D8 Visa: Digital Nomad
Last verified: 2026-09-28
Overview
For non-EU citizens who work remotely for entities outside Portugal.
Eligibility requirements
- Carry out professional activity remotely for entity/entities or client(s) domiciled or based outside Portugal.
Employee
Provide an employment contract or employer declaration proving the employment relationship.Self-employed / freelancer
Provide a partnership agreement, services contract, or document proving services rendered to one or more entities.- Average monthly income in the last 3 months equal to at least 4× the guaranteed minimum monthly wage (2026 reference: €3,680/month).
- Prove the applicant’s tax residence.
- Have sufficient means of subsistence, when not adequately shown by professional income.
- Have accommodation arrangements in Portugal.
- Meet the general entry and residence conditions, including no legal bar to entering/staying in Portugal.
Required documents
General documents9
- Completed and signed national visa application form
- Valid passport or other travel document
- 2 recent passport-style photographs
- Copy of the passport biographical page, when required by the consulate or external provider (Optional)
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country of residence for more than one year
- Authorisation to consult the Portuguese criminal record
- Proof of lawful status in the country where the application is filed, when applicable (Optional)
- Valid travel insurance covering urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation
- Proof of accommodation arrangements in Portugal
Specific documents5
Remote activity and income
Documentation proving professional activity carried out remotely for a person or entity domiciled or based outside Portugal- Proof of average monthly income from the professional activity in the last 3 months, equal to at least 4× the guaranteed minimum monthly wage
- Bank statements, payslips, invoices/receipts or suitable financial documents, according to the professional situation
- Document proving the applicant’s tax residence
- General proof of means of subsistence, when applicable and not adequately shown by professional income (Optional)
Professional documents — employee1
Professional documents — employee
Employment contract OR employer declaration proving the employment relationship (Optional)
Freelancer / independent professional1
Professional documents — self-employed
Partnership agreement, services contract OR document proving services rendered to one or more entities (Optional)
Other documents4
Family and formalities
Documents for family members/dependents, when applicable (Optional)- Documents proving the family relationship, when required (Optional)
- Parental authorisation or equivalent document, when applicable to minors (Optional)
- Foreign documents legalised/apostilled and translated, when required (Optional)
Full procedure
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Confirm you meet the visa requirements and gather your core documents.
- 2
Secure accommodation
Obtain proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental or ownership).
- 3
Book Consulate / VFS
Book your appointment at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre in your country of residence.
https://visa.vfsglobal.com - 4
Submit the application
Attend and submit the national visa application with all required documents.
- 5
Visa decision
Await the decision. The legal visa processing period is typically 60 days.
- 6
Enter Portugal
Travel on the D visa and prepare the residence-permit stage with AIMA.
- 7
Check AIMA appointment
Confirm or await your biometrics / attendance appointment with AIMA.
https://aima.gov.pt - 8
AIMA appointment
Attend AIMA for biometrics and to complete the residence-permit application.
- 9
Receive residence permit
Receive the residence card and confirm renewal timelines.
Summary and timelines
Variable — legal visa processing period: 60 days; then the residence-permit procedure with AIMA follows
~€90 visa + approx. €247.30 AIMA + documentary/VFS costs when applicable
Visa validity: 4 months / 2 entries. Initial residence permit: 2 years. Successive renewals of 3 years.
Professionals who work remotely for entities outside Portugal
Taxas / Fees
- Consular visa fee~€90
- Residence authorization fee (AIMA)approx. €247.30
- Documentary / VFS costsVariable