TL;DR: Quick Overview

Who is it for? Remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs earning income from outside Portugal

Main financial requirement? Minimum €3,680 gross monthly income (four times Portuguese minimum wage)

Realistic timeline? Official processing is 60 days, but expect 4-6 months including AIMA appointments

Portugal's sunny coast attracts remote workers from all over the globe as it is home to a rising number of digital nomads. The D9 visa is your ticket to living legally in Europe, allows you to travel within the Schengen Zone, and gives you access to the European lifestyle.

In October 2022, the D9 was established only for freelancers and those people whose work is from home. The top three nationalities for D9 visas granted have been the U.S., Brazilians, and the British.

Who Qualifies for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

An individual who is 18 years old or above and not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland is eligible to file an application for a Portugal visa for remote workers. The condition is to work for foreign companies from home or maintain your freelance clients in countries outside of Portugal.

From 2026, the minimum gross monthly income will be €3,680. This is four times the minimum wage in Portugal, which is €920. Family applications need more money than the minimum amounts.

In case of family applications, spouses are added 50% and children 30% each.

LEGISLATIVE WATCH: The Assembly of the Republic is now talking about changes to how digital nomads are taxed. One idea is to have different municipal tax rates for remote workers in certain areas. If the President signs these changes into law, they could affect applications for 2026. Check the official Portuguese visa portal for updates before you send in your applications.

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements & Income Proof

Forms that prove income are the most important part of approval decisions for Portugal digital nomad visa requirements. Remote workers send in their contracts and three months' worth of consecutive pay stubs. Bank statements must show that deposits match the exact amounts of income that were reported. Freelancers show proof of their work by giving clients contracts, invoices, and business registration certificates.

Financial Requirements Breakdown

• Savings Requirement: €11,040 (12 times the minimum wage of €920) shows that you are financially stable beyond just your income
• Monthly Income: €3,680 officially, but officers sometimes ask for six months of steady income above this level
• Proof Standards: If your income looks strange or inconsistent, consulates may ask for more paperwork

COMMON ISSUE: A lot of applicants have trouble with AIMA's definition of "stable income" for freelancers. The digital nomad visa income requirements officially state €3,680 monthly, but officers sometimes ask for six months of steady income above this level.

→ Visas.pt's Digital Nomad Visa consultation package gives you expert advice on how to show your freelance income in ways that meet both consular and AIMA requirements, preventing rejections at important appointment stages.

Tax Implications You Must Understand

For new applicants, the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) programme changed on January 1, 2024 to NHR 2.0 or IFICI. Portugal's normal progressive tax rates (13.25% to 48%) now apply to people with Portugal remote work visa holders. The 183-day rule decides where you live for tax purposes: spending six months there means you have to pay all your taxes in Portugal.

Tax Rate Reality Check

Most people who apply have to make at least €39,360 a year, and their marginal rates are between 37% and 43.5%. Your home country may have double taxation agreements (DTAs) that offer ways to get help.

→ Book a tax consultation with one of our experts to find out more.

Documents Required (Detailed List)

Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you plan to leave. Include photocopies of your biographical pages and any pages from previous Schengen visas. You need to send in two recent passport-sized photos that meet Portuguese biometric standards.

NIF (Portuguese Tax Number)

The NIF makes it possible for all financial and legal activities to happen in Portugal. You can get it at Finanças offices, Loja do Cidadão, or from people who work for them. Getting your Portuguese tax number NIF before you arrive makes the whole residency process much easier. A lot of consulates now want proof of NIF when you apply for a visa.

Certified Portuguese representatives can help you get your NIF remotely, which speeds up this important first step.

→ Visas.pt's NIF Number service gets your Portuguese tax number hassle-free.

Criminal Record Certificate

• Certificates must come from every country where you have lived in the past five years
• Issuance must happen within 90 days of the date the application was sent in
• It is required that sworn translators do both the apostille certification and the Portuguese translation

Proof of Remote Income

Remote workers get employment contracts that clearly spell out how they will work from home for the digital nomad visa income requirements. Include at least three months of pay stubs that show gross income of more than €3,680 a month.

Accommodation Proof

• Rental agreements should last for at least 12 months, but shorter ones with reasons can sometimes work
• Hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings, or host letters set the rules for Portuguese addresses
• The property must have enough room for everyone in the family who is applying

Health Insurance Certificate

Insurance must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses in the entire Schengen area. Travel insurance policies are not accepted; health insurance for long-term residents is required. All dependents listed on visa applications must be covered.

Portuguese Bank Account

Local bank accounts show that you are financially integrated into Portuguese systems before you get AIMA residence permit approval. A lot of banks want NIF numbers before you can open an account, which makes it hard to keep track of documents.

We can help you in getting an NIF number in as little as 7 business days!

→ Book your consultation to know more.

How to Apply for D9 Visa Portugal?

You can apply for your first visa at a Portuguese diplomatic mission in your home country. Once your application is approved, you have 120 days to enter Portugal and finish your residency.

Step 1: Document Gathering

Make sure that all the necessary documents are in order and that the translations and apostilles are done correctly. Request criminal records early because some places take 8 to 12 weeks to process them.

Step 2: NIF & Bank Account Setup

You can get your Portuguese tax number through authorised representatives or by going to the tax office in person. Once you get your NIF, you can open a bank account in Portugal.

Step 3: Consulate Appointment

Because there aren't many openings, you should make your appointment 6 to 12 weeks in advance. Send in full application packages with all the required documents and fees.

Step 4: Visa Approval & Entry

After your visa is approved, you will get a stamp in your passport that lets you enter for four months. To avoid having to apply for a new visa, travel to Portugal during the visa's validity period.

Step 5: AIMA Residency Appointment

Go to your scheduled AIMA appointment with all of your original documents and Portuguese translations. Give biometric information (like fingerprints and a photo) to systems that make residency cards.

Step 6: Residence Card Collection

It will take 2 to 6 weeks for your registered mail to arrive with your two-year residence permit card. The card lets you live, work, and use public services legally.

CRITICAL BOTTLENECK: As of late 2025, AIMA appointment scheduling represents the process's biggest bottleneck. Even though there are official 120-day windows, appointments are actually available 4 to 6 months after you arrive.

→ Visas.pt can help you get AIMA's appointment within 4 months of your application. Discover how to apply for a visa with expert guidance.

NOTE: Family members may be brought at the same time via the "Residence Visa for Accompanying Family Member Applying for a Residence Visa".

D9 Visa Processing Time & Fees

The official consulate says that processing claims takes 60 days from the time the application is complete. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for a visa to be approved, depending on how busy the consulate is. D9 visa processing time for AIMA appointments adds three to five months to the total time frame. The whole process, from the first visit to the consulate to getting a residence card, takes 6 to 8 months.

Cost Breakdown

GOOD NEWS: In October 2025, Portugal's Council of Ministers announced plans to modernise AIMA. By the second quarter of 2026, digital appointment systems and more staff should help cut down on backlogs.

Why Choose Visas.pt?

When you don't know how to deal with Portugal's immigration bureaucracy, it takes longer and more people get turned down. Visas.pt has licensed immigration lawyers who work directly with you. We know AIMA's informal requirements beyond what is written down. We have helped digital nomads get through the process, and 98% of the time, their applications were approved the first time they applied.

→ Contact Visas.pt today for a personalized consultation addressing your specific digital nomad situation.

FAQs

Can I apply for the D9 visa while already in Portugal?

No, you must first know how to apply for a D9 visa Portugal application at a Portuguese consulate in your own country. The visa lets you enter the country legally only to apply for a residency permit.

What happens if my income temporarily drops below €3,680/month?

AIMA checks income at application and renewal periods, not every month while you live there. Temporary fluctuations between reviews usually don't cause problems if annual averages stay in line.

Does the D9 visa allow me to work for Portuguese companies?

No, the Portugal visa for remote workers specifically says that you need to make money from sources outside of Portugal. To work for Portuguese companies, you need different types of visas, like work permits.