The Portuguese government recently announced the availability of the new digital nomad visa for Portugal. Remote workers and digital nomads can apply for a one-year temporary stay visa or a five-year resident permit.
Applicants must have a monthly income of at least €2,800 per month, which is four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
In the article about alternative Portugal investment visa options you can find more information about alternative visas to stay in Portugal. This article will only discuss the Digital Nomad option.
Background
Prior to this digital nomad visa, there were no digital nomad visa programs in Portugal for remote workers who wanted to live in Portugal without making a big investment through the Portugal Golden Visa or demonstrating passive income through the Portugal D7 Visa.
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa can be obtained via the Portuguese consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. Let’s go over all you should know about the Portugal Digital Nomad visa.
The Advantages of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Digital nomads that receive the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, will be able to enjoy the following advantages:
- Tax Exemption. The Portugal digital nomad visa enables you to work as an NHR (non-habitual resident). That implies you pay very little or no taxes on any income from international sources.
- Low living expenses. Portugal is affordable in terms of living expenses. Living in Portugal is reasonable due to low rental fees. So, with an average wage, you can live comfortably.
- A reliable internet connection. Portugal has decent internet access, so working as a digital nomad will be easy.
- Nice weather. If you enjoy warm weather, Portugal is the destination for you. The weather in Portugal is mild in the spring and temperate in the winter.
- Visa-free travel to any of the Schengen Zone nations. The Portugal digital nomad visa allows you to travel visa-free to Schengen nations.
General Requirements for a Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal
The essential need for a digital nomad visa in Portugal is your salary. You must have earned at least four times the minimum wage in Portugal, €2,800 per month, in the three months before your application.
Only applicants from outside the EU and EEA are eligible to apply. You must also be working or self-employed outside of Portugal. These will inevitably be verified by tax residence certificates, evidence of employment, and proof of income for the previous three months.
This digital nomad visa can be obtained at a Portuguese Consulate in your home country or from the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, better known as SEF.
There are two types of digital nomad visas in Portugal
In Portugal, there are two categories of Digital Nomad Visas. You have the option of applying for a Temporary Stay Visa or a Residence Visa.
The Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Visa is the simplest to obtain and allows you to stay in Portugal for up to a year, with the option of renewing.
During this time, you may operate as a freelancer or run an online business in Portugal, as well as travel freely in and out of the country. We’ll go over both in detail below:
Option #1 for Digital Nomad Visa: Temporary Stay Visa
The Portugal temporary residency permit is valid for up to one year and is renewable.
It enables you to work as a self-employed freelancer or internet business owner, making it an excellent choice for digital nomads.
This visa allows you to travel freely in and out of Portugal (although you must follow other immigration requirements in other countries in the Schengen zone).
To be qualified, you must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in Portugal through passive income or otherwise. This level has been set by the Portuguese government at four times the Portuguese minimum wage. As a result, you’ll need a monthly income of at least €2820 per month.
You can demonstrate proof of the needed minimum income by submitting a statement of responsibility from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You may also be required to provide bank statements and invoices as additional verification.
If you wish to visit Portugal for a short period of time (but longer than the 90-day Schengen tourist permit), the temporary stay visa is an excellent option.
All necessary paperwork and documentation for the application for a Portugal temporary stay visa can be found on the official website of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Option #2 for a Digital Nomad Visa: a Residence Visa
If you want to stay in Portugal for a longer period of time, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Residence Visa. This is the ideal residency visa if you want to live in Portugal or begin the process of becoming a citizen.
This option is for remote employees who want to stay in Portugal for a longer period of time in order to obtain residency.
It is also appropriate for people who desire to begin the process of obtaining Portuguese citizenship.
Important requirements
- An NIF and a Portuguese bank account
- A salary from remote employment that is at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage (currently €2820 per month)
- Personal tax residency in Portugal must be demonstrated (a 12 month rental agreement registered with the tax authority)
- An employment contract from a company headquartered outside of Portugal • For freelancers, a contract proving you’re working with clients is required
- Bank statements and payslips (or invoices) to demonstrate your monthly earnings
- Valid health insurance and a valid passport.
The digital nomad residence visa application process is divided into two stages:
- The embassy stage, in which you apply for a digital nomad visa at the nearest Portuguese consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence.
- The stage of obtaining a residency permit, which occurs at the immigration department once you enter Portugal with your digital nomad visa.
If you are successful, the consulate will issue you a four-month double-entry visa. During this period, you will enter Portugal and finish the second procedure, which is to apply for a resident visa at SEF.
