Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

The Portugal D8 visa, known as the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, is issued to non-EU and non-EEA freelancers, remote workers, and their families.
To qualify, applicants confirm remote income of at least €3,680 per month and buy or rent housing in Portugal.
Digital nomads choose one of the two types of a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: a temporary stay visa, with the validity of up to a year, or a residency visa, allowing for a 5-year stay in the country.
To maintain the status, Digital Nomad Visa holders need to move to Portugal. Five years of residing in the country open a path to citizenship.
10 benefits of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Favourable conditions for digital nomads
Portugal is ranked 8th best country[1] for digital nomads, according to the Digital Nomad Visa Index. The country boasts a high Internet speed, affordable costs, and an extensive expat community.
The country’s capital, Lisbon, ranks in the top-10 best cities for digital nomads[2].
Residency for the whole family
Digital Nomads obtain residence permits to Portugal with the entire family, including a spouse, children up to 30, and parents of any age.
Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
Residents of Portugal are allowed to travel to any Schengen country visa-free. The total length of their stay in the Schengen Area amounts to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Path to permanent residence and citizenship
After being a resident of Portugal for 5 years, a digital nomad can apply for permanent residency or citizenship. Applicants do not need to renounce their existing passports.
Birthright citizenship for newborns
A child born to digital nomads in Portugal is entitled to citizenship by birth. To qualify, the child’s parents must be legal residents of Portugal for at least one year prior to the birth.
Affordable cost of living
Portugal ranks 18th across the EU as per the level of prices, with the price level index 13% below the EU average.
The country’s prices are comparable to those of Greece, Czechia, and Slovenia and are about 20% lower than in Germany and France[3].
Moving to a safe country
Portugal was recognised as the 7th safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2025[4]. The country boasts low levels of crime and homicides and is safer than most of the European countries.
Opening bank accounts in the EU
Residents of Portugal have the right to open accounts in European banks. They get access to a wide range of banking services and can make facilitated money transfers across the EU via the SEPA — the Single Euro Payments Area.
Access to European medicine
Portuguese residents seek medical treatment in Portugal. They can also obtain a European Health Insurance Card — an EHIC — to get medical treatment in any of the 29 EU countries under the same conditions as people insured in that country.
Opportunity to get European-level education
Residence permit holders get free education in public schools and universities of Portugal. The country houses 5 higher education institutions included in the top-500 world’s best universities, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026[5].
Practical guide to obtaining a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
- Step-by-step procedure
- Requirements to applicants
- Necessary documents
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to obtain a Portugal D8 visa
Main applicant
- Non-EU and non-EEA citizen
- Over 18
- No criminal record
- Having a remote work, which is confirmed by corresponding documents
- Earning €3,680 or more per month
- Having housing in Portugal, either owned or rented
Spouse
- Over 18
- No criminal record
- In an official marriage or partnership with the main applicant
Children
- Financially dependent on the main applicant
- Unmarried, if over 18
Parents
- Of the main applicant or a spouse
- Financially dependent on the main applicant
Savings and real estate requirements for digital nomads in Portugal
In addition to confirming the required income, a foreigner must prove that they have at least €11,040 in savings. This amount applies to a single applicant and increases by 30% or 50% for family members included in the application.
A digital nomad is also required to rent or purchase residential property in Portugal. The legislation does not specify a minimum cost or size for the property. In the case of renting, the applicant must conclude a rental agreement for at least 4 months for a temporary stay visa, and for at least 1 year for a residence permit.
| Monthly income, irrespective of the family size | €3,680+ |
| Savings for the main applicant | €11,040+ |
| Savings to join a spouse or a parent | €5,520+ |
| Savings to join a child, irrespective of age | €3,332+ |
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa cost
Expenses of a digital nomad obtaining residency in Portugal include property costs, health insurance, and fees for processing applications and issuance of residence permit cards. Total expenses depend on the number of family members included in the application.
If the applicant chooses purchasing property rather than renting one, they will additionally need to pay stamp duty, a transfer tax[6], and an annual property tax[7].
Digital nomad’s expenses for obtaining a Portugal D8 visa
| Expenses | Amount |
| Purchasing or renting housing | No special requirements |
| Stamp duty, if purchasing property | 0.8% of the property’s value |
| Property transfer tax, if purchasing property | 0—8% of the property’s value |
| Annual property tax, if purchasing property | 0.3 to 0.8% of the property’s value |
| Travel insurance when applying for a visa | €14+ per month |
| Visa application fee | €110 per applicant |
| Residency application processing fee | €99.80 |
| Fee for a residence permit card | €85.80 per applicant |
| Health insurance when applying for a residence permit | €20+ |
Individual cost calculation for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Documents to obtain a Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa
Applicants for a Portugal D8 Visa prepare the following pack of documents:
- visa application, duly completed and signed by the applicant;
- two recent passport-size photos;
- international passport or another travel document, and a copy thereof;
- apostilled certificate of criminal record issued by the country of the applicant’s current residency;
- permission to check criminal status in Portugal;
- employment contract, services agreement, or an employer’s statement proving the employment relationship and showing a gross monthly salary of at least €3,680, or documents confirming self-employment;
- document attesting one’s tax residency;
- proof of means of subsistence, such as bank statements, for the preceding six months;
- valid health insurance.
Obtaining a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa step-by-step
Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa to Portugal takes from six months. Immigrant Invest lawyers accompany applicants throughout the entire process.
Preliminary Due Diligence
Prior to signing an agreement with Immigrant Invest, all applicants undergo a preliminary check. The check helps identify any obstacles that may arise during the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa obtaining process.
Immigrant Invest lawyers check the applicant’s data against international databases. If any risks of denial exist, we suggest alternative solutions.
The preliminary Due Diligence takes 1 business day and is fully confidential.
Extension of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
The initial residence permit for digital nomads in Portugal is valid for two years. Later, the permit can be extended for an additional three years, provided that one of the following conditions is met:
- applicant has spent in Portugal at least 1.5 years in a row; or
- applicant has lived in Portugal for a total of 16 months within the 2 years of holding a residence permit.
A 3-year residence permit can be renewed for an unlimited number of times. To do this, one must stay in Portugal for a minimum of:
- 2.5 years in a row; or
- for 28 months in total within the 3 years of holding a residence permit.
Getting permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal after the Digital Nomad Visa
After five years of living in Portugal with a Digital Nomad Visa, a foreigner becomes entitled to permanent residency and citizenship[8]. To qualify, they must fulfil the same conditions as required for permit extension.
To obtain a Portuguese passport, applicants need to prove a substantial link with the national community and pass a test on the knowledge of Portuguese.
Portugal allows dual citizenship, so candidates do not need to renounce their existing passports, unless their home country requires them to do so.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa vs. Digital Nomad Visas in other countries
Alongside Portugal, other European countries also offer Digital Nomad Visas for remote workers. In all cases, foreigners must prove that they have a stable active income from abroad.
Requirements for minimum income, savings, and family eligibility vary depending on the country.
Digital Nomad Visas: comparison of key criteria
|
Criteria |
Portugal |
Spain |
Hungary |
Malta |
Italy |
|
Monthly income |
€3,680+ |
€2,849+ |
€3,000+ |
€3,500+ |
€2,700+ |
|
Savings |
€11,040+ |
— |
€10,000+ |
— |
€30,000+ |
|
Processing time |
6+ months |
4+ months |
3+ months |
2+ months |
4+ months |
|
Validity |
2 years, subject to one extension for 3 years |
3 years, subject to one extension for 2 years |
1 year, subject to one extension |
1 year, subject to three extensions |
1 year, subject to one extension for 2 years |
|
Eligible dependants |
Spouse or partner, children, parents |
Spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings |
None |
Spouse, children |
Spouse, children under 18, parents |
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Trust your reliable agent
Immigrant Invest offers Digital Nomad Portugal legal help to obtain the D8 visa. We are well-versed in all migration specifics and strictly follow the legal framework.
Our membership in the Investment Migration Council, the leading global association for industry experts, reflects our commitment to the highest standards of integrity.
Our team also includes certified AML Officers. They conduct a preliminary Due Diligence check, which reduces the risk of a visa and residence permit refusal to 1%.
Your Digital Nomad team
Our legal and migration experts know Portuguese laws inside out and are ready to ensure a fast and smooth process of obtaining your Digital Nomad Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources:
- Source: VisaGuide.World: Complete Ranking List
- Source: As cites CNBC
- Source: According to Eurostat: Household consumption, price levels in 2024
- Source: Vision of Humanity: Global Peace Index 2025 Map
- Source: QS World University Rankings 2026: Best universities in Portugal
- Source: Public Services Portal of the Portuguese Republic: Purchase and sale of real estate in Portugal
- Source: AICEP, Portuguese Trade and Investment Agency: Municipal Property Tax
- Source: Public Services Portal of the Portuguese Republic: Acquisition of Portuguese nationality
- Source: Worldwide Tax Summaries: Taxes on personal income in Portugal
