Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to reside in Portugal while working remotely for employers or clients located outside Portuguese territory. Introduced in October 2022, the program offers two tracks: a temporary stay visa for stays of up to one year and a residence visa leading to a two-year residence permit with a path to permanent residency after five years. This listing covers the temporary stay visa track. The program is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the consular stage and by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum) at the residence permit stage.
The D8 visa application is submitted at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in the applicant's country of nationality or legal residence. Some consulates accept applications through the E-visa portal, while others require in-person submission, and in several jurisdictions intake is outsourced to VFS Global Visa Application Centres. In Brazil, from 17 April 2026 all Portugal visa applications must be filed exclusively in person by prior appointment at VFS Global centres, ending the previous postal-submission option. Required documentation includes proof of the remote work relationship, income evidence, an apostilled and translated criminal record certificate, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and a valid passport. The consulate issues a decision within 30 to 60 days, though processing may take up to 90 days at high-demand consulates.
Eligible dependants include a legally married spouse or partner in a documented stable union, minor children (under 18), dependent adult children (over 18, unmarried, in full-time education), and dependent parents (over 65 or economically dependent). Each accompanying adult requires additional income of EUR 460/month and each child EUR 276/month. All adult dependants must provide their own criminal record certificates and health insurance. Family members may apply simultaneously or join later through family reunification.
Holders residing more than 183 days in Portugal become tax residents and are subject to Portuguese progressive income tax on worldwide income at rates from 14.5% to 48%, plus a solidarity surcharge of up to 5% on higher incomes. Self-employed holders are additionally liable for social security contributions of approximately 21.4%. The combined tax burden for high-earning self-employed digital nomads can approach 70%. The former Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime ended for new applicants on 1 January 2024. The replacement IFICI regime generally does not cover digital nomads working remotely for foreign entities, as it requires employment by Portuguese research institutions, startups, or qualifying companies in specific innovation-driven sectors.
Visa holders may only perform remote work for individuals or entities headquartered outside Portuguese territory. Local employment in Portugal is not permitted under this visa category. The temporary stay visa does not lead to a residence permit and therefore does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Applicants seeking long-term settlement should apply for the residence visa track instead.
Under Lei Organica 1/2026 (in force from 19 May 2026), the standard naturalisation residency requirement was extended from 5 years to 10 years for most foreign nationals and 7 years for EU citizens and CPLP (Portuguese-speaking countries) nationals. Permanent residency under the Foreigners Law remains available after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Citizenship applications pending before 19 May 2026 continue to be governed by the previous framework.