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Portugal Digital Nomad visa

Portugal is  thriving country with a rich culture and history. For these reasons, many foreign nationals make the decision to move abroad. For remote workers, Portugal now offers a Digital Nomad visa scheme.

For more information on how to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa, call our team of advisors at Total Law UK on 0333 305 9375 for further guidance. Alternatively, you can get in touch via our live chat function 7 days a week.

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    What is the Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

    2022 saw Portugal offer a new Digital Nomad visa scheme. A country thriving with rich culture and fruitful scenery, Portugal has swiftly become a preferred destination for holiday makers and expats.

    The digital Nomad community and visa itself is part of the D7 passive income route which allows foreign nationals to work remotely whilst living in Portugal on a temporary basis. Digital Nomads seeking residence in Portugal must be able to prove their independent income.

    Whilst an official Portugal Digital Nomad visa is not present at the current time, the D7 visa is the next best option for those who wish to work remotely from the country.

    Those from the EU, an EEA country or Switzerland do not require a visa to live or work in Portugal, however, they must register as a resident with the SEF as would those applying to enter on a D7 visa.

    For more information on how to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa, call our team of advisors at Total Law UK on 0333 305 9375 for further guidance. Alternatively, you can get in touch via our live chat function 7 days a week.

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    Types of Portugal Digital Nomad visa

    At present, there are 4 different types of Portugal Digital Nomad visas.

    D7 Passive Income visa

    The D7 Passive Income visa is ideal for remote workers and digital nomads seeking residency to work away from their home country. Typically, the D7 pension income visa route is aimed at retirees who are deemed, passive income earners.

    Once you have been granted your Portugal Digital Nomad visa under the D7 category, you can expect an allowance of 120 days stay. After this, if you wish to remain in Portugal, you are required to reach out to the SEF for a Residence visa- which will last 2 years.

    It is paramount to demonstrate a minimum wage or stable monthly income before you are granted a visa. The minimum salary requirement equates to €8,460 per year for one person.

    D2 Entrepreneur visa

    The D2 visa is open to entrepreneurs outside of European countries to encourage an increase in local investment.

    You must be able to show that you own a company that operates in Portugal, or that you have the plans and means to set up a company there.

    As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your resources. This can be your own personal funds or an official Portuguese bank load. Whatever your method of means, it is advised that you show proof of €5,000, but there is no official minimum threshold. Proof of funds must be backed up with bank statements and a shatterproof business plan that gives a clear idea of how your investment and business will positively impact the Portuguese economy.

    The D2 visa is valid for up to 5 years once you have applied for a Residency Permit after your initial 120-day settling period.

    Portugal Golden visa

    The Golden visa is an exclusive visa route available to digital nomads planning on making a significant investment. Typically, in exchange for a minimum of €500,000, you can gain a permanent residency and visa, and live freely as a citizen of Portugal would by traveling around the EU with no restrictions. This means that you are only required to remain in Portugal for 7 days during your first year of stay. After that, you must remain for at least 14 days every following year.

    Tourist visa

    In most cases, you are permitted to enter Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa for a short stay or a holiday. If you plan on staying more than 90 days at a time, there are options available to you based on your personal circumstances.

    If you are traveling to Portugal from foreign country in the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, or UAE, you must apply for a Schengen visa- usually, this will allow you to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days in a sixth-month period.

    If you travel on a more frequent basis, you can consider applying for a 5-year visa that allows you to travel within the Schengen area for a up to five years or 90 days at a time every 180 days.

    What is the most common type of Portuguese visa for Digital Nomads?

    Most commonly, the D7 visa is most suited to Digital Nomad visa applicants who wish to spend a maximum of two years in Portugal. One of the main reasons it is so desirable is due to its permission to live and work freely in the country without having to make any investment into property and the economy of Portugal.

    You are permitted to bring family members with you to Portugal on a D7 visa. In addition, you can take permanent residence, open a Portuguese bank account and travel freely around the Schengen area without the need for a separate Schengen visa.

    What are the requirements for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

    The exact requirements for new visa will be based on your personal circumstances and the type of visa you are applying for. The requirements for D7 visa are as follows:

    • You must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
    • You must have a minimum income of at least €8,460 per year
    • You should have no criminal record or convictions
    • You should provide proof of your accommodation in Portugal- whether it be a hotel booking or a rental agreement
    • You must be willing to open a Portuguese bank account when you arrive in the country

    In addition, you should have all of the required documentation to hand when applying.

    What documents are required for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

    The following documents are required for the D7 Portugal Digital Nomad visa route;

    • D7 visa application form
    • A valid passport
    • A covering letter
    • Two passport-sized photographs
    • Proof of your income
    • Proof of accommodation
    • Valid health insurance
    • A criminal record certificate

    Preferred destinations for Portuguese Digital Nomads

    The country of Portugal is brimming with idyllic cities that are perfectly adapted to the needs of those wishing to travel on a Portugal Digital Nomad visa.

    Lisbon

    Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city is at the heart of Portuguese culture. It makes the ideal setting for digital nomads to set up and work remotely from another country.

    Already a popular place for digital nomads, Lisbon comes with a host of workspaces and strong, reliable telecommunications systems to allow ease of working for remote employees.

    Porto

    The the capital cities second biggest city within the Portugal region, Porto offers a cost-effective lifestyle for Portugal Digital Nomad visa holders.

    Not to mention that a slightly cooler climate makes it more desirable to remote workers who prefer milder weather and more comfortable working conditions.

    Sintra

    One of the more historical Portuguese towns, Sintra offers great links into the major cities of Lisbon should you need to travel there for business or leisure.

    In fact, Sintra boasts a diverse roster of remote workers from all around the world- from Africa to the United Kingdom.

    How to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa

    There are multiple steps to applying for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa.

    • Acquire the correct documents- The documents are an essential part of the application process. They inform the visa office of your genuine intentions and proof of your eligibility for the visa route you are applying under. All documents should be authentic and not copies unless they are official.
    • Fill out an application form and prepare a cover letter- You must complete the full application form ensuring you answer all of the necessary questions. As well as this, you must prepare a written cover letter that clearly states your reasons for becoming a digital nomad.
    • Submit your application- Once you have completed both of the steps above you should ensure that you submit your application form, cover letter, supporting documents, and visa fee to the Portuguese embassy.
    • Wait for a decision to be made on your behalf- As soon as your application is submitted, the process is out of your hands. You should wait for your application form to be processed by the embassy. You will be issued with an application reference number which you can use to track your application at any point. Usually, the process will take 3 to 4 months. If you are approved, you will be told where to collect your visa from.
    • Enter Portugal and register as a resident- When you have your visa, you are permitted to enter Portugal to live and work remotely. Your initial visa will remain valid for 120 days, then you must register as a resident if you wish to continue your stay for an additional two years.

    The Digital Nomad visa application process can often seem daunting due to the multiple steps. In this case, you may consider seeking assistance from a trained immigration lawyer. Total Law has a team of dedicated lawyers who are ready to take your case on.

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      How much does it cost to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

      The exact price you pay for a Digital Nomad visa will depend on the country you are applying to enter. In order to enter Portugal, the initial application will cost you €180. Once you are in Portugal, you will be required to pay an additional €320 to cover the cost of your Residence Permit.

      It is important to note that you must have sufficient funds to support yourself when you arrive in Portugal. As well as this, you are expected to pay for your own accommodation, whether this is renting a property from a landlord or booking a hotel or B&B for the duration of your stay.

      Am I required to pay taxes with a Portugal Digital Nomad visa?

      You will have the opportunity to become tax resident as a non-habitual resident (NHR) once you are granted a Digital Nomad visa. In order to do so, you must not have used residency visas been taxed there within the last 5 years.

      Becoming an NHR makes you exempt from paying any taxes on pensions, rental, income tax, real estate profits, and income from employment contract a non-Portuguese employer.

      What are the benefits of working remotely in Portugal

      If you plan to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad visa, there are many benefits for Digital Nomads and remote workers to consider. These include:

      • Rich culture and history- Possibly one of the most significant factors of traveling to Portugal to work remotely is the buzzing culture and beautiful scenery.
      • Low cost of living- Portugal offers a relatively low cost of living to its residents. Its reasonable costs attract many people on a freelance income.
      • Weather conditions- Whether you are a fan of a warmer or a cooler, Portugal is known for its perfect climate and weather conditions.
      • Broadband and work spaces- As more and more people are becoming remote workers, we are more reliant on broadband than ever, therefore, the fact Portugal boasts exceptional WIFI speeds and remote working spaces makes it extremely preferable.
      • Easy access to EU countries worldwide- Digital nomads can take advantage of visa-free travel to other countries with a Temporary Stay visa or a Residency Permit.

      How can Total Law help?

      Here at Total Law, we understand that applying for a Digital Nomad visa can seem incredibly overwhelming due to the extensive process surrounding the initial application.

      Whether you require assistance with filling in your application, or if you need guidance on liaising with the Portuguese Embassy, our highly trained immigration lawyers can help you each step of the way.

      For more information on how we can assist you, call our friendly team of advisors today at 0333 305 9375. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via our live chat function. We look forward to hearing from you.

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                  Frequently Asked Questions

                  Yes, you can apply for a Digital Nomad visa whilst you are living outside of your home country. In order to do so, you must have all of the correct documents to hand to send off with your D7 application to the Portuguese Embassy.

                  Portugal does that have a specific Nomad visa, however, Digital Nomads can apply for a D7 Passive Income visa which will allow them to work remotely and live in Portugal for up to 2 years.

                  The benefits outweigh the drawbacks for the Digital Nomad visa, but with any visa an individual’s personal circumstance dictate the success of it.

                  The benefits include:

                  Remote work from any location, improving family life, personal time, and freedom of travel

                  The visa acts as a facilitator for a ‘working holiday’

                  Ability to relocate without worrying about the legality of working from abroad in multiple countries

                  Nomads have the legal right to work in any country, without having immigration officers questioning your right to work

                  Many countries offer tax benefits to Digital Nomads, for instance countries offer one year tax free, or paying tax on only 50% of your income, even tax exemption in certain circumstances

                  Many countries have introduced their own version of the Nomad visa, as it boosts the countries economy in tourism, leisure and travel without creating less jobs for locals

                  No cap on the amount of time you are eligible to stay in a country, as there would be with any other visa

                  On any other visa, your company may have to abide by your chosen countries labour laws, for instance their laws on maternity/paternity leave, holidays, paid time off, etc. With a Digital Nomad visa, this is not the case meaning your company is more likely to endorse you opting for a Digital Nomad visa to uncomplicate the legality of your working from abroad

                  Digital Nomad visas are not as much of a financial worry to prove your eligibility for, compared to say an Investor visa or Golden visa

                  Some Digital Nomad visas can be routes to citizenship, if that is your desired outcome. Check with an Immigration lawyer today on 0333 305 9375 to discuss which countries offer this opportunity

                  Some drawbacks include:

                  You may be subject to double taxation. Check your own countries rules on tax

                  If you are self-employed, your tax will be different. Talk with an immigration lawyer today to discuss your situation, and we will help you move forward with your visa plans 0333 305 9375 .

                  Some countries don’t specify the tax implications at all, so hiring the expertise of an immigration lawyer at Total Law may be necessary to navigate a countries tax laws

                  This content was developed by a team of researchers, writers, SEO specialists, editors, and lawyers who provide valuable information to those with immigration queries.

                  Legal Disclaimer

                  The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.