If you are an EU/EFTA citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Portugal. You are allowed to stay in Portugal for three whole months. The Schengen visa, a Short Stay visa, applies for stays up to 90 days.
Does Portugal Have a Digital Nomad Visa For Non-EU Citizens?
Foreign Digital nomads and Remote Workers can apply for a Residence Visa or a Temporary Stay Visa.
If you are a Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, on October 30th, Portugal changed the Law for Foreign (D7 visa) that should simplify the visa procedures for Digital Nomads and their residence, but also for the people coming from states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
Let's dive into the two digital nomad visa options you have as a digital nomad.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Option 1: The Residence Visa
As a digital nomad, the first option is to apply for the new Residence Visa, officially called a "Residence Visa for the Exercise of Professional Activity Provided Remotely Outside the National Territory".
With this new amendment, the government intends mainly:
- to promote regular and safe migration flows;
- to fight against illegal immigration;
- to guarantee mobility within the CPLP area;
- to revitalize and develop the economy;
- to find a solution to the country's demographic problem
Who Can Apply for a Portugal Residence Visa?
The Residence Visa is fit for non-EU/EEA/EFTA citizens (self-employed or entrepreneurs) who run professional activities remotely.
People with a business based outside Portugal can obtain a Residence Visa Permit but have to demonstrate the employment relationship or the type of services they offer.
How to Apply for a Portugal Residence Visa
According to your nationality, you must visit the Portuguese Consulate website and search for the country in the list on the page.
There are two main stages in applying:
- Registration on the website of the Portuguese Embassy in which you submit your application for the Residence Visa
- Check with the immigration department where you will obtain the residency permit once you enter Portugal with your digital nomad visa. At SEF - Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (i.e., the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service) - you will be able to complete applying for your Residency Visa.
The Portuguese Government will grant you a double-entry visa for 4 months.
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One of the most important requirements is that the individual will need to make four times the national minimum wage to live and work in the country, which amounts to around $2,750 per month.
Requirements for Employees
If you work as an employee, the visa application must be accompanied by the following documents:
- document certifying tax residence
- average monthly income over the last 3 months of at least the equivalent of 4 minimum wages
- work contract
- the promise of an employment contract
- statement from the employer proving the employment relationship.
Requirements for Independent Workers
If you work as an independent activity, the request must be accompanied by the following documents:
- document proving tax residence
- average monthly income in the last 3 months of a minimum value equivalent to 4 minimum wages
- company contract
- contract or proposal of service contract
- proof of services rendered to one or more entities.
In both the Temporary Stay Visa and Residence Visa cases, documents attesting to the tax residence and the average income must be submitted months before the departure. Regarding the income, the last three months of a minimum amount equivalent must be four minimum salaries guaranteed monthly payments.
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You will pay for your Visa to Portugal in the local currency of the country you are applying to, and you will be able to pay online. Please note that this may vary at the time of your order as all services are fixed in euros and are subject to the consular exchange rate.
The cost for the Consular Service is about USD $90.00.
Note that you can't be refunded if your visa application is denied. But you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the visa has been rejected.
Timeline For Applying For Portugal Residence Visa
The deadline to decide on a resident visa application, except in circumstances stipulated by law, is 60 days.
The timeline could be different because there isn't a great experience with this new visa.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Option 2: The Temporary Stay Visa
A temporary Stay Visa allows digital nomads and remote workers to enter and live in Portugal for less than a year.
It also allows for multiple entries.
Who Can Apply for the Portugal Temporary Stay Visa?
Non-EU Swiss citizens. A temporary visa is also for exercising a professional activity remotely.
How to Apply for The Portugal Temporary Stay Visa
According to your nationality and/or country of residency, if your country of residency differs from that of your nationality, refer to the Portuguese consulate where to lodge a long-term visa application.
Need Help With Your Portugal Visa Process?
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Apply with iVisa nowRequirments for The Portugal Temporary Stay Visa
Applications for a temporary stay visa must be accompanied by a list of documents, based on your situation.
Requirements for Employees
In a situation of Subordinate Work, you need one of the following:
- An employment contract or employment contract promise.
- Declaration of an employer to prove the employment relationship.
Requirements for Independent Workers
In a situation of Independent professional activity, you need instead one of the following:
- Company contract
- Service contract or written promise of a contract.
- Statement document of services provided to one or more entities.
How Much Does The Portugal Temporary Stay Visa Cost?
The cost of applying for a Temporary Stay Visa is about $70.
As previously mentioned, the value is in Euros and may change at the time of the application.
Timeline For Applying For The Portugal Temporary Stay Visa
Applications for the Temporary Stay Visa should be submitted in advance to ensure enough time for competent authorities to make a decision.
The deadline to decide on a Temporary Stay Visa application, except in circumstances stipulated by law, is 30 days.
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What If I’m Not Eligible For Both a Temporary and a Residence Visa?
If you are not eligible for a Temporary Stay Visa and a Residence Visa, a D7 Visa for Portugal is your best option.
This visa allows digital nomads to live in Portugal for up to two years; after two years, you can renew it for another 3 years.
You are asked to prove that you have an income from a source outside of Portugal.
The Portugal D7 Visa allows you to enter Portugal and the Schengen area so that you can travel freely without a visa.
As a simple tourist, you can also request a Visa for Tourists and stay for a maximum of 90 days. However, you cannot work and do financial activities with a Visa for tourists.
The last option you have, it's the Golden Visa. This is one of the most attractive Visas in the world.
The Portugal Golden Visa was in fact created to boost foreign investments to benefit the Portuguese economy.
The limits of this kind of visa are you are aspected to invest a significant amount of money in the country. The benefits are essential because the holder and their family can live and travel like European citizens.
Need Help With Your Portugal Visa Process?
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Apply with iVisa nowBenefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Portugal
The cost of living in Portugal is highly affordable and cheaper than many other Western European countries. Moreover, it's a safe country with a strong digital nomad community. English is widely spoken even if it could be basic. The weather is pretty good, and you can enjoy the mid-seasons, like spring and autumn.
There are very good coworking spaces where you can meet fellow digital nomads.
One of the benefits of Digital Nomads also includes the ability to access Portugal’s public and private health system and the chance to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years if you choose Portugal as your long-term base.
Thanks to its weather conditions and landscapes, Portugal is a land of cosmopolitan cities and a real paradise. Madeira or the Azores could be great for those looking for a country where excellent wines and traditions appeal to tourists.
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Paying Taxes As A Digital Nomad in Portugal
If your stay is less than 183 days and your income and interests are outside of Portugal, you do not have to pay taxes in Portugal.
If you stay for more than 183 days, your income comes from Portugal, or your interests are based in this country, you will become a tax resident in Portugal.
All residents for tax purposes must declare their worldwide income annually. It is also highly advisable to seek advice considering that not all countries adopted a partial tax year rule. If you have lived in Portugal for 183 days, you will get the NHR (Non-Habitual Residence) tax status that is not a visa.
Residents in Portugal for tax purposes are taxed on their worldwide income at progressive rates varying from 14.5% to 48% for 2022. This is for individuals, so their taxes are on personal income); non-residents are instead taxed at a flat rate of 25% on their taxable remuneration.
When it comes to corporate tax, a flat tax of 21% is applied to the global amount of taxable income realized by companies resident for tax purposes in mainland Portugal.
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