How Does the Residence Permit for Digital Nomads Work in Portugal?

Portugal has become one of the leading destinations for professionals who work remotely. To accommodate this type of immigration, Portugal created a residence visa for individuals carrying out professional activities remotely for entities outside Portuguese territory, commonly known as the D8 Visa or Digital Nomad Visa.

The regime is provided for under Article 61-B of Law no. 23/2007 and is intended for both employees and self-employed professionals who work remotely for individuals or legal entities domiciled or headquartered outside Portugal.

After entering Portugal with the corresponding residence visa, the foreign national may apply for a residence permit before AIMA, provided that they continue to meet the applicable legal requirements.

In this article, we explain who may qualify for this regime, how the procedure works and which documents are generally required.

Who can apply for the D8 Visa?

The D8 Visa is intended for third-country nationals, meaning nationals of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, who carry out professional activities remotely for entities located outside Portugal.

The regime may apply to:

• employees with an employment contract with a foreign company;
• self-employed professionals;
• freelancers;
• service providers;
• shareholders or directors of companies headquartered outside Portugal, provided that they can provide documentary evidence of the professional activity carried out remotely.

The central requirement is that the work or services must be provided remotely to individuals or legal entities domiciled or headquartered outside Portuguese territory.

Therefore, simply working online is not enough. The applicant must demonstrate the remote nature of the activity, the professional relationship and the location of the employer or clients.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

Yes.

The applicant must demonstrate that, during the three months preceding the application, they received an average monthly income equivalent to at least four times the Portuguese guaranteed minimum monthly wage.

The specific amount must be calculated according to the minimum monthly wage in force on the date the application is submitted, which is currently €920.

In addition to proof of income, the applicant must provide documentation confirming their tax residence. These requirements are set out in Article 31-A of Regulatory Decree no. 84/2007.

How does the process work?

As a general rule, the procedure takes place in two stages.

1. Residence visa application

The applicant must apply for the D8 Visa at the competent Portuguese consular post in the country where they are legally resident.

At this stage, the authorities will assess the general visa requirements, the applicant's professional activity, income, tax residence, criminal record, means of subsistence and other required documentation.

2. Residence permit application

After the visa has been granted and the applicant has entered Portugal, they must attend an appointment with AIMA to apply for the residence permit.

The visa allows the applicant to enter Portugal, but it does not replace the residence permit. Legal residence for the medium and long term is formalised through the residence permit issued by AIMA.

What documents are required?

The required documents vary according to the applicant's professional situation.

For employees, the legislation requires, in particular:

• an employment contract; or
• a declaration from the employer confirming the employment relationship.

For self-employed professional activities, the applicant may provide:

• articles of association or a company agreement;
• a service agreement; or
• a document demonstrating the provision of services to one or more entities.

Are the D8 Visa and the residence permit the same thing?

No.

The D8 Visa is issued by the Portuguese consular authorities and allows the applicant to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for residence.

The residence permit is subsequently issued by AIMA and confirms the holder's right to legally reside in Portugal.

This distinction is important because approval of the visa does not complete the immigration procedure. The applicant must still attend the relevant procedure before AIMA and demonstrate that they continue to meet the applicable requirements.

How long is the residence permit valid?

The temporary residence permit for remote professional activity is generally valid for two years from the date the residence permit is issued.

It may subsequently be renewed for successive periods of three years, provided that the holder continues to meet the applicable legal requirements.

At the renewal stage, the applicant may be required to demonstrate that the remote professional activity continues to exist, that they have sufficient income and that they continue to meet the other residence requirements.

Can a D8 residence permit holder work for a Portuguese company?

Currently, there is no legal prohibition preventing this. Therefore, a person holding a residence permit as a digital nomad is not prevented from changing their professional status and subsequently carrying out professional activities for a Portuguese company.

Can I bring my family?

Yes.

The residence permit holder may apply for family reunification for family members covered by Portuguese law, provided that the applicable requirements are met.

As a general rule, the applicant will need to demonstrate:

• the family relationship;
• suitable accommodation;
• sufficient means of subsistence;
• civil status documents that have been duly legalised or apostilled, where applicable.

Each application is assessed individually.

What are the most common mistakes?

Some of the most common issues include:

• assuming that any activity carried out online qualifies for the D8 Visa;
• failing to demonstrate that the employer or clients are established outside Portugal;
• submitting generic contracts that do not demonstrate the continuity of the professional activity;
• failing to prove the required minimum income for the three months preceding the application;
• confusing company turnover with the applicant's personal income;
• providing insufficient banking or professional documentation;
• failing to adequately demonstrate tax residence;
• using the D8 Visa for an activity that should actually fall under a different immigration category.

These issues may result in requests for additional documentation, delays or refusal of the application.

Conclusion

The D8 Visa provides an alternative for professionals who wish to legally reside in Portugal while continuing to work remotely for companies or clients located abroad.

However, the application requires more than simply demonstrating that the work can be performed remotely. Applicants must provide evidence of their professional relationship, the location of the contracting entities, the required minimum income, tax residence and the other applicable legal requirements.

A prior legal assessment can help determine whether the D8 Visa is in fact the appropriate immigration route, ensure that the documentation is properly organised and reduce the risk of delays or refusals.

Rafaela Barbosa Advocacia Internacional
Specialists in immigration, Italian and Portuguese citizenship, and international mobility.

📍 Portugal | Brazil | Italy
📞 +351 913 158 360
📩 advocacia.rafaelabarbosa@gmail.com
🌐 www.rafaelabarbosaadv.com

If you have any questions, our team is available to assist you.

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