Digital Nomad in Portugal & Madeira: Everything you need to know

Beautiful beaches, picturesque landscapes, cobbled streets, cute cafes – Portugal and Madeira seem to have it all and might just be the dream destination for a digital nomad. If you’ve never been there before however, you might find it a bit difficult to navigate transportation, accommodation, and everything in between.

Luckily, these destinations are popular among digital nomads, meaning that people have done it all before and paved the way for you. Here’s everything you should know about being a digital nomad in Portugal and Madeira.

Before you go

Before you arrive in Portugal or Madeira, you should have an idea of where to stay. Booking accommodation in advance is especially important if you’re staying in an Airbnb. These are very in demand for digital nomads, and the good ones are usually booked way in advance.

If you’re looking for the same type of accommodation as Airbnb, but you’re not having any luck on the platform, you might want to try a website called digitalnomads.pt. It’s a platform made specifically for digital nomads searching for a place to stay. Because they are meant for digital nomads, they have all the facilities you need. Facilities like stable internet access and work-from-home comfort.

If you’re not so fuzzy about where you’re staying, you can also go for a hostel – check out this list of the 27 best hostels in Portugal.

Before you go, it might also be a good idea to learn a bit of Portuguese! No one is expecting you to be fluent before you go, but knowing some common phrases will make your life a lot easier. Besides, it will make it easier for you to get to know the locals.

Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal & Madeira

Are you looking to get a visa in Portugal & Madeira? Check out our in-depth article where we get you up and running!

When you’re there

Transportation

Transportation in Portugal is very well organized, so you’ll have no problems getting around. It’s also fairly cheap compared to a lot of other European countries. The best part is that they often offer additional discounts. The Alfa Pendular trains are the fastest cross-country trains, and they offer discounts for people under 25.

On the same trains, you can also enjoy train-sharing discounts if you’re traveling with a group of people. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays you can get up to 50 % off your ticket. It would be wise to carefully plan your schedule!

If you prefer traveling by bus, you should check out FlixBus, Rede Expressos or Rodonorte.

Groceries

Buying groceries and essentials is also a fairly easy thing to do. Simply look for a Pingo Doce, SPAR or Continente for all your needs.

Logistics

Portugal is also one of the easier countries to settle as an expat, even just temporarily. You won’t have to go through the bureaucratic struggle you might face in other countries (France, we see you). This means that setting up banking, getting a sim card, or anything else you might need, is fairly simple. There are some great groups on Facebook for expats in Portugal. If you’re looking for additional advice – these people know how to do it!

Where to go

During working hours, you might want to go to co-working spaces for some motivation. Porto i/o, is a great spot, with offices in four places in the city; Douro Riverside, Santa Catarina, one downtown, and one close by the sea. This is a very social meeting place, so you’ll probably find some cool people to hang out with after work as well. To find out more about meeting new people when traveling, check out this article.

Portugal and Madeira are so much more than working, and you need to make sure to explore everything on offer when you’re off duty. Whether you want to go hiking, go to museums, take boat trips, go clubbing, eat at good restaurants, you’ll find it all here. A good way to start is by looking at TripAdvisor for all the best spots recommended by other travelers. Simply filter your search to what type of activity you’re looking for and be ready to have the time of your life!

If you’re keen on meeting other digital nomads, we recommend you check out these cities; Porto, Lisbon, Braga, Aveiro – and of course Madeira. These places tend to be very popular among digital nomads, so you can be sure to meet some like-minded people to explore with.