage in their remote activities. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions about our services in the country.
Contact us if you want to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa. We can help you throughout the process so that you can continue focusing on running your business remotely.
Many digital nomads enjoy the lifestyle they have chosen and the fact that they are unbounded by remaining in a single location. However, Portugal offers many opportunities for networking and it can be an ideal location in Europe for many digital nomads who wish to establish a permanent base. Those interested in long-term stays in the country, as well as citizenship in Portugal, can talk more about these with our experts.