Digital nomad visa Portugal: how to apply for it in 2023?

How to apply for a digital nomad visa in Portugal?

1. Check that the requirements for obtaining a visa are met.
2. Fill in an official form at the following link on the Ministério Dos Negócios Estrangeiros website.
3. Submit the requested information at the Portuguese Consulate by appointment.

Visa delivery time

There is no official information on how long it takes to obtain a digital nomad visa in Portugal. However, we can use as a reference that the deadline for the residence visa is 60 days and for the temporary stay visa is 30 days.

Requirements to apply for a digital nomad visa in Portugal

The requirements to apply for this visa for digital nomads will vary depending on the two types of visa you need. Therefore, below, I will tell you what they are in relation to each type of visa:

1. Visa for digital nomads, freelancers and self-employed

1. You must have an original and valid passport. This must be valid for at least 6 months before the time of application.
2. Earn more than 580 euros per month.
3. Have international travel insurance or health insurance for the Schengen area if you are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.
4. Submit a criminal record certificate.
5. Have a statement from a competent authority demonstrating professional competence in the specialized activity.

2. Visa for nomad entrepreneurs or businessmen

1. Have travel insurance if you are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.
2. Obtain a signed contract with a startup incubator in Portugal.
3. Submit a criminal record certificate.
4. Have a means test or financial resources to start a business in the country.

I have to remind you that all these documents and requirements are mandatory, but you may be asked to submit additional documents at the consular office where you submit the documents.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Portugal?

Travel insurance is mandatory for all non-EU citizens.

In this sense, all EU citizens will only need to have their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access the country’s healthcare system free of charge. However, you should be aware that not all medical expenses are covered!

For this reason, it is always advisable to take out long-stay travel insurance to cover any mishaps you may experience during your stay in Portugal.

Although in the case of non-EU citizens it is, in particular, mandatory, I also recommend you to hire one, even if you are a citizen of the European Union. I recommend the best one for these cases below!

What is the best travel insurance for Portugal?

Among the wide variety of insurance policies that you can find on the Internet today, it is difficult to find the best one for your stay in Portugal as a digital nomad.

That’s why I’ve dedicated this section to tell you which is the best travel insurance for Portugal: Cap Adventure by Chapka Insurance.

I’ll tell you why!

Cap Adventure is an ideal policy for trips lasting more than 3 months and offers its policyholders a wide range of cover with the aim of making their stay in Portugal as worry-free as possible. In the following table, I summarize some of the most important ones.

In addition to these coverages, there are a few that I must mention:

• Unlimited medical and hospitalization expenses.
• 24-hour assistance and repatriation.
• Medical teleconsultations.
• COVID-19 coverage.
• Legal advice abroad.

More information: https://www.chapkadirect.com/cap-adventure

What activities are permitted and prohibited?

Portugal’s digital nomad visa allows the pursuit of any type of self-employed activity in the country. In this sense, it grants total freedom to develop or work in your sector of activity anywhere in the country – a real advantage!

What nationalities are permitted and prohibited?

In terms of nationality, Portugal has no restrictions whatsoever, so anyone in the world can travel to the country as a digital nomad or remote worker. Moreover, if you are a national of a Schengen country, you will not need to apply for this type of visa to enter the country.

However, you should know that if you intend to stay for 3 months or more, which I suppose you will as the digital nomad that you are, you will have to go to your local town hall to apply for a Certificate of Registration for EU Citizens, which is enough to telework in Portugal if you are an EU citizen!

Pros of the digital nomad visa for Portugal

Among the main benefits of opting for a digital nomad visa for Portugal are the following:

• It allows you to work remotely in the country for 1 year, but is extendable up to 5 years. In addition, after these 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
• Travel insurance is not compulsory if you are a national of any EU or Schengen country.
• There are no nationality or activity limits for the approval of this visa.

Cons of the digital nomad visa for Portugal

Portugal’s digital nomad visa also has a number of drawbacks – don’t worry because I’ll summarize them below!

• The visa fee is €83 and the residence permit fee is €72. Both fees are compulsory.
• A criminal record certificate from the country of origin is required.
• Proof of means of subsistence in the country and a minimum of 580 euros per month as a self-employed person are compulsory.

Countries with digital nomad visas

Portugal is not the only country that offers visas for digital nomads to stay in the country. In fact, more and more countries are joining the list to offer such visas.

To name each one of them would be too much reading. That’s why I’ve listed on the table below all the countries you can travel to as a digital nomad – you have dozens to choose from!