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Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Feb 6th, 2023

Known for its mild climate and striking views, Portugal offers so much to explore, from cities like Lisbon and Porto to the many seaside destinations along the Iberian Peninsula. It’s no surprise that Portugal has become an increasingly popular place for remote workers to live, and that interest in the Portugal digital nomad visa has increased dramatically over the past few months.

As of October 30th, 2022, expats can petition the Portuguese government for a digital nomad visa. Foreigners who want to experience the Portuguese lifestyle (and excellent weather) will no longer need to go through a lengthy immigration process. Before this new legislation [assed, expats who wanted to work remotely in Portugal needed to apply for the D7 visa, which was mainly for foreigners wanting to retire.

Here is a look at everything you need to know about the new digital nomad visa program in Portugal, including who is eligible to apply. 

Who will be able to apply for the visa? 

The new digital nomad visa in Portugal is specifically for foreigners that live outside of the EU Schengen/the EEA (European Economic Area), and for British citizens post-Brexit who are no longer residents of the European Union (EU).

To be considered for this visa type, and what makes it different from the D7 visa, is that the Portuguese digital nomad visa is specifically for remote workers living outside of the EU Schengen area/the EEA.

What are the requirements for a Portugal digital nomad visa?

The main requirements to apply for this new visa is that you need to be 1) a remote worker and 2) employed by a foreign company. 

To apply for a digital nomad visa in Portugal, you will need to complete the following:

  • Provide proof of an employment contract with your current company.

  • Have been with a stable employee for at least 12 months.

  • Provide proof of permanent tax residence, usually through a rental agreement.

  • Complete formal authorization letter from your employer that gives you permission to live and work within the country for the company remotely. 

  • Prove that you make 4 times the Portuguese monthly minimum wage at 2,820 euros, deposited into a Portuguese bank account. What makes the new digital nomad visa different from the current D7 visa is the amount of monthly income the applicant will have to prove.

  • If possible, show some sort of additional passive income, including real estate, trust, and royalties. This can help make your application successful. 

  • Provide a clean criminal record and background check (for security reasons) from your country of origin to be considered for a digital nomad visa in Portugal. This was a standard part of the application for the D7 visa. 

  • Provide proof of accommodation (address) of where you plan to stay for the duration of your visa)

  • Schedule an appointment and submit your application for this new visa at either your Portuguese consulate in your home country, or, if you’re already in Portugal, at an SEF (the Foreign Borders Office). 

There government may add or remove requirements as the country transitions from having remote workers applying for the D7 visa to this new digital nomad visa. Without providing a clean criminal record, proof of income, proof of employment contract, and other required documents, you will not meet the correct qualifications for this temporary residence visa. 

Incomes taxes for digital nomads in Portugal

Although you’ll still be working for a company based in your home country, you will be required to pay Portuguese income tax. Your tax residency will still depend entirely on your country of origin. 

How long will the digital nomad visa be valid? 

Right now, there are two different types of digital nomad visas that you can apply for: 

  • Short stay (temporary residence visa) 

  • Residency visa/permit

The short stay digital nomad visa allows you to live and work in the country for up to 12 months, with the option to renew every year for an additional 2 years. Without a visa, you can remain in Portugal for 90 continuous days (or 6 months in one year).

If you plan to stay in Portuguese for longer than 2 years, you should indicate in your initial application that you want to apply for a digital nomad visa, with the option to eventually apply for a permanent residency permit. This option will allow you to live and stay in Portugal permanently. 

Will the digital nomad visa cause internal problems? 

Digital nomads and remote workers have increasingly been a concern in countries like Spain, Mexico, and other places in Latin America and Europe, because they lead to gentrification.Many digital nomads come to these countries hoping to get a taste of the culture and environment, but end up leaving local communities with a lot more problems, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the densely populated island of Madeira.

With the new influx of countries offering digital nomad visas, many local residents of countries throughout the world have issued concerns about how these expats will impact the cost of living. 

Surf journalist, Ben Mondy, recently addressed how the new digital nomad visas are giving extra incentives to surfers to move to the country to pursue the sport. He voiced concerns that “uncontrolled growth has placed great pressure on the environment, the economy, and socio-cultural segments of society.” Many locals in Portugal have already begun voicing concerns about rent prices and the cost of living in Portugal increasing, especially with the influx of high-paid workers moving to Porto and Lisbon. 

So, while applying for a digital nomad visa may open up experiences for you, you should strongly consider doing research about how to travel responsibly and what sustainable ecotourism means. Wanting to explore the world and immerse yourself in culture allows you to become a well-rounded person, but doing it at the cost of other people’s livelihoods has long-lasting impacts. 

Why companies choose Via

For some remote workers, the digital nomad visa isn’t the right path. 

Many businesses want to hire remote employees around the world, but are unsure of how to build a hub in a new country. Via makes hiring international talent seamless. With our-easy-to-use platform, Via manages the local HR processes for global employment such as work visas and permits, benefits, payroll, background checks, and more. Our team of local labor lawyers and on-the-ground experts ensure that your company remains compliant while expanding abroad. As your employer-of-record/entity, Via assumes responsibility for employment liability, so that you can focus on what matters: recruiting and managing your team. 

With Via’s transparent pricing, you can pay full-time employees or contractors across borders with no hidden set-up fees, no foreign exchange or transaction fees, and no minimums–start with 1 employee and scale up at your own pace. You can get started in 1-2 business days.

Need help building your global team?

Janelle Watson
Janelle Watson
My name is Janelle Watson and I'm a Colorado native. I have a BA in English from University of Colorado Colorado Springs and an MA in English from University of Colorado Denver. Before moving to blog and copywriting, I was an English teacher for 3 years at the University of Colorado in Denver. Prior to writing for Via, I wrote reviews and content for a local concert and promotion company in Denver.

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  • Do digital nomads pay tax in Portugal? 

  • Can I move to Portugal with a remote job? 

  • Who qualifies for a Golden Visa in Portugal?