What to Do If You Don’t Qualify for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

A lot of people hit the same wall.

You have a remote job. Or you freelance. Or you run an online business. However you work, you decide to apply for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8)—and then you see the requirement: an average of salary of €3,680 per month.

That’s high!

If you add a partner (+50%) or children (+30%), suddenly the numbers feel even more out of reach. And the reality is this: most people don’t qualify. Not just people from India, Nepal, Algeria, or other countries with lower wages—many people from the UK or even the US will struggle to meet this requirement.

So what do you do next?

First Step: Speak to a Lawyer

Before anything else: talk to a Portuguese immigration lawyer or, at the very least, a relocation consultant.

Not because there’s a magic loophole—there isn’t—but because:

• They understand how consulates actually interpret applications (and if there’s likely to be any flexibility)
• They can tell you quickly if something is viable or not
• They may know of other EU countries where your freelancing or remote work would qualify

But don’t guess. This is one of those areas where DIY can waste months.

Why the D7 Usually Isn’t an Option

Many people assume they could apply for the D7 visa instead. It only requires roughly €920/month, compared to €3,680 for the D8. And there are still a few articles out there that suggest remote work or freelancing qualifies you for the D7.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that! And yes, those articles are incorrect or out-of-date.

Since the introduction of the D8 Visa, the distinction has become much stricter:

• D7 = passive income (pensions, rental income, dividends)
• D8 = active income (remote work, freelancing, online business)

And consulates are now applying that distinction more consistently.

So if your income comes from:

• Freelance work
• Remote employment
• Self-employment or online services

…it will almost always be treated as active income and not passive income, meaning you cannot apply for the D7 with remote work or freelancing income.

Exceptions

There are rare exceptions. For example, if you own a company and are largely hands-off, receiving income that looks more like passively-earned dividends than salary.

But these cases are scrutinized closely and aren’t something you can easily “reframe” without substance behind them i.e. running a business full-time and paying yourself in dividends isn’t really a loophole that would allow you to qualify for the D7 instead of the D8.

Can You Still Make the D7 Work?

The D7 Visa isn’t completely off the table for everyone. It’s just harder than people expect.

Rental Income

One of the most straightforward alternatives is property.

If you:

• Own a home (in your home country or elsewhere) and
• Can rent it out consistently

…and that rental income reaches around €920/month (2026 D7 requirements), you may be able to qualify for the D7 with rental income.

Yes, this comes with trade-offs like:

• Becoming a landlord (even if reluctantly)
• Delaying selling the property
• Managing tenants, taxes, and upkeep

But for some people, this is the cleanest way to convert existing assets into qualifying income for the D7.

Turning Savings Into Income

Savings alone are usually not accepted for the D7. However, some applicants have taken a different approach: they convert savings into a financial product that generates monthly income. The most common example of this is purchasing an annuity that is designed to pay out €920 per month or more.

In short: The D7 isn’t an option for most remote workers or freelancers. However, there may be ways that you’re able to make this work.

A Solution For Couples

Portugal bases family eligibility on the main applicant’s income.

That means if you’re applying as a couple, only one person’s income is typically counted. Unfortunately, this would mean you not only need €3,680 per month for yourself but also an additional 50% for your spouse or long-term partner. If you have children, they would need an additional 30%.

This quickly adds up!

The Workaround: Two Separate Applications

In many cases, the simplest approach is this. Instead of one application with dependents, you submit two independent applications.

For example:

• You earn €3,680 or more → you qualify on your own
• Your partner earns €3,680 or more → they also qualify on their own

What About Children?

This is where things get interesting—and strategic.

Some couples:

• Split dependents between applications
• Or assign a child to the higher earner

For example:

• Partner A earns slightly more → applies with one child
• Partner B applies alone

This depends heavily on income levels and how close you are to the thresholds.

Could the D2 Visa Work?

The D2 Visa sits in a confusing middle ground—and that’s exactly why it’s worth considering.

It has:

• A lower financial threshold (similar to the D7 baseline of €920 per month)
• A freelancer pathway

At first glance, it seems like a workaround for people who don’t meet the D8 requirements. But in practice, it’s more nuanced. You will need a solid reason why you’re apply for the D2 (with lower requirements) and not the D8.

The key distinction is (often, but now always) where your activity is based:

• If your income comes from outside Portugal, authorities often expect you to apply for the D8
• If your activity is based in Portugal (clients, services, economic contribution), the D2 becomes more viable

Most people won’t have clients in Portugal, but could you get clients in Portugal? If so, maybe there’s a pathway to moving to Portugal here somewhere? Speak to a lawyer to come up with a solid gameplan.

Consider Spain Instead

If your goal is to live in the EU—not specifically Portugal—then the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is worth serious consideration. Spain’s version of the digital nomad visa is broadly similar, but easier to qualify for financially.

Income Requirements: Spain vs Portugal

• Portugal (D8 Visa): ~€3,680/month ([dynamic_value type=”AsofYear”)
• Spain: Typically ~€2,600–€2,700/month ([dynamic_value type=”AsofYear”) (based on ~200% of Spain’s minimum wage)

That’s roughly 25–30% lower than Portugal—which is why many people who don’t qualify for Portugal do qualify for Spain.

Other (More Difficult) Routes

If none of the above options work, there are still pathways—but they require more effort and flexibility.

Get a Job in Portugal

This leads to visas like:

• D1 Visa (standard employment visa)
• D3 Visa (skilled roles visa)

The challenge is that:

• Salaries are relatively low
• Employers are hesitant to sponsor non-EU candidates
• There’s no strong ecosystem of recruiters targeting internationals

You’ll need to be proactive—and realistic.

Studying in Portugal

The Portugal Student Visa (D4) is often overlooked. However, it allows you to:

• Live in Portugal legally
• Work part-time
• Build connections locally and potentially find a job here while you’re studying

Time spent on a student visa counts toward residency and citizenship, which makes it more valuable than people assume. This is not the case with most student visas across the EU.

The downside is what comes after. You’ll still need a plan to transition into a different residency permit, which typically means finding a job locally. Again, this can be challenging but perhaps not as challenging as trying to find a job in Portugal from abroad.

Closing Thoughts

If you don’t qualify for the D8, you’re not out of options—but it isn’t straightforward.

For most people, that means choosing one of three directions:

• Increase your income and qualify for the D8
• Rent out your property or turn your savings into an annuity and apply for the D7
• Restructure your work and explore options like the D2
• Look at alternative countries, like Spain

As always, speak with an immigration consultant to figure out what makes the most sense for you. At Portugalist, we’re always here to help!