Portugal was one of the first countries to introduce a digital nomad visa for remote workers.
Portugal announced its digital nomad visa in 2022, and since then, it has become an attractive destination for online workers.
Details of Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal’s digital nomad visa is designed for individuals who work online and earn a good income. All remote workers, whether self-employed or working for a company, are eligible to apply for this visa.
This visa is open to citizens of all countries without any restrictions. Anyone who meets the visa requirements can apply.
The Portugal digital nomad visa is initially granted for 12 months (one year). However, if a person wishes to stay longer, they can apply for an extension. This visa can be renewed for an additional two years.
Holders of Portugal’s digital nomad visa also have the opportunity to stay in Portugal permanently and obtain citizenship. The visa can be extended for up to five years, which paves the way for permanent residency. In total, if you live in Portugal for five consecutive years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
To obtain Portugal’s digital nomad visa, you must visit the Portuguese embassy. The application process cannot be completed online, and applicants are required to go to the embassy to apply.
Portugal digital nomad visa types In 2025
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is divided into two parts, one for short-term stays and the other for those who want to stay in Portugal for a limited period of time.
Short stay visa
This visa is for those who want to stay in Portugal for a maximum of one year. If you also want to stay in Portugal for no more than one year and plan to move to another country after one year, this is the best option for you.
A short-stay visa is usually for one year, you will be directly granted a one-year visa and you can stay legally in Portugal for up to one year and work online.
Long term stay visa
This type of visa is for those who want to spend more than a year in Portugal. If you plan to stay in Portugal for a long time and continue your online business, then this is a great option for you.
Once you are approved for a long-term visa, you will then have to apply for a residence card upon entering Portugal and you will be given a long-term residence card, which can be for one or two years and can be extended later.
Why Portugal digital nomad visa? Great Benefits
What are the features of the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa and what are its benefits for online workers? The truth is that the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is one of the best visas because it has basic benefits and, in addition to the convenience and good environment of online work, it also has other benefits that other countries’ Digital Nomad Visas do not have.
For example, the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa can open the way for you to obtain permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal, while in many other countries it is not possible for remote workers to obtain permanent residency or citizenship with a Digital Nomad Visa.
You can spend five years in Portugal and then apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal. Portugal has one of the best passports in the world, with which you can travel to 190 countries without a visa.
In most other countries, the Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year and in some it is extended for one year, while in Portugal it is possible to extend the Digital Nomad Visa for five years and after the fifth year you can obtain citizenship or permanent residence.
Another interesting benefit of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is that it allows you to bring your family to Portugal. You can apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa with your family. Of course, applying for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa with your family requires you to have a high monthly income.
Another feature of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, without bringing your family, is that it makes it easy to move around Europe without a visa. If you have a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, you can travel to all EU member states without a visa. It is interesting that you are allowed to travel to 28 European Union countries without a visa.
Once you settle in Portugal, you will have access to the free health system, education system and social assistance system, so you or your family members will be able to receive free education, health services.
Portugal digital nomad visa requirements in 2025
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is one of the national visas of this country. This visa is a long-term visa and by obtaining it, you can live in Portugal for one year. In addition, you can extend your visa and live in Portugal for several years.
This means that the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa also opens the door to permanent residence and citizenship for you. Before you apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, you should study the requirements of this visa carefully and understand them so that your visa does not face rejection and delay.
Here we explain the requirements of the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa in a precise and detailed way:
You must be at least eighteen years old
You must be a citizen of a non-European country, citizens of the European Union do not need a visa to enter Portugal.
Proof of online remote work, you must have accurate documentation that all your work is done online, your work must be with a company that is not in Portugal.
Your monthly income must not be less than 3,500 euros. If you have family members with you, this amount increases for each person. If your spouse is with you, you must have an additional 380 euros, and if you have a child with you, you must have an additional 228 euros for them.
A somewhat complicated requirement for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is the place of residence, you must have rented a house or any other suitable place of residence in Portugal for at least one year before the visa and have this contract with you.
Health insurance, you must take out health insurance for your entire year, this health insurance must guarantee you protection against any health risks.
Clean criminal record, you must obtain a police clearance certificate regarding your criminal record. Your criminal record must be clean and you have not committed any crime.
To prove your income requirement, you must have a bank statement for at least the last six months showing that you have an income of 3,500 euros per month.
A letter explaining why you want to move to Portugal, this is a letter that should state your goals and motivations. This letter is important and should be written carefully.
Read this also; How to Apply for Malaysia digital nomad visa?
Portugal digital nomad visa application process
Okay, so if you want to apply for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, make sure you have all the necessary documents with you. After preparing the documents, you should contact the Portuguese embassy for a better and more accurate progress.
Embassies in each country are different. The visa process also varies, but the best way is to first contact the Portuguese embassy via email and ask them about the requirements for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. Some countries may require additional documents.
Once they have given you the list, they will also tell you the answer to the application and processing procedure. In this way, you should follow the embassy’s instructions step by step.
Usually, they give you an interview time and receive your documents right away, after which you just have to wait for the result of your visa.