Portugal D8 digital nomad visa guide

The basics

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists two national visa options for remote work, described as a "digital nomad" visa: a temporary stay visa and a residency visa. The official residency documentation page lists the initial documents and an income test for this visa (see Documents). Confirm details with the consulate handling your application before applying.

Validity

Residency visa: 4 months, with two entries. Temporary stay visa: stays of less than one year, with multiple entries.

Stay per entry

Not stated in the sources reviewed.

Where you apply

Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (vistos.mne.gov.pt) using the national visa application form, at a Portuguese consular post.

Fee

The national visa application form is free. The visa fee amount is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Who it's for

Official sources list "Remote Work / Digital Nomad" as a purpose covered by both a temporary stay visa and a residency visa for the exercise of a professional activity done remotely. Visa requirements and exemptions vary by nationality, so check the rules that apply to your passport.

• The official residency documentation page covers 'the exercise of a professional activity done remotely: digital nomads', for employees (subordinate work) and for independent professionals.
• It sets an income test: proof of average monthly income for the last three months, equivalent to at least four times the monthly minimum guaranteed remuneration.

How to apply

Based on available sources, national visa applications are lodged through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (vistos.mne.gov.pt) using the national visa application form, which is free. The form lists the embassy or consulate and a service provider as lodging options, and where to lodge depends on your country of residence.

• Complete the national visa application form (Residence and Temporary Stay). It asks for the number of entries requested, 2 or multiple.
• Lodge the application with the competent Portuguese consular post or its service provider.
• If you receive a residency visa, apply to AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) for a residence permit within the 4 months of visa validity.

Documents

For the residency visa, the official documentation page lists these as the mandatory initial documents for remote work. The consular post may request additional documents at its discretion. The page is for the residency visa, and the temporary stay visa documents may differ.

• National visa application form (Residence and Temporary Stay), free of charge according to the form itself.
• Employees (subordinate work): a work contract, or a declaration by the employer confirming the labour link.
• Independent professionals: a society contract, a contract of services provision, or a document attesting the services provided to one or more entities.
• Proof of average monthly income for the last three months, with a minimum value equivalent to four times the monthly minimum guaranteed remuneration.
• A document attesting your fiscal residence.
• For proof of means of subsistence, the funds considered are those arising from a contract, a society contract or a service provider contract.

Stay and extensions

Official sources indicate that a residency visa is valid for 4 months with two entries, and its holder must apply to AIMA for a residence permit within that period. Temporary stay visas allow stays of less than one year with multiple entries.

The official sources reviewed do not give D8-specific rules on residence permit duration, renewal or extension.

Things to confirm

• The current euro value of the monthly minimum guaranteed remuneration, to work out the income threshold.
• The visa fee and the residence permit fee.
• Required passport validity and any further documents your consulate asks for.
• Documents for the temporary stay visa, which the residency page does not cover.
• The length of the first residence permit and the renewal terms.
• Current D8 requirements, since Portugal's rules for foreign nationals change. Check vistos.mne.gov.pt and aima.gov.pt.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.