Visa requirements for Portugal — the D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal launched the D8 Digital Nomad Visa in late 2022, specifically for remote workers employed by non-Portuguese companies. It’s the most straightforward path to living legally in Porto while working remotely.
Key requirement: Prove monthly income of at least EUR 3,040 (4x the Portuguese minimum wage of EUR 760). This can come from employment, freelance contracts, or a combination. You need 3-6 months of bank statements showing consistent income at or above this threshold.
The D8 grants a 1-year temporary residence permit, renewable for 2 additional years. After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. Portugal allows dual citizenship.
EU/EEA citizens don’t need a visa. Register at the local Câmara Municipal within 3 months of arrival — that’s it.
Application process
Get your NIF (tax number)
Apply online via ePortugal.gov.pt or in person at a Finanças office in Porto. You need this before everything else. Free, takes 1-2 days online.
Gather documents
Proof of income (3-6 months bank statements), employment contract or client contracts, criminal background check (apostilled), health insurance valid in Portugal, passport with 6+ months validity.
Submit at Portuguese consulate
Apply at the Portuguese consulate in your home country. Bring originals and copies of all documents. Application fee: EUR 90.
Wait for processing
AIMA (Portuguese immigration agency) reviews your application. Processing takes 4-8 weeks depending on your consulate's backlog. Lisbon and London consulates are slowest.
Arrive and register
Once approved, enter Portugal within 4 months. Schedule an appointment at AIMA in Porto (Rua de D. João IV) to collect your residence permit.
Costs and processing times
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| D8 visa application | EUR 90 |
| Document apostille | EUR 20-50 per document |
| Criminal record check | EUR 15-40 (varies by country) |
| Document translations | EUR 50-150 (sworn translator) |
| Health insurance | EUR 40-80/month (SafetyWing, Genki, or Portuguese provider) |
| NIF registration | Free |
| Total upfront | EUR 250-450 |
Processing time: 4-8 weeks from submission to decision. Apply at least 3 months before your planned move. The Porto AIMA office (for your residence permit appointment after arrival) has wait times of 2-6 weeks — book immediately upon arrival.
The D8 is renewable after 1 year for 2 more years. Renewal requires showing continued income above EUR 3,040/month and spending at least 183 days per year in Portugal.
Alternative visa options
D7 Passive Income Visa — For people with pensions, rental income, dividends, or investment returns. Lower income threshold (EUR 760/month minimum). Longer processing but covers non-employment income that the D8 doesn’t.
Schengen tourist visa (or visa-free entry) — 90 days in any 180-day period. No work permit, but remote workers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Latin America can enter visa-free. Good for a trial stay before committing to the D8 process.
Self-employment (Recibos Verdes) — If you want to freelance for Portuguese clients, you’ll need to register as a sole trader with a NIF and open activity (Atividade Aberta). Different from the D8, which covers remote work for foreign employers only.
Skip the Golden Visa — it requires EUR 500,000+ in investment and is designed for wealthy investors, not remote workers. The D8 is faster, cheaper, and purpose-built for your situation.