Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8) Requirements: Who Qualifies, What It Costs, and How to Apply

What is the Digital nomad Visa?

Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8) allows anyone with income from outside of Portugal (e.g. from a remote job or freelancing income) to live in Portugal full-time. You get access to the public healthcare system, affordable education, the beaches, and a lower cost of living, plus a path to citizenship after ten years.

An individual needs €3,680 in income per month (~around $4,285) to qualify. You’ll also need proof of accommodation in Portugal and a clean criminal record.

This page breaks down all of the necessary requirements.

At a glance

Best for

✔ Employees who can work remotely
✔ Employees willing to switch to contractor status
✔ Freelancers with non-Portuguese clients

Not ideal for:
✖ Anyone not ready to move to Portugal full-time yet

Income that qualifies

What counts as qualifying income?

You’ll need €3,680 per month (can be taken as an average over the previous three months). But which types of income are allowed?

✓ Counts as qualifying income

Salary from a remote job (employer outside Portugal)
Freelance income from non-Portuguese clients

✗ Doesn’t count

Portuguese clients or a Portuguese employer — that’s local employment, not remote
Savings alone — savings matter, but you still need the active income on top
Passive income (pensions, rental, dividends) — use the D7 instead
Inter-company transfer arrangements — usually belong under D1 or D3

⚠️

Don’t qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa?

The D8 income requirements are high — four times higher than the D7 and even higher than Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa — and many people don’t meet the criteria. If you don’t qualify, there may be other routes to residency such as the D2 or converting savings into something that generates passive income. Talk to us. We can try to help.

What you’ll need

D8 Visa Requirements

The main requirements for a digital nomad visa application. Different consulates and VFS offices have their own variations — and some requirements differ depending on whether you’re applying for the one-year or the two-year (residence) version.

Personal eligibility & legal

Age & nationality

The main applicant must be 18+. The D8 is aimed at non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens — if you already hold an EU passport you don’t need it and aren’t eligible.

Clean criminal record

You’ll need a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality, plus one from anywhere you’ve lived for 1+ year. These need to be apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or legalised by a Portuguese consulate (non-Hague countries), sometimes translated into Portuguese, and recent — typically issued within the last 90 days.

US applicants are usually asked specifically for an FBI report. Minor offences are generally fine; anything carrying more than a year of prison time under Portuguese law will likely disqualify you.

Authorize a Portuguese criminal-record check

A separate signed form letting the Portuguese authorities check for any Portuguese criminal record. For most first-time applicants this is a formality.

Income & savings — the D8 core

Sufficient active income

You need a stable active monthly income of at least €3,680/month for an individual (4× the Portuguese minimum wage). Couples and families need more — see the Family section above.

⚠️

“Active” income, not passive

The D8 is for people who work remotely. Pension income, rental income, dividends, and savings draw-down don’t qualify on their own — that’s the D7’s territory. If your income is passive, the D7 is almost always the right visa, not the D8.

Savings (means of sustenance)

On top of monthly income, you need savings of at least €11,040 per adult applicant. This is meant to show you can support yourself even if your remote work stops temporarily.

Supporting financial evidence

Be ready to back up the income figures with paperwork: employment contracts, signed client contracts, recent payslips or invoices, 3-6 months of bank statements, employer letter confirming you can work remotely, and tax returns. Consulates check that the numbers in your statements match what you’ve claimed.

Permission to work remotely

If you’re employed, you need a written letter from your employer confirming they’re happy for you to work from Portugal. If you’re a freelancer, equivalent statements from your main clients. Some consulates are strict about this — don’t skip it.

Documents & paperwork

Valid passport

At least 6 months of validity beyond the 120-day visa, with 2 blank pages. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it before you apply.

Application form & photos

The completed National Visa application form, plus 2 EU-sized passport photos per applicant. Forms are downloaded from your local consulate’s site — make sure you’re using the current version.

Personal statement / motivation letter

A short letter (typically 1-2 pages) explaining who you are, what you do remotely, why Portugal, how you’ll support yourself, and your plans once there. Consulate officers read these — a vague letter weakens an otherwise strong file.

Family documents (if applying with dependents)

Marriage certificate for spouses (apostilled, sometimes translated), birth certificates for children (apostilled), and proof of unmarried partnership (2+ years of cohabitation evidence) where relevant. If only one parent is applying with a child, you’ll need the other parent’s consent.

Portuguese setup

NIF (Portuguese tax number)

You need a NIF to open a Portuguese bank account, sign a lease, and submit the application. Most applicants get this remotely before they apply — via a fiscal representative, a lawyer, or an online service.

NISS (Portuguese Social Security Number)

You will need a NISS for a D8 application. However, you typically won’t need it until your AIMA appointment which takes place in Portugal after you move.

Portuguese bank account

You’ll need a Portuguese bank account in your name showing the required savings. Wise, Revolut and other EMIs are usually not accepted as a substitute. Several Portuguese banks open accounts remotely for non-residents — Millennium BCP and Activobank are common picks.

Proof of accommodation in Portugal

A 12-month rental contract, property deeds, or a notarised term of responsibility from someone hosting you. Short-term Airbnb bookings rarely qualify, and hotel reservations almost never do. Some consulates accept 6-month leases, but 12 months is the norm and it can be hard to find a 6-month lease.

⚠️

Accommodation is the most common rejection cause

Short rentals, “I’ll find somewhere when I get there”, and informal arrangements are the easiest way to get rejected. A 12-month contract from a registered landlord is the safe bet — even if you don’t intend to stay in that exact place long-term.

Travel & ongoing

Travel insurance

You need insurance with at least €30,000 in hospitalisation cover and repatriation. Some consulates ask for 4-6 months of cover; others increasingly require a full 12. Match what your specific consulate asks for.

Proposed flight itinerary

Some consulates want to see a planned or booked flight to Portugal. Refundable tickets or held bookings are the safe approach — don’t lock in non-refundable flights before your visa is approved.

Driving licence (optional)

A copy of your driving licence isn’t strictly required at the visa stage, but some consulates ask for it. You’ll need to exchange or recognise it in Portugal within a set window after you become resident.

AIMA biometrics appointment in Portugal

After your visa is issued and you arrive in Portugal, you have to attend a biometrics appointment with AIMA to convert the visa into your 2-year residence permit. Bring originals of every document. Appointment availability is the biggest source of delays — book as soon as you have a date you can travel.

Requirements for bringing family

Which family members can you include?

The two-year version of the D8 lets you include a spouse or long-term partner as well as other dependents on your application. Each additional person raises the income and savings you need to show. (If a family member can’t move with you, they can join later through family reunification.)

Spouse or partner

Married, civil-partnered, or long-term unmarried partners can be added to the residence version of the D8. For unmarried partners you’ll usually need 3+ years at the same address, with paper evidence (shared bills, both on the lease).

Dependent children

Under-18s are added easily. Children 18 to around 24 can be included if they’re in full-time education; older children, or those not studying, normally need to apply separately.

Dependent parents

Can be included if they’re physically or financially dependent on you. If they have their own sufficient income, they may be better suited to their own visa application rather than applying as your dependent.

Income & savings, by household

Household	EUR official	USD approx.	GBP approx.	CAD approx.
Monthly active income
Single applicant	€3,680	around $4,285	around £3,190	around CAD$5,916
Couple (combined)	€5,520	around $6,427	around £4,785	around CAD$8,873
+ each dependent child	€1,104	around $1,286	around £957	around CAD$1,775
+ each dependent parent	€1,840	around $2,143	around £1,595	around CAD$2,958
Savings (means of sustenance)
Single applicant	€11,040	around $12,854	around £9,569	around CAD$17,746
Couple	€16,560	around $19,281	around £14,353	around CAD$26,619
+ each dependent child	€3,312	around $3,857	around £2,871	around CAD$5,324
+ each dependent parent	€5,520	around $6,427	around £4,785	around CAD$8,873

⚠️

Usually one person’s income supports the whole application

Typically, one person’s income is used for the whole D8 application. If the main applicant can’t support the full family with their income, two separate applications often make more sense.

Physical stay requirements

How much time do I need to spend here?

Despite the “digital nomad” name, the D8 is really a residency visa — it’s designed for people who want to build a life in Portugal, not drop in for a few weeks at a time.

During temporary residency (the first five years) you can be outside Portugal for up to 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months per permit. The initial permit lasts two years; the next one lasts three.

Split evenly, that’s roughly 4 months outside Portugal each year in years 1–2, and a little over 3 months each year in years 3–5.

After five years you can apply for Permanent Residency, which is far less restrictive. Once you hold Portuguese citizenship there are no stay requirements at all.

There are exemptions if you need to travel for work or health reasons.

A traditional Portuguese house in the Algarve

Residency stage	Max consecutive abroad	Max total abroad	What it means in practice
Temporary residency — first 2 years	6 months	8 months	About 8 months/year in Portugal, 4 months out
Temporary residency — next 3 years	6 months	8 months	About 9 months/year in Portugal, 3 months out
Permanent residency (after 5 years)	24 months	30 months per 3 years	Up to ~2.5 years outside Portugal in any 3-year window

The setup question

Remote employee, EOR, or contractor?

One of the biggest practical questions with the D8 is how your work arrangement will actually function once you’re living in Portugal. In principle, employing someone in another country can create compliance issues for the company — most US, UK or Canadian employers aren’t going to open a Portuguese branch just because one employee wants to relocate. There are also questions as to how tax and social security is paid, and in which country it is owed.

In practice, most people end up in one of three situations.

💼

Employer just says yes

Your employer informally allows you to work from Portugal. The simplest path, but could be a very gray area for the company — depends on how cautious they are.

🤝

Employer of Record (EOR)

A third party (e.g. Deel, Remote, Velocity Global) handles local payroll and compliance, so your employer can keep employing you. Cleanest, but it adds cost for the employer.

📝

Contractor status

You switch from employee to invoicing your former employer as a self-employed contractor. Simpler, but you lose benefits and take on your own tax & social-security admin.

In practice, this actually makes the D8 a much more difficult visa than most guides let on. Some employers will be open to an EOR solution, but this does add costs and sometimes the relocating employee will need to swallow these costs in some form or other. The simplest solution is to switch to contractor status, but this reduces job security and benefits for the employee.

Read more about the pros and cons of the D8.

Additional Setup Question

One-Year Or Two-Year Option?

The D8 has two different visa types: the one-year option and a two-year option. Most people planning to to Portugal opt for the two-year option as it means fewer renewals and family reunification is allowed. The one-year option is renewable, but is aimed at those who don’t plan to move to Portugal long-term.

💼

One-year Option

Valid for 12 months
Family reunification not allowed
Proof of accommodation required

🤝

Two-Year Option

Valid for 2 years initially
Family reunification allowed
Proof of accommodation required

Why move to Portugal

The benefits of living here

🏥

Escape high healthcare costs

Portugal gives you access to the public healthcare system (SNS), and private health insurance is usually far more affordable than what remote workers pay in the US or other high-cost countries.

💰

More affordable than major cities

Portugal isn’t Asia-cheap, but it can still be significantly more affordable than New York, LA or London — especially outside the most expensive neighbourhoods.

⚡

Fast gigabit internet

Gigabit-class fibre is common in many cities and towns; some providers offer plans up to 10 Gbps. For most remote workers, connectivity is a strong point — not a weak one.

💻

Real remote-work community

A large community of freelancers, founders and remote workers — especially in Lisbon, Ericeira, the Algarve and Madeira. Coworking spaces, events, people living a similar lifestyle.

🇪🇺

A base in Europe

A practical home base in the EU — ideal for easier access to the rest of Europe for work, travel, networking, or weekend trips. Portugal’s in the same timezone as the UK, 5 hours ahead of New York.

🛂

Path to an EU passport

Permanent residency after 5 years, citizenship after 10. Citizenship means an EU passport — and unlike Spain, no complications with dual citizenship.

The journey

How the D8 application actually works

From document-gathering to residency permit, the high-level flow. Individual experiences vary by consulate and how busy AIMA is.

Gather documents

Proof of income, permission to work from Portugal, proof of savings, Portuguese bank account, NIF, criminal records checks, etc. Most people hire a lawyer here to ensure they gather the correct documents.

Submit & interview

File at your consulate or VFS office. Most applicants attend a short in-person interview in their country of residence.

Wait ~60 days

Decision usually comes within 60 days, sometimes longer if additional checks are needed (or if there’s a backlog).

Move on 120-day visa

Approved: a 120-day visa goes in your passport. Move to Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment (usually within 120 days, can be longer).

Receive residency

Following a successful appointment, AIMA converts the visa into a 2-year residence permit. This is then renewable every 3 years. You can apply for permanent residency at year 5, citizenship at year 10.

How it compares

D8 vs the D7 and Golden Visa

The D8 is the route for active remote income, but it’s not the only option. If your income is mainly passive (pensions, rental, dividends), the D7 is a better fit. If you want EU residency without moving, the Golden Visa exists for that. Side by side:

	D8 (this visa)	D7 — Passive Income	Golden Visa
Income type	Active — salary from a remote job, freelance or contractor income	Passive — pension, rental, dividends, royalties	Not income-based — investment instead
Monthly income	€3,680 (~around $4,285)	€920 (~around $1,072)	—
Investment	No — savings of €11,040	No — savings of €11,040	€500k investment, or €250k arts donation
Physical stay	Most of the year in Portugal	Most of the year in Portugal	~7 days/year on average
Tax residency	Yes	Yes	Avoidable
Typical legal fees	€1,000–€3,000 / person	€1,000–€3,000 / person	Often €10,000+ / person

Quick rules of thumb

Remote worker or freelancer with active income, want to live in Portugal full-time → D8
Retired or living off passive income, want to live in Portugal full-time → D7
Want EU residency or a “Plan B” without moving now → Golden Visa

For the full breakdowns: D7 vs D8 · D8 vs Golden Visa · D2 vs D8

The end goal

Does the D8 lead to citizenship?

Short answer

Yes — permanent residency after 5 years, Portuguese citizenship after 10.

For citizenship you’ll need at least an A2 level of Portuguese — the second-most basic level, with a 55% pass mark. A 150-hour approved language course is an alternative to the exam. A civics or cultural-knowledge test is expected to be introduced, so worth keeping an eye on the requirements as you approach year ten.

Common questions

D8 FAQ

Should I apply for the one-year or the two-year visa?

Both are renewable, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you applied for the one-year version and decided to stay longer. That said, the two-year option means fewer renewals (lower costs and less bureaucracy), and it’s the only version that lets you bring dependents on the same application. For most people, the two-year (residence) version is the right pick.

Is the D8 only for tech workers?

No. If your employer or clients are outside Portugal and your work can be done remotely, the D8 can work across many professions — not just tech.

Will I need to pay taxes in Portugal?

Almost certainly yes — once you actually move to Portugal on the D8, you’ll usually become a Portuguese tax resident. Portugal has tax treaties with the US, UK, Canada and many other countries to prevent double taxation, but the details depend on your work setup (EOR vs contractor vs informal arrangement).
Portugal also has the IFICI tax regime (dubbed NHR 2.0). It’s worth speaking to a tax advisor to see if you qualify for this.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

No for the visa application, yes (A2) for permanent residency or citizenship. A2 is the second-most basic level; 55% pass mark, or a 150-hour approved course.

Are there restrictions on where I can live?

No. You can live anywhere in Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores. Most D8 holders gravitate toward Lisbon, Porto, Ericeira, Lagos, Portimão and Madeira — the towns with the strongest remote-work communities.

Can I apply with a criminal record?

Minor offences are often fine; more serious crimes (especially those punishable by 1+ year in prison under Portuguese law) tend to cause problems and may mean rejection. More on this.

What’s the maximum time I can spend in Portugal?

365 days. The D8 is a residency visa — you can spend the whole year in Portugal. In fact, because it’s a residency visa, you’re expected to base yourself here for most of the year and meet the stay requirements.

What if my visa application is denied?

You can appeal or re-apply. Most rejections come down to documentation, timing, or insufficient evidence of income. A good lawyer can figure out what went wrong and fix it — and is usually cheaper to consult before applying than to call in for an appeal.

Keep reading

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