Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal introduced a Digital Nomad Visa on October the 30th 2022. The new digital nomad visa comes in two different types, depending on how long you wish to stay in Portugal.

Option 1: Temporary Stay Visa

The Portugal temporary stay visa is valid for stays for up to 1 year and can be extended for up to 4 times for a maximum of 5 years. It suits those who are self employed or have online businesses, as it allows free travel  in and out of Portugal following the rules of the Schengen zone.

This is a great fit if you want to try out Portugal without committing to becoming a long-term resident first.

To benefit from this visa, you must prove that you have an income superior to €3040 per month. You must be from outside of the EU or  EEA. You must also have a private travel/health plan that covers you for emergency and repatriation for at least €60.000. Other requirements are that you must provide tax residency document, make proof of income and proof of employment. You can apply at the Portuguese embassy or consulate of your country of residence/origin or at the immigration office in Portugal – SEF

Option 2: Residence Visa (D8)

This is the best option for remote workers who want to gain permanent residency and aim towards getting Portuguese citizenship. Like most visas, the application is submitted to the Portuguese embassy or consulate of your area. Once approved, they will stamp your passport and you are eligible to travel to Portugal. An appointment with SEF will then be given to you automatically, for the collection of Biometrics and the issuance of your residence card.

What you need:

• NIF – Portuguese tax number
• Portuguese bank account
• A salary superior to €3040 per month and proof either by bank statements or payslips/invoices.
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal (a 12 month rental agreement registered with the tax authority or proof that you own a property in Portugal)
• Employment contract from an employer based outside of Portugal
• Freelancers need to show proof of contracts with clients

Before the official Portugal digital nomad visa was launched in October 2022, the D7 was a common choice for remote workers.

In the past, some consulates would also accept salaried remote work for the D7, but this will be revised now the digital nomad visa has been launched.

If your income comes from a remote job based outside of Portugal, you’ll need to apply for the new digital nomad visa, not the D7 visa.