The D8 digital nomad visa, explained

Guidance only, not legal advice. Verified as of 15 October 2026.

If you work remotely and want to spend more than 90 days in Portugal, the D8 is the visa most of our guests use. It is often called the digital nomad visa, and it is one of the clearest routes of its kind in Europe. Here is how it works, in plain language.

Who the D8 is for

The D8 is for people who work remotely for employers or clients based outside Portugal. That includes:

• Employees of a company registered outside Portugal, working remotely.
• Freelancers and contractors whose clients are mainly outside Portugal.
• Business owners whose company is registered and operating outside Portugal.

It is not designed for people who want to take a local job in Portugal. And if your income is mainly passive, such as a pension, rental income or dividends, the D7 is usually the better fit.

How much income you need in 2026

The headline requirement is a regular monthly income from remote work of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage.

In 2026 the minimum wage is €920 a month, so the D8 threshold for a single applicant is €3,680 a month.

A few things to know about that figure:

• It moves. The threshold is tied to the minimum wage, which usually rises each January. When the minimum wage goes up, so does the D8 requirement.
• It is gross, regular income. Consulates typically want to see that the income is stable, usually by looking at the last few months of payslips, invoices or bank statements.
• Family members add to it. If a partner or children are coming with you, the required amount increases. Your lawyer will confirm the exact figure for your household.
• Savings help. Applicants are usually also asked to show savings in a Portuguese bank account, often equivalent to a year of minimum wage. Requirements vary, so check with your lawyer.

Two routes: temporary stay or residence

The D8 comes in two forms, and choosing the right one matters.

The temporary-stay visa lets you live and work remotely in Portugal for up to one year. It suits people who know they want a long season, but not a permanent move. It does not lead to a residence permit on its own.

The residence visa is the route for people who want to settle. It gives you an initial entry visa, and once in Portugal you attend an appointment with AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, to receive a residence permit. That permit can be renewed, and over time can lead to longer-term residence.

At a high level:

• Staying six to twelve months, then going home? The temporary-stay route is often simpler.
• Planning to stay longer, or not sure yet? The residence route keeps your options open, but involves more steps and more waiting.

Our partner immigration lawyers will recommend the route that fits your plans.

Documents you will typically be asked for

Exact requirements depend on the consulate and your circumstances, but most applications include:

1. A valid passport, with enough validity left beyond your planned stay.
2. Proof of remote work, such as an employment contract, letter from your employer, or service contracts with clients.
3. Proof of income for the last few months, such as payslips, invoices and bank statements.
4. A criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and any country you have lived in recently, often with an apostille and certified translation.
5. Proof of accommodation in Portugal, such as a lease or a formal letter of invitation.
6. Health or travel insurance that covers your stay.
7. A Portuguese tax number (NIF) and, usually, a Portuguese bank account.
8. Proof of savings where requested.
9. The completed application form and passport photos.

Getting certificates apostilled and translated is often the slowest part, so start early.

How the application works with us

We do not submit visa applications ourselves. Applications for our guests are prepared and handled by partner immigration lawyers, who are qualified to advise on your case and stay with you through each step.

Here is how it usually works on our Full year and Family season plans:

• A first conversation with your specialist to understand your work, income and plans.
• An introduction to our partner lawyers, who confirm whether the D8 is right for you and which route to choose.
• Document preparation, with a clear checklist. We help with practical pieces like your NIF, bank account and lease.
• Submission through the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence, with your lawyer guiding the timing.
• Arrival and, for the residence route, your AIMA appointment, which your lawyer prepares you for.

Your home, start date and lease are planned around your visa timeline, so nothing has to be rushed.

EES and ETIAS: what else to know about travel

Two EU systems affect how non-EU travelers cross the border.

• EES, the EU Entry/Exit System, is now in operation. On your first entry, you register fingerprints and a facial image at the border instead of receiving passport stamps. This applies to short-stay visitors and helps track the 90-in-180-day limit.
• ETIAS, the €20 online travel authorization, is not yet required. Its launch has been postponed to 2027 and there is no firm date. When it arrives, it will apply to visa-exempt travelers on short stays. Always use the official EU site and avoid third-party sites that charge extra.

If you hold a national visa such as the D8, your visa is what allows you to stay beyond 90 days.

A few honest caveats

• Timelines vary. Consular appointments and AIMA appointments can take longer than expected, especially at busy times of year. Build in slack.
• Rules change. Thresholds, document lists and procedures are updated from time to time. What is true today may not be true next year.
• Tax is a separate question. Living in Portugal for a long time can make you tax resident here. Please speak to a qualified tax adviser before you go. We do not give tax advice.

Official sources

Always check the latest information on the official sites:

• AIMA, Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum
• Portuguese consular network, Vistos portal
• EU official travel portal for EES and ETIAS

Guidance only, not legal advice. Verified as of 15 October 2026.

If the D8 sounds right for you, talk to us. We will introduce you to our partner lawyers and plan your season around the paperwork, so you can focus on the part that matters: getting here.