Oftentimes most people think about France, Germany, Italy, or even Switzerland when it comes to digital nomad destinations in Europe. While those countries are exceptional, there is one Southern European country that is simply different from the rest, Portugal.
You may know Portugal for several things, football being one of them, but do you know that Portugal has been ever so popular amongst digital nomads looking to explore the other side of Europe?
From the people, nature, lifestyle, and location, Portugal is the perfect place for your next digital nomad destination. The good news is that Portugal just launched the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa program, allowing remote workers to stay within the country for a year.
- Capital: Lisbon
- Population: 10 million
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Language: Portuguese, English
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
Why Portugal has been increasingly popular amongst digital workers worldwide comes with good reasons. Despite being in Europe, Portugal is a coastal country with Mediterranean weather, meaning that winter is subtle and the heat during summer is just the perfect amount. Unlike most European countries, Portugal is relatively affordable and has everything to support the life of a digital nomad.
Stay tuned as the following will be a deep dive into everything you need to know about the Digital Nomad Visa for Portugal, including the cost of living, requirements, and steps to apply.
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Working as a digital nomad in Portugal
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa was just released on October 30, 2022, but the country has been a hotspot for digital nomads before the pandemic even started.
Remote workers were able to work from Portugal by applying for the Portugal D7 Visa, which was designated for people who earned remote income/retirement payments.
Unlike the D7 Visa, the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is much easier to apply for. Applicants will be allowed to stay in the country for 1 year (option to renew for five years) and granted visa-free access to the 26 Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and more.
You can include your spouse, family, and dependents when applying for the digital nomad visa for Portugal.
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Reasons to work from Portugal
Climate
Portugal receives millions of visitors each year, with a majority of people coming from cold-weathered countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, and more.
Located between the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans, Portugal is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The country enjoys the sun for around 300 days a year, with a bearable winter that often does not go under 10 degrees Celsius.
Geographical location
We mentioned how you would be granted access to 26 Schengen countries with the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. Despite having a different climate from most of Europe, Portugal is still only 2 hours flight away from the United Kingdom and other north-western European countries.
Portugal also shares a direct border with Spain, another beautiful country worth exploring. From Spain, you are only a few hours away from Northern African countries, including the highly-rated Morocco.
Landscape
Portugal is known for its variety of outstanding natural landscapes. As you travel across the country, you will notice the scenery changing from the sandy coastline of the Algarve and the agricultural fields of Alentejo to the lush green area of Central Portugal.
Culture
Portugal is a country with a long history and rich culture. While it is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, you can find influences from other cultures, including German and Viking cultures.
You can experience art, literature, and music woven into the Portuguese’s daily life. As for the food, it deserved an article in itself! You can enjoy fresh seafood all year long, with the Bacalhau (salted cod) as their main star.
Safety
Portugal only sits behind Iceland and New Zealand in the 2020 Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest countries in Europe. Just come to the country, and you will be welcomed by some of the friendliest people in the world!
Madeira: the digital nomad village of Portugal
Another reason to work from Portugal is that the country has a digital nomad village on its own. Designed by a Digital Nomadism expert in Gonçalo Hall, the village is located in the archipelagoes of Madeira.
Often regarded as one of the best destinations in the world, Madeira is the perfect place not only to work but also to surf, hike, or simply enjoy the view!
Living in the digital nomad village includes a free private desk and chair, WiFi access from 8 am to 10 pm, and an invitation to join the community slack channel, where you can collaborate with other digital nomads!
Approximately 8000 people are living in the village, you can apply to live there as long as you can commit to staying for at least one month.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Portugal is relatively lower than in other popular destinations across Europe, especially with the Euro and US Dollar leveling.
A one-bedroom apartment in a prime spot in the city center will cost you just shy of $750 a month. For cheaper options, you can head to the city’s outskirts and get an apartment of the same size for just $580 a month.
A meal at an average inexpensive restaurant can cost you as little as just $8.28, while a meal in a high-end spot will cost you at least $20, which is still quite a bargain.
Transportation
Unlike in most countries, taxis are a reasonable option in Portugal. For less than $1 per kilo, taxi rides are affordable, especially when shared with friends.
If you are traveling regularly, we highly recommend buying the Andante monthly pass, a card that allows unlimited access to every public transport in the city, including the buses and the trains.
Internet
Free Wi-Fi is available across most cafes, restaurants, and co-working areas around the city. For unlimited data of 60 Mbps, you only have to pay $35 each month.
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Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Before applying for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, make sure you meet all the requirements below:
- Valid passport
A copy of a working passport issued by the country of your origin
- Remote income
Only workers or business owners with income coming from outside Portugal are eligible for the digital nomad visa
- Income of $2,750/month
You have to show that you can support your life in Portugal. The minimum requirement is for you to at least earn 3 times the minimum wage in Portugal
- Tax ID number (NIF)
Applicants still have to pay taxes while living in Portugal, make sure you register yourself when applying for the digital nomad visa
- Health insurance
You are required to have health insurance that can cover you during your stay in the country
- Criminal record
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. To keep it that way, you are required to have a clean criminal record when applying for the Digital Nomad Visa for Portugal
Unless you cannot meet any of the requirements above, you can expect your application to be accepted by the Portuguese government.
How to apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (steps)
Applying for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa does not involve a lot of steps. You can submit your application to the Portuguese embassy of your home country or directly to the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras in Portugal. Simply follow the steps below:
- Gather and translate your documents
These are the documents you need to apply for the digital nomad visa: Passport copy, Passport-sized photo of yourself, Proof of income for the last three months, Proof of remote work/business ownership, Tax residency documents, Proof of relationship with spouse/dependants (if any), Official criminal background check, Health Insurance with coverage in Portugal. The documents have to be translated into Portuguese.
- Obtain tax residency (NIF)
To obtain the NIF number that allows you to pay taxes when living in Portugal, simply work with legal services that will handle the tax office and documents required to get your NIF number.
- Submit your application
Schedule an appointment with the Portuguese embassy in your home country or with the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras if you are applying to Portugal. Make sure that you have completed this application and bring all the documents in step 1 with you. You will be charged an application fee of 90 euros.
- Wait for approval
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is still a new program. There needs to be more information on how long it will take for your application to be approved. If you feel that you have submitted all the required documents and have met all the requirements, you can expect your application to be approved.
Wrapping up
What are you waiting for? The digital nomad culture is growing at an exciting rate in Portugal, and there is no better time for you to come to Portugal than right now. There are not many documents for you to submit and the steps are as simple as it gets, especially in Europe!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Portugal Digital Nomad visa is valid for one year
You can renew your Visa upon your stay and get a longer permit for up to 5 years.
You have to pay for the application fee, which costs 90 Euro
The digital nomad visa for Portugal is a new program released at the end of October 2022. There needs to be more information as to how long it will take for your application to be approved but be assured that your approval will come if you meet all the requirements.
