Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa: Here’s How To Qualify in 2026

Want to move to Portugal? Are you a freelancer or able to work remotely?

If you earn at least €3,680 per month as a freelancer or remote employee (and you’ve got savings set aside), Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa might be a real option (figured updated for 2026).

At Portugalist, we’ve been helping people move to Portugal since 2016. When Portugal launched the Digital Nomad Visa in October 2022, we started tracking the requirements, the “what consulates actually ask for,” and the AIMA realities—because those are usually the bits that trip people up.

Are You Digital Nomad Visa Material?

If you can say “yes” to most of the requirements below, you may qualify:

• You earn €3,680+ per month (gross) from a remote job or freelancing.
• Your income comes from outside Portugal (foreign employer or non-Portuguese clients).
• You have savings set aside (many lawyers recommend at least €11,040 for a single applicant). Note: savings on their own aren’t enough; you need the actively-earned income as well.
• You’re genuinely planning to base yourself in Portugal for most of the year, not just pop in occasionally.

If that sounds like you, the Digital Nomad Visa (often called the D8, sometimes the D9) could be a viable route to a new life in Portugal.

Which means you could benefits from…

• The right to live in Portugal (with the safety and stability of an EU country)
• Access to Portuguese public healthcare (SNS) as a safety net, plus affordable private health insurance options
• A pathway to permanent residency (5 years) and citizenship 5 years (possibly increasing to 10 years)
• Easy travel around the Schengen Area once resident
• A strong digital nomad and entrepreneurial community in places like Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Ericeira, Lagos, Portimão

What Is the Digital Nomad Visa— And Who Is It Really For?

Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people who can live in Portugal while earning money from outside the country.

Who it’s for

• Freelancers with non-Portuguese clients
• Remote employees whose employer allows working from Portugal
• Anyone who can relocate while continuing to earn from abroad (not just tech workers)

This visa isn’t “tech-only.” If your clients are abroad or your employer is abroad and your work can be done remotely, you can be eligible whether you’re a developer, designer, coach, consultant, writer, or dance teacher.

There’s also no age limit. If you’re 18+, you’re eligible to apply.

One-year vs two-year option

There’s a one-year option and a two-year option, but most people opt for the two-year option since their goal is to live in Portugal long-term (and this means fewer AIMA renewals).

*Some consulates may allow stays of six months, but 12 is now the norm.

2026: What’s Changed (And Why It Matters)

The headline requirements haven’t radically changed, but what has changed is scrutiny and consistency.

1. Consulates and AIMA are pickier than people expect

This visa can look simple on paper, but in real life:

• Background checks need to be recent (and apostilled where required)
• Accommodation needs to look real and verifiable (and typically a 12-month lease is required)
• You’ll often need clean, consistent proof of income. It doesn’t have to meet the requirements every month; but it does have to average the required amount over the past 3 months.

2. Citizenship is widely expected to be a longer timeline

Although this isn’t set in stone, Portugal is trying to change its citizenship requirements. Most people should plan for:

• Permanent residency after 5 years
• Citizenship after 10 years (plus processing time)

3. Income requirements have changed

As of 2026, you need €3,680+ per month in actively-earned income (e.g. salary or freelancing income). Some sites haven’t updated yet and may list a lower amount.

Some times are significantly out of date, and suggest you can apply for the D7 with freelancing income or a remote job.

Long story short: You need €3,680+ per month in 2026.

Core Financial Requirements: Income, Savings & How Much You Really Need

This is usually the section people care about most—because the numbers are what make or break eligibility.

Income requirement (the big one)

You’ll typically need to show at least €3,680 per month (gross), usually averaged over the last three months.

Savings / “means of sustenance” requirement (often overlooked)

Most lawyers recommend showing at least 12 months of savings, but here’s the key detail:

This savings recommendation is often pegged to the Portuguese minimum wage, not the higher D8 income requirement (thankfully!).

So for a single applicant, a common benchmark is:

• €920 × 12 = €11,040

Note: Typically, you would use one person’s income for the entire application rather than a combination of both. If you can’t meet the income requirements with one application, you may need to submit two separate Digital Nomad Visa applications.

Non-Financial Requirements

If you meet the financial requirements, the next thing to consider is the non-financial requirements. These are attainable, but can involve you jumping through a lot of hoops.

Criminal record checks

Requirements vary by country, but common patterns:

• US: FBI check often needs to be under 90 days old and apostilled
• UK: ACRO often needs to be under 120 days old
• If you lived in another country for 1+ year, you may need an additional police certificate from there

Minor offences are sometimes fine (especially if they’re under the “one year prison” threshold), but you should disclose and document properly. It’s recommended you work with an experienced lawyer if you have previous convictions.

Work documentation (employee vs freelancer)

You will need proof that you’re able to work from Portugal.

Employees usually need:

• Employment contract and/or employer letter confirming remote work permission
• Job title and compensation included
• Pay stubs for the last three months (often more is fine)

Freelancers usually need:

• Client contracts
• Proof the work can be performed remotely
• Evidence of payments (invoices + bank statements that match)

A quick but important note on the employer side of things

One part of the Digital Nomad Visa that’s often glossed over is the legal reality of employing someone who lives in another country. This is where things can get complicated — not for you, but for your employer.

In some cases, you can continue working exactly as you do now. Your employer is happy for you to work from Portugal, keeps paying you as normal, and doesn’t change anything on their side.

But many employers can’t (or don’t want to) do this.

Once an employee is physically based in another country, questions start to arise, such as:

• Do they need to register for payroll or social security in Portugal?
• Should social security continue to be paid in the employer’s home country?
• Does having an employee in Portugal create a “permanent establishment” risk for the company?
• Do they need a legal presence or entity in Portugal?

For some companies — especially smaller ones — the answer is simply: this is more complexity than they’re willing to take on.

Common workarounds employers use

To deal with this, employers often choose one of the following approaches:

1. Employer of Record (EOR)
Some companies use an Employer of Record service such as Deel or Remote.com.

In this setup:

• The EOR has a legal presence in Portugal
• They technically “employ” you in Portugal
• They handle payroll, social security, and compliance
• Your original employer pays the EOR, and the EOR pays you

This solves the compliance issue, but it comes at a cost. Fees typically range from $200 to $1,000 per employee per month, which some employers are happy to absorb and others are not.

2. Switching you to contractor status
Another common solution is for the company to ask you to become an independent contractor.

In this case:

• You invoice the company each month
• The company usually no longer handles social security or payroll
• You’re responsible for your own taxes and social contributions in Portugal

This can make life much easier for the employer, but it has trade-offs for you. Contractors typically lose access to:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Employer pension or retirement contributions
• Other employment benefits

It can also change how stable your income looks from a visa perspective, so documentation becomes more important.

3. Inter-company transfer
If your company already operates in Portugal, the easiest option may be to switch you to the Portuguese company’s payroll rather than going down an EOR or contractor route.

Some things to be aware of:
Some employers may also raise the topic of pay once you relocate — especially if you’re moving to what they consider a lower-cost-of-living country. That’s a separate negotiation entirely, but it’s something to be aware of early, not after you’ve already moved.

Also, depending on the route you take, the Digital Nomad Visa may not be the correct residency visa. For an inter-company transfer, for example, you may need a D1 or D3 visa instead.

Accommodation requirements

You need a Portuguese address before you apply. That can be:

• A lease (12 months is common for the residence visa route)
• Property deeds (if you own)
• A “Term of Responsibility” from a host (plus supporting docs)

In most cases, Airbnb/hotel bookings are not accepted (some consulates may allow it, but it’s not the norm).

NIF number

You’ll need a NIF (Portuguese tax number) before you can do many basics like renting and opening a Portuguese bank account.

If you’re working with a lawyer, they will obtain a NIF for you as part of their visa package. Otherwise, you can get a NIF number separately.

[Get Your NIF Here]

Portuguese bank account

Most consulates want a Portuguese bank account, funded with your savings/means of sustenance. And yes: a Portuguese bank account normally means an actual Portuguese bank, not Wise/Revolut.

If you’re working with a lawyer, they will open a Portuguese bank account for you as part of their visa package. Otherwise, you can open a Portuguese bank account through a third-party or by coming to Portugal.

[Get Your Portuguese Bank Account Here]

Travel insurance

Some consulates accept 4–6 months. Increasingly, 12 months is being requested by some consulates.

Travel insurance should typically:

• Cover the Schengen Area
• Include at least €30,000 medical cover
• Include repatriation
• Have no deductible
• Start on your planned arrival date
• Not exclude COVID-19 (especially where VFS is involved)

Depending on your travel insurance, particularly the length of the coverage, you may also need (and want) to take out private health insurance in Portugal.

Personal statement

This is your “why Portugal” + “how I’m supporting myself” letter. Keep it practical:

• Where you’ll live (and what the accommodation is)
• Your income source(s)
• Why you’re moving
• Anything that might raise questions (address it calmly)

How Much Time Do You Actually Need to Spend in Portugal?

This is a residency visa, not a “collect a card and disappear” arrangement. Despite the nickname “digital nomad visa,” this isn’t designed for you to spend considerable time outside of Portugal.

Taxes: Will You Be Taxed on Everything?

Short answer: if you move on the Digital Nomad Visa and actually live in Portugal, you’ll usually become a Portuguese tax resident.

What to know

• Most income is taxed progressively (commonly referenced range: 13.5% to 48%)
• Portugal has tax treaties with many countries (including the US and UK), which can reduce double-tax problems
• The details depend heavily on your country, income type, and where it’s paid

Plan to speak to a cross-border tax advisor if your setup is even mildly complex.

Do You Need to Speak Portuguese?

For the visa itself: no.

For day-to-day life: you’ll need a little Portuguese at cafes, restaurants, and everywhere else, however, English is widely spoken, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. You would benefit from having stronger Portuguese if you have to go to a Portuguese hospital or visit Finanças. If you want to make Portuguese friends, it’s recommended that you actively try to learn Portuguese (most won’t want to speak English all the time).

For permanent residency and citizenship: you’ll usually need A2 Portuguese (via exam or a qualifying course). Most people find this doable if they start early and treat it as a slow, steady project rather than a last-minute panic.

The Digital Nomad Visa Process in 2026: Step-By-Step

Step 1: Choose the right track

• One-year temporary stay (simpler, less “residency” infrastructure)
• Two-year residence visa (most popular, supports family reunification)

Step 2: Prepare your core documents

• Criminal record check(s)
• Proof of remote income (job/freelance)
• Accommodation
• Insurance
• NIF + bank account (often)

If you’re working with a lawyer, they will obtain essentials like the NIF and bank account. They may also be able to help with accommodation and travel/health insurance.

Step 3: Submit at your consulate/VFS

Requirements vary by country. Bring more proof than you think you’ll need.

Step 4: Enter Portugal and attend your AIMA appointment

AIMA often wants updated documents:

• Updated bank statements
• Updated income proof
• Extra accommodation proof (rent receipts, landlord contact details, etc.)

AIMA may also request:

• NISS (social security number) in some cases
  [Get Your NISS Here]

Step 5: Receive your residence permit

Typically:

• First card: 2 years
• Renewal: 3 years
• Long-term: permanent residency after 5 years, citizenship after 5 years (possibly increasing to 10 years)

How Does the Digital Nomad Visa Compare To Other Residency Visas?

Quick take

• If you have a remote job or freelance income: D8 is usually the cleanest fit.
• If you have passive income (pension, dividends, rental): D7 is often easier.
• If you want maximum flexibility and have significant capital: Golden Visa.
• If you’re building a Portugal-based business: D2 can still make sense, but you’ll want a clear reason for it.

Rapid-Fire FAQs

Is this visa only for tech workers?

No. If your income is from outside Portugal and your work can be done remotely, it can apply across many professions.

Do I need a Portuguese bank account?

Many consulates ask for one. Some don’t. Assume you’ll need it unless you’re told otherwise.

Is Airbnb enough for accommodation?

Usually no. A lease (often 12 months for the residence visa route) is the safer assumption.

Will I be taxed in Portugal?

If you live in Portugal on this visa, usually yes. Tax treaties often prevent double taxation, but you should plan properly.

When can I apply for permanent residency or citizenship?

Permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 10 years (plus processing time), typically with A2 Portuguese and a clean record.