Digital Nomad Residence Permit

Portugal's Digital Nomad Residence Permit (Autorizacao de Residencia para o Exercicio de Atividade Profissional Prestada de Forma Remota, under Article 88 of Lei n.o 23/2007) allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to establish long-term residence in Portugal while working remotely for employers or clients outside Portuguese territory. This is the long-stay track of the D8 digital nomad program, introduced in October 2022 by Lei n.o 18/2022. It follows a two-stage process: first obtaining a residence visa at a Portuguese consulate, then converting it into a residence permit through AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum) upon arrival in Portugal.

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national working remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal
• Minimum monthly income of EUR 3,680 (four times the Portuguese minimum wage of EUR 920 in 2026)
• Average income demonstrated over the preceding 3 months via bank statements, payslips, or tax returns
• Savings of approximately EUR 11,040 (equivalent to 3 months of the income threshold)
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Health insurance valid in Portugal with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental agreement or property deed)
• Criminal record certificate from country of nationality and any country of residence in the past 5 years, apostilled and translated into Portuguese
• Portuguese NIF (tax identification number)
• Portuguese NISS (social security number, required from 2025)

The process has two stages. In the first stage, the applicant submits a residence visa application at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in their country of nationality or legal residence. Some consulates accept applications through the E-visa portal; others require in-person submission. Processing takes 30 to 60 days (up to 90 days at high-demand consulates). If approved, a 4-month residence visa with two entries is issued.

In the second stage, within 4 months of arriving in Portugal, the holder must attend an appointment at an AIMA Store to submit biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) and apply for the residence permit card. Before this appointment, the holder must register with the Portuguese Tax Authority to obtain a NIF and with Social Security to obtain a NISS. The residence permit card is typically issued within 2 to 6 weeks after the biometric appointment. Since July 2025, renewals can be submitted online via AIMA's Portal de Renovacoes. Note that AIMA faces a backlog of over 400,000 pending cases as of early 2026, and actual processing times may exceed stated timelines — applicants are advised to start the process 4-6 months in advance.

• Consular visa fee: EUR 110
• VFS Global service fee (where applicable): approximately EUR 40
• AIMA residence permit (effective March 2026): EUR 247.30 total in person (EUR 133.00 processing + EUR 114.30 permit grant), or EUR 185.60 via digital channel (25% discount)
• Renewal fee: EUR 114.30 in person or EUR 85.80 via digital channel

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. Family members may apply simultaneously with the primary applicant or join later through family reunification (reagrupamento familiar). Dependants receive residence permits with the same validity as the primary applicant.

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.

Residence permit holders must not be absent from Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, within the validity period of the permit under Article 85 of Lei n.o 23/2007. Exceptions are permitted for professional, educational, medical, or urgent family reasons with prior notification to AIMA. Exceeding these limits may result in cancellation of the residence permit.

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.