Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Made Simple for 2025

Global mobility isn’t what it used to be.

Borders are tightening, golden visa programs are vanishing, and even citizens of wealthy nations are finding it harder to move freely.

But while many doors are closing, new ones are opening – especially for remote workers.

In a world where traditional immigration routes are under pressure, digital nomad visas are giving globally-minded professionals a fresh way to live and work abroad.

And no country has embraced this shift quite like Portugal.

Already a magnet for expats and investors, Portugal now offers one of the world’s most appealing digital nomad visas – the D8 Visa – designed specifically for remote workers with a steady income.

From beach towns in the Algarve to the buzzing streets of Lisbon, digital nomads are setting up shop right across the country.

So, what’s drawing them in? More importantly – how can you join them?

The Nomad Capitalist team has put together the in-depth guide breaking down everything you need to know about the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: the benefits, the application process, and what it’s really like to live and work remotely in one of Europe’s most liveable countries.

Benefits of a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal is a magnet for nomads seeking a European lifestyle with global advantages.

These include: 

• European Base: Portugal is a good choice for expats, especially those who want a base in the European Union.
• Excellent Quality of Life: From the relaxed Mediterranean beach vibes of the Algarve to the lively city energy of Lisbon. 
• Visa-free Travel: Enjoy visa-free access to the EU and the entire Schengen Area.
• Fast Naturalisation: Residents can naturalise after five years, become Portuguese citizens, and gain one of the strongest passports in the world. 
• Cost of Living: While it’s not the bargain it once was, the cost of living is still reasonable compared to other Western European countries, particularly outside the main city centres. 
• Startup Hub: For startups and investors, Portugal is a superb launchpad into the wider EU market. 

The D8 Visa Portugal

The key attributes of the Portugal ​​D8 Visa are:

• The initial validity of the visa is four months, after which you can apply for a residence permit that’s good for two years, with the option to extend it for another three years
• A temporary stay visa costs just €75, and a long-term visa €90
• Applicants can include dependents, including spouse, children and parents
• Provides a launch pad for European citizenship.

The Portugal D8 Visa or Digital Nomad Visa specifically caters to remote workers and freelancers who earn their income from clients or employers based outside Portugal and who can meet the requirements, including:

• Be an individual who is not an EU/EEA national or a Swiss citizen
• Hold a valid passport and any necessary travel authorisations
• Proof of an employment contract or service contract with an entity based outside Portugal
• Meet the minimum income requirement of €3,480 per month
• Have comprehensive health insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Provide a clean criminal background check
• Meet the minimum stay requirement of 183 days per year.

As with many digital nomad visas, the income requirement is tied to the national minimum wage, meaning, as of 2025, this amount is €3,480 per month after taxes. If you want to include a dependent, this figure increases by €435 per month per dependent; for a minor dependent, there is an additional €261.

After arriving in Portugal, applicants must register for a Portuguese tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal).

You may also be required to open a Portuguese bank account. To do this, you will need your Portuguese tax number, ID, proof of address and proof of employment and income.

What differentiates the Portugal D8 from similar digital nomad visas is that applicants can opt for a temporary stay visa, valid for up to one year, or a longer residency visa in Portugal.

If you opt for the residency option, it’s a step toward a permanent residence permit and, subsequently, the potential for citizenship.

D8 Application Process

Whether applying for the temporary or longer stay option, you will need the following documentation:

• Your valid passport
• Passport photos
• Agreements or work contracts, as proof of remote work
• Proof of accommodation (e.g. rental agreement) while in Portugal
• Bank statements showing evidence of consistent income
• Proof of qualifying health insurance
• Clean criminal background check
• Your Portuguese tax identification number.

Once you have compiled all documentation and filled out your D8 application form, you then submit it to a Portuguese consulate or embassy.

If you intend to go down the long-term residency route, once you arrive in Portugal and before your visa expires, you need to apply for your residency permit.

Alternative Paths to Portugal

If the D8 Digital Nomad Visa is not what you are looking for or the requirements are not a fit, Portugal has other visa options. 

D7 Visa (Passive Income/Retirement)

Often referred to as the ‘retirement’ or ‘passive income’ visa, the D7 Visa caters to individuals who can sustain themselves through reliable income sources generated outside of Portugal.

At first glance, this visa looks similar to the D8 Visa. However, income must originate from pensions, rental earnings, dividends, or royalties.

As with the D8, applicants must demonstrate that their monthly income is at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage.

In addition to verifying a consistent income stream, applicants are required to provide proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a rental agreement, along with private health insurance that covers their stay. 

This initial visa allows entry into Portugal, where the applicant can then proceed to apply for the renewable residence permit.

Portugal’s Golden Visa

For high-net-worth individuals, the Portugal Golden Visa program has long been the favoured option for second residence.

Unfortunately, changes to the Golden Visa program at the end of 2023 have eliminated the direct real estate purchase route.

Thankfully, several qualifying investment options remain available, allowing prospective investors to:

• Invest at least €500,000 in a Portuguese company, provided it generates and maintains a number of jobs.
• Invest a minimum of €500,000 in approved investment funds, particularly those that do not centre on the Portuguese real estate market.
• Invest €500,000 in qualifying research and development projects within Portugal.
• Additionally, philanthropic avenues are available, requiring donations of at least €250,000 for sanctioned arts or national cultural heritage initiatives.

Despite changes to the Portugal Golden Visa, it still offers a relatively straightforward route to citizenship after only five years of legal residency, unlocking one of the world’s most respected passports and the ability to live anywhere in the EU.

Life as a Digital Nomad in Portugal

As with any digital nomad hotspot, your lifestyle preferences will ultimately determine your living costs and where you base yourself in Portugal.

Cost of Living

Portugal is seen as a budget-friendly option compared to other Western European countries. Cost-of-living indices show that Portugal generally has lower living expenses than countries like France, Germany and the UK.

Major cities like Lisbon can be more expensive, with living costs significantly higher than smaller cities such as Coimbra and Braga.

• A one-bedroom flat in central Lisbon may cost between €1,100 and €2,000, while in Coimbra, it could be as low as €450 to €600.
• Dining out averages €9 to €12 for lunch and €40 to €60 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant.

• Utilities for a standard apartment average €110 to €130 monthly, plus around €35 to €40 for internet.
• Public transport passes are typically €40, while petrol costs about €1.80 to €1.90 per litre.
• A gym membership costs about €35 to €40.
• Private health insurance ranges from €35 to over €85 monthly
• International school fees can hit between €8,000 and over €25,000 annually per child.

Where to Live

Choosing where to settle in Portugal is nearly as important as choosing the country itself, given its diverse regions, customs, living costs and lifestyles.

Lisbon, along with areas like Cascais and Sintra, is vibrant and cultured but comes with a higher price tag.

Porto, the charming second city in the north, provides a strong business climate and is the gateway to the scenic Douro wine valley, typically at a lower cost than Lisbon.

The touristy Algarve is known for its stunning beaches, while the Silver Coast (Costa de Prata) offers a more traditional Portuguese feel, appealing to retirees and expats seeking better property value.

Inland Portugal and cities like Coimbra and Tomar are known for their rich heritage.

Madeira, the Island of Flowers and the Hawaii of Europe, the Azores are renowned for their natural beauty and cultural distinctiveness. Madeira also offers specific business and tax advantages.

Taxes in Portugal

Understanding taxes in Portugal starts with tax residency. You are considered a tax resident if you spend over 183 days in the country or make it your primary home.

As a tax resident, you’re taxed on all worldwide income, with rates ranging from 13% to 48%, plus a potential solidarity tax for higher incomes.

In 2024, the ‘Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation’ (IFICI or NHR 2.0) was introduced, offering a flat 20% tax on certain local earnings for ten years and exemptions on various foreign income (excluding pensions).

However, eligibility is limited to high-level researchers, academics and specific tech roles in approved projects, making it less accessible than the previous NHR scheme.

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: FAQs 

Will Portugal Treat You Best? 

Moving to Portugal and getting straightforward EU residency and a path to a top-tier passport in five years allows you to access the rest of Europe freely.

Sounds great – and it is. But, despite its charms, Portugal isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution that will solve everyone’s problems about where to go next.

The standard tax rates for residents are undeniably high, impacting your global earnings significantly unless you fit the narrow niche of the new NHR 2.0 scheme. 

If your priorities lie in maximum tax efficiency, perhaps the zero-income-tax environment of other digital nomad locations may be more appealing. 

Or, if rock-bottom living costs and a simple territorial tax system appeal, maybe the likes of Costa Rica or Panama warrant investigation. 

The point is that you have lots of options, and figuring out the best combination of visa, tax, investment and lifestyle factors across different countries is complex. 

At Nomad Capitalist, crafting bespoke, holistic strategies is what we do. We analyse your unique situation and help you plant your flags where you are treated best. 

If you’re ready to move beyond generic advice and build a plan for freedom and prosperity, perhaps it’s time we talked? Get in touch today.