More and more countries are now offering visas for digital nomads, and now the Portugal digital nomad visa is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after of all of them!
Portugal is lovely, and I would easily rank it as one of the best places in the world to live and work in. The country has a growing digital nomad community, and the unique beauty and diversity of Portugal’s cities and towns is simply inspirational!
Self-employed people and entrepreneurs from all over the world can benefit from the Portugal digital nomad visa. Today, I will tell you everything you need to know about it. But first, here’s a brief summary:
- The duration of the visa is 1 year.
- There is no limitation by nationality or activity.
- Monthly earnings as a digital nomad, freelancer or self-employed person should be at least 580 euros.
- A criminal record certificate is required.
How to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa?
- Check that the requirements for obtaining a Portugal digital nomad visa are met.
- Fill in an official form at the following link on the Ministério Dos Negócios Estrangeiros website.
- Submit the requested information at the Portuguese Consulate by appointment.
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How does the Portugal digital nomad visa work?
The functioning of the Portugal digital nomad visa is similar to most other visas of this type. In this case, the country offers two types of visas for citizens who want to be self-employed in the country. I’ll tell you about it in detail.
1. Visa for digital nomads or freelancers
In this case, they are those workers where you earn money based on the work you do without being tied to any kind of contract. The most obvious examples are translators, photographers, copywriters and graphic designers.
2. Visa for digital nomad entrepreneurs or business owners
These are cases in which a businessman or entrepreneur wants to open a business in Portugal. In this case, it is necessary to comply with the procedures established by the immigration authority.
As for the duration, the Portugal digital nomad visa has a duration of 1 year and is extendable to 5 years, with the possibility to opt for a permanent residence permit. This is the best feature of your visa!
Visa delivery time
There is no official information on how long it takes to process the Portugal digital nomad visa. 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.
How does the Portugal digital nomad visa work?
The functioning of the Portugal digital nomad visa is similar to most other visas of this type. In this case, the country offers two types of visas for citizens who want to be self-employed in the country. I’ll tell you about it in detail.
1. Visa for digital nomads or freelancers
In this case, they are those workers where you earn money based on the work you do without being tied to any kind of contract. The most obvious examples are translators, photographers, copywriters and graphic designers.
2. Visa for digital nomad entrepreneurs or business owners
These are cases in which a businessman or entrepreneur wants to open a business in Portugal. In this case, it is necessary to comply with the procedures established by the immigration authority.
As for the duration, the Portugal digital nomad visa has a duration of 1 year and is extendable to 5 years, with the possibility to opt for a permanent residence permit. This is the best feature of your visa!
Duration of the Portugal digital nomad visa
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.
Advantages of the Portugal digital nomad visa
Here are the main benefits of opting for the Portugal digital nomad visa:
- 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.
Disadvantages of the Portugal digital nomad visa
The Portugal digital nomad visa also has a number of drawbacks – here’s a brief summary:
- 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.
Does the Portugal digital nomad visa allow me to bring my partner and children?
Is travel insurance mandatory for Portugal?
Travel insurance is mandatory for all non-EU citizens, and is therefore a requirement for the Portugal digital nomad visa for applicants who those fit this profile.
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.
There is a wide variety of international travel insurance available on the market, and again, you want to do your research to ensure you get the right policy for your trip. Take a look at our guide to travel insurance for digital nomads.
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’s the best travel insurance to Portugal?
To really benefit from your time on your Portugal digital nomad visa, taking out long stay insurance is essential. Luckily, there is a great deal on offer for a limited time only, providing all the coverage you need as a digital nomad.
In March 2023, get a 5% discount on HeyMondo Long Stay:
- Activate Discount Here
- Fill in your trip info (country of residence, regions covered, dates, and number of travellers).
- Click on “Calculate Price”.
- All done! The discount will be applied automatically.
Some of the most useful benefits of HeyMondo for digital nomads include:
- 24/7 assistance platform.
- Electronic equipment coverage.
- Repatriation and early return.
- Adventure sports coverage.
- Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised for over a week.
Comparative table of travel insurance to Portugal
Here’s a comparative table of the best travel insurance policies to Portugal in March 2023, an essential step in obtaining a Portugal digital nomad visa.
The benefits and coverage in this table have been chosen specifically to meet the needs of digital nomads and businesspeople travelling.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | |
Long Stay Premium | Cap Adventure | Nomad | Explorer | Star | |
Price for 3 months | 210€ | 174€ | 126€ | 195€ | 338€ |
Discount in March 2023 | – 5% for all | – 15% for families | ❌ | ❌ | – 5% for all |
Activate Discount | Activate Discount | Get a Free Quote | Get a Free Quote | Activate Discount | |
Legal assistance | 12.000€ | 13.000€ | ❌ | ❌ | 3.000€ |
Covid-19 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Medical expenses | 500.000 € | 200.000€ | 222.600€ | £10,000,000 | 1.000.000€ |
Hospitalization | 500.000€ | 200.000€ | 250.000€ | £10,000,000 | Actual costs |
Theft or loss of luggage | Optional | 2.000€ | 2.670€ | £2000 | 2.500€ |
Repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | 17.800€ | Actual costs | Actual costs |
Sports activities | Optional | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Phone theft | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Camera or drone theft | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Recommended for | All types of stays | All types of stays | Digital nomad | All types of stays | All types of stays |
Review | HeyMondo insurance | Chapka insurance | SafetyWing insurance | Word Nomads Insurance | IATI travel insurance |
Discount > | Promo Code HeyMondo | Promo Code Chapka | Promo Code IATI |
Requirements to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa in 2023
The requirements to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa will vary depending on the type of visa you need. Below, I will tell you what they are in relation to each type of visa:
1. Visa for digital nomads, freelancers and self-employed
- You must have an original and valid passport. This must be valid for at least 6 months before the time of application.
- Earn more than 580 euros per month.
- Have international travel insurance or health insurance for the Schengen area if you are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.
- Submit a criminal record certificate.
- Have a statement from a competent authority demonstrating professional competence in the specialized activity.
2. Visa for nomad entrepreneurs or businessmen
- Have travel insurance if you are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.
- Obtain a signed contract with a startup incubator in Portugal.
- Submit a criminal record certificate.
- 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 supporitng documents at the consular office where you submit the documents.
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!
How to travel to Portugal at the best price in 2023
Portugal is a great destination for digital nomads because of its warm climate and low cost of living. But just because Portugal is one of the cheapest countries in Europe doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to save where you can!
Choosing insurance that is tailored to your needs is vital, but remember that the following factors play a crucial role as well:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- The card you use
- How you book your activities
Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years, they’ll help you save money on your travels, so you can focus on the things you enjoy about travelling.
If you follow these tips, you’ll have more money left over to enjoy your time in Portugal and do the things that make you happy!
Fly to Portugal at reduced prices!
You know, flights don’t cost the same from all countries! To pay for my cheapest flights, I use NordVPN.
Basically, it’s a private network that allows you to access Internet sites from locations other than your own, and this can have some serious benefits:
In March 2023, enjoy a 59% discount on NordVPN.
Click here to activate your discount
Flights from Barcelona to Buenos Aires don’t cost the same if you buy them from Spain as from India, for example. So, once you’ve installed NordVPN, simply access websites like Skyscanner and compare prices by entering as if you were browsing from different countries.
The 8 countries from which it is cheapest to buy flights are: Malaysia, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Thailand. Once you have NordVPN, head over to Skyscanner and start paying reduced prices for flights all over the world!
Stay at a discount in Portugal all year round
Access Booking.com now and get discounts of up to 15% in March 2023 by becoming a Genius user.
There are also ways to save money when booking your accommodation with Booking. The first of which is becoming a Genius user, something you get from making 2 bookings (Genius level 1), and 5 bookings (Genius level 2).
As a Genius user in Booking.com, you can enjoy:
- Discounts on room rates.
- Free breakfast.
- Upgrades to superior room categories.
- Free parking.
- Late check-out.
- Welcome gifts.
In addition, there are hotels in Booking.com that directly offer you a 10 to 15% discount on your rate for being a Genius user.
Access to get discounts of up to 15% by becoming a Genius user.
Finally, Booking.com has a Minimum Price Guarantee program, so if you find a cheaper price for your hotel on any other website, they’ll match it!
Reserve your entertainment and sightseeing in advance
GetYourGuide is an indispensable tool for organising any trip to any destination. It’s a platform that helps you book tourism and leisure activities for your trip.
With GetYourGuide, you can book your activities online to avoid queues, and take advantage of a discount for online bookings. This way, you save time and money, so you can enjoy more activities during your trip!
Get the best travel card for Portugal
If you travel frequently, the Revolut Metal Card is another great way to save money. For starters, they offer you unlimited currency exchanges without paying any fees!
The Revolut Metal Card allows you to make unlimited domestic transfers free of charge, and withdraw up to £800 a month from international ATMs.
If you spent £650 abroad in a month using a standard card, and withdrew £350 at ATMs, you would have paid around £44 in fees.
With the Revolut Metal card, you would have paid £0 in fees.
Keep up to date with future digital nomads visas in 2023!
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Countries currently offering digital nomad visas
The number of countries now offering digital nomad visas is rapidly growing! 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.
In fact, more and more countries are offering digital nomad visas designed to support entrepreneurial mobility for those working remotely, all to facilitate the digital nomad lifestyle.
Here’s a list of the countries currently offering digital nomad visas in March 2023:
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planet-Nomad.com | |||||
41 / 195 | Trend in | Duration | Tax | Mandatory insurance | Proof |
COUNTRIES | March 2023 | in month | to pay | See recommanded | of income |
Anguila | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Antigua Barbuda | 24 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Aruba | 3 | $75 | Yes | No | |
Barbados | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Bermuda | 12 | $260 | Yes | Yes | |
Brazil | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cape Verde | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Colombia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Costa Rica | 24 | $550 | Yes | Yes | |
Croatia | 12 | $155 | Yes | Yes | |
Curaçao | 6 | $300 | Yes | No | |
Cyprus | 12 | $65 | Yes | Yes | |
Dominica | 18 | $900 | Yes | Yes | |
Ecuador | 24 | $450 | Yes | Yes | |
United Arab Emirates | 12 | $610 | Yes | Yes | |
Estonia | 12 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 12 | $35 | Yes | Yes | |
Germany | 36 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Grenada | 12 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Greece | 12 | $90 | Yes | Yes | |
Hungria | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Indonesia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Italy | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Latvia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cayman Islands | 24 | $1470 | Yes | Yes | |
Seychelles Islands | 12 | $50 | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 6 | $315 | Yes | Yes | |
Malaysia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Mauritius | 12 | $0 | Yes | Yes | |
Mexico | 12 | $45 | Yes | Yes | |
Montserrat | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 48 | $630 | Yes | Yes | |
Panama | 9 | $300 | Yes | Yes | |
Portugal | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Czech Republic | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Romania | 12 | $125 | Yes | Yes | |
Saint Lucia | 12 | $70 | Yes | Yes | |
Spain | 🆕 | 🆕 | – | – | |
Sri Lanka | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Thailand | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes |
The Portugal digital nomad visa provides a unique opportunity for digital nomads to experience the rich culture, low cost of living, and breathtaking coastline of Portugal while working remotely.
If you’re still curious, to see an up-to-date map showing all the countries offering a digital nomad visa in 2023, and all the information you need to start your journey as a digital nomad!
Thank you for reading, and we wish you the best of luck on your digital nomad journey!
