Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa Program
In the past, we have already looked at why Portugal is one of the top tourist and expatriate destinations in all of Europe. What we’ve discovered in the process is that the country is quite accommodating when it comes to the likes of visa and residency requirements. Meanwhile, a notable new travel trend of the 21st century has been the advent of the digital nomad. So on October 30 of 2022, the Portuguese government launched an initiative, called the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, to address that particular niche.
Who is a Digital Nomad?
Most simply explained, a digital nomad is a type of remote worker. Where the “digital” aspect comes into play is that such employees tend to work via a computer (i.e. the internet), which really isn’t that unconventional as far as remote workers go.
But what really makes digital nomads unique is that latter designation, the “nomad” part. What that entails is this classification of the workforce being such that they are regularly on the move. In other words, a conventional remote worker tends to operate from one location, that usually being their home. By contrast, a digital nomad uses the fact that they don’t have to report to a central office for their own travel benefit, i.e. working while concurrently touring.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Having the opportunity to be a digital nomad may sound like a dream job to most of us. But as we have pointed out before, there are both advantages to disadvantages to adopting this modus operandi. That said, Portugal has gone out of its way to receive such individuals without placing too much of a burden on them in the process. But of course, there are certain requirements which must be generally met in the name of procuring a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa.
Financial Requirements
At the top of the list is the fact that applicants must be earning at least four times the amount of the Portuguese minimum wage. As of 2022, the said minimum wage is reportedly €705.00 monthly which, at the time of this writing, comes out to $758.51 USD. When multiplied by four, that gives us a grand sum of $3,034.04 monthly.
So since exchange rates and what have you tend to fluctuate, let’s say that a digital nomad needs to be making roughly $3,000 monthly in order to qualify for the said Portuguese visa.
Duration of Stay
As generally understood, the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa has a maximum duration of one year. However, successful and interested applicants can then proceed to apply for an outright residency permit, which will allow them to legally remain for an additional five years.
You must be a digital nomad in the truest sense of the word in order to qualify. That is to say that whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur or freelancer, the employer you use to apply for the visa cannot be situated in Portugal.
Tax ID Number
You must obtain what is known as a Portugal Tax ID Number. Or put more bluntly, even as a digital nomad you will be subject to local taxes.
According to some reports, it is not mandatory for those applying for the standard, 12-month Portugal Digital Nomad Visa to set up a local bank account. However, this course of action is highly recommended nonetheless.
Health Insurance
Digital nomads in Portugal are required to acquire some form of officially-approved health insurance.
Background Check
Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. And as generally understood, those with serious criminal records will be denied.
Processing Fee
There is a small processing fee for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, which currently comes up to less than €100.
Return Ticket
As a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa applicant, since your stay will be classified as a temporary one, you will be required to furnish a return travel ticket.
Proof of Accommodation
With that in mind, applicants will also need to acquire proof of accommodation, along the lines of procuring a year-long rental lease in Portugal. In other words, even though the country is accommodating to digital nomads, they obviously don’t want such individuals just wandering about.
Some Noteworthy Things
Residents of the European Union or European Economic Area (of which Portugal is a part of both entities) cannot apply for this type of visa.
A Portugal Digital Nomad Visa does grant its holders access to other Schengen countries which, including Portugal, are currently 27 in total. So with this document, you will be granted the opportunity to visit other European nations.
Conclusion
So basically, what’s being illustrated here is that Portugal, one of the top tourist destinations in the entire world, is in fact cooperative in terms of hosting digital nomads. But at the same time, they don’t want these individuals putting themselves or others at risk.
To reiterate, the above list can be taken as a generalized one. And if you or anyone you know is seriously considering applying for this visa, it would be best to hit up the nearest Portuguese embassy or get in contact with a company that specializes in facilitating the procedure in order to obtain further details.
Who wouldn’t want to visit Portugal? This country not only has a rich history but is also akin to a well-developed Mediterranean paradise. Moreover, its cost of living is significantly lower than in some other First World nations.
So yes, it would be undeniably cool to be able to spend time in Portugal as an official digital nomad, earning your ample bread while simultaneously having the freedom to explore this beautiful land. But remember that this is indeed Europe and furthermore part of the Eurozone. So there are certain requirements that have to be met beforehand. But once they are, a digital nomad will be able to enjoy Portugal with full system coverage, basically as if they are a full-time Portuguese resident.
