Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal & Madeira

What are the best Digital Nomad Visa options in Portugal & Madeira? Portugal ranks number four on Forbes’ list of ‘best destinations for digital nomads’. This is in part due to how easy it is for digital nomads and remote workers to obtain a work visa in the country. In fact, Portugal, together with Norway and Greece who also have good scores on the ranking, does not put a limit on how long you can stay in the country on a remote working visa.

This perhaps defies the purpose of being a nomad. But it might be good to know that should you find yourself falling in love with the scenery, the people, and the food in Portugal – you’re allowed to stay indefinitely!

Visa Portugal Digital Nomad — Portugal has so much to offer, you could even be a nomad within the country!

Portugal D7 Visa

The D7 visa, also referred to as the Retirement, or Passive Income Visa, allows its holder to stay long-term in Portugal.

Whilst it is perhaps best suited for retirees, this visa option could also come in handy as a digital nomad or someone working remotely. To be eligible for this visa, you need to meet some formal requirements:

Be a citizen of a country outside of the EU / EEA
Show proof of income higher than €8,460 per year
You will have to show that your criminal record is clean
Show proof of residency in Portugal
And lastly you will need to stay in Portugal for a minimum of 16 months in the first 2 years.

This is pretty straightforward, but we’ll tell you what that means for you anyway, to eliminate any confusion.

As a resident of an EU or EEA country, you will not need a visa to stay and work in Portugal. The D7 visa is only for those coming from outside of the European Union.

Requirements Explained

The proof of income is meant to state that you’ll be able to provide for yourself whilst living in Portugal. Whilst it is not a requirement to be on a consistent and stable payroll, you need to show that you have a healthy income stream.

The proof of residency is merely meant to tell where you’ll be based during your stay in Portugal – providing an address should be sufficient.

The last requirement, which states that you need to spend at least 16 months in Portugal during the first 2 years, is where it gets a bit more tricky. It means that you need to have a relatively long-term plan to stay in Portugal, so if you intend to stay for less than 2 years, this visa option is perhaps not the best one for you.

If your plan is to stay long-term, however, we have good news for you! It only takes about 4 months to obtain the visa, so you could be on your way to Portugal in no time!

Visa Costs & Things to keep in mind

Visa Costs

Getting a visa in Portugal is relatively cheap compared to a lot of other countries in the European Union. Still, you will need to pay approximately €83 for the visa itself, and another €72 for the resident permit.

You should also keep in mind that you need to get private health insurance for the first four months before your visa is approved. This can cost anywhere between €30 and €50 per month. After you obtain your visa, you’ll be able to enjoy healthcare like any other Portuguese person. You’ll also have access to other residency rights.

Documents & Benefits

Before you start your application, you’ll also need to fill out all the necessary documents. Besides, you should have your proof of income and address ready. We know these things can feel like a hassle. The good news is that once you have your visa, you can live, study and work in Portugal. Moreover, you’ll get visa-free travel to the whole of Schengen.

Digital Nomad France — Having a visa in a Schengen country means you can take trips to Paris whenever you want!

Another perk that comes with the D7 visa is tax incentives. And did we mention that Portugal is a haven for people trading cryptocurrencies? Trading cryptocurrencies in Portugal is tax-free. You can use a Bitcoin credit card in many places, and they even have Bitcoin ATMs in cities like Porto and Lisbon. Portugal is truly a country for the modern, digital nomad, and there are unlimited opportunities to flourish in this country.

We hear Portugal is beautiful this time of year. Perhaps it’s time to get started with that visa application! To read more about life as a Digital Nomad in Portugal, check out our in-depth article with tips & tricks for all aspects of the nomad life there.

Are you curious about the other Visa options in Europe? Check out our collection for Digital Nomad Visa’s in Europe!

References:

https://www.portugal.com/travel/portugal-d7-visa-the-ultimate-guide-to-portugals-d7-visa-2022/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyounger/2021/05/18/the-best-destinations-for-digital-nomads-a- new-survey/?sh=7ee4a0674286