D8 (Digital Nomad)
Portugal's visa for remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs. Work for your foreign clients or employer from one of Europe's most liveable countries — with our lawyers handling every step.
Who can apply
Non-EU / EEA / Swiss
Income type
Remote / freelance / digital
Minimum income (2026)
€3,680 / month
Permit duration
2-year residence permit
Is This Visa Right For You?
The D8 works for some — and not others
The D8 is specifically for people who work remotely for foreign clients or employers. It's different from both the D7 (passive income) and the D2 (entrepreneur). Here's who it's designed for.
✅ The D8 works if you—
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Work remotely for a foreign employerIf your employer is outside Portugal and you work digitally, the D8 is your visa — no passive income or business plan required.
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Freelance for international clientsFreelancers with stable foreign clients — across tech, creative, consulting, or any knowledge sector — are strong D8 candidates.
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Run an online business serving international customersE-commerce founders, SaaS operators, and digital entrepreneurs with non-Portuguese customers qualify well.
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Earn income as a content creator or platform earnerYouTube, Substack, Patreon, and other platform-based income counts — provided it meets the monthly threshold.
❌ The D8 does NOT work if you—
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Are still looking for remote workThe D8 requires proof of existing, ongoing income — not intent. Job-seekers need to secure their remote role first.
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Earn below €3,680 per monthThis is 4x Portugal's minimum wage — the hard threshold for 2026. Income below this will result in rejection.
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Work for a Portuguese employer or serve Portuguese clientsThe D8 is specifically for those whose income source is foreign. If you're employed by a Portuguese company, you need the D1 visa.
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Only have passive income (pension, dividends)Purely passive income earners should look at the D7 visa — that's the right route for retirees and investors.
Not sure whether you qualify? Book a free 15-minute call and our immigration lawyers will tell you exactly where you stand — no commitment required.
Get a Free Eligibility Assessment →Requirements
Income threshold & savings for 2026
The D8 sets a fixed income threshold for the main applicant — four times Portugal's minimum wage — regardless of household size. Savings requirements scale with your family.
- 1.Monthly income: €3,680 gross per month (4— Portugal's 2026 minimum wage). This threshold applies to the main applicant and is fixed — it's not reduced or increased by adding family members. Income must come from foreign sources only.
- 2.Bank savings: You need €11,040 held in a Portuguese bank account for the main applicant, +€5,520 per additional adult, and +€3,312 per child. This is equivalent to one year's worth of Portugal's minimum wage per person.
- 3.3€6 months of bank statements: Consistent deposits matching your stated income for at least 3€6 months, demonstrating stable and ongoing remote earnings.
Income & Savings Requirements Calculator
Enter your household size to see your 2026 requirements
Monthly Income Required
€3,680
Fixed threshold — all household sizes
Adults
1
Children
0
Monthly income requirement
Minimum monthly gross income €3,680
Annual income (for reference) €44,160
Bank savings requirement
Must be held in Portuguese bank account €11,040
The income threshold is fixed at €3,680/month regardless of household size. Bank savings scale with family: €11,040 (main) + €5,520 per additional adult + €3,312 per child. Figures are for 2026 and are indicative — contact us for a precise assessment.
Other documents you'll need
Employment Contract or Freelance Agreements
Proof of remote employment or active freelance contracts with foreign companies. Must clearly show income amount and source.
NIF (Portuguese Tax ID)
Required before you can open a bank account or submit your application. Included in our Complete Visa Packages.
Portuguese Bank Account
Required to demonstrate proof of savings. We assist with remote account opening. Included in our packages.
Criminal Background Check
From your home country and each country where you've lived for 12+ months in the last 5 years, issued within 90 days.
Proof of Accommodation
A 12-month rental lease or property deed in Portugal. Our property finder service can help if you haven't secured housing yet.
Health Insurance
Minimum €30,000 repatriation coverage for the Schengen area, valid throughout the visa period.
The NIF and bank account are included in our Complete Visa Package and Complete Visa Package Plus — two of the most time-consuming steps, handled for you from day one.
Proving Your Income
3€6 months of statements is what makes or breaks your D8 application
The income threshold itself is straightforward — it's the documentation that trips up most applicants. Portuguese authorities want consistent, verifiable deposits that match your stated income source.
We review your income documentation before submission to identify any gaps — and advise on how to structure it for your specific situation (employee vs. freelancer vs. platform income).
Bank statements show regular deposits matching your income claim
Employment contract or freelance agreements are in order and apostilled if required
All income comes from non-Portuguese sources
Company registration documents (if self-employed) are translated and certified
Remote Employee
Employment contract + payslips for 3€6 months. Employer letter confirming remote work arrangement and salary may be required by some consulates.
Freelancer / Contractor
Active client contracts, invoices, and bank statements showing regular income deposits. Tax returns from prior year strengthen the application further.
Online Business / Platform Income
Platform payout statements, business bank account records, and proof of company ownership. We advise on the exact documentation needed for your specific income model.
Why the D8
Live in Portugal and keep working from your laptop
Portugal combines EU legal residency, outstanding quality of life, and competitive tax treatment — making it one of the world's most attractive destinations for remote professionals.
Full EU Residency
Live legally in Portugal with a two-year residence permit, renewable. Access EU healthcare, travel rights, and residency pathways.
Schengen Travel
Travel freely across 27 Schengen countries — for work, client visits, or personal travel — without additional visas.
NHR 2.0 Tax Benefits
Potential eligibility for Portugal's NHR 2.0 (IFICI) regime — offering a 20% flat income tax rate for qualifying professionals for up to 10 years.
Path to Permanent Residency
After 5 years of legal residency, apply for permanent residency. Portuguese citizenship follows after another 5 years.
Family Reunification
Bring your spouse and dependent children under family reunification — each receives their own Portuguese residency card.
Flexible Stay Requirements
The D8 initially requires 183+ days in Portugal, but offers more flexibility in subsequent renewals compared to traditional employment-based permits.
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The Process
From application
From application
to arrival
Our lawyers handle the hard parts — and guide you through the rest.
1
Assess & Confirm
We review your income documentation, confirm D8 eligibility, and identify any gaps before you spend time preparing documents
2
NIF & Bank Account
We obtain your Portuguese tax ID and open your bank account remotely — needed for proof of funds and future tax registration
3
Prepare Your Documents
We guide you through income documentation, health insurance, accommodation, criminal records, and every other document your consulate requires
4
Consulate Application
We submit your D8 application, manage all correspondence with the consulate, and provide a live interpreter for your interview appointment
5
Settle & Register
Once in Portugal, we file your AIMA residency appointment — and our lawyer attends with you to make sure everything goes smoothly
We're with you from first call to residency card.
Pricing
Choose the right level of support
No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup.
Complete Visa Package (Digital Nomad)
€1595
For digital nomads who want to live and work in Portugal
- Determine the most suitable visa for you
- NIF & Bank account assistance included
- Document checking and guidance before submission
- Unlimited email support for all your inquiries
- Video consultations with immigration lawyer
- Access to a live interpreter for your visa interviews
★ Most Popular
Complete Visa Assistance Plus
€2810
Everything in the Complete Package, with three powerful additions
- Everything in the Complete Visa Package
- Consultation with Tax Lawyer
- Property Finder
- File and Accompany you for your AIMA Appointment
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Client Stories
Real people. Real results.
FAQ
Questions about our D8 (Digital Nomad)
What exactly is the D8 visa?
The D8 — Portugal's Digital Nomad Visa — is a long-stay visa for non-EU citizens who work remotely for foreign companies or clients. It's specifically designed for remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs who earn income from outside Portugal. Unlike the D7 (passive income) or D2 (entrepreneur), the D8 is for active work income that happens to be earned digitally and remotely.
What's the income threshold for the D8 visa in 2026?
The 2026 threshold is €3,680 per month gross — four times Portugal's national minimum wage. This is a fixed threshold applied to the main applicant, regardless of household size. You also need to demonstrate this income through 3–6 months of consistent bank statements that match your employment contract, freelance agreements, or other income documentation.
Can my employer be in my home country while I live in Portugal?
Yes — that's exactly the D8 is designed for. Your employer must be outside Portugal (a foreign company), and you must work for them remotely. If you're employed by a Portuguese company, you'd need the D1 work visa instead. As long as your income source is foreign and your work is done digitally, the D8 applies.
How long does the D8 permit last, and can I renew it?
The D8 residence permit is initially issued for two years. After that, you can renew it for successive three-year periods, provided you still meet the income requirements and residency obligations. After five years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency — and after another five years, Portuguese citizenship.
Does the D8 qualify me for Portugal's NHR tax regime?
Potentially yes. Portugal's NHR 2.0 (IFICI) regime offers qualifying professionals a flat 20% income tax rate for up to 10 years. D8 applicants working in qualifying professions — typically technology, science, or highly qualified roles — may be eligible. We offer a separate NHR 2.0 application service (+€395) handled by our tax lawyers. Not everyone qualifies, so we assess your situation before filing.
Can I apply from my home country without visiting Portugal first?
Yes. The initial D8 application is submitted at your Portuguese consulate in your home country. We handle everything remotely: NIF, bank account, document preparation, and consulate coordination. Once your D8 visa is approved and you enter Portugal, we then assist with your AIMA residency appointment — which is done in person in Portugal.
How long does the D8 application process take?
Expect 4–6 months in total. NIF setup: approximately 7 business days. Bank account: 4–6 weeks. Consulate processing: 8–16 weeks after submission, depending on your local Portuguese consulate's current workload. Once in Portugal, we aim to schedule your AIMA appointment within 4 months — though timelines depend on current system backlogs.
Are you actual immigration lawyers, or just agents?
We're qualified Portuguese immigration lawyers — not agents or referral middlemen. When you work with Visas.pt, your case is handled by someone with legal training and professional accountability. That means real advice, not just form-filling.
Ready to Start?
Ready to work remotely from Portugal?
Book a free 15-minute call. We'll confirm your D8 eligibility and map out exactly what your income documentation needs — no commitment required.
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