Moving to Portugal

Move to Portugal with the Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

A woman sits at a table in a bright, sunlit cafe, working on a laptop. She wears a black tank top and a choker necklace. Beside her is a tall glass of iced coffee with a straw. The background shows large windows with blurred greenery outside.

The Digital Nomad Visa (D8) is one of the main residency options for freelancers, contractors, and remote employees who want to move to Portugal while continuing the work they already do for clients or employers outside the country. If you already earn your income remotely—whether through freelance work, a remote job, or a contractor setup—this visa can offer a relatively straightforward path to living in Portugal full-time. And unlike the name suggests, this is really better thought of as a …

Two flags are displayed side by side, representing Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese flag, featuring a green and red design with a coat of arms, is on the left. The Spanish flag, with red and yellow stripes and a coat of arms, is on the right. Overlaid text reads "Portugal versus Spain.

A lot of people think about moving to Spain or Portugal. Both have a similar climate, they have shared histories, similar cultures, and are located right next to each other, so it’s understandable why so many people lump the two together. Regardless of which country you choose to live in, you’ll be right next to the other one and so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel around both. But travel is one thing and living somewhere is very different, …

A smiling couple sits at a table looking at a laptop. The man in a red shirt types on the keyboard while the woman in a white striped shirt leans on his shoulder, both appearing engaged and happy. They are in a bright, cozy kitchen environment.

Since 2016, Portugalist has helped thousands of people navigate the move to Portugal — and one of the biggest decisions non-EU citizens face today is choosing between the D7 Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa. On the surface, both seem to offer the same thing: a legal path to live in Portugal long-term, and eventually citizenship. But in reality, they’re built for very different kinds of people. This guide breaks down the key differences, advantages, and pitfalls of both visas …

A close-up of a partially folded French flag, with its blue, white, and red vertical stripes, overlaying a Portuguese flag featuring a complex coat of arms with a shield and seven castles over a red and green background.

You may be considering whether to move to France or Portugal (or even Spain or Portugal, Italy or Portugal, or Greece or Portugal) and you’re wondering which one is best? Well, it depends. While you may be more familiar with France, French culture, and maybe even the French language, there are lots of reasons that Portugal has become one of the main destinations for expats to move to. In fact, a lot of French people have also moved to Portugal, …

A picturesque scene of traditional, colorful houses with white walls and blue and yellow accents under a vibrant blue sky. Lush green plants and trees are in the foreground, and a cobblestone path leads to the houses, with a grassy field in the distance.

It might seem unusual to compare life in Mexico and Portugal, but it’s a common comparison for many Americans considering moving abroad, particularly for retirement. In the past, Mexico and other Latin American countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador were where most Americans set their sights. Recently, however, more and more Americans have been looking for ways to move to Europe and Portugal has come into the limelight as a place Americans can easily move to. Both offering a …

Glasses of red wine and green grapes on a ledge, overlooking Portugal’s terraced vineyards and river in a lush, hilly setting.

If you’re thinking about moving to a European country but you’re not sure which one, you may have short-listed Portugal and Italy. Both are beautiful countries with fascinating histories, excellent food, and a million other reasons to move there. But while that may make both countries great to visit, which is the better country to move to? The answer is: it depends. Both have their pros and cons, which this article will take a look at. Residency Visas In short, …

If you’re an EU citizen — for example, from Ireland, Germany, or France — moving to Portugal is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike non-EU citizens, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you move. You can just… come. No need to rent a property in advance. No waiting months for a visa to be approved. No navigating the D7, D2, or Golden Visa paperwork. You simply need to show you can support yourself in Portugal (we’ll cover how in a …

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If you’re applying for a residency visa like Portugal’s D7 or D8, one of the trickiest parts of the application can be the personal statement: not because it needs to be literary, but because it needs to do a clear job of explaining who you are, why you want to move, and why your application makes sense. Thankfully, it isn’t the single most important part of your visa file, but it can help strengthen your case, especially if you need …

An older man sits on a couch, using a laptop with a phone to his ear, while a woman stands nearby packing a suitcase. The room is bright, with light-colored furniture and a clock on the wall behind them.

When applying for a visa like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa? What type of insurance do I need? Travel or health insurance? There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and it doesn’t help that the rules constantly change—and differ from consulate to consulate. Until recently, most applicants did the following: However, things have changed. Some Consulates/VFS Offices Now Require 12 Months of Travel Insurance Several consulates and VFS offices—especially VFS San Francisco—are now requesting travel medical insurance valid …

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For the D7 visa in 2026, you need € per month in passive income. You also need at least one year’s worth of savings, which is roughly around €. Then there are the government fees, but they’re minimal. The D visa fee is about €110 per person. The VFS fee is about €41 per person. The initial AIMA residence permit fee is usually around €150 to €170 per person. Total fees: a little over €300. So, is that it? Not …

Move to Portugal with the Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

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Portugal’s D7 VS The Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Which Is Easier, Cheaper, & Right For You

Living in Portugal VS France: Which is Better for Expats?

Portugal VS Mexico: Which is Better for Expats?

Portugal VS Italy: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?

Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

How To Write A Winning Personal Statement For Your D7 Visa Application

What Insurance Do I Need for the D7 Visa?

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