Home › Guides › Immigration and AIMA
Digital Nomad Visa Portugal 2026 (D8): Requirements, Income
The digital nomad visa Portugal — often called the D8 — lets you live in Portugal while you work remotely for companies or clients in other countries. It has existed since October 2022 and is one of the most popular visas with professionals in tech, marketing and design.
Its official name is “residence visa for professional activity carried out remotely for outside Portuguese territory”. The code “D8” does not appear on the MNE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) website, and some application centres use a different name; always check the purpose of the visa.
Residence or temporary stay?
| Residence visa | Temporary stay visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | More than 1 year | Less than 1 year |
| After you enter | Apply for a residence permit at AIMA | Does not lead to a residence card |
| For whom | You want to live in Portugal | You want to spend a season |
Digital nomad visa Portugal requirements
According to the MNE, in addition to the general documents:
| Requirement | Employed (employee) | Self-employed (freelancer) |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of work relationship | Employment contract or statement from the employer | Company contract, service contract or document showing services provided |
| Income | Monthly average of the last 3 months ≥ 4 minimum wages | Same |
| Tax residence | Document proving your tax residence | Same |
What is the minimum income in 2026?
The guaranteed minimum monthly pay in 2026 is €920 (Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025). So:
4 × €920 = €3,680 per month (average of the last three months).
For this visa, the MNE does not say whether income is measured gross or net, and it does not explicitly require a minimum bank balance. Check with the consulate or application centre before you submit.
General documents (MNE):
- Application form and two photos
- Passport valid for 3 months beyond the stay
- Travel insurance (may be waived under agreements such as Brazil’s PB4)
- Criminal record certificate with apostille
- Proof of legal status in the country where you apply
How to apply: step by step
- Collect 3 months of proof of income (payslips, bank statements, invoices).
- Get your NIF (tax number) and, if possible, open a bank account in Portugal.
- Arrange accommodation in Portugal (a rental or other).
- Submit the application at the consulate or external provider, via pedidodevistos.mne.gov.pt. Fee: €110.
- Wait — legal deadline of 60 days (residence visa) or 30 days (temporary stay).
- Enter Portugal and, for the residence visa, go to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) with your passport and visa to apply for the residence permit (art. 88(1) read together with arts. 42-G and 42-H of Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007).
- Receive your residence card, valid for two years.
What about taxes?
If you spend more than 183 days in Portugal or have a permanent home here, you usually become a tax resident and must declare your income in Portugal. If you are a freelancer, you may need to register as self-employed (in Portuguese) and register with Social Security (NISS).
Your tax and social security situation depends on your case (type of contract, your employer’s country, double taxation and social security agreements). Before you move, check the Portal das Finanças (Tax Authority portal) and Segurança Social (Social Security), or ask a certified accountant (contabilista certificado).
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Family members can apply, at the same time and at the same consulate, for the residence visa to accompany a residence visa holder. The MNE asks for proof of family ties and enough resources for the whole household, for 12 months or for the length of the stay, if shorter.
If your family comes later, family reunification applies, which since 2025 usually requires two years of residence permit (with exceptions, for example for minor children).
Which proof of income works best?
- Employees: your last three payslips and bank statements showing the salary coming in.
- Freelancers: invoices from the last three months, contracts with clients and statements showing the payments received.
- Company partners: company contract and proof of pay or profit distribution.
All documents in a foreign language must be translated, if the consulate requires it.
Common mistakes
- Using income from Portuguese sources. The visa is for work done for outside Portugal.
- Average below the threshold in one of the three months, without making up for it in the others.
- A contract that does not mention remote work, or an employer statement that is too vague.
- Forgetting proof of tax residence in your current country.
- Using amounts from previous years. The threshold goes up every year with the minimum wage.
Keep reading
- Portugal visa types
- D7 visa — if you live on passive income
- Portugal work visa
- Chave Móvel Digital
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum income for the Portugal digital nomad visa in 2026?
Four times the guaranteed minimum monthly pay, on average over the last three months. With the 2026 minimum wage of €920, that is €3,680 per month.
Can I work for Portuguese companies on this visa?
The visa is for work done remotely for clients or employers outside Portugal. To work for Portuguese companies, you should apply for a work visa.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes. For self-employed work, the MNE accepts a company contract, a service contract or a document showing services provided to one or more clients.
How long is the residence permit valid?
According to AIMA, two years from the date it is issued, renewable for successive periods of three years.
Is the D8 the same as the digital nomad visa?
D8 is the informal name; officially it is the residence visa for professional activity carried out remotely for outside Portuguese territory.