Are you a digital nomad looking for a new adventure? Portugal has recently launched a digital nomad visa that allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to a year. But what exactly is the Portugal digital nomad visa, and how can you apply for it?

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Portugal visa, from eligibility requirements to the application process. Get ready to make Portugal your new home away from home!

What is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

The Portugal digital nomad visa program is targeted at remote workers and digital nomads who want to work and live in Portugal. Since citizens from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland don’t exactly need a visa to work in Portugal, it’s majorly for professionals outside these regions.

Unlike other programs like the Mauritius digital nomad visa, you get two visa options in Portugal. Both of these options grant you temporary residency in the country. However, they vary slightly based on their benefits and duration.

As a remote worker or digital nomad, you can choose to either apply for the temporary stay visa or the permanent residency visa, also known as the D7 passive income visa.

The Portugal Temporary Stay Visa

This is the visa that primarily targets digital nomads. With this visa, you can live and work in Portugal for up to one year. Afterward, you can choose to renew it or extend your stay.

You can extend this visa for a maximum of four times. This means that you can live in Portugal for up to five years. However, no matter how long you live there, you cannot qualify for citizenship under this visa type.

The benefit of choosing this route is that you’ll only be charged a 15% tax instead of 25%. You also get the flexibility of relocating to another country and access to the full Schengen area.

Finally, you can bring in dependents as long as you can prove that you have sufficient income to cater to them during your stay.

Requirements for the Portugal Temporary Stay Visa

To qualify for the temporary stay visa, you need the following;

• Valid passport
• Proof of income of at least EUR 2,800 euros monthly (bank statements, business registrations, or proof of employment)
• A clean criminal record (criminal record certificate)
• Rental agreement or a hotel booking for one year in Portugal
• Marriage and birth certificate (for dependents)
• Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• A cover letter detailing your visa request (it should answer questions about who you are, why you’re applying for the visa, how you’ll support yourself, ties you have to the country, and other relevant information)

The Permanent Residency (D7) Visa

Also known as the D7 visa, this visa type allows digital nomads entry into Portugal for 120 days, after which you’ll apply for a residency permit.

Get the permit at the SEF (servico de Estangerios e Fronteiras) when you arrive in Portugal. Your Portugal residency permit is valid for two years, and you get full access to the Schengen area. You can also bring in your dependents as long as you prove you can afford to care for them in the country.

Now, unlike the temporary stay visa, you’ll be charged 25% tax, and there are conditions to meet if you want to get the residency visa. For example, you have to stay at least 183 days every year and not be out of the country for more than six months in Portugal.

What makes it different from the temporary stay is that after obtaining your residency visa, ‘you can apply for a permanent residency or even citizenship. So it’s ideal if you’re looking to relocate full-time or stay longer in the country.

While this option grants you a route toward citizenship, be aware that it is a lengthy and more complicated process.

Requirements for the Residency/D7 Visa

If you’re applying for a residency visa, you’ll need to meet the following criteria.

• Sufficient funds for yourself (minimum of EUR 8,460 annual income)
• Extra EUR 4,230 per annum for dependents
• A clean criminal record (criminal record certificate)
• Rental agreement or a hotel booking for one year in Portugal
• Marriage and birth certificate (for dependents)
• Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• A valid passport
• A cover letter detailing your visa request (it should answer questions about who you are, why you’re applying for the visa, how you’ll support yourself, ties you have to the country, and other relevant information)

How Much Does the Portugal Visa Application Fee Cost

The visa application fees for both the D7 and temporary stay visa is pretty much the same. While it varies depending on your originating country, expect to pay anywhere between EUR 180 for the application and EUR 320 for your residence permit when you arrive.

We also recommend keeping extra because you’d have to pay to translate your documents when you arrive.

How to Apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Whether you’re applying for the temporary stay or residency visa program, the steps are pretty similar. Here’s what you need to do;

1. Compile all your relevant documents: we recommend having two copies as you’d still need to translate them when you arrive.
2. Complete the visa application form. You can get this here. Ensure that all the details you enter in this document are aligned with your supporting documents.
3. Book an appointment with the Portugal Embassy in your country. You’ll have to visit the embassy in person to give your biometric details and submit your documents. Find out more details about what you’d need here.
4. Next, wait for the outcome of your application. It can take up to three months to process your visa.

As a digital nomad in Portugal, you can access the Schengen area, meet new friends, forge new connections, and enjoy an affordable European city. We absolutely recommend staying in cities like Lisbon, Algarve, and Porto, as these are the top destinations for digital nomads.

You’d definitely be needing a EUR account during this process to save and show your proof of funds. Get a Grey EUR account to easily save, spend, and receive EUR.

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