Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal (D8 Visa) is the best option for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs looking to live and work legally in Portugal. A perfect blend of stunning landscapes like the cliffs of Algarve, modern infrastructure such as high-speed internet, and an affordable cost of living have made Portugal one of the top destinations for digital nomads.
What is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
In October 2022, the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa was introduced, allowing non-EU/EEA citizens to reside in Portugal for a maximum of one year. With a monthly income requirement of €3,280 and a savings threshold of €36,480, this visa provides a clear pathway to temporary residency, and even permanent residency after five years.
Portugal: Quality of Life Attributes
- Cost of Living Index: 43.90
- Property Price-to-Income Ratio: 15.02
- Climate Index: 97.73
- Safety Index: 67.65
Key Aspects for Digital Nomad Visa Holders (Portugal D8 Visa)
- Freedom of location: Work remotely from anywhere in Portugal — whether it's a cozy Lisbon café, a beach town in the Algarve, or a quiet countryside village.
- Thriving expat communities: Connect easily with other internationals through supportive and well-established expat networks.
- Tax advantages: Benefit from financial incentives that make day-to-day living more affordable.
- Excellent healthcare: Access a reliable and high-quality healthcare system for greater peace of mind.
- Remote work culture: Enjoy a remote work–friendly environment that fuels creativity, productivity, and a better work-life balance.
What to Discover in This Guide?
- Requirements and Eligibility Criterias for Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 Visa) Types
- The Key Benefits of D8 Visa for Remote Workers and Freelancers
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application
- Cost of Living in Portugal as a Digital Nomad
- How to Open a Portuguese Bank Account
- 7 Best Places to Live in Portugal as a Digital Nomad
Thinking about making Portugal your new home in 2025? Discover how easy it is to apply for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa and start your exciting remote work journey in one of Europe’s most welcoming countries today!
Requirements and Eligibility Criterias for Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Income: You must have a consistent monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, around €3,480 per month.
- Employment: Provide evidence of remote or freelance jobs.
- Accommodation: You need to arrange for accommodation in Portugal.
- These specifications are consistent across all of the sources listed. It is crucial to note that the actual income criteria may differ significantly between sources.
- Valid Passport: To enter Portugal, you must have a valid passport and, if appropriate, the necessary travel authorizations.
- Health Insurance: Have health insurance that covers your stay in Portugal.
- Clean Criminal Record: Have a clean criminal record from your own country.
Individuals who are not EU/EEA nationals or Swiss citizens can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. This means that persons from any nation other than the European Union and the European Economic Area can apply for this visa as long as they match the other qualifying requirements, such as a consistent monthly income and proof of remote employment. The visa has drawn applicants from various countries, including Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
Who Qualifies?
- Your spouse or committed partner, but eligibility criteria depend on.
- Dependent children under 18
- Children aged 18-35 who are unmarried and financially dependent
- Parents over 65 (or younger with proven financial dependence.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 Visa) Types
Portugal offers two types of Digital Nomad Visas for remote workers and freelancers. Both require similar income and document criteria, but they differ in residency commitments.
1. Long-Term Residency Visa
- Validity: The permit is valid for 4 months. You must convert it to a 2-year residence permit when you arrive.
- Renewal: You can extend for 3 more years. This can lead to permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years.
- Income Requirement: Minimum €3,480 per month.
- Documents Needed:
- Valid passport
- Proof of income
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- Accommodation proof
- Application Fee: €75 – €90.
- Family Inclusion: Yes, you can bring family members.
- Best For: Non-EU/EEA remote workers who want long-term residency in Portugal.
2. Temporary Stay Visa (Best for short-term stays and flexibility)
- Validity: Up to 12 months with many entries.
- You can renew it up to 4 times, but it does not lead to permanent residency.
- Income Requirement: Minimum €3,480 per month.
- Documents Needed: Like the long-term visa, you may also need a Portuguese bank account.
- Family Inclusion: Not allowed.
- Best For: Non-EU/EEA citizens wanting to live in Portugal temporarily, without needing a residency permit.
It is so obvious that the long-term visa is ideal for those aiming for Portuguese residency and citizenship, while the temporary visa is perfect for testing Portugal beyond the 90-day tourist limit.
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The Key Benefits of D8 Visa for Remote Workers and Freelancers
- Residency: You can stay for at least a year.A tourist visa only allows 90 days within six months.
- Visa-Free Travel in Europe: As a resident of a Schengen country, you can visit other Schengen states. (90 days every six months)
- Pathway to EU Citizenship: Digital nomads can apply for citizenship in Portugal after five years. They must meet integration and language requirements.
- Affordable, High-Quality Healthcare: They can access to Portugal’s excellent and low-cost public healthcare system.
- Quality Education for Families: Portugal has qualified schools and universities. They are easy to reach for residents. This makes the country great for digital nomads with kids.
- Cost and Effort: Compared to other national visas, the application process is generally low-cost and low-effort, requiring proof of sufficient income and remote work capabilities.
- Tax Advantages: The potential to become a non-habitual resident for tax reasons, potentially leading to lower tax rates or exemptions for 10 years.
- Great Lifestyle and Cost of Living: Digital nomads can enjoy a pleasant climate, lively culture, and lower living costs compared to many Western European countries. Also, the Portuguese culture places a high priority on work-life balance.
- Language: Excellent English proficiency, particularly in metropolitan regions, which facilitates communication.
Source: Statistics Portugal
In January 2025, Portugal’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, marking the lowest level since October 2022.
According to preliminary estimates from the Portuguese Statistics Institute, the unemployment rate fell from 6.4% in December 2024 to 6.2% in January 2025. The rate has been gradually declining since November.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Be sure that you meet the monthly income requirement of at least €3,480 and get ready to prove that you have a remote work arrangement.
Step 2: Prepare Documentation
Gather all necessary documents, including: (Whether you choose the temporary stay or long-term residency visa)
- A valid passport.
- Photos for passports (4.5 x 3.5 cm).
- Contract or partnership agreement proving remote work.
- Bank statements displaying monthly earnings and savings.
- Proof of accommodation to show you are staying in Portugal.
- The required health insurance in Portugal
- A certificate of no criminal record translated into Portuguese.
- A NIF registration certificate (Portuguese tax identification number).
- A letter in English outlining why you are relocating to Portugal.
Step 3: Visa Application
Fill out the visa application form. It is available from the Portuguese consulate or embassy.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Make an appointment with the Portuguese consulate or embassy. Then, you can submit your application along with the required documents.
Step 5: Wait for Approval
The processing time may vary. You will get a notification once your application is approved.
Step 6: Visa Issuance
If your application is approved, the visa will be stamped on your passport, allowing you to travel to Portugal.
Step 7: Arrival in Portugal
If you have a long-term visa, apply for a residence permit before your visa expires upon your arrival.
Cost of Living in Portugal as a Digital Nomad
The cost of living depends on location and lifestyle. Here’s a basic monthly cost of living breakdown for a single person:
|
Expense |
Cost (€) |
|
Accommodation (one-bedroom apartment in city center) |
€1,000 – €2,000 |
|
Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) |
€180 – €184 |
|
Groceries |
€300 – €500 |
|
Internet and mobile phone plans |
€40 – €90 |
|
Public transportation pass |
€30 – €40 |
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Costs
| Visa Type | Cost (EUR) | Validity |
| Temporary Stay Visa | 75 | Valid for 1 year, multiple entries, no residency permit |
| Long-term Visa | 90 | Valid for 4 months, two entries, leads to 2-year residence permit upon arrival |
Other expenses associated with the Digital Nomad Visa may include:
- Medical insurance payments and rent.
- Private health insurance costs can range from €20 to €100 monthly, depending on the package.
How to Open a Portuguese Bank Account
- Obtain a NIF: A Portuguese tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal).
- Provide Identification: A valid passport or ID card.
- Proof of Address: A recent utility bill or bank statement.
- Proof of Employment: A pay slip or employment contract.
Some banks, particularly if you are already a resident, may allow you to open an account online. Non-residents may need to hire a lawyer or a relocation business. Because the procedure varies, it is best to check with the specific bank for their needs. Account opening services cost between €269.25 and €395.
D7 Visa vs. Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 Visa): What are the Differences?
| Visa Name | D7 Visa | Digital Nomad Visa (D8) |
| Visa Type | Passive Income Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
| Income Requirement | €820 per month | €3,480 per month |
| Income Types | Pension, dividends, royalties, interest | Salary or freelancing work from a remote job |
| Validity | 2 Years (renewable) | 2 years (renewable for 3 years) |
| Citizenship | Possible after 5 years | Possible after 5 years |
| Minimum Stay Requirements | 6 consecutive months/8 non-consecutive months | 6 consecutive months/8, non-consecutive months with some flexibility for work or family emergencies |
D7 Passive Income Visa
Portugal D7 Visa is for the ones with passive income sources like pensions or rental property income. In contrast, the Digital Nomad Visa is for people who earn an active income through remote work or freelancing. The D8, the Digital Nomad Visa, has a higher income requirement than the D7, showing the active income nature of the visa.
D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who want to start a business in Portugal can apply for a Portugal D2 Visa, often known as the Entrepreneur Visa.
If you are looking for different visa options in Portugal and cannot be quilfied for Digital Nomad Visa requirements, you might also be interested in Portugal HQA Visa or Portugal Golden Visa
7 Best Places to Live in Portugal as a Digital Nomad
1. Porto
We went back and forth a few times about whether to list Lisbon or Porto first in this list. Both are excellent destinations with a great deal to offer, but there is something about Porto that sets it apart. The cobbled street, enchanting castles, and ancient houses on the hills hugging the Douro river. The city feels like something from a fairytale.
If you’re lucky enough, you might be able to snag an Airbnb in the Ribeira area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not to mention that the wine there is some of the best in the world. Additionally, you can have access to a wide variety of beaches. If you’re an adventurous digital nomad, there’s also excellent surfing, so be sure to check out Esmoriz or Azurara.
Porto is a magnificent coworking space, boasting four locations:
- Downtown
- Santa Catarina
- Douro Riverside
- Seaside
This fantastic coworking location has lectures, workshops, and talks regularly. It’s a great place to get some work done and to meet other digital nomads in Porto.
2. Lisbon
Lisbon is one of those unique places in the world. It is just large enough to have a bustling metropolitan life, yet just small enough to keep its old-world charm. You can visit a castle that was built hundreds of years ago, then head down to an all-night party in the Bairro Alto neighborhood. It’s nothing less than an intellectual and cultural hub.
What’s great about Lisbon is that it’s also pocket-friendly. Unlike many European capitals, you can get by on a small budget if you spend your money carefully. You can grab dinner somewhere decent for €35-70 and grab a beer at a local pub for no more than a euro or two.
There are plenty of excellent coworking spaces for the digital nomads in Lisbon. One of those is Liberdade229. It has spacious offices, it is very conveniently located and the architecture allows for plenty of natural light.
You’ll find many entrepreneurs, start-up enthusiasts, and digital nomads having a coffee in the communal kitchen. You can easily get a few job offers just by chatting with founders at the water-cooler there, so you might want to check it out.
3. Peniche
For the adventurous digital nomad, Peniche is a must-visit. Being a surf town at heart, it can be considered the best surf town in all of Western Europe. If you go to the Spertubos beach in the summer, you’ll find plenty of surfers trying to master the roaring barrels.
There are plenty of surfing opportunities here ranging from challenging reefs to light waves for beginners. If you’re a surfer/digital nomad, it’s next to impossible to find somewhere better. You can set up your HQ at one of the sea-view condos or move a bit to the center of Peniche and find a charming condo.
As Peniche is fairly small, there aren’t many coworking places there. Though Largo is an excellent space located in the old district. It is friendly, cheap, and has everything you need for all your digital nomading at the end of a surfing day.
4. Braga
You simply won’t believe your eyes when you visit Braga. It is the oldest city in Portugal, yet thanks to a joint effort between its university, business crowd, and the government, it has turned into a tech hotbed. This youthful city has the highest rate of higher education students in Science and technology in the country. Braga files for more patents than Lisbon or Porto.
Thanks to its university’s high-quality technical skills and its young, skilled population, tech companies are getting drawn to Braga like moths to a flame. The northern quarter of the city is quite common with expats trying to enjoy a breezy lifestyle and attractive property prices.
You will be shocked by the number of digital nomads’ networking opportunities you can find in Braga. If you head to Braga I/O, Factory Braga, or the Regus branch, you’ll feel like you walked into a coworking space in NY or London.
Because of its university and youthful workforce, you’ll find tech-savvy developers, web designers, and even engineers trying to collaborate to create excellent new businesses. With some social skills, you might find yourself on board some of those rocket ships heading to the top of the tech industry.
5. Sagres
Sagres has an incredibly unique position right at the southwestern tip of Portugal. Look to the north and you’ll find the Atlantic with excellent surfing waves. Look to the east to be blinded by the golden beaches of the Algarve with various resorts, clubs, and bars.
There are endless trekking opportunities on the cliffs leading to Tonel Beach. You also owe it to yourself to stay at one of the bungalows sprinkled along the shoreline. If you’d like to avoid the summer crowding, you might want to visit Sagres in the Autumn. You’d still have decently warm weather, amazing autumn colors, and much fewer crowds.
The avid digital nomad will surely have heard of Coworksurf. It is a global network of workspaces founded right here in Sagres, especially for surfer nomads. You will have access to extremely fast internet and friendly co-workers, literally two steps away from the nicest beaches and waves in Western Europe.
6. Coimbra
One simply can’t make a list of the best places in Portugal without including Coimbra. Drenched in history and culture, this town straddling the Mondego River is nothing short of a gem. To paint a picture, imagine cobblestoned lanes, a towering, gorgeous cathedral, tiny cafes, and a baroque university library.
Gondola rides on the river, serene walks in parks, and hours spent going through amazing books in the university library are what await you in Coimbra. Since it’s a bit far from the beaches, it’s much less busy than any coastal town, which might attract the introvert nomad. It’s an excellent place to take a break from the hustle during the summer months so you can get some work done in peace.
The Nest Collective has a very elegant workspace in the heart of Coimbra. Simple, stylish, and affordable, it’s an excellent space to get your work done while hiding out from the summer crowds in Portugal.
7. Ponta do Sol, Madeira: The Digital Nomad Village
Portugal takes its love for digital nomads to the next level. The Portuguese island of Madeira has a “Digital Nomads Madeira” project, which is practically a digital nomad village. The town of Ponta do Sol has a population of 8,360 inhabitants.
The town will host up to 100 remote workers at a time, providing them with a free working space, free internet access, and access to a Slack community. The overall experience will include fun activities and events that encourage connections and networking between the participants and the local community.
Digital Nomads Madeira is a joint initiative between the government of Madeira and Startup Madeira. The goal is to help the community benefit from the economic and social impact of attracting young and energetic digital nomads to Portugal. If this sounds interesting to you, be sure to check out the official Digital Nomads Madeira website.
Frequently Asked Questions on D8 Visa
Which visa type in Portugal is best for digital nomads in 2025?
The Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to apply for a one-year temporary stay visa or a residency permit. It can be renewed for up to five years, is the finest visa for digital nomads in Portugal.
What are the income criteria for a digital nomad visa in Portugal?
The monthly income criterion is at least €3,480, which is four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Do digital nomads have to pay taxes in Portugal?
Digital nomads can apply for Non-Habitual Resident status in order to cut their taxes, potentially paying 0% tax on global income and a flat 20% tax on income received within Portugal.
How long does a digital nomad visa in Portugal last?
The digital nomad visa Portugal (Visa Nómada Digital Portugal) permits you to stay in Portugal for up to a year, with the option of renewing.
Which European country makes it the simplest to obtain a digital nomad visa?
The easiest European country to obtain a digital nomad visa is a matter of opinion and varies according to individual circumstances. Digital nomad countries such as Estonia, Croatia, Italy, and Hungary, on the other hand, are known for their comparatively simple digital nomad visa requirements.
