Many countries have introduced the new digital nomad visa. In this article, we’ll talk about the Portugal digital nomad visa, the difference between this visa and other work visas, and what makes Portugal a great choice.
We’ll advise you about what you should consider before applying for any digital nomad visa: the eligibility and tax requirements. Finally, we’ll mention the required documents and the visa cost for Portugal’s digital nomad visa. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about it.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Many countries have issued digital nomad visas to adapt to the recent changes in the world’s economy. The digital nomad visa can be a temporary stay visa or a long-term visa intended for those who work for a foreign employer or have a business registered in another country than the one where they submit their visa application.
Applicants must provide an employment contract from an employer in a foreign country or documents of their registered business to get the digital nomad visa.
What is the Difference Between a Digital Nomad Visa and a Regular Work Visa?
The digital nomad and the regular work visa allow you to work from a foreign country. The difference between the two visas is where your work is. Applying for a digital nomad visa doesn’t mean you work for a local employer or have a full-time contract. You submit an employment contract from a foreign employer to get this visa. Business owners must submit paperwork for a company registered in a foreign country. On a regular work visa, you must work for a local employer.
So, digital nomads can work from anywhere. And those on a regular work visa can’t work except in the country where they got their work visa.
Let’s take Portugal as an example. With a Portuguese digital nomad visa, you’ll be working for a foreign employer. A business owner can run a business registered in Japan from Portugal. A Portuguese work visa means you work in Portugal with a Portuguese employer.
Advantages of Living and Working in Portugal
So, what are the advantages of living and working in Portugal? What makes Portugal an attractive location for digital nomads? Let’s find out.
#1 Safety
The first thing you’ll look for in a foreign country is safety. In that regard, Portugal is a perfect choice as it’s one of the safest countries to live in.
It has low crime rates and ranks seven on the Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest places on Earth. Also, the US Department of State travel advisory page has considered Portugal safe. They issued the Level 1 advice of “exercising normal precautions.”
#2 Perfect Weather
The weather in Portugal is fantastic. Portugal is famous for its sunshine with rainy but warm winters. It is excellent all year, but the weather is perfect in March, April, May, and September. The weather doesn’t differ from nearby Mediterranean countries. It has an average winter temperature of 14°C in Lisbon.
#3 Location
Portugal is in the middle of the ancient world. It’s in Southern Europe. It shares borders with Spain and is right on the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re in Portugal, you can visit the rest of Europe. You’re close to the Mediterranean islands and the Middle East.
#4 Superb Cuisine
Portugal is famous for its superb cuisine, and it’s best if you try it in Portugal and not anywhere else. According to a CNN article about food in Portugal, it “rarely travels well.” Thanks to the excellent local ingredients that make all the difference.
#5 Many co-working spaces
Portugal offers co-working spaces to encourage remote workers to live in Portugal. They are perfect for those who wish to meet members of the digital nomad community. Some of the popular co-working spaces in Portugal are Porto/io and Largo.
#6 Schengen area
One of the main perks of living and working in Portugal is that Portugal is part of the Schengen area. Living there gives you access to the major cities in Europe. You can visit its neighboring country, Spain. You can also go to other European countries hassle-free.
#7 History and architecture
Portugal is for those who love history and architecture. Portugal is an ancient country in Europe. Its architecture and history are reflections of different eras. Those eras were the Roman Empire, the Germanic kingdoms, and the exploration of the world.
Portugal has many medieval castles like the Guimarães Castle from the 10th century. This castle withstood a decisive battle in the history of Portugal’s independence. So, people call this castle”the birthplace of the Portuguese nation.” There is also the Castle of Belver, which retained its architecture through the years. Portugal also has ruins of villas from the Roman occupation period.
So, if you’re fond of discovering the past, Portugal is your perfect destination.
#8 Great diversity of natural landscapes
Digital nomads in Portugal expect to find a variety of natural landscapes to enjoy. You can find vast plains as well as mountains.
It is a great place to live for those who love nature. You can go whale watching in the Azores. Also, Portugal has plenty of natural parks. You can visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and the Peneda-Geres. You can also enjoy beautiful islands like Madeira. Portugal is suitable for hiking, walking, sailing, and whale watching.
#9 Great Education
Portugal offers high-quality higher education. You also have the option to choose from many international private schools. They start from €5000 per year, but the pricing ranges according to the school you pick for your kids. University degrees from Portugal are recognized in the EU. They teach courses in both English and Portuguese, but English is less common and more costly.
#10 Locals speak English
Aside from education, which is in Portuguese, locals speak English. So you can communicate with the locals without speaking the Portuguese language.
#11 Great Healthcare
The healthcare system in Portugal is excellent. It covers digital nomads living in Portugal. You can also choose private health care, which is not expensive in Portugal.
#12 Quality of life
Portugal is a great tourist attraction, and it’s also a wonderful place to live. Portugal also provides a high quality of life. You find high-quality education, health care, and safety besides the natural landscapes. Many expats have reported that they feel happy and safe in Portugal.
#13 Digital nomad village
Portugal has created a digital nomad village on the south coast (Ponta do Sol). The place offers digital nomads fast internet, free office spaces, and community events. The Portuguese are doing their best to make Portugal convenient for remote workers.
Points to Consider Before Applying to Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa
There are some points to consider before applying for the Portugal digital nomad visa. You must consider the minimum income requirements, taxes, and the cost of living. In this section, we’ll cover these points so you will know if Portugal is suitable.
Your Eligibility
You must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen to apply for a digital nomad visa. You must also have an income from outside Portugal of at least €3040 per month. The income requirement is four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Can you take your family?
Yes, Portugal allows you to take your family members. You must provide the required documents: a marriage certificate and birth certificate.
Taxes
Portugal has introduced the non-habitual resident (NHR) program. You can apply for this program if you stay in Portugal longer than 183 days. Instead of 48% personal income tax, you pay 20% for up to 10 years.
You don’t pay taxes in Portugal if you pay them in a country that has a double taxation treaty with Portugal. Since rules and regulations of taxes differ based on your country of residence, we recommend you seek the advice of a tax consultant.
Cost of Living
The cost of living varies. For example, the cost of living index in Lisbon is 52.2. As for Leiria, Portugal, it’s 45.8. As for rent, you expect to pay 780 euros for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. Rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center costs 1300 euros.
The cost of living in Portugal is around 38% lower than in the United States. You can check Numbeo for more information about the cost of living in Portugal. Numbeo is a website that provides pricing information for all countries.
Services Offered
Portugal provides fast fixed internet connection. The download speed reaches 141 Mbps. Portugal ranks 22 in internet speed. It’s one of the best countries to offer a fast internet connection. Internet speed varies in Portugal. Some areas may have better fixed Internet connections than others. So, choose your location wisely if a speedy internet connection is crucial.
How to Apply for a Nomad Visa in Portugal?
The Portuguese’s new digital nomad visa is a perfect option for digital nomads looking forward to living and working in Portugal. The visa gives digital nomads the right to stay in Portugal temporarily. Digital nomads can extend their stay. Nomads can also apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship.
Let’s see how you can apply for the visa. For the Portugal digital nomad visa, you must submit all the documents required to the Portuguese consulate (your local Portuguese embassy) or the VFS Global office (depending on where you are). If you’re in Portugal, you can visit the Portuguese Immigration (SEF).
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
You must provide the following documents when you apply for a digital nomad visa in Portugal. Here are the visa application documents you’ll need:
- A valid passport
- Bank statements as proof of the minimum income requirements of the remote worker or the digital nomad.
- Valid health insurance with coverage in Portugal
- A clean criminal record
- Documents of family members (birth certificates of the dependent children)
- Proof of self-employment
- Rental agreement in Portugal
- Applicants must submit their own cover letter explaining the application’s purpose.
- Tax residency documents
- Visa application form
The visa application process is pretty straightforward. Once you get the digital nomad or the residence visa, you can apply for a residence permit in Portugal. The residency permit helps you gain Portuguese citizenship.
Once in Portugal, you should apply for the Numero de Identification Fiscal (NIF). Tax authorities issue this number. It can help residents open a Portuguese bank account, for example. A Portuguese bank account is crucial if you intend to stay in Portugal long-term.
How Much Does the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
The visa application fee costs around €180, and €320 for the residence permit. The visa fee differs depending on the country you’re applying from and currency exchange rates. Also, you’ll pay for document authentication and document translation.
Conclusion
Portugal is a popular destination among digital nomads. It’s a beautiful country, but that’s not all. The Portuguese government has introduced the digital nomad visa. The article has covered a lot of information about the digital nomad visa. This guide can help you decide if Portugal is suitable for you.
So, if you don’t want to work remotely from your home country, why don’t you visit Portugal? If you meet the criteria, prepare the required paperwork and go. You can enjoy a warm winter, meet other digital nomads, and enjoy a reasonable cost of living. Also, you can visit the rest of Europe without worrying about borders or more paperwork.
FAQs about the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa and Living in Portugal
Does Portugal have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, Portugal offers a digital nomad visa. It’s a temporary stay visa for up to a year or a long-term residence visa.
How much income is required for a digital nomad visa in Portugal?
The minimum income requirement is €3040 per month, or at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Which European country is the easiest to get a digital nomad visa?
There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on your country of residence and your income. Croatia is generally easy with the ability to submit your application online.
How to apply for a nomad visa in Portugal?
First, you check your eligibility and requirements. Then, you submit the required paperwork to the Portuguese local embassy.
What is the difference between a D7 visa and a D8 visa in Portugal?
The D7 visa is a passive income visa. Residents on this visa don’t have to be working remotely. They should only have a passive income from a pension, rent, etc. The D8 visa is a digital nomad visa where residents on this visa should be working remotely.
What is the difference between a Schengen visa and a digital nomad visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days only for tourism or business. The digital nomad visa is granted to those who work remotely and allows a person to stay for up to a year or longer.
What’s the Portugal golden visa program?
The program of golden visa gives visas to those who invest in Portugal. The Portuguese government is considering making changes to this visa program.
What’s the difference between a tourist visa and a digital nomad visa?
A tourist visa doesn’t allow digital nomads to work legally. A digital nomad visa gives remote workers the right to work legally in the country while enjoying tourist attractions.
What is the passive income minimum requirement?
The passive income must be 8460 euros per year.
Does Portugal have a village for digital nomads?
Yes, Portugal has a village for digital nomads on the south coast (Ponta do Sol).
Do I need to submit a cover letter with my visa application (Portugal)?
Yes, you’re required to submit a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit to Portugal.
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