Portugal has just made it an even more exciting time to be a digital nomad. Offering the first digital nomad visa of its kind in Europe, applications start on October 30, three months after the Portuguese government amended immigration law.
Remote workers can apply for a one-year temporary stay visa or a residency permit that can be renewed for up to five years. Applicants need to make at least €2,800 per month a month, four times the minimum wage in Portugal.
Prior to this visa, there was no visa directed to remote workers wanting to reside in Portugal without a large investment through the Portugal Golden Visa or proof of passive income through the Portugal D7 Visa.
“Digital nomadism is a tendency that has been growing since 2020 and with the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work became the reality of many workers”, Patricia Casaburi, the managing director of Global Citizen Solutions, told Jornal de Negocios.
“This visa will simplify the procedures for foreign citizens who want to come to Portugal, and the country will benefit from the attraction of a new labor market and more human resources,” she added.
Find out whether you are eligible to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa below.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The main requirement for Portugal’s digital nomad visa is your salary. You must have made at least four times Portugal’s minimum wage, €2,800 per month, in the last three months prior to your application.
Only those from outside the EU and EEA can apply. You must also be employed by a company outside of Portugal or self-employed. These will naturally be checked officially through tax residency documents, proof of employment, and proof of income for the last three months.
You can apply for this digital nomad visa at a Portuguese Consulate in your home country or at the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, also known as SEF.
Portugal D7 Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa
Since the covid-19 pandemic, the number of foreign residents in Portugal has increased exponentially through the D7 Visa. Also known as the Retirement or Passive Income Visa, the D7 Visa is a long-term residency visa that was introduced in 2007.
This visa is for non-EU/EEA citizens who want to reside in Portugal and have a reasonable passive income. The minimum passive income required is around €820 per month, the minimum wage.
The Digital Nomad Visa is a new alternative to the D7 Visa. To be eligible for the D7 visa, your earnings must come from passive income, such as a real estate investment.
With the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, you do not need passive income, and your salary is considered eligible. Although the amount is much higher, it is less restricting in this sense.
Portugal has grown in recent years as a location for long-term residency. With a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries, plenty of coworking spaces, and sunny weather all year round, it is no surprise that many are choosing to relocate here.
I’m a Nigerian that resides in Bahrain 🇧🇭. Please 🙏 how can I apply for the nomad digital Visa?
Hi Kevin! We recommend you contact a consulate/embassy in your home country so that you can apply for the visa.
I am from Pakistan i want visat visa of Portugal
Is it known if there is a minimum stay requirement during the 12 months and will digital nomads be required to pay taxes to Portugal on income not sourced from Portugal?
Hi Jasmine! I cannot find any information on the minimum stay requirement yet. About taxes, you could be eligible for the NHR tax regime. Take a look at this tax regime here https://www.portugal.com/moving-to-portugal/guide-to-the-non-habitual-resident-nhr-tax-regime/
hy lara silva ! plz guide me how i can apply this visa?am from pakistan and i want to apply this visa.
Hi Mohsin! To apply you should contact your local Portuguese embassy.
My name is Raja Anwar ul haq from Pakistan
My education qualification Intermediate
I’m interested for Portugal D7visa general workers labour
Please send me details about Portugal work visa
My Email [email protected]
What’s app number+923088533533
Hi Raja! The best way to move forward would be to contact an immigration firm and your local embassy. At the moment, we don’t have any lawyer or lawyers that we can recommend. We are looking at creating a resource to help people find lawyers in the future and will update this article accordingly if that project moves forward.
Do you advise any company/lawyer in Portugal that would help consulting for this digital nomad visa when already living in Portugal? Thank you.
At the moment, we don’t have any lawyers or firms that we can recommend. We are looking at creating a resource to help people find lawyers in the future and will update this article accordingly if that project moves forward.
I want visa of Portugal
How long do you think it would take to get approved if I was to apply on October 30?
I do not have this information yet. However, the processing time for such visas are generally around 60 days depending on your application.
Hi I am an experienced and Skilled Information Technology Manager from Bahrain. Is the Digital Nomad visa same as Article 89 Paragraph 1 or different?
Does it provide a path to PR and Citizenship?
Hi Muhammad! From my understanding, Article 89 refers to the D2 visa. The digital nomad visa provides a path to permanent residency and citizenship, yes.
Hello Lara, the article suggests that it’s possible also to apply at the “Portuguese Immigration and Border Service”. Can this be done outside of home country, e.g. on the border of the Portugal itself before the entry? Any information on how long it takes to get the visa request processed? Thank you! Alex.
Hi Alex,
From my understanding, it would be at the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service online, but I recommend calling your embassy for information. I still cannot access any information on how long the visa takes, but the general rule is around 60 days. When we have more information, I will be making a larger clearer guide to this visa on how to apply.
am musibau from Nigeria I want to know if I can apply online
Hi Musibau! You can call your local Portuguese embassy or check if applications will be open on October 30 online at SEF’s website.
Is there any authoritative source for this Digital Nomad visa announcement ?
Thanks in advance
Hi, what is this Visa called? I have looked and am applying but can only see the Golden, D7 and D2. D2 requires and investment of EU50000 and not an income of 2800. I have also looked at SEF. Could you please provide a link or way to know more about this digital nomad visa.
Hi Mubeen! From what we know now, the name of this visa is the Digital Nomad Visa. The best way to get further information on this recent visa and apply for it is to visit the Portuguese consulate/embassy in your home country or give a call to SEF.
Hi Lara,
I just applied to the new digital nomad visa and was approved in 2 weeks! I’ve been given my SEF appointment which is in June. I am unsure on how many times I am allowed to leave the country within the time before my SEF appointment as I’m not sure if it differs from the D7 which only allows you to leave twice in the 4 months of your temporary stay visa. I can’t see any information about this online…
Any help would be so super appreciated!