Portugal, due to its pleasant climate, affordable cost of living, accessible internet, and welcoming culture, not only attracts a large number of tourists to the country but also digital nomads. The country offers a popular Portugal digital nomad visa or Portugal D8 visa to people who seek remote work opportunities in a country with favorable tax policies, an excellent tech community, and growing coworking spaces.
What is a D8 Visa in Portugal?
The Portuguese government introduced its Portugal Digital Nomad Visa in 2022 to allow non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to work remotely for companies outside Portugal. These citizens mainly include freelancers, software developers, IT professionals, and entrepreneurs. The Portugal Digital Nomad visa made their work life easier by offering them 1 year residency rights in Portugal and visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area, which includes 29 countries.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 2025
D8 Visa Eligibility Requirements
The applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa:
Proof of Remote.
Meet D8 visa income requirements.
Adults aged 18 or above.
The Passport must be valid.
Must be in good health condition.
Clean criminal record, i.e., not involved in any criminal activity.
D8 Visa Income Requirements
The applicants must have an income that is 4 times the minimum wage in Portugal. Minimum wage in Portugal is 870, so their monthly income must be €3480. This makes them qualified for the Portugal Digital Nomad visa. For adding more family members, the applicants need to consider the following requirements.
Show 50% extra income to include spouse in the application, i.e, €3480 + €1740 = €5220.
Show 30% extra income to include a minor child (aged below 16) in the application, i.e, €5220 + €1044 = €6264.
What is the Difference Between D7 and D8 Visa Portugal?
People often get confused between D7 and D8 visas in Portugal, but both are designed for different purposes.
Portugal D7 Visa | Portugal D8 Visa |
Designed for retirees or financially independent individuals. | Designed for digital nomads. |
For individuals with passive income. | For active income earners. |
Why is Portugal the Ultimate Digital Nomad Destination?
Living and working in Europe comes with a lot of lifestyle perks and business opportunities, hence it is a dream of every individual to get EU residency to manage their work-life balance efficiently. Portugal D8 visa provides them with this privilege by granting them a residency permit in Portugal, a well developed European country, as well as providing them with access to well-established EU markets. The Global Digital Nomad Report 2025 by Global Intelligence Unit says Portugal ranks 6th globally with a score of 90.12 due to the following benefits its digital nomad visa provides to global investors.
Global Mobility
Portugal D8 visa holders can benefit from visa-free access to the EU Schengen Zone, which consists of 29 countries. This means digital nomads can work from Portugal and explore European business markets without needing additional visas.
Low Cost of Living
Portugal offers a much lower cost of living compared to Western Europe. Although prices of houses in cities like Lisbon and Porto are higher, other cities in Portugal, such as Viseu, Coimbra, and Braganca, offer lower prices to people. The rents and consumer prices in Portugal are less than in countries like the UK and the US, which makes it an ideal place for digital nomads who seek affordability without compromising quality of life.
Potential Tax Benefits
Portugal D8 visa holders benefit from attractive tax schemes in Portugal, including the Non-Habitual Residence (NHR) program, which reduces income tax for new residents for up to 10 years. Due to the UK wealth exodus and US instability, people are finding homes in Portugal to benefit from its tax efficiency. Moreover, Portugal's low taxes help digital nomads save efficiently compared to their home countries.
Pathway to Citizenship
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa holders can eventually get Portuguese citizenship through naturalization, which will provide them with long-term stability, as after becoming a citizen of Portugal, they can live and work there for a lifetime. They will get one of the world’s most powerful passports. Moreover, they can also apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
Highly Innovative Cities
Cities like Lisbon and Porto are the major tech and innovation hubs in Europe. The cities are supported by government incentives, ideal for startup founders due to multiple opportunities, and consist of top-rated coworking spaces such as Lisbon-Cowork, The Base Cowork Space, and Porto i/o. These provide high-speed internet and a creative working environment to remote workers, and there are options to choose different work styles.
Family Inclusion
Many skilled professionals prefer to live with their family members. Portugal digital nomad visa provides the privilege of family reunification to these individuals, allowing them to bring their spouse, children, and dependent parents to the application. This makes it the best visa option for remote workers who want to manage both personal and professional lives.
Safety and Stability
Portugal consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world due to its low crime rates and political stability. The digital nomads who face political conflicts in their home countries can enjoy peace of mind while working abroad through the Portugal digital nomad visa.
English-Friendly Environment
The English language is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. This reduces language barriers and helps remote workers to adapt easily.
Rich and Welcoming Culture
Portugal offers a vibrant culture. The historic cities like Sintra and Evora are popular among people. The locals have a very welcoming nature, which makes relocation and adjusting to a new country’s culture easier for international residents.
Best Healthcare and Education
Portugal digital nomad visa holders can access the best and highly ranked healthcare systems of Portugal at an affordable cost. Digital nomads who moved to Portugal with their families can also provide their families with access to the best public and private schools that are globally recognized.
Conclusion
Portugal has become a global hotspot for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. The remote workers from different parts of the world find the Portugal D8 visa the best option to relocate to a country with significant work and growth opportunities. Portugal is not just an ideal destination for work but also for a lifestyle upgrade.