4 de February, 2025
The pandemic reshaped the way we live and work, accelerating a global shift toward remote work. While this trend was already on the rise, especially in fields like IT, the pandemic proved that working remotely isn’t just possible—it’s often beneficial for both companies and employees. This newfound flexibility has inspired many to pursue the dream of living abroad without leaving their jobs, and Portugal has emerged as a top destination for remote work.
With its stunning landscapes, affordable cost of living, and welcoming atmosphere, Portugal offers the perfect blend of work and lifestyle for digital nomads and remote professionals. Whether you’re looking to work from a sunny beach town or a vibrant city like Lisbon or Porto, Portugal remote work opportunities are transforming how people live and work globally.
Also, check out our article on the D8 Portugal Digital Nomad Visa and learn how to live in the country legally!
According to a study conducted by travel website Momondo Portugal is the best country in the world to combine remote work and travel. The survey compared 111 countries, using 22 factors divided into 6 categories: remote working conditions, health and safety, social life, living costs, cost of travel and accessibility and also the climate. Portugal scored high in all categories, with emphasis on health, safety and social life.
Also on the Nomad List social network for digital nomads, Portugal stands out among the best destinations for working remotely. Lisbon, Porto, Madeira and Ericeira appear among the addresses preferred by users.
Besides being the land of excellent wines and good food; having stunning landscapes, having a pleasant climate, with sun and sea, there are other reasons why Portugal is the ideal place for digital nomads.
Portugal is not as affordable as it once was, but it still offers very attractive prices compared to other countries in Europe. Renting a comfortable two-bedroom flat in the center of Lisbon, the most expensive city in the country, can cost around a thousand euros. However, there are more affordable options in other parts of the country, as we have repeatedly mentioned.
Learn more about the cost of living in Portugal compared to the USA
Portugal is the 6th most proficient country in the world in English, according to the ranking “EF English Proficiency Index“which analysed data from 2 million non-native English speakers in 112 countries and regions around the world. Something extremely attractive for those who do not master the local language.
The Portuguese government has been taking some measures to make emigration more attractive for foreign workers. One such incentive is the Non-Habitual Fiscal Residence (NHR), which gives tax benefits to new residents for the first ten years of living in Portugal. Expatriates can also benefit from alternative tax regimes such as the Simplified Regime.
One of the reasons Portugal has become a popular destination for digital nomads is its excellent infrastructure, both for living and working. Lisbon and Porto offer a variety of modern, fully equipped accommodation and coworking options. Examples include Ukio, which provides furnished apartments for monthly stays with a fully digital experience, and Outsite Lisbon, which combines lodging and a work environment in a single location, offering coworking spaces and shared areas.
For those who are not from the EU but wish to live and work remotely in Portugal, there are several alternatives. One option is the D7 Visa, designed for individuals with their own passive income. For those looking to start a business or practice their profession in the country, it’s also possible to apply for the D2 Visa for Entrepreneurs or Freelancers, or the D3 Visa for Highly Qualified Professionals.
You will find many other foreigners living in the country. Portugal’s popularity as a destination for digital nomads is also reflected on the social network Nomad List. The site features the best destinations worldwide for living, working, and traveling as a remote worker, along with user-generated reviews divided into different categories. Among the top-ranked locations, you’ll find several Portuguese cities.
Some regions in Portugal are already starting to invest in this public, as is the case of Ponta do Sol on Madeira Island, home to Europe’s first digital nomad village, the Digital Nomad Village. The pilot project, led by Startup Madeira, has the support of the regional government, and even has a space with free workstations (tables, chairs and quality internet). So far over two thousand people have already shown interest in working online directly from this paradise, which has already been voted “Best Tourist Island Destination” in the world by the World Travel Awards. Not bad for the address of your next office.
It doesn’t matter the city you choose. If you also want to work remotely directly from Portugal, talk to Atlantic Bridge. Our consultants help you to find a viable, legal and safe way to realize this dream.
To find out more, click here and fill in our form.
*Silvia Resende is a journalist at Atlantic Bridge. From Bahia, she arrived in Portugal in 2015 to build a new life with her family. She has a degree in Communication from UFBa, in Brazil, and a Master’s in Communication Sciences from Porto University. She has worked as a TV presenter, reporter, event producer, public relations and tour guide in Porto. She loves travelling and discovering the cultural heritage of each place she visits. She is mother of Malu, 8 years old, and thinks that Porto is the ideal place to raise a child.
Author:
Silvia Resende
