Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Complete Guide

The Digital Nomad Visa is open to non-EU and non-EEA nationals with a clean criminal record who are over the age of 18 and work fully remotely for companies outside of Portugal while earning a minimum income of €3,680 per month in 2026.

The Portuguese government calculates this threshold as exactly four times the Portuguese national minimum wage, and in 2026, it was increased from €860 to €920.

Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) uses the indexed minimum monthly wage at the time of your appointment, and not the wage at the date of initial filing. 

Eligibility for the main applicant 

As the main applicant, you need to meet all of these conditions:

• Be a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland
• Be over 18 years old
• Work fully remotely, as an employee, freelancer, or business owner
• Earn at least €3,680 per month from outside Portugal
• Have at least €11,040 in savings
• Have a place to live in Portugal for at least 12 months
• Have travel health insurance for the visa stage, and health coverage for the residence-permit stage
• Have a clean criminal record

Can freelancers and employees both apply for the D8 Visa? 

Yes, they can, as long as their primary income is paid by a company that is not based in Portugal. Freelancers need to have contracts in place with one or more clients outside of Portugal, while full-time employees must have a valid employment contract in place that shows the role is remote.

Both types of workers must have a minimum monthly income of €3,680, regardless of how many clients or contracts they have.

Remote business owners can also qualify, but you’ll need to show proof of the business’s registration, a description of what the business does, and provide income records. 

Who can be included as a family member? 

The residence visa allows for family reunification, and you can include family members, such as a spouse or dependent child, when you submit your application to the consulate. Otherwise, you can only bring your family after you have had legal residency in Portugal for at least two years.

If you want to include family members in your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa application, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Marriage certificate (certified by Apostille)
• Birth certificate for dependents (certified by Apostille)
• Passport photos

US citizens can apply for the D8 Visa provided they meet the income threshold and can demonstrate that their work is fully remote and that their income is derived from outside Portugal.

In the US, applications are handled through VFS Global, the official consular services provider, which operates visa application centers in Houston, Miami, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. You will need to attend your appointment in person at the center covering your jurisdiction.

There is also a VFS branch in New York, and the consulates in Boston, New Bedford, and Newark also accept applications. 

Remote Worker Visa for US Green Card holders 

If you hold a valid US Green Card but are not a US citizen, you can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa from within the United States, provided your residence status remains valid throughout the application process.

Many of the requirements are the same, but there are some differences. For example, instead of a police clearance certificate, you must submit an FBI Background Check and a criminal record from your country of nationality. You also need to prove your legal residency in the US. 

D8 Visa for Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens 

Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders are eligible for the D8 Visa with the same requirements as everyone else. While they don’t need a visa to enter Portugal for visits of up to 90 days, they do require a residency permit for longer stays and working remotely.

Your application is submitted through the Portuguese Consulate or VFS center with jurisdiction over your place of residence in your home country, and the same income and documentation requirements apply.

D8 Visa for UK citizens and other nationalities

Whether you’re from the UK, India, Brazil, South Africa, or elsewhere, you apply through the Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global center that covers where you live. The same income threshold and document requirements apply to every nationality.

However, depending on your nationality, you could face extra background checks, which can add time to the process.

Can EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens apply for the D8 Visa?

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, an EEA country, or Switzerland, the D8 Visa doesn’t apply to you. Under EU freedom of movement rules, you have the right to live in Portugal, but if you stay for more than three months, you must register for a Portugal CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia).

Before you start your visa application, ensure you have all the necessary documents. Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) has over 100 expert team members, and we can handle the entire process with you.

Every client gets a dedicated Relationship Manager and a plan tailored to their life, taking the stress out of the application and document verification.

If non-EU countries issue some of the documents, they must authenticate them with an Apostille from the issuing country for use in another country.

The required documents are divided into three sections: national visa, D8-specific, and family-related visas. 

Checklist for national visa documents 

• Completed national visa application form 
• Two recent passport photos 
• Valid passport and a photocopy of the details page 
• Proof of valid travel health insurance coverage during the visa stage 
• Certificate of a clean criminal record or background checks 
• Proof that your monthly income meets the minimum requirements 

Checklist for D8-specific documents 

• Proof of remote work through a work contract, letter of employment, or partnership agreement 
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal 
• Latest income tax return or tax receipts 
• Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) 
• Cover letter explaining the purpose of your Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa application 
• Completed the Portugal D8 Visa application form 

Checklist for including family members 

• Marriage certificate (certified by Apostille) 
• Birth certificate for dependents (certified by Apostille) 
• Passport photos 

You apply for the D8 Visa through the Portuguese Consulate or VFS Global center that covers your place of residence, and the process continues in Portugal with AIMA once your visa is issued.

Our team will help you determine the appropriate jurisdiction for your application (VFS center or Portuguese Consulate), establish your timeline, and arrange a suitable appointment, ensuring the process aligns with your availability and next steps.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Choose Your Visa Type 

We’ll set up a call with a GCS relationship manager and legal team, where we review your situation, confirm eligibility, and outline the documents required.

At this stage, you’ll also decide between the temporary-stay visa and the residence visa. If you plan to live in Portugal for up to a year and then move on, the temporary-stay visa may suit you, but it doesn’t count toward permanent residency or citizenship. If you want to stay longer, bring family members with you, or build toward permanent residency, the residence visa is the route that leads to a two-year residence permit. 

Step 2: Get your NIF, open a bank account, and secure accommodation 

As part of the requirements, there are a few administrative steps before you can apply, and they follow a set order. You need your NIF first, because Portuguese banks require it to open an account, and most landlords ask for it before signing a lease. Once you have your NIF, you can open your bank account and secure your accommodation.

We can help you get a tax identification number in Portugal and assist you with opening a bank account. Through our sister company Goldcrest Real Estate, we can also help you find accommodation or real estate if you want to buy property. 

Step 3: Gather and legalize your documents 

GCS will support you in gathering and validating the required documents to ensure your visa application is complete. Documents issued outside Portugal usually need an Apostille, and documents that aren’t in Portuguese or English need a certified translation. The names on your passport, contracts, bank statements, and certificates should also match exactly, as inconsistencies can delay your application.

Your file will be carefully reviewed so that all personal and financial information is accurate and properly prepared before submission at the VFS center or Consulate. 

Step 4: Book your appointment and submit 

We will guide you through the submission of your application and supporting documents. At this stage, you will submit your file (sometimes including your passport) and pay the Digital Nomad Visa application fee of €109.40.

AIMA is the official source for D8 Visa requirements, but you don’t apply through AIMA at this stage. Your application is submitted through the Portuguese Consulate or VFS center with jurisdiction over your place of residence. 

Step 5: Wait for the decision and collect your visa 

Processing by the consulate typically takes around 60 days. You will receive a confirmation email once your D8 Visa is approved, and our team remains available throughout to respond to any requests from the authorities. Once approved, you may collect your passport with the visa affixed or arrange for it to be returned via registered post. The visa is valid for 120 days, during which you must enter Portugal. 

Step 6: Enter Portugal and register as a resident 

With your visa issued, you can travel to Portugal and begin preparing for your AIMA appointment, where your biometrics will be captured. 

Your approved D8 Visa allows you to legally enter Portugal. The time frame is long enough so that you can wrap up any outstanding issues in your home country and prepare to move your belongings to Portugal. Once you are in Portugal, you must apply for your residence permit with AIMA. 

Entering Portugal and attending your AIMA appointment 

The visa gives you a 120-day window with two entries for moving to Portugal. Typically, during this time you’ll have an appointment with AIMA, where the agency collects your biometric information for your residency permit.

During your biometrics appointment, your fingerprints, photograph, and signature will be collected. You’ll need to provide AIMA with the same documents that you used to apply for the visa, and pay the residence permit fee of €185.60.

At the end of the appointment, you will receive a residency permit receipt. Your residency card will then be delivered to your address after a few weeks.

How long is the D8 residence permit valid? 

The residence permit is valid for two years and can be renewed for another three years. After five years of residency, you can apply for permanent residency.

Under Portugal’s amended nationality law, your residency time is counted from when the card is issued. If you are a non-EU or non-CPLP citizen, you might be eligible for citizenship after ten years of residency. The requirement is seven years for EU and CPLP citizens.

In contrast, the temporary-stay visa is only valid for up to a year and doesn’t lead to permanent residency or citizenship. 

The Digital Nomad Visa processing timeline varies depending on the Portuguese Consulate in the country in which you apply. With AIMA’s current backlog, the full process, from preparing your documents to receiving your residence card, can take between six and nine months. It breaks down into these stages:

• Preparing documents (Months 1 to 2): Gathering all the required documents, apostilles, and translations can take about one to two months.
• Consular visa processing (Months 2 to 4): Once you submit a complete application, the consulate typically takes around 60 days to process it and issue your four-month residence visa. Some consulates take longer.
• Waiting for the AIMA appointment (Months 5 to 8): The Portuguese Consulate books your AIMA appointment when it issues your visa. Depending on AIMA’s backlog, the appointment can be three to four months later.
• Residence card production (Month 9): Once AIMA has collected your documents and biometric data, it takes about three weeks for your residence card to be sent to your Portuguese address. The legal deadline for this is 90 days.

The exact visa fees for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa may vary depending on the application country and local currency fluctuations.

But generally, the application fee for the Digital Nomad Visa is €109.40, while the Digital Nomad Visa residence permit fee is €185.60.  

The two visas might seem like similar residency options, but there are several key differences. The two visas are better suited for different expat profiles.  

The D8 Visa is designed for people who work remotely for employers or clients based outside Portugal. On the other hand, the Portugal D7 Visa is for people who live off a stable, passive income, such as pensions, rental income, or dividends. 

If most of your income comes from pensions, dividends, rental properties, or other investments, and you don’t depend on active work, the D7 Visa is likely to be the closer fit, especially as its income threshold is lower.

If you earn at least €3,680 a month from remote work for employers or clients outside Portugal, the D8 Visa is designed for your situation, and it also gives you a temporary-stay option if you only plan to live in Portugal for up to a year.

If you are considering the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, it is important to assess whether your income can support your lifestyle in practice, not just meet the minimum threshold. Portugal’s cost of living varies greatly depending on where you choose to live and your lifestyle.

Lisbon: Portugal’s capital is a hub for many digital nomads, as there are many co-working spaces, it has reliable public transport and a metro system, and well-developed infrastructure. However, it is also one of the most expensive places to live in Portugal. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around €1,200 to €2,000 per month, and utilities range from €150 to €250.

Porto: The cost of living in Porto is generally lower than living in Lisbon, but that has been changing over the years. However, rent is still more affordable, especially outside the historic center, where you can get a one-bedroom apartment for about €700 a month.

Madeira and smaller cities: Compared to Lisbon or Porto, it’s more affordable to live in smaller cities or towns, or on the island of Madeira. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for about €700 to €1,200 per month, and utilities shouldn’t be more than €180.

Portugal vs US 

Compared to the United States, the cost of living in Portugal is generally lower, particularly for everyday expenses such as groceries, dining, and public transport. While that is true for most things in Portugal, rent in Lisbon is closer to what you’ll pay in major US cities. 

Portugal vs UK

If you’re moving from the UK, your everyday costs in Portugal will likely be lower, particularly rent, eating out, and public transport. Lisbon and Porto are the exception, because rents there have risen sharply in recent years. The D8 Visa requires your income to come from outside Portugal, so a UK salary or client base can go further here than it would at home.