Volume 1 · 2026
Published August 1, 2026
The D8 Digital Nomad Visa launched in October 2022, making 2025–2026 the first period with enough completed cases to produce meaningful aggregate data. This report covers the D8 applications our lawyers have handled since the visa's introduction — including what causes rejections, which consulates process fastest, and how the applicant profile has evolved as awareness of the programme has grown internationally.
The D8 is frequently described online as a straightforward visa for remote workers. In reality, the income threshold is high (approximately €3,680/month for a single applicant in 2026), the requirement that income come entirely from outside Portugal is strictly interpreted, and consulate approaches to acceptable proof of remote income have varied more than official guidance suggests. This report documents what we have actually seen.
Key numbers
6.8mo
Avg. processing time
Oct 2022–Jun 2026
9%
Rejection rate
First applications
€3,680
Income threshold (2026)
4× min. wage
41
Nationalities represented
All D8 cases
67%
Applicants: tech sector
Self-reported profession
2.3mo
Delay caused by RADs
Avg. additional wait
D8 processing times by consulate city (months)
Processing time for the D8 varies by consulate in a similar pattern to the D7 — UK and French consulates outperform US consulates by a significant margin. However, the D8 is consistently slower than the D7 at every consulate, reflecting the additional scrutiny applied to remote income documentation.
London, UK
Fastest for D8
Washington D.C., USA
Slowest
San Francisco, USA
Highest volume
Median values. Oct 2022–Jun 2026. D8 processing consistently 1.5–2.5 months slower than D7 at the same consulate.
D8 rejection reasons — what actually causes refusals
The D8 rejection rate of 9% is higher than the D7 (7%) but lower than the D2 (18%). Almost all rejections fall into three categories, all of which are preventable with proper preparation.
| Income below threshold or inconsistently documented |
41% |
Most common cause |
| Income partially from Portuguese sources |
29% |
D8 requires 100% foreign income |
| Employer/client documentation insufficient |
19% |
Contracts not meeting consulate standards |
| Health insurance not covering Portugal |
7% |
Coverage scope not explicitly stated |
| Other / procedural |
4% |
Administrative or apostille issues |
Based on refusal letters and lawyer notes from rejected first applications, Oct 2022–Jun 2026. Percentages represent share of total rejections, not total applications.
D8 applicant professions — who is applying
The D8 is designed for any remote worker, but in practice the applicant pool is heavily concentrated in technology and creative industries. This reflects both where remote work is most established and where income levels are most likely to clear the €3,680/month threshold.
Software / tech
Developers, engineers, PMs
Marketing / content
SEO, copywriting, social
Design / creative
UX, graphic, video
Finance / consulting
Analysts, advisers
Education / coaching
Online tutors, coaches
Healthcare / telemedicine
Remote clinicians
Other
Varied remote roles
Profession self-reported at first enquiry. Technology includes software engineering, product management, data science, and IT consulting.
The income documentation problem — why the D8 fails more than it should
The most common D8 rejection cause — inconsistent or insufficient income documentation — is almost entirely preventable. Consulates want to see a clear, continuous picture of remote income for a minimum of three months prior to application. Where this breaks down:
Freelancers with variable monthly income. A month below the threshold triggers scrutiny even if the average is well above it. We document this by calculating a 6-month rolling average and presenting it explicitly in the cover letter.
Employment contracts that do not state remote working or do not confirm the employer is outside Portugal. A standard employment contract is not sufficient — consulates want a specific letter from the employer confirming the nature of the remote arrangement and that no work will be performed for Portuguese clients.
Invoice-based income from a single client. While technically permissible, single-client freelancers face heightened scrutiny around whether the arrangement constitutes disguised employment under Portuguese law, which could affect the income's classification as truly non-Portuguese.
D8 vs D7: side-by-side comparison for decision-making
The most common question before a D8 application is whether the D7 might be a better fit. This comparison uses real data from our cases to show the practical differences.
| Factor |
D7 Passive Income |
D8 Digital Nomad |
| Income threshold (2026) |
~€920/month |
~€3,680/month |
| Income type required |
Passive (pensions, dividends, rental) |
Active remote (foreign employers/clients) |
| Avg. processing time |
4.2 months |
6.8 months |
| Rejection rate (our cases) |
7% |
9% |
| Most common rejection cause |
Income documentation gaps |
Income below threshold or Portuguese-source income |
| Physical presence required |
183+ days/year |
183+ days/year |
| Path to citizenship |
5 years |
5 years |
| IFICI tax programme eligible |
Yes (most cases) |
Yes (qualifying professions) |
Figures from Visas.pt cases Oct 2022–Jun 2026. Income thresholds are 2026 figures and are updated annually.
Methodology & data sources
Data covers D8 Digital Nomad Visa applications handled by Visas.pt between October 2022 and June 2026. Processing times measured from consulate application submission to visa issuance. Income threshold cited uses the 2026 figure (4× Portuguese minimum wage). Rejection reason classification based on consulate refusal letters and verbal feedback recorded by our lawyers. Applicant profession data self-reported at enquiry stage and may not reflect final occupation at application.
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