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Portugal’s minimum wage is set to rise to €920 per month in 2026, up from €820 in 2024 and €870 in 2025. While that’s good news for local workers, it directly affects visa and income requirements — particularly for Digital Nomad applicants.
Here’s what changes:
| Visa Type | 2025 Requirement | 2026 Requirement | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa (main applicant) | €3,480/month | €3,680/month | +€200/month |
| D7 (passive income) | Based on 12 × minimum wage = €10,440 | €11,040 | +€50/month |
| D2 (entrepreneur) | €870/month income potential | €920/month | +€50/month |
| D3 (highly qualified) | ~€1,305/month | ~€1,380/month | +€75/month |
| Golden Visa | €500k investment (unchanged) | Unchanged | Unchanged |
The biggest impact is on the Digital Nomad Visa, where annual minimum income rises from €41,760 to €44,160, with knock-on effects for family members.
Why Portugal’s Minimum Wage Matters for Visa Applicants
Portugal ties most visa income thresholds to the national minimum wage (salário mínimo nacional). When this increases, so do the financial proof requirements for many residency visas.
The logic is simple: to live in Portugal, you need to show that your income is at least equal to — and often significantly higher than — what a local worker would earn.
That’s fair in principle, but in practice, it can push the bar higher for expats and remote workers just meeting the cutoff.
D7 Visa: A Slightly Higher Barrier
The D7 visa, aimed at those with passive income (pensions, dividends, rental income), is typically calculated using 12 times the minimum wage.
- 2025: €870 × 12 = €10,440/year
- 2026: €920 × 12 = €11,040/year
That’s a relatively small increase — just €600 per year — but for applicants on fixed incomes (especially pensioners), it may make approval slightly tighter, especially as consulates often ask to see more than the bare minimum.
Single applicants coming from the US and reliant on Social Security or from the UK and reliant on the state pension will still be able to qualify. Most other non-EU countries do not have a social security system that pays as much as the UK or US and applicants will need to show some other form of passive income, typically either a self-funded pension or a rental property.
It will make a slight difference to those moving as couples or families, particularly as income normally needs to come from the main applicant.
Portugal Visa Income Comparison: 2025 vs 2026
| Household Type | 2025 (based on €870/month) | 2026 (based on €920/month) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | €870 | €920 | +€50/month |
| Couple (+50%) | €1,305 | €1,380 | +€75/month |
| Couple + 1 Child (+50% +30%) | €1,566 | €1,656 | +€90/month |
Annual difference:
- Individual: +€600/year
- Couple: +€900/year
- Couple + 1 Child: +€1,080/year
A couple planning to move on the D7 visa in 2026 would now need €1,380 in passive income per month (€16,560 per year) and at least €16,560 in savings (12x monthly requirement) although sum lawyers recommend showing 24x (€33,120). A US couple reliant on US Social Security could potentially qualify based on one person’s income, however, a UK couple reliant on one British person’s state pension would be just slightly under the amount.
They could do two separate D7 applications, each with their own state pension, but should factor in the additional government and legal fees as this is now two applications rather than one.
Digital Nomad Visa: The Real Challenge
This is where the change really bites.
The Digital Nomad Visa requires applicants to earn at least four times the minimum wage.
- 2025: €870 × 4 = €3,480/month
- 2026: €920 × 4 = €3,680/month
That’s an extra €200/month, or €2,400 per year — pushing the required annual income to €44,160.
For remote workers already near the line, that’s a big jump.
Family Members Increase the Requirement
Like most other visas, Portugal allows Digital Nomad Visa holders to bring family, but each dependent increases the required household income. And that household income has to come from the main applicant.
- Spouse/partner: +50% → €1,840/month
- Dependent child: +30% → €1,104/month
So, a couple with one child would now need:
- €3,680 + €1,840 + €1,104 = €6,624/month
- Annual requirement: €79,488
That’s well above what the average Portuguese household earns and, honestly, well above what many single earners earn in the UK or US. This could make Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa less accessible to freelancers or early-stage remote workers — the very people it was originally designed to attract.
Applicants who don’t meet the income requirements may want to consider Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa instead or digital nomad visas from other countries. Some consulates may be more flexible on this amount. After all, the 50% and 30% rule aren’t written in law but are an interpretation most immigration lawyers have made.
Other Visas
D1 Visa (Employee Visa)
Employers must now pay at least €920/month to meet the minimum wage requirement.
D2 Visa (Entrepreneurs)
Applicants must show that their business can generate at least the equivalent of the minimum wage (€920/month) — around €11,040 per year, up €600 from 2025. This is only a minor increase, and shouldn’t make a major difference to most entrepreneurs as it’s recommended that your projected earnings are well above the minimum wage anyway.
D3 Visa (Highly Qualified Professionals)
This visa often uses 1.5× the national average salary as a benchmark. If this continues in 2026, that’s around €1,380/month, an increase of €75/month. Given the criteria for what counts as highly qualified, this shouldn’t significantly affect this group.
Golden Visa
Unchanged. The €500,000 investment or €250,000 cultural donation thresholds remain the same.
What This Means in Real Terms
For most people, this doesn’t make moving to Portugal impossible — but it raises the bar slightly. Digital nomads earning just over €3,500 a month in 2025 will need a raise or second income stream to remain eligible in 2026. For retirees or entrepreneurs, the effect is smaller, but cumulative.
Portugal’s rising wages reflect progress in the local economy — but they also signal that visa applicants need to plan further ahead, especially if supporting family members.
Final Thoughts
Portugal’s higher minimum wage is great for workers — but for visa applicants, it means higher income proof and savings requirements. The Digital Nomad Visa is hit hardest, with an income jump from €41,760 to €44,160 per year. If you’re considering applying, 2025 might be your last chance to qualify under the current (lower) rates.
