21 de January, 2026
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the D8 Visa, allows remote workers from outside the European Union to live legally in the country while working for companies or clients based abroad. Created to meet the growing global professional mobility, the D8 has become one of the most sought-after visas for those who wish to live in Europe with a high quality of life.
This guide is intended for those who already work remotely and want to understand, in a practical and up-to-date way, whether the D8 Visa is viable for their profile, what the real requirements are, the income thresholds involved, the steps of the process, and the key points to consider before applying.
Discover here how the process works, how much it costs, which mistakes to avoid, and why seeking specialized support can make a difference.
🔗 You can also access our complete article on all visas for Portugal.
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
The D8 Visa is the Portuguese visa exclusively intended for remote workers who carry out professional activities for companies or clients located outside Portugal. Unlike other residence visas, it was created specifically to accommodate professionals who do not intend to integrate into the Portuguese labor market, but who wish to reside legally in the country while maintaining active income from abroad.
The digital nomad visa may be granted either as a temporary stay visa or as a visa for obtaining a residence permit.
Professionals who meet the following requirements may apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa:
🔗 Read also… Digital Nomad: Complete Guide to Porto and Lisbon
❌ Professionals whose main source of income comes from Portuguese companies;
❌ Those who have exclusively passive income (D7 Visa profile);
❌ Professionals without a contract or documentary proof of remote activity.
The financial requirements for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa are evaluated through two distinct forms of financial proof, each fulfilling a specific role in the residence visa assessment process.
This is the central financial requirement of the Digital Nomad Visa and must be proven through formal documents such as contracts, tax declarations, and income statements. In the case of the Digital Nomad Visa, the minimum monthly income required for the main applicant already covers dependents/family members, as explained in more detail below.
In 2026: 4 × €920 = €3,680 (average over the last 3 months)
Unlike other types of Portuguese visas, the Digital Nomad Visa does not require mandatory proof of a bank deposit. Although it is not a legal requirement, it is recommended that, when applying for the residence permit with AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), the applicant holds a bank account in Portugal with an amount equivalent to four times the Portuguese minimum wage. This additional proof helps strengthen the application, without restricting the free use of the funds once the residence permit is granted.
🔗 See our comparison between the D7 Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa.
To prove income and professional ties, it is necessary to present proof of average monthly income relating to the last three months of remote work.
Attention: The income presented must be formally declared and verifiable. Payments made informally, without valid receipts or without being declared as income, may not be accepted by the Portuguese authorities. In addition, generic declarations, unsigned contracts, or documents that do not reflect the reality of the professional activity are among the main reasons for application refusal.
🔗 Learn what it is like to be a Digital Nomad in Lisbon.
Currently, there are two visa modalities granted to digital nomads:
Find out what it’s like to be a Digital Nomad in Lisbon.
The application process for the Digital Nomad Visa takes place in two distinct and mandatory phases: first, the visa itself, which must be applied for outside Portugal, and then the residence permit, which is requested once already in Portuguese territory.
The first step consists of submitting the visa application at the Portuguese consulate in the country of residence, through VFS Global, the company responsible for receiving and forwarding applications.
At this stage, the applicant must submit all required documentation, including proof of income, professional ties, and any other applicable requirements. The visa granted authorizes legal entry into Portugal but does not, by itself, confer resident status.
After entering the country with the approved visa, the applicant must attend an appointment with AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) to apply for their first residence permit. Only after this step does the digital nomad obtain resident status, with the right to live in the country for the duration of the permit’s validity.
The digital nomad visa allows applicants to move to Portugal with their family. Family reunification is possible for the following family members:
The assessment considers the applicant’s income and their ability to support the family unit. In the case of the Digital Nomad Visa, the minimum required amount is already understood by the authorities as sufficient to ensure the subsistence of the family group.
For this reason, there is no increase in the amount to be proven based on the number of dependents, unlike what occurs in other Portuguese visa models. Under the D8, the financial requirement remains the same, even when the application includes family members.
The amounts* vary according to the applicant’s age and whether the applicant is a citizen of a CPLP country.
*Attention: Fees are based on January 2026. These amounts usually change in March, so be sure to check the current fees at the time of application.
Temporary Stay Visa (VET)
D8 Visa for Residence
Portugal has once again consolidated itself as one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads — more precisely, the 7th country in the world, according to Forbes. It is estimated that in Lisbon alone there are already more than 16,000 digital nomads, reaching nearly 100,000 nationwide.
Portugal is a top destination for remote workers, combining modern infrastructure, high quality of life, and rich cultural experiences. Here are the main advantages:
Additionally, living legally in Portugal allows you to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area, comprising 26 European countries with no border or customs controls.
Long-term benefit: Possibility of naturalization (Portuguese citizenship by length of residence) or obtaining permanent residence after a long period of residence.
Ready to live as a digital nomad in Portugal? Speak with a specialist and assess whether this is truly the best path for your professional and family profile.
Author:
Silvia Resende
