If you’ve dreamed of living and working in Portugal for more than 90 days then I have some great news!
Portugal has finally launched their new remote work visa called the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, which is different from the existing Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa!
Under the new scheme, remote workers will be able to live and work in the country for up to 12 months, or apply for residency and stay for a longer time period in the country!
Here’s everything you need to know to apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, which was launched on October 30, 2022.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: What You Need to Know
What is the Digital Nomad Visa?
Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa is considered a temporary stay work visa for remote workers and digital nomads. It allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to live and work in Portugal for one year while earning income outside of the country. If you want to stay longer than one year, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Residence Visa.
Who can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?
Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa as long as they meet the visa requirements.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: Temporary Stay Visa vs Residence Visa
You have two options for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: the Temporary Stay Visa and the Residence Visa.
Temporary Stay Visa
- Valid for up to 1 year
- Can work as a self-employed freelancer or online business owner
- Can travel in and out of Portugal (Schengen Zone)
Residence Visa
- Can be renewed for up to 5 years
- Can work as a self-employed freelancer or online business owner
- Can travel in and out of Portugal (Schengen Zone)
- Opportunity to acquire Portugal Residency and Portugal Citizenship
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Income Requirements
To be eligible for either the Temporary Stay or Residence Digital Nomad Visa, you must be able to support yourself while in Portugal. You must have an income of €2820 or $2750 per month. This is four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Temporary Stay Visa Requirements
- Proof of required income for the past three months
- Proof of self-employment or employment contract
- You may be asked for bank statements or invoices
- Tax-residency documents (rental agreement)
Residence Visa Requirements
- NIF (Individual Tax ID)
- Portuguese bank account
- Proof of required income for the past three months
- Proof of self-employment or employment contract
- You may be asked for bank statements or invoices
- Tax-residency documents (rental agreement)
Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
- Legally live and work in Portugal
- Opportunity to become a Portugal citizen and EU passport holder
- Travel freely to 26 countries in the Schengen Area
- No need to take up local jobs
- No need to go on a “visa run” after 90 days
Process to Apply For Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Step 1: Collect Your Documents
You will need to collect a variety of documents in order to process your application. I’ve detailed the steps below, but you can also find more information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
- Valid passport
- (2) Identical passport photos
- Return ticket
- Document certifying the third-country national is in a regular situation when the applicant is from a different nationality than that of the country where the visa is being requested
- Valid travel insurance
- Form authorizing access to Portuguese criminal record by the Immigration and Border Services (SEF)
- Criminal record from the country of origin or country of residence
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Work contract or service agreement
- Qualifications for field of work, if applicable
Documents to be presented are the general documents necessary for a visa application, without prejudice of the consular post requesting additional documents.
Step 2: Fill Out Your Application Forms
After you collect all of the above documents, you will need to fill out some application forms.
- Complete a Statement of Responsibility for proof of means of subsistence. This will need to be signed by a Portuguese national or a foreign national legal resident in Portugal.
- Fill out an official form for Portugal Application for National Visa (Residence and Temporary Stay).
Step 3: Submit Your Application
After filling out your forms, you will need to submit your documents and application. You can complete your Digital Nomad Visa application at a Portuguese Consulate in your home country, country of residence, or at Portugal’s immigration agency, Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF).
For residency permits, you will first have to enter Portugal using your Digital Nomad Visa. After receiving a double-entry visa, which is valid for four months, you will need to apply for a residency permit at SEF.
Other Portugal Visas Available
Portugal D7 Visa – Passive Income Visa
The Portugal D7 Visa has been the choice for many remote workers prior to the new Digital Nomad Visa being launched. If you have passive income from abroad, including pension income, dividends, rental income, or royalties then you are eligible for this visa.
The income requirements for this visa are €705 per month for one applicant, which is the equivalent of Portugal’s monthly minimum wage. This income requirement increase for each dependent spouse or child.
If your income comes from a remote job based outside of Portugal, you’ll need to apply for the new digital nomad visa.
Portugal D2 Visa – Entrepreneur or Independent Service Provider
The Portugal D2 Visa is for anyone that doesn’t have a source of regular passive income and wants to open a new viable business or run an existing business in Portugal.
To get the D2 Visa as an entrepreneur, you will need to incorporate a company in Portugal and hire a Portuguese accountant. You will also need to show you have sufficient funds to operate the business, pay annual Portuguese corporation tax and pay social security contributions.
To get the D2 Visa as an Independent Service Provider, you’ll have to show proof of having contracts, clients, and relative experience and/or qualifications in your field of work.
7 Reasons to Live and Work in Portugal
- Portugal is beautiful
- Amazing culture and good food
- Portugal is ranked one of the safest countries in the world
- Affordable cost of living (however it’s always rising)
- Really fast WiFi
- Growing digital nomad community
- Great weather
Where to Live in Portugal
Portugal has some incredible cities and beautiful seaside villages to live in. I recommend traveling around the country to find the vibe you’re looking for. I enjoyed living in Praia da Luz in the Algarve. Popular places for digital nomads to live in are Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Lagos, Sagres, and Ponta do Sol, Madeira’s Digital Nomad Village.
Answering Your Questions
Does Portugal have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, Portugal has a Digital Nomad Visa that allows you to live and work in Portugal for 1 year with a temporary stay visa, and up to 5 years with the Residence Visa.
Can you apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa while abroad?
You will need to visit the nearest Portugal consulate or SEF to apply for the visa.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Portugal?
If you stay in Portugal for longer than 183 days in a year, then you may be considered a tax resident. You may have to pay tax on your income unless you’re eligible for Portugal’s NHR tax scheme.
Do I need a visa to be in Portugal?
EU passport holders can be in Portugal without a visa. Non-EU passport holders whose countries have a special agreement with Portugal can enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days in 180. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa to enter Portugal.
What if I want to stay longer than three months as an EU passport holder?
After 90 days in Portugal, you should declare your presence at the local municipality office (camâra municipal) and get a temporary residency certificate.
Do other countries in Europe offer Digital Nomad visas?
Other European countries currently offering similar digital nomad schemes include Spain, Malta, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Georgia, Norway, Germany, and Iceland.
Check out my Portugal travel videos!
Watch My Youtube Video: Visit Porto, Portugal
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Do you have any questions about the Portugal digital nomad visa? Let me know in the comments.
Your entry has been great to find as there are little-to-no thorough or informative blogs online, thank you.
Would you happen to know what the process through the online visa application and what the details could be applying abroad or at SEF in Portugal, please?
Thank you once again for your post!