10 de July, 2023
Remote workers are welcome in Portugal and can plan a stay in the country. Portugal has a Digital Nomad Visa (or Remote Work Visa) in effect since October 2022. The visa allows digital nomads to live in the country while remotely carrying out their professional activities for foreign companies. In other words: to work abroad from Portugal!
Before its creation, many Portuguese consulates around the world were issuing the D7 Visa for those wishing to work remotely from Portugal. However, the D7 Visa is a type of visa originally intended for holders of passive income, which is not the case for digital nomads. Therefore, aiming to attract income from abroad, the Portuguese government created a specific visa targeted towards this audience. Find out here how it works, how to apply and what its requirements will be.
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
Digital nomads are professionals who work online and do not need to attend a physical office to perform their activities. This allows them to have employment contracts in their home countries while carrying out their work from anywhere on the planet.
It is estimated that 35 million professionals worldwide have embraced the nomadic lifestyle, according to the Global Migration Trends Report 2022. It is expected that one billion people will adopt this mode of work by 2035.
Portugal has already been considered one of the best destinations in the world for remote workers and some regions of the country are already investing in this audience. One example is Ponta do Sol, on the island of Madeira, where the headquarters of Europe’s first digital nomad village, the Digital Nomad Village, is located. According to a survey conducted by the real estate broker Global Savillis, the Portuguese capital Lisbon was voted the best city to work in this model, followed by Miami, in the USA.
Read also: Discover the Digital Nomad Visa Spain!
The Remote Work Visa can be requested by professionals who are not citizens of the European Union and wish to migrate to Portugal for the purpose of performing salaried work or independent professional activity for companies located abroad. It is necessary to meet the minimum requirements described below.
Want to Live as a Digital Nomad in Portugal? Talk to an Expert
The main requirement to apply for the Remote Work Visa is to have an average monthly income equivalent to four times the current Portuguese minimum wage (4 x 820 euros).
That is, a monthly salary of at least 3,280 euros (in 2024), for the main applicant.
Discover Spain Digital Nomad Visa
You need to provide one of the following documents as proof of average monthly income for the last three months of work.
Find out what it’s like to be a Digital Nomad in Lisbon
Yes. The following family members can be reunited:
Regarding the values to be proven for family reunification, two different values come into play:
This is the salary amount to be proven according to the income tax declaration. In the case of the Digital Nomad Visa, the minimum monthly income required for the main applicant already covers dependents/family members.
Main Applicant: 4 x Minimum Wage (MW) = €3,280
To demonstrate that the applicant can sustain themselves in Portugal, they will also be required to make a deposit in a Portuguese bank account. It is important to note that this amount does not need to remain in the investor’s account throughout the entire year. It can be used by the applicant as they wish after obtaining their residence permit. The calculated amount is as follows:
| Number of Applicants | Amount to be deposited |
| Single Applicant | €9,840 |
| Couple | €14,760 |
| Couple with 1 Child | €17,712 |
| Couple with 2 Children | €20,664 |
There are two categories of visas in Portugal, concerning their duration:
The Temporary Stay Visa (VET) will grant the right to reside in the country for a period of up to 12 months. Perfect for nomads who are used to spending shorter periods of time in different countries, traveling around the world in search of new scenarios and experiences.
The Residence Visa grants the right to a two-year temporary residence permit, renewable for another 3 years. After living in the country for a total of 5 years, the individual can apply for permanent residency and live in Portugal for as long as they wish.
The consular fee for a Temporary Stay Visa (VET) is €75.
As for the Residence Visa , with a duration of more than one year, the amount to be paid is €90.
Attention: These values are subject to constant updates, so be sure to check the current rate.
It´s no wonder that Portugal is a popular destination for Digital Nomads. The advantages are many and go beyond the low cost of living and the mild climate. Portugal is also known for its security, excellent cuisine and high-speed internet. A large number of Portuguese speak English well, in addition to languages such as Spanish and French. The country also has an easy connection with the main European cities, with 10 airports: Porto, Lisbon, Faro (the main ones), Beja, Madeira, Porto Santo, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Horta and Flores.
Not to mention that, when living legally in Portugal, the digital nomad will be allowed to travel visa-free throughout the “Schengen Area”, an area created by convention between 26 European countries in which there are no border or customs controls.
Finally, after residing legally in Portugal for 5 years, the remote worker can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship and enjoy all its benefits.
If you are interested in exercising your professional activity remotely, in Portugal, talk to our consultants now and ask for your visa!
Want to Live as a Digital Nomad in Portugal? Talk to an Expert
Author:
Silvia Resende
