Ever since the pandemic, employees around the world have taken advantage of the new-found flexibility around remote working and many have jetted off to enjoy a change of scenery. Freelance workers are now able to move around the world, picking up work and clients in each new location, while maintaining their flexibility and income. Portugal is one country that has long-embraced the concept of ‘digital nomads’ and their latest visa welcomes these remote workers with open arms.
If you’re interested in working remotely in Portugal but are not sure where to start, here’s what you need to know about their visas.
What is Portugal’s new ‘digital nomad visa’?
Portugal’s ‘Temporary Stay’ visa is specifically targeted to digital nomads who want to come to Portugal to work remotely. This visa offers an alternative to the popular D7 visa in Portugal, and there are important differences between the two.
The ‘Temporary Stay’ visa offers workers with proof of having a remote job the chance to live and work in Portugal under the following criteria:
- The visa lasts for one year, and can be extended up to four times for a maximum stay of five years
- The worker must earn at least €2,800 per month as per the visa’s income requirements, which is four times the national minimum wage in Portugal
- The worker must not be an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
- Workers must show proof of income for the last three months
- Workers will be charged a 15% tax rate, as opposed to the standard Portuguese tax rate of 25%, for their first four years on the visa
- Workers must have proof of accommodation in Portugal for one year and obtain a Portuguese NIF (Numero de Identificação Fiscal) and open a Portuguese bank account when they arrive into the country.
Portugal’s D7 visa for remote work has a very similar process to the Digital Nomad visa, except for some criteria. The D7 visa was originally intended as a passive income visa i.e., aimed at those who make their income from investments, such as pensions or rental properties. The visa grants residency for up to two years, and those who apply for the D7 only have to show proof of income in line with Portugal’s national minimum wage – much less than the four-times minimum of the Temporary Stay visa.
What are the other kinds of visas available?
Apart from the Temporary Stay and D7 visas, there are a number of other options for those looking to live and work in Portugal. These include:
- The D2 Entrepreneur visa, aimed at increasing local investment
- The Golden Visa, which grants applicants a residency permit that allows them to travel in the EU like a Portuguese citizen
- The Tourist Visa, which, similar to many other countries, allows entrants to holiday in Portugal for under 90 days
Do I need a visa to work in Portugal if I’m from an EU country?
EU citizens do not need a visa to live and work in any other EU country, including Portugal. EU citizens can enter Portugal freely – but if they intend to work and live in Portugal for longer than three months, they do need to apply for residency, similar to international visa applicants.
How do I apply for the digital nomad visa in Portugal?
There are a number of steps and a lot of documentation involved in applying for the digital nomad visa. Here’s a general overview of what’s involved in the process:
1: Gather your documentation
The documentation needed to make a visa application in Portugal includes:
- Your visa application form
- Cover letter explaining your visa request
- Valid passport and two passport photographs
- Proof of income
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal
- A clean verified criminal record
- Proof of health insurance
- Receipt for payment of the visa fee
- Any relevant marriage or birth certificates for your dependants
2. Complete and submit your visa application and cover letter
The next step is to make the application official. Start by completing the application form and draft your cover letter, which should include information on why you are making the application, where you plan to stay, any relevant ties you may have to Portugal, and a summary of all your documentation.
You can then make an appointment at your local Portuguese embassy to submit your application, accompanying documents, and have your fingerprints and photos taken. You’ll then pay the application fee, which is usually around €180 per person, depending on your location.
3. Wait for your visa
It usually takes between 3-4 months for your visa application to be processed and approved, but you can track its progress online. Once it’s ready, you can either collect it from your local embassy or have it posted out to you.
4. Enter Portugal and apply for residency
Once you have your visa, you can then enter Portugal. You have 120 days to register for residency in the country – you can make an appointment with the SEF (known as immigration and border service agency) yourself, or one is usually made for you when you make your visa application.
Is Portugal a good location for digital nomads?
Portugal is very popular with digital nomads from around the world, and for good reason. Apart from its beautiful scenery, glorious weather and great culture and food, Portugal features plenty of co-working spaces, and has the 17th fastest WiFi in the world – a must for those working on the go.
The country consistently appears on online lists of the best places to go for digital nomads – and with so many types of visas for digital nomads available, it’s a no brainer to investigate if Portugal is right for you.
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