Living in Lisbon as a Digital Nomad

Over the past few years, Lisbon has become one of the world’s top destinations for digital nomads looking to establish a base rather than simply pass through.

While some people do visit for a few weeks or months, what sets Lisbon apart is the number of remote workers who choose to move here long-term. The Meetup group has more than 20,000 members and the Thursday night meetup regularly draws 100-300 attendees – evidence of a thriving community of people who’ve made Lisbon their home.

Many of these are experienced digital nomads who’ve spent years traveling and are ready to settle down somewhere with a good quality of life. Others are freelancers and remote employees from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere who’ve convinced their employers to let them work from abroad.

Why Lisbon?

The appeal is straightforward: Lisbon is a warm, vibrant European capital where non-EU citizens can realistically move to and build a life. Yes, accommodation costs have risen significantly – in fact, they’re now one of the biggest challenges of living here. But unlike many other European cities, Portugal offers a clear path for digital nomads to establish legal residency, and eventually, if desired, permanent residency (after 5 years) and citizenship (after 10 years).

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While the tax benefits that once made Portugal famous (like the Non-Habitual Resident scheme) are largely gone, the Simplified Regime is still worth investigating for freelancers and self-employed individuals.

Beyond the practical considerations, Lisbon offers an excellent quality of life:

• A large, active community of remote workers with regular meetups, coworking days, knowledge shares, stand-up comedy nights, and sports groups
• Around 300 days of sunshine per year
• Mild winters (though properties can be cold inside)
• Excellent surf spots nearby: Costa de Caparica (under 30 minutes), Peniche (just over an hour), Nazaré (1.5 hours), and the Algarve (2-3 hours)
• Fast internet (up to 10 gbps available for home connections) but 1 gbps is the norm
• Abundant vegan and vegetarian options
• Affordable cost of living in most areas, except accommodation
• Access to the rest of Europe for travel
• English widely spoken, though learning Portuguese basics is recommended
• Generally safe, particularly compared to many US or European cities (though be aware of pickpockets and occasional petty crime)
• Numerous coworking spaces with daily rates from around €15

Do I Need a Visa?

If you’re planning to stay more than 90 days:

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens don’t need a visa but should register at their local câmara municipal (town hall) to obtain their CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia). Be aware that you may be considered a Portuguese tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country.

Non-EU/EEA citizens should apply for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa. This visa is designed for location-independent workers and freelancers. Key requirements include:

• Monthly income of €3,680 or more (averaged over the past 3 months)
• Proof of remote work or freelance contracts
• Travel insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Clean criminal record

Digital Nomad Visa Calculator: Check Your Eligibilty

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The income requirement is higher than Spain’s digital nomad visa, but Portugal is one of the few EU countries offering this type of visa, making it particularly attractive. It’s especially popular with Americans, Canadians, and Brits as it offers a clear pathway into the European Union as the income requirements are high enough that most applicants from the rest of the world will not be able to meet the requirements.

The visa can be issued as either a temporary 1-year stay or a longer 2-year residence permit (both renewable – most opt for the 2-year option). After 5 years of residency, you can apply for permanent residency. After 10 years, you become eligible for Portuguese citizenship – and Portugal automatically recognizes dual citizenship, so you won’t need to give up your current passport (unlike Spain).

There are alternative options such as the D7 visa (for those with passive income from rentals, dividends, or pensions) or the investor “golden visa.”

If you’re just visiting for under 90 days:

Most non-EU/EEA citizens can stay for 90 days in a 180-day period throughout the Schengen Area without a visa.

Finding Long-Term Accommodation

The biggest challenge of moving to Lisbon is finding good-quality, affordable accommodation. Demand often outstrips supply, and prices have risen rapidly. That said, it’s not impossible – it just requires patience and persistence.

Important: If you’re applying for a visa, you’ll need a registered lease agreement (contrato de arrendamento) that’s been submitted to Finanças (the Portuguese tax authority). Make sure your landlord is willing to provide this, as many try to avoid doing this.

Where to Look

Facebook Groups have become the primary way landlords advertise properties, often more so than classified websites. In addition to browsing listings, post a ‘wanted’ ad – this typically generates several responses. Key groups include:

• Accommodation for digital nomads in Lisbon
• Casas e apartamentos para arrendar em Lisboa
• Arrenda Lisboa Low Cost – Apartamentos
• Lisboa – Quartos e Apartamentos

Classified Websites: Idealista is the main property website in Portugal. Also check OLX, Sapo, and Custo Justo.

Cost of Living in Lisbon

Portugal remains affordable compared to the US, Australia, or Northern Europe, but Lisbon is more expensive than the rest of the country. Here’s what to expect:

• One-bed apartment: €1,000-€1,500/month (long-term lease)
• Two-bed apartment: €1,500-€2,000/month
• Room rental: €400-700/month
• Uber/Bolt: €5-6 for cross-town trips; €10+ for airport or Belém
• Metro ticket: €1.65 per journey; monthly pass around €40
• Coffee: €0.50-€1.00 for an espresso (bica) in traditional cafes; €2-€5 for specialty coffee
• Beer/Wine: From €1 in traditional bars; more in international venues
• Cocktails: €5-€10
• Eating out: €10-15/person at Portuguese restaurants; €15-€40 at international restaurants
• Home internet: Around €45.99/month for 1 gbps (two-year contract)
• Phone plan: Around €33/month with unlimited calls, texts, and data

Best Neighborhoods

Most remote workers live throughout Lisbon, but certain areas are particularly popular. As accommodation has become more expensive, more people are moving to outer neighborhoods – just try to stay close to the metro line for easy access to the city center.

Central neighborhoods:

• Chiado: Cultural hub between Bairro Alto and Baixa, close to museums, theaters, and cafes
• Baixa and Sé: Right in the city center with excellent connectivity, though touristy
• Príncipe Real: Trendy area with great bars, shops, and restaurants
• Alfama: Historic and photogenic, but very touristy with many Airbnbs

Residential neighborhoods:

• Graça and Castelo: Authentic local feel with great views, though steep hills
• Estrela: Serene, upscale area ideal for longer-term residents
• Alcântara: Mix of old and new, home to LX Factory

Outside Lisbon:

• Cascais: Seaside town 30-40 minutes by train from downtown
• Costa da Caparica: Beach town across the bridge, popular with surfers

Coworking Spaces

Lisbon has dozens of coworking spaces.

Popular options include:

• Avila Spaces: Award-winning space on Av. República with meeting rooms and business lounge
• Heden: Bright, creative space in Graça with art studio; €10 half-day, €15 full day
• Second Home: Upscale space with distinctive plant-filled interior

Laptop-Friendly Cafes

While traditional pastelarias aren’t set up for laptop work, modern specialty coffee shops welcome remote workers:

• Wish Slow Coffee House: In LX Factory, comfortable for extended work sessions
• Copenhagen Coffee Lab: Multiple locations; laptop-friendly atmosphere
• Selva: Nomad-owned with 100+ mbps wifi; has upstairs workspace
• The Mill: Third-wave coffee with fast wifi
• Hello Kristof: Nordic-inspired calm space with international magazines

Meetups and Community

The Thursday night meetup is the main gathering, rotating between venues in central neighborhoods. Attendance ranges from 100-300 people depending on season. Sign up early on Meetup as spaces fill quickly.

Other regular events:

• NomadSports: Weekly 5-10km running group
• Standup Comedy: English-language comedy linked to the community (lisboncomedy.com)
• Storytelling Lisboa: Themed storytelling events in English and Portuguese (attracts many nomads)
• Future Founders: For entrepreneurs and founders interested in building businesses in Portugal

Find events through the Meetup group, Facebook group, or Slack channel.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Warm climate with 300+ days of sunshine
• Clear path to EU residency and citizenship
• Large, active community of remote workers
• Excellent food, wine, and coffee culture
• Nearby beaches and surf
• Fast internet
• English widely spoken
• Safe compared to many other cities

Cons:

• High accommodation costs and housing shortage
• Properties often have issues with damp, mold, poor insulation, and noise
• Very crowded in summer due to tourism
• Steep hills throughout the city
• Time-consuming bureaucracy for visa and residency matters
• Overcrowded public transport
• Can be difficult to integrate with local Portuguese community
• Some anti-digital nomad sentiment due to impact on local housing market

Despite the challenges, Lisbon remains an excellent choice for remote workers looking to establish a base in Europe. The combination of lifestyle, community, and legal framework for residency continues to attract people from around the world.

Other Digital Nomad Destinations in Portugal

• Madeira: Island with year-round mild climate, home to digital nomad village in Ponta do Sol
• The Algarve: Best weather in Portugal, strong community in Lagos
• Ericeira: Small surf town about an hour from Lisbon
• Porto: Portugal’s second city with more affordable accommodation but smaller community

Nearby European hubs include Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Bansko, and Budapest.