Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa—Simple, Fast, Guaranteed
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D8 Visa at a Glance
Everything you need to know about Portugal's Digital Nomad visa
Digital Nomad Portugal Visa: Key Elements
Portugal's Digital Nomad Visa, officially designated as the D8 Visa, enables remote professionals to establish residence in the country for up to one year initially, with opportunities for extension and eventual permanent residency following five years of continuous residence.
The visa presents two distinct pathways: a Temporary Stay option (valid up to 1 year with renewal possibilities) and a Long-Term Residency track (starting with 4 months, convertible to a two-year residence permit that's renewable for up to 5 years, ultimately qualifying for permanent residency).
This program caters specifically to individuals maintaining employment or contractual arrangements with organizations based outside Portugal—encompassing both salaried professionals and independent freelancers, provided income originates from foreign sources. The straightforward requirements and minimal documentation make this one of the most accessible digital nomad visas available.
Key Requirements
Benefits of Portugal's D8 Visa
Discover the key advantages that make the Digital Nomad Visa an attractive option for remote professionals
Legal Residence Rights
This temporary stay authorization permits legal residence in Portugal for a designated period, typically extending up to one year. Compare this to tourist authorization (Schengen visa), which permits 90-day stays within every three-month cycle.
Schengen Area Access
As Portugal maintains membership in the Schengen Area, Digital Nomad Visa holders gain visa-free travel privileges throughout other European Union member states, facilitating unrestricted movement across the continent.
Public Services Access
Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa holders receive access to public services throughout Portugal, encompassing healthcare systems, educational institutions, and additional social provisions.
Pathway to Citizenship
Digital nomads become eligible to petition for permanent residence status and Portuguese citizenship following five years of lawful residence in Portugal. Citizenship acquisition requires passing a fundamental Portuguese language assessment (A2 proficiency level).
Family Reunification
The long-stay visa variant facilitates family reunification procedures. Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa applicants may sponsor family members, including spouses or domestic partners and dependent children, for relocation to Portugal.
Tax Considerations
Residing in Portugal for more than 183 days annually establishes tax residency status. While the previous Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program has concluded, it has been succeeded by the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) framework.
The D8 Digital Nomad Visa Is Not For You If:
Make sure this visa matches your situation before applying
The D8 visa is specifically for remote workers with income from non-Portuguese sources. If you want to work primarily for Portuguese companies, consider the D1 work visa instead.
You need to prove a minimum monthly income of €3,480 (4x the Portuguese minimum wage) from remote work sources outside Portugal for at least the last 3 months.
Portugal requires a clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence for the past year. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify your application.
You must have valid health insurance coverage for Portugal during your stay, which is a mandatory requirement for all visa applicants.
Step-by-Step Process
Document Preparation
Proof of Income
Collect detailed records like bank statements, invoices, payslips and tax returns.
Savings
Prepare bank statements showing at least €10,440 in savings (recommended).
Criminal Record Certificate
Obtain, translate, and notarize the certificate in Portuguese.
Accommodation Contract
Secure a valid rental agreement.
Health Insurance
Purchase travel insurance for the visa duration.
Motivation Letter
This isn't mandatory, but a cover letter explaining a little about yourself and your reasons for moving to Portugal always helps.
What we do:
- • Document review and guidance
- • Certified translation services
- • Trusted property manager recommendations
- • Insurance provider recommendations
- • Personalized motivation letter templates
DIY approach:
- • Collect and prepare documents yourself
- • Research translation requirements
- • Find accommodation independently
- • Handle all paperwork alone
Origin Country Appointment
Online Registration
Apply through the local Portuguese consulate or VFS Global depending on your origin country.
Document Submission
Prepare and print all documents needed. Some of which may need to be notarized (English documents do not require translation).
Schedule Appointment
Book an in-person appointment. These can be tricky to get, particularly if using the VFS system.
Attend Appointment
Attend your consulate or VFS appointment, with all the necessary documentation. Pay consulate/VFS fee either online or in-person.
Receive Temporary Visa
After reviewing and accepting your application, you will receive a 120-day visa allowing entry to Portugal for residency processing.
With GetFastVisa:
- • We submit your application for you
- • Automated appointment monitoring system
- • Secure appointments in 25 days on average
- • Handle appeals behind the scenes
DIY challenges:
- • VFS system often doesn't work properly
- • Need to check daily for appointments
- • Skip the 3-6 month appointment wait
- • Handle rejections and appeals alone
AIMA Appointment in Portugal
Travel to Portugal
The 120-day visa allows entry to Portugal for residency processing. You will either already have, or be waiting for, an AIMA appointment.
AIMA Appointment
Prepare updated documents. AIMA will check documents more thoroughly - for example, lease agreements must be legitimately registered with the tax authority.
Biometric Requirements
Complete biometric requirements and pay the AIMA appointment fee of €170 in person.
Receive Residence Card
Initial validity: Two years (renewable for three additional years). This will be posted to your registered address in Portugal, and usually takes a couple of weeks to arrive.
With GetFastVisa:
- • Help prepare for your move to Portugal
- • Handle document updates and validation
- • Accompany you to appointment if needed
- • Track application status and notify you
- • Handle any appeals if necessary
DIY approach:
- • Navigate the process alone
- • Research document requirements yourself
- • Handle any issues independently
End-to-End Application Management
We oversee your entire application journey from initial submission through final approval, guaranteeing every phase is executed with precision, efficiency, and strict adherence to the particular protocols of the consulate processing your case.
Complete Visa Support
Our commitment extends beyond visa approval—we guide you through residency card acquisition, which represents the ultimate objective. A single service fee accompanies you through your entire transition to life in Portugal.
Comprehensive Document Review
Each document undergoes meticulous verification for precision and regulatory compliance to minimize processing delays or rejections. Our secure client portal facilitates seamless tracking and update delivery for both parties.
Appointment Coordination
We manage the entire procedure of securing and organizing your VFS, consulate, and AIMA appointments as expeditiously as possible, scheduling at times that accommodate your availability.
Administrative Management
Our team processes your application paperwork, prepares motivation letters, and maintains all communication with consular officials throughout your case progression.
Supplementary Documentation
From registered rental contracts to NIF registration or Portuguese bank account establishment—we provide expert guidance on the most efficient and secure pathways forward.
Appeals & Revisions
Should circumstances deviate from expectations, we oversee appeals and modifications to restore your application's progress. Our partnership continues toward a successful outcome, not merely a single submission attempt.
Tailored Solutions for Every Case
Each case is unique and has its own flexibility. Our platform collects documents and speeds up the process with 24/7 checks on VFS and other government agencies, but our attorneys review all documents and fill out all forms for you and are always available to answer your questions whenever needed. We have optimized the process but we still provide you with tailored solutions for your case, having handled appeals, bank account setups, NISS and NIF registrations, and much more for our clients.
Your New Life in Portugal Awaits
Join thousands of digital nomads who have made Portugal their home
Vibrant Work Culture
Join thriving co-working spaces and tech communities across Lisbon and Porto
Amazing Lifestyle
Beautiful beaches, historic cities, and 300+ days of sunshine year-round
Rich Culture
Experience authentic Portuguese culture, cuisine, and welcoming local communities
Frequently Asked Questions
What our clients say
Zoe Mitchell
Software Developer
"GetFastVisa made my D8 digital nomad visa seamless - now I'm coding from Lisbon beaches!"
Lucas Fernandez
UX Designer
"Perfect for remote workers! Got my D8 visa approved in 3 months and loving the Portuguese lifestyle."
Nina Johansson
Digital Marketer
"The D8 visa opened up Europe for my remote marketing career. Exceptional service from GetFastVisa!"
Join our community of successful visa applicants
Get insider tips, connect with other digital nomads, and stay updated on Portuguese visa news in our exclusive WhatsApp community.
The getfastvisa Advantage
Perfect for digital nomads and remote workers looking to relocate to Portugal
VFS Monitoring Mastery
Our tech monitors slots 24/7, securing appointments in days instead of months
Portugal Focused Expertise
We are digital nomads ourselves with 100% focus on Portugal
Tech-Driven Efficiency
Our streamlined platform means a faster, more transparent process
Instant Eligibility
No need to book a call just to see if you qualify - check in 5 minutes online
Ready to invest in a smoother transition?
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