Looking to live and work remotely as a digital nomad from Portugal going into 2025? Portugal’s D8 Digital Nomad Visa is your ticket to making this dream come true.
Boasting a reasonable (actively earned) income requirement, the program can lead to Portuguese Permanent Residency and Citizenship after 5 years.
And in addition, highly skilled remote workers and digital nomads also stand to benefit from the recently announced new Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR) Program.
Our team in Braga can assist with every part of your residency application process, and are standing by to help you from start to finish.
But first, let’s get into the D8 Visa Program’s details below…
Updated on Monday, 30 March 2023…
Yes, they can – although in 2022 and 2023, things got a bit more complicated.
During 2020, 2021 and the first half of 2022, the answer was yes – digital nomads could apply for the D7, and scores of them were getting approved.
Provided that you earned enough stable, foreign sourced income, and that your foreign employer allowed you to work remotely from Portugal…
AND that you had sufficient savings to deposit in a Portuguese bank account, your chances of getting approved for the D7 Visa as a remote worker were high.
HOWEVER: Based on our first-hand experiences during this time, things changed quite significantly in the lead-up to the launch of Portugal’s D8 Digital Nomad Visa.
Before Portugal’s bona fide remote work visa was launched, the Portuguese immigration authorities were approving remote workers with significant offshore salary earnings as well in 2021 and 2022.
But as of May 2022, applicants with only one “active” income stream – a remote salary or freelance income – were being rejected, even though their average earnings and savings were substantial.
The reality is that the binding legislation and rules pertaining to the D7 Visa were never changed to accommodate freelancers and digital nomads – they were simply being interpreted more liberally.
And the Portuguese authorities enjoy a large swathe of discretion when it comes to the D7 program – there are no guarantees that any one applicant WILL be approved.
The bottom-line is this: if you’re earning active income only (in the form of a salary) – consider the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa. And if you’re earning passive income (pension, royalties, rental or fixed-rate interest earnings), consider the D7 Visa.
Contact us now for more information and to see if you are currently eligible.
In order to legally work remotely from Portugal for long periods of time, you’ll have to either become a resident, or apply for the country’s new Digital Nomad Visa.
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is an excellent option for remote workers seeking to settle in Portugal for periods longer than 90 days. There are two streams:
-
The first is a visa that is valid for stays of up to 12 months (i.e. you don’t get a residency card, just a visa in your passport).
-
The second is a 2-year residency permit, which features the same requirements as the existing D7 Residency Program, but which accepts active / salaried income, as opposed to passive income.
As a Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa holder, you’ll have the ability to work remotely from within Portugal, and travel visa-free across the rest of the Schengen Area, too.
As of January 2024, the following list of countries offer digital nomad visas:
-
Anguilla
-
Antigua and Barbuda
-
Bahamas
-
Bali
-
Barbados
-
Bermuda
-
Cabo Verde
-
Cayman Islands
-
Costa Rica
-
Croatia
-
Dominica
-
Dubai
-
Estonia
-
Greece
-
Iceland
-
Malta
-
Portugal
-
Romania
-
Republic of Georgia (branded as the Remotely From Georgia Visa Program).
-
Seychelles
Yes it does. As of November 2022, remote workers and digital nomads now have the option of applying for the purpose-created Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). There are two program streams:
-
The first is valid for up to 12 months, and requires applicants to earn a minimum of €2,820 per month (minimum wage of €705 per month x 4). For this option, you don’t need a Portuguese bank account, nor locally deposited savings.
-
The second visa stream is valid for just 4 months, but can be converted into a 2-year residency permit, which is renewable for an additional 3 years. This stream’s requirements closely reflect those of the D7 Visa, however the minimum income requirement going into 2023, is also €2,820+ per month.
You’ll also be required to have a local Portuguese bank account with a balance of €8,460+ (and ideally around €12,500+, even for single applicants).
In order to keep this temporary residency renewable, however, you’ll need to spend 6 months (183+ days) in the country per year.
Over 1,000 Successful Client Applications To Date…
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Unpacked
A quick backgrounder on the D7 Visa and the new DNV program…
While Portugal’s D7 Visa was primarily created as a path to residency for non-EEA* pensioners seeking to settle in Portugal, the program became popular among digital nomads and remote workers the word over starting in late 2019. (*EEA is short for European Economic Area.)
While the D7 program explicitly requires passive income sources, many nomads were granted residency under the program during the pandemic period on the basis of freelance income, business income and even remote salaries.
This changed abruptly in mid-2022, when scores of applicants started being rejected ahead of the actual Digital Nomad Visa being introduced on 31 October 2022.
The new Digital Nomad Visa program features two streams, and caters specifically for the needs of nomads.
12 MONTH DIGITAL NOMAD VISA OVERVIEW
- Legally live and work within Portugal as a freelancer or self-employed business owner for up to 12 months on the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa, with the option to renew your residency for an additional 6 months
- Enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
- “Test-drive the Portuguese experience” without having to commit long-term.
- Monthly stable income requirement (2024): €3,280+ (along with at least €9,840 in savings if you’re applying with a dependent spouse or partner). The minimum earnings requirement will go up to €3,280 (4 x €820) on January 1, 2024.
2-YEAR DIGITAL NOMAD RESIDENCY OVERVIEW
- Obtain an “entry stamp” type visa that is good for 4 months and 2 entries into the Portuguese territory (or the EU, if you can’t fly directly into Portugal upon arrival in the EU).
- Convert this visa into a temporary residency permit with a 24 month (2 year) validity, and which can be renewed for an additional 36 months (3 years), subject to meeting certain program requirements.
- Get on a path to potential Portuguese permanent residency and/or citizenship.
- Monthly stable income requirement: €3,280+ (along with at least €9, 840 in savings if you’re applying with a dependent spouse or partner). The income requirement for primary applicants will increase to €3,280 per month in 2024 (4 x €820).
- Not every embassy will require this, but assume that you will need to open a Portuguese local bank account and deposit meaningful savings in it.
But to avoid any confusion, let’s compare the various programs’ requirements as they stand today…
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 DNV) Vs D7 Retirement Visa
What are the key program differences going into 2025?
| Consideration | Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: “Lite” | Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: “Plus” | D7 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of document | Visa in passport | Residency Permit (Card) | Residency Permit (Card) |
| Validity/Duration | 12 Months (1 year) | 24 Months (2 Years) | 24 Months (2 Years) |
| Renewable | Yes | 36 Months (3 Years) | 36 Months (3 Years) |
| Minimum income requirement (primary applicant – 2024) | €3,280+ p.m (i.e. €820 x 4)
(See financial requirements for additional dependents below.) |
€3,280+ p.m. (i.e. €820 x 4)
(See financial requirements for additional dependents below.) |
€820+ p.m. in passive income
(Plus substantial, locally deposited savings – at least €9,840+, and ideally €12,500-€15,000+) |
| Type of income required | Active income favored, however some passive income may be accepted (remote salary, remote service agreements, dividends, royalties, rental income, etc.) | Active income favored, however some passive income may be accepted (remote salary, remote service agreements, dividends, royalties, rental income, etc.) | Passive income only (dividends, royalties, rental income, etc.) |
| Proof of accommodation in Portugal | Yes – for at least the first 4 months (hotel, Airbnb or similar, or duly certified and registered lease agreement) | Yes – for at least the first 12 months (hotel, Airbnb or similar, or duly certified and registered lease agreement) | Yes – duly certified and registered lease agreement |
| Proof of tax residency outside of Portugal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portuguese fiscal number (NIF) required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Portuguese bank account required | Depends on your local consulate’s requirements | Yes – although not all consulates may require this. | Yes |
| Locally deposited savings required | Depends on your local consulate’s requirements | Yes – although not all consulates may require this. | Yes |
| Police clearance required | Yes – from country of origin, or residence, if they’ve been living there for over 12 months. | Yes – from country of origin, or residence, if they’ve been living there for over 12 months. | Yes – from country of origin, or residence, if they’ve been living there for over 12 months. |
| Criminal clearance check in Portugal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum in-country presence requirement | No (unless you want to renew, in which case it’s 6 months) | No (unless you want to renew, in which case it’s 6 months) | Yes |
| Path to PR and/or citizenship | Possibly (Contact us to learn more) | Yes (conditions apply) | Yes |
| Visa-free Schengen travel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Health Insurance Required | Yes | Yes (to obtain initial 4-month entry visa). Some consulates may accept 4 months, whereas others require 12 months of coverage. | Yes (to obtain initial 4-month entry visa). |
| Family eligibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Return travel ticket | Yes | Yes (to obtain initial 4-month entry visa). | Yes (to obtain the 4-month entry visa). |
What Are The D8 Digital Nomad Visa Program’s Key Financial And Income Requirements For 2024?
| Income Requirements – Additional Dependents | Primary
(Income) |
Partner/Spouse
(Savings) |
Per Dependent Child
(Savings) |
Per Dependent Adult (e.g. Retired Parent) (Savings) |
Family of 4 (2 Adults, 2 Kids): (Income + Savings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNV “Lite” – 12 Month Validity | €3,280+ p.m. in income | €9,840+ (€820 x 12 months) in demonstrable savings | €2,952+ (€246 x 12 months) per child in demonstrable savings | €4,920+ ( €410 x 12 months) per dependent adult in demonstrable savings | €3,280+ p.m. in income
+ €15,744+ in demonstrable savings |
| DNV “Plus” – 24 Month Validity | €3,280+ p.m. in income | €8,460+ (€820 x 12 months) in demonstrable savings | €2,952+ ( €246 x 12 months) per child in demonstrable savings | €4,920+ ( €410 x 12 months) per dependent adult in demonstrable savings | €3,280+ p.m. in income
+ €15,744+ in demonstrable savings |
Please note: This article does not constitute immigration or legal advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. D7 Visa approvals are subject to a high degree of governmental discretion, and the exact income or savings amounts deemed acceptable may vary from one consulate or embassy to the next.
For these reasons it is advisable to check the exact financial and documentation requirements with your local embassy once you’re ready to apply. Also, consider the above amounts to be the bare minimum; the higher your recurring income and/or savings, the better your chances of being approved.
The D8 Visa Application Process At A Glance
Step 1: Book your consular appointment
Step 2: Compile your application file with your service provider (or independently)
Step 3: Attend your embassy appointment
Step 4: Submit your full visa application and receive a decision in around 14-60 days.
Step 5A): Receive your 12-month Digital Nomad Visa;
OR
Step 5B): Receive your temporary entry visa (4-month validity) if you’re applying for the Digital Nomad Residency (24 month validity).
Step 6A: Fly to Portugal and commence your remote working stay;
OR
Step 6B: Fly to Portugal and attend your SEF interview – this is where your Portuguese temporary residency permit is issued (2-year validity) – and commence your Digital Nomad Residency.
Step 7A: Renew your 12-month Digital Nomad Visa for an additional 6 months before returning home;
OR
Step 7B: Renew your 24-month residency permit for an additional 36 months (3 years), and become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years – provided that you’ve met the program’s minimum stay and other requirements.
Our D8 Digital Nomad Visa Program Package: Pricing And Deliverables
12-MONTH DN VISA (LITE):SINGLE APPLICANT
- ☑ Uniplaces Promo Code
- ☑ Application Form Filling
- ☑ Case File Compilation
- ☑ Portuguese Police Clearance
- _
- _
- _
- _
- _
- _
- _
24-MONTH DN RESIDENCY (PLUS):SINGLE APPLICANT
- ☑ Uniplaces Promo Code
- ☑ Application Form Filling
- ☑ Case File Compilation
- ☑ Portuguese Police Clearance
- PLUS
- ☑ Remote Bank Account Opening
- ☑ NIF (Portuguese Fiscal Number)
- ☑ Proof of Accommodation Consultation
- ☑ Accompaniment To SEF Appointment
- _
- _
D7 RESIDENCY:SINGLE APPLICANT
- ☑ Uniplaces Promo Code
- ☑ Application Form Filling
- ☑ Case File Compilation
- ☑ Portuguese Police Clearance
- PLUS
- ☑ Remote Bank Account Opening
- ☑ NIF (Portuguese Fiscal Number)
- ☑ Proof of Accommodation Consultation
- ☑ Accompaniment To SEF Appointment
- ☑ Portuguese Drivers License
- ☑ Healthcare Registration
Our family application facilitation fees
Deliverables as indicated above.
| SERVICE FEE STRUCTURE | 12-MONTH DNV (LITE) | 24-MONTH DNV (PLUS) | D7 RESIDENCY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single/Primary | From €1,000 | From €2,500 | From €2,500 |
| Couple | From €1,500 | From €3,000 | From €3,000 |
| Couple with 1 Child | From €1,500 | From €3,000 | From €3,000 |
| Couple with 2 Children | From €1,500 | From €3,000 | From €3,000 |
What our clients are saying about us…
Obtain your 12-month D8 Digital Nomad Visa OR 2-year Digital Nomad Residency in Portugal in as little as 4-6 months. Get in touch today.
Simply complete the below form to get your Portuguese DNV application process started today.
Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa program overview for 2024 compiled by…
