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.
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FAQ
Questions about our D8 (Digital Nomad)
The Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa is a residence route for eligible non-EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who work remotely for foreign employers or clients and can demonstrate the required income.
The D8 is designed for eligible remote employees, freelancers, contractors and digital professionals whose qualifying income comes from foreign sources.
Yes. Remote employees working for a foreign employer can apply if they meet the income, documentation and other D8 requirements.
Yes. Freelancers and independent professionals can apply when they can demonstrate qualifying ongoing income from foreign clients and meet the other requirements.
Yes. Digital entrepreneurs and online business founders serving international clients outside Portugal can qualify by demonstrating stable qualifying monthly income and active commercial contracts.
Yes. Working remotely for a foreign employer is one of the main situations described for the D8.
The current D8 page is designed around foreign-source income. If you are employed by a Portuguese company, another work-based residence route may be more appropriate.
The D8 visa specifically requires foreign-sourced income from companies or clients outside Portugal. If your primary revenue comes from Portuguese clients, the D2 Entrepreneur or Freelancer route is generally required.
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum gross income of €3,680 per month for 2026 (calculated as 4 times the Portuguese national minimum wage).
The €3,680 monthly income requirement applies solely to the main applicant and does not increase when adding family members. However, additional capital savings requirements apply for dependants.
The monthly threshold of €3,680 corresponds to an annual gross earnings requirement of €44,160.
No. The €3,680 monthly active income requirement remains fixed regardless of family size. However, the required lump-sum savings deposit in a Portuguese bank increases with each family member.
The required savings amount is €11,040 deposited in a Portuguese bank account for the primary applicant, plus €5,520 for each additional adult and €3,312 per dependent child.
Yes. Consulates require a funded Portuguese bank account in your name to prove subsistence savings before your visa interview.
Yes. A Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) is legally required before opening your Portuguese bank account and submitting the D8 visa application.
Consulates typically require 3 to 6 months of consecutive bank statements demonstrating steady deposits matching your claimed remote employment or freelancing income.
The evidence depends on your work model. Employees may use employment contracts, payslips and bank statements; freelancers may use client contracts, invoices and bank statements; digital businesses may use platform records, business records and ownership evidence.
Remote employees must provide a permanent or long-term employment contract, recent payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, and a formal employer declaration confirming full remote work permission abroad.
Freelancers must submit active service contracts with foreign clients, issued invoices, tax returns, and bank statements showing consistent international inward remittances.
Content creators and digital platform earners can qualify provided their income is regular, thoroughly documented via platform statements and tax filings, and exceeds the monthly €3,680 threshold.
Digital business owners can qualify if they prove regular dividend or director draws from foreign-registered entities serving international markets.
Yes. A registered 12-month rental lease or property deed in Portugal is required as proof of accommodation at your consular appointment.
Yes. Valid travel health insurance covering the entire Schengen area with a minimum medical and repatriation coverage of €30,000 is required for initial entry.
Yes. An apostilled or legalised criminal record check is mandatory from your country of citizenship and any country where you resided for more than one year.
Yes. Family reunification is available for spouses, minor children, and dependent parents, allowing each family member to obtain legal residency cards.
The initial D8 residence permit issued by AIMA is valid for 2 years and can be renewed for consecutive 3-year periods.
The overall timeline is typically 3 to 5 months, encompassing document preparation, consular review, and the subsequent AIMA biometric card appointment.
Holders of a residence permit should typically not spend more than 6 consecutive or 8 non-consecutive months outside Portugal during the validity of their permit, absent justified cause.
The D8 is designed for eligible remote workers with active foreign-source employment or professional income. The D7 is primarily designed around qualifying passive or own income such as pensions and rental income.
The D8 is designed for qualifying remote work for foreign employers or clients. The D2 is aimed at entrepreneurs and independent professionals establishing or carrying out qualifying business activity in Portugal.
No. Visa and residence decisions are made by the competent authorities. Professional assistance can help with preparation but cannot guarantee approval.
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