How to Obtain Portugal's Nomad Visa

If you're a freelancer or a remote-working professional and want to live in Europe, Portugal's D8 digital nomad visa may be exactly what you're looking for. This visa is designed for citizens of non-EU countries who work as freelancers or remotely and wish to live legally in Portugal — with the option of bringing family members along.

What Is Portugal's Nomad Visa?

Portugal's nomad visa is a Category D visa that allows you to live in Portugal for at least one year. As mentioned above, it's designed for freelancers and remote-working professionals whose monthly income exceeds €3,280. The digital nomad visa is for you if you work online, have sufficient income, and want to live by the ocean and meet people like yourself.

Categories of the Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal's digital nomad visa is divided into two main categories:

Long-term visa, which allows you to enter the country twice, but within 4 months of obtaining it, once you arrive in Portugal you can apply for 2-year residency. After the two-year residency period expires, you can extend it for up to three more years. After five years, you'll also be able to obtain permanent residency or citizenship.

Short-term visa - valid for only one year and allows multiple entries into the country. However, keep in mind that after the short-term visa expires, you won't be able to obtain a residence card.

Requirements for the Nomad Visa

The main requirements you must meet to obtain the digital nomad visa are as follows:

• You're 18 years of age or older;
• You're a citizen of a non-EU country;
• You're an influencer, or work online and have a long-term contract;
• Your monthly income is at least €3,280;
• You're able to rent housing for at least 1 year;

It's also worth noting that holders of the digital nomad visa can bring family members to Portugal. This applies to the applicant's spouse, children under 18, and parents aged 65 and older, or children over 18 if they are unmarried and financially dependent on you.

Required Documents

To obtain Portugal's digital nomad visa, you'll need to gather various documents that demonstrate your financial stability and professional background. The standard list of documents is as follows:

• A valid passport
• Two photographs, sized 4.5 x 3.5.
• A document confirming the type of your online employment: a contract or agreement.
• A bank statement
• A bank statement showing a savings account.
• Income and tax declarations
• A motivation letter
• An apostilled police clearance certificate
• A rental confirmation
• Health insurance

What's Needed to Obtain the Digital Nomad Visa

Citizens of Georgia must visit the Portuguese consulate in Ankara, Turkey to obtain the digital nomad visa. The entire process, from obtaining the visa to receiving residency, may take up to 6 months.

First, you'll need to gather the documents listed above, bring them to the Portuguese consulate, and pay the visa fee.

Your visa application will be processed within 90 days. If approved, the visa will be affixed to your passport. The consulate will also book you an appointment at AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum of Portugal), so that you can obtain your residence card once you arrive in Portugal.

At AIMA, you'll need to present the same documents you submitted at the Portuguese consulate, and you'll also pay a fee there.

The residence card processing takes between 2 and 12 weeks. Once processed, it will be mailed to your home.