Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Requirements and How to Apply

The Portugal digital nomad visa, usually called the D8, is for remote employees and freelancers who earn their income from clients or employers outside Portugal. The benchmark is four times the Portuguese monthly minimum wage, which works out to about €3,680 a month in 2026, averaged over the last three months. You can apply for a temporary-stay remote work visa or for a residence visa that leads to a 2-year residence permit.

Rules and checklists differ by consulate and change often. Read the official visa portal and your consulate's checklist before you apply.

Who qualifies

The D8 is for non-EU citizens who work remotely for companies or clients outside Portugal. That includes salaried employees with an employer that allows work from Portugal and freelancers with contracts. Income from passive sources such as pensions generally belongs under the D7 visa.

You also need a clean criminal record, accommodation in Portugal and insurance. Spouses and children can apply as family members.

Income requirement

The VFS Global Portugal checklist for the remote-work visa, dated November 2025, asks for average monthly income over the last three months of at least four times the Portuguese monthly minimum wage. With the 2026 minimum wage of €920, that is €3,680 a month.

Secondary sources also mention savings of about €11,040 in a Portuguese bank account, equal to 12 months of minimum wage. The checklist we read does not state a savings amount, so ask your consulate whether it expects one. Family members usually raise the threshold by percentages of the minimum wage.

Documents you'll need

• The signed national visa application form, passport photos and a valid passport.
• Employment contract, a promise of employment or an employer declaration; or, for freelancers, service contracts or proof of services for clients.
• Proof of average income over the last three months.
• A tax residence certificate from your home country, per the US consulate checklist.
• A criminal record certificate issued less than 90 days before the application, with a Hague apostille. US applicants use an FBI check.
• Travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent assistance and repatriation.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a lease or a host declaration with a term of responsibility.
• A signed statement explaining why and where you will live in Portugal.

Step-by-step application

1. Confirm which D8 variant your consulate offers and its checklist.
2. Get a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and open a bank account.
3. Secure accommodation and insurance.
4. Gather and apostille documents.
5. Submit your application at the consulate or its visa center.
6. If approved, travel to Portugal within the visa validity and book an AIMA appointment.
7. Collect your residence permit, which is usually issued for 2 years.

Costs and timeline

Secondary sources cite a consular fee of about €90 to €120 and an AIMA permit fee of around €170, but the VFS checklist does not list a fee. Add budget for translations, apostilles and legal help. Consulates are described as taking about 60 days, and AIMA scheduling adds time. Don't resign or relocate based on a guessed date.

Taxes once you're resident

Once you spend more than 183 days in Portugal or keep a habitual home there, you become a Portuguese tax resident taxed on worldwide income at progressive IRS rates, up to 48% on taxable income above €86,634. The IFICI 20% regime is limited to listed professions, so most nomads should assume they do not qualify. Spending under 183 days and staying tax-resident elsewhere is a different situation, so talk to a cross-border adviser. This is not tax advice. See our Portugal guide.

Family members

A spouse and dependent children can apply. The threshold rises for each family member; ask your consulate for the exact percentages.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

Residence permits start at 2 years and, according to secondary sources, renew in 3-year periods. Permanent residence is possible after 5 years of legal residence. Under the 2026 nationality law, citizenship usually requires 10 years, or 7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking-country nationals.

Alternatives

• Income too low for the D8: the D7 visa works if you have about €920 a month in passive income.
• Freelancers who serve Portuguese clients: the D2 visa.
• Comparing countries: Spain's digital nomad visa asks for about €2,442 a month, which is lower than Portugal's benchmark.

Planning where to base yourself? Lisbon has the biggest nomad scene and Porto is cheaper.