Anyone who's thinking about living and working abroad has probably heard that Portugal is a hotspot for digital nomads. That's because it is. Portugal offers an incredible mix of natural beauty, a vibrant culture and friendly atmosphere. The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to explore everything from the scenic Douro Valley vineyards to the lively streets of Porto and everything in between.
Quick Visa Facts
Here’s a snapshot of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. Please note that the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa “D8” can either be a “Temporary Stay Visa” or a “Residence Permit”.
Temporary Stay Visa | Residency Permit | |
Visa Length | 1 year | 2 years |
Possible to Extend? | Yes | Yes |
Who Can Apply? | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals |
Minimum Income Requirements | € 3,280 per month | €3,280 per month |
Time for Visa Applications | 4 - 8 months | 4 - 8 months |
Family Reunification | No | Yes |
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Overview
In 2022, a special visa became available which allows digital nomads to work and live in Portugal. It is known as “Visto D8 – Nómadas Digitais” (Visa D8 - Digital Nomads). Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, are allowed to live and work in Portugal for up to 1 or 2 years (depending whether you apply for the Temporary Stay Visa or the Residency Permit). The visa can be renewed completing a total stay of up to five years.
In order to apply, you must provide three months of bank statements and/or pay slips to prove a consistent minimum monthly income of €3,280 per month plus savings (if you are bringing your family, you will have to prove enough savings to support them for at least 12 months); proof of employment or self-employment and that your work activity can be carried out entirely remotely; proof of legal residence from the country you are applying from; a cover letter explaining the purpose of the Digital Nomad Visa application; a valid passport; clean criminal records; health insurance with coverage in Portugal and proof of accommodation in Portugal.
The Residency Permit grants you access to an official residence card called the “Cartão de Residência”. You will have access to all public benefits, provided that you will be a legal resident of Portugal. After holding the Digital Nomad Visa for 5 years (+ other requirements) you can apply for Citizenship.
Who can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
Anyone holding a non-EU/EEA/Swiss valid passport.
Some countries on this list include:
United States
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
United Kingdom
+ more!
You can apply as an employee or self-employed/freelancer. If you apply as an employee, you must provide your work contract or a declaration of employment issued by your employer. For self-employed/freelancers, you have to provide a society contract, or contract of services provision, or a document attesting the services provided to one or more of your clients.
You are allowed to work for or receive salary from Portugal-based clients, but we recommend that you earn at least the minimum income required from clients based outside of Portugal.
Your spouse and children are allowed to apply under the same application form, but you will have to prove enough money to support them.
Need help applying? Our visa experts are here to help!
How to Apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: Step-By-Step Instructions
Apply for the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before you can apply, you must collect all the necessary documents. Please refer to this list of required documents. Documents issued by the government, such as marriage and birth certificates and the criminal background check, must be apostilled. For the US, the background check does not require the apostille if the envelope remains unopened.
Depending on the country from where you are applying, these documents may be submitted in either English, Portuguese, or the language where the Portuguese consulate is located (check with your Consulate or VFS office).
Step 2: Fill Out the Visa Application and Cover Letter
Fill out the Application for National Visa form. You will have to provide detailed and accurate personal information and details about your trip and finances. Please, make sure that everything you say is in accordance with the supporting documentation.
Along with the application form, each applicant will have to provide a cover letter containing at least the following. The cover letter must be signed and dated by the applicant or legal guardian.
Your personal details
Reasons for applying for the temporary residence in Portugal
Any connection you have with Portugal (family, friends, property etc)
Where you plan to stay while in Portugal and the type of accommodation you will use
Means of financial support for yourself and any dependents during your time in Portugal
Also we advise to include a list and explanation of all the documents supporting your application
Each applicant will need their own cover letter, but cover letters for dependents are likely to be shorter and refer to the documentation of the principal applicant. All cover letters should be signed and dated by the applicant or their legal guardian.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
To submit your application you will have to schedule an appointment at the Portuguese embassy or consulate. For US-based applicants, you need to schedule an appointment in a VFS office within your area. The procedure for submitting your application may vary depending on your location, so please make sure you follow the instructions of your local embassy/consulate or VFS office.
On the day of the appointment, make sure you bring all the original supporting documents + copies. For US-based applicants, you can find more information here about what to expect at your appointment.
At this point you will be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee of around $100 USD.
Step 4: Wait for the Visa Approval
For US-based applicants it usually takes in between 3-4 months for a decision to be made regarding your application, though this may vary. You can track the progress of your application HERE. Once the decision is made, you will be notified by email.
After the visa is approved, your passport and visa can be collected from the same location where you submitted your application, or it will be sent by secure post to your home address if you requested this option at the time of your application.
Step 5: Residence Permit
Once the visa is granted and you have it in your hands, you are ready to travel to Portugal. If you opted for the Temporary Stay (1 year only) you are all set up, and you can enjoy your time in Portugal, but if you went for the Temporary Residency (2 years) you need to do a bit more.
From the day you enter Portugal, you will have 4 months to schedule an appointment and apply for your residence card at Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade Académica (AIMA). If you are lucky, the AIMA appointment will be automatically schedule at the moment the visa is granted.
For the appointment you must bring all the documents that you submitted supporting your initial visa application. In addition, at this stage, you will also need to provide proof that you have a NIF and a Portuguese Bank Account. You must also submit a new application form, which is different from your original visa application form. This form is in Portuguese.
For this appointment you will be expected to pay a fee of $180 USD. Permits take about two weeks to process and will be sent to your home address in Portugal.
Need help applying? Our visa experts are here to help!
NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal)
The NIF is a tax identification number necessary for many transactions in Portugal, including compliance with your tax obligations, opening a bank account, signing rental agreements, signing services contracts such as cell phone or internet and more. But more importantly, the NIF is essential for your residence permit application once you are in Portugal. You can do it remotely through a representative (we can assist you) or in person. If you opt to get it in person, this is how you do it.
Step-by-Step Process:
Visit the nearest Tax Office (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira):
Locate a local Tax Office. We advise making an appointment in advance if possible.
Required Documents:
Bring your valid identification.
Proof of Address: If you're from outside the EU, you might also need proof of address in your home country and in Portugal.
If you are applying as a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national who is not a Portuguese resident by law you will need to appoint a fiscal representative for your NIF application.
Submit Application:
Go to the Tax Office with your documents and request a NIF. You will fill out a form provided by the office.
Receive NIF:
The NIF is usually issued immediately and given to you on a piece of paper.
Need help applying? Our immigration experts are here to help!
Opening a Portuguese Bank Account
You must open a bank account in Portugal in order to get your residence permit, and you can open your bank account after you get your NIF. The process is not as difficult as it seems. Here's what you do:
How to Open a Bank Account in Portugal
Choose a Bank:
Choose a bank that aligns with your needs. Portugal offers a variety of banking options for both locals and foreigners, including traditional banks like Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Millennium BCP, as well as digital banks such as N26 and Activo Bank. Digital banks are gaining popularity in Portugal due to their convenience, lower fees, and innovative features. They offer easy online account setup, comprehensive digital banking services, and user-friendly platforms, making banking more accessible and efficient.
Gather Required Documents:
Identification (Passport)
NIF: Your Portuguese tax identification number.
Proof of Address: Utility bill, rental agreement, or official document showing your address.
Proof of Income: This can be a job contract, recent pay slips, or a declaration from your employer.
Residency Permit: If applicable.
Fill Out Application:
Complete the bank's account opening forms. Staff should be able to guide you through the process.
Initial Deposit:
Some banks require an initial deposit to open the account. This amount varies by bank.
Account Activation:
Once the application is approved, the bank will activate your account, and you will receive your bank details and debit card.
Required Documents for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
To apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, several documents are required.
National Visa Application - filled and duly signed by applicant or legal guardian.
Valid Passport – must be valid for at least 3 months after the estimated date of return.
Photocopy of Passport – copy of the first page of your passport which includes personal information. Can be in color or black and white.
Residence Permit - in case of residence in a country other than the country of current nationality, which must be valid 3 months after the estimated date of return.
Passport Photo – 2 recent passport photos in color, with white background, taken recently, head-on, wearing no accessories.
Cover Letter – letter signed by applicant specifying reason for settling in Portugal, intended area of residency and type of accommodations (rental, purchase of private property, or family home.
Proof of Remote Work - If you are employed (outside of Portugal), you should provide one of the following documents: i) work contract, or ii) declaration by employer confirming the labor link. In case of independent professional activity you should provide one of the following documents: i) society contract, ii) contract of services provision, or) document attesting the services provided to one or more clients.
Proof of Means of Subsistence - bank statements or credit card statements in your name from the previous 3 months with a minimum value of €3,280 per month, in addition we recommend to show that you have savings to cover the first 12 months (about €9,840). If you are bringing your family you must prove you have enough savings to support them for at least 12 months (about € 4,950 for your spouse and €2,952 per child).
Criminal record certificate - issued by the competent authority of the applicant's country or of the country where the applicant has resided for over a year (except for applicants under 16 years old). For US-based applicants this certificate must be issued by the FBI and it must be requested with an apostille or remain unopened in the original sealed envelope. The certificate must be issued within the last 3 months prior to the visa application and if it is not in Portuguese or English, a certified translator must translate it.
Proof of Accommodation - deed or 1 year lease agreement signed. Depending where you are applying from, a Hotel/Airbnb reservations may be acceptable, but they will have to be long stay (minimum of 6 months). For the short stay visa (1 year) it may be enough to show a 4-month lease. Check with your Consulate.
Health Insurance – proof of your health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for all necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation. The health insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of the visa, including any planned extensions or renewals
Proof of Relationship to Dependents (if applicable) – birth certificates, marriage license (certified by apostille)
*Please note that many documents may require official translation and apostille. We provide these along with many other services to make the application process quick, seamless, secure and simple for you. Book your free consultation today!
Popular Cities for Digital Nomads in Portugal + Statistics
All digital nomads should know the basic stats for these popular cities in Portugal.
 Lisbon Cost of Living: $3,700/mo Internet Speed: 121 Mbps Population: 550,000 |  Porto Cost of Living: $3,200/mo Internet Speed: 88 Mbps Population: 210,000 |  Portimão Cost of Living: $2,370/mo Internet Speed: 36 Mbps Population: 56,000 |
 Lagos Algarve Cost of Living: $2,370/mo Internet Speed: 39 Mbps Population: 22,000 |  Ericeira Cost of Living: $3,250/mo Internet Speed: 71 Mbps Population: 10,000 |  Madeira Cost of Living: $2,070/mo Internet Speed: 66 Mbps Population: 110,000 |
Cost of Living
Here’s a breakdown of typical costs in Portugal. These numbers are based on the average cost of living in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
1 Bedroom Studio Rent in the Center | $1,718 per month |
Airbnb | $89 per night |
Dinner | $12 |
Beer in a café (0.5L) | $2.68 |
Co-working desk rental | $255 per month |
Mobile Data (~10GB) | $15 per month |
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Need help applying? Our immigration experts are here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portugal have a Digital Nomad Visa?
In 2022, a special visa became available which allows digital nomads to work and live in Portugal.It is known as “Visto D8 – Nómadas Digitais” (Visa D8 - Digital Nomads).
How long is the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa valid?
Is it possible to extend the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
How long does it take to complete the entire application process?
Can you apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa while abroad?
In what currency should you pay for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
Can you pay the Visa fee online?
Can you work for a Portuguese company using a Digital Nomad Visa?
What is the minimum income requirement for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
Which neighboring countries of Portugal also offer the Digital Nomad Visa?
Can the Digital Nomad Visa lead to residency or citizenship in Portugal?
Do I need a minimum stay in Portugal for the Digital Nomad Visa?
What kind of assistance do I need to get the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa?
Need help applying? Our immigration experts are here to help!