Looking for an opportunity to live and work remotely in Portugal in 2023? This European country recently created a special one-year digital nomad visa, making it easy to do just that!
With year-round sun, affordable cities and abundance of natural beauty, Portugal is hands down one of the best countries for digital nomads. It is also known for being forward-thinking when it comes to technology, making it a natural fit for remote workers.
What is the Portugal nomad visa?
Portugal’s digital nomad visa is officially termed by the Portuguese government as a “temporary stay visa for independent work purposes.” (So if and when you look for it on the official Portuguese government website, be sure to use this language!) Simply put, this visa allows remote workers one year of residency in Portugal.
To qualify, you must be able to prove that you work remotely - whether that is as an entrepreneur, freelancer, or remote worker for a company based outside Portugal. Portugal welcomes you even if you are a self-employed freelancer or an online business owner. So for those living the solopreneur dream, Portugal salutes you and welcomes you. The income requirement is €2,800 per month.
This visa was created specifically with digital nomads in mind, only adding to the already strong argument that Portugal is one of the best countries for digital nomads. With this visa, you’ll be able to live and work anywhere in Portugal, from the bustling city of Lisbon to smaller villages nestled in nature. Portugal even has a dedicated digital nomad village! Definitely worth a visit.
You will also be able to travel freely in and out of Portugal on this visa. One of the coolest things about it is it allows you to freely explore any of the 26 EU countries within the Schengen Area with no border checks.
You have the option to renew the Portugal nomad visa as many as four times, so you could stay in the country as a remote worker for up to five years.
Other options for Portugal digital nomads
Before we get into the details of how to get the Portugal nomad visa, let’s first make sure it’s the right option for you.
Don’t earn €2,800 a month? Portugal does have a different visa option that might fit for you. The D7 Visa only requires €822.50 monthly earnings - the country’s minimum wage. However, there is a catch. The money must come from “passive income” streams.
Usually, passive income refers to things like investments or a pension. As such, this visa is aimed at retirees. If you are earning passive income below €2,800 from methods such as crypto stalking or evergreen content, the D7 visa could potentially work for you. If you’re still earning a salary, the one-year digital nomad visa is your best bet.
The other main option for longer term temporary stays in Portugal is the D2 “Entrepreneurship Visa,” which is for people who want to set up a Portuguese business. If you’re self-employed or working remotely for a non-Portuguese company, these visas won’t be a good fit for you.
If all else fails, no visa is required for tourist visits of up to 90 days. You can experience a lot of a country in three months!
Portugal digital nomad visa requirements
If you’re convinced becoming a Portugal digital nomad is right for you, rest assured the requirements are pretty straightforward.
First, you must earn at least €2,800 per month. This is four times Portugal’s minimum wage.
The next requirement is country of origin. You must come from a country not in the EU or EEA. If you are from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, note that you do not need a visa to live and work in Portugal, you just need to register as a resident with Portugal’s Immigration and Border Services agency (SEF).
Finally, you must be self-employed or employed by a company based outside Portugal.
How to apply for a Portugal digital nomad visa
Ready to take the plunge and apply for Portugal’s nomad visa? Parabéns! (Look it up!)
To get started, you’ll need to compile all the standard documents that are required for every type of Portugal visa application. You will have to visit your country’s nearest Portuguese Embassy or VFS Global location in-person to submit your application materials. They’ll take your fingerprints and photo to submit with your application.
This information you need can also be found on Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, but here is the run-down of what you need:
Signed visa application
Receipt for paying the visa application fee of €75-180, depending on what country you’re applying from (there will be another €320 for your residence fee once you get to Portugal)
Valid passport plus a photocopy of it
Two identical recent passport-sized photos of you
Proof of valid health insurance or travel insurance covering medical expenses
Official criminal record certificate from your country of origin or where you have lived for the past year, certified by apostille if your country is a member of the Hague Convention, legalized if not
A form giving the Portuguese immigration agency permission to investigate your criminal history
Copy of your return ticket
Proof of housing in Portugal (Airbnb booking, letter from homestay family, rental lease, etc.)
If you wish to bring your spouse or children with you, you’ll need to also submit a marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s), certified by apostille
From there, all that’s left to do is gather a few final requirements specific to the Portugal digital nomad visa, aka “temporary stay visa for independent work purposes:”
A work contract or proof of your self-employment
Proof of income from the last three months (bank statements, invoices, etc.)
Tax residency documents
Depending on your specific situation more information may be required, but these are the basics.
Benefits of becoming a Portugal digital nomad
Portugal has a reputation globally as one of the best countries for digital nomads. Coworking spaces are plentiful in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. Portugal overall is friendly to techies and DeFi enthusiasts. Lisbon is known as a crypto haven, hosting several crypto conferences annually. And perhaps most intriguing of all, Portugal is home to a dedicated digital nomad village on the Madeira Islands.
Whether base yourself in one of Portugal’s cosmopolitan cities like Lison or set up shop in a chill surf town such as Ericeria, your Portugal nomad visa will give you all the access you need to make the most of your time in this wonderful country. OK, maybe not all the access you need to do everything you might want, but it’s a great (and necessary) place to start!
