D8 Residence visa or the Digital Nomad

D8 Residence visa or the Digital Nomad to Portugal

The D8 visa is also known as the Portugal Digital Nomad visa and allows remote workers to establish in Portugal legally in an hassle free procedure designed to be a fast track procedure.

Portugal offers a visa for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and it’s aimed at digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers.

For a long time Portugal has attracted digital nomads, but most non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens obtained residency through the D7 or D2 visas and sometimes the golden visa. As a response to the popularity of Portugal among digital nomads, Portugal has created a special new visa that’s specifically designed for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers: the D8.

The D8 is both a “temporary stay” and “residence visa” for digital nomads. The temporary stay option allows you to live in Portugal for up to 1 year. The residence visa option allows you to stay for up to 5 years, with the possibility of renewal or exchange for permanent residency after. After 5 years, you will also be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Ideal for those that want to live in Portugal, obtain Portuguese citizenship, and take advantage of the NHR regime.

‍Income Requirement:

Earn at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage (around €3040 p/month in 2023)

‍Citizenship: Yes (application possible after 5 years)

What are the benefits of the D8 visa?
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Free Circulation
‍Permanent free entry and circulation in the Schengen Space, comprising 26 European countries.
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‍Live in Portugal
‍Freedom to live in Portugal and, if so wished, to have a professional activity in this country.
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‍Tax Benefits
‍Option to become anon-habitual resident of Portugal for tax purposes (little or no tax for 10 years).
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‍Resident's Rights
‍Access to other Portugal residents’ rights, such as education, healthcare, social security.

What is exactly the D8 visa?

Portuguese legislation allows a special visa – D8 Visa – that allows foreigner citizens, who wish to reside in Portugal permanently if they are digital nomads, regardless of age.

The application procedure:

The Portuguese consular missions and consular sections with jurisdiction within the area of the applicant’s current residence have the legal power for granting the D8 visa.
The deadline for the decision of the Portuguese consulate on the visa application is 60 days since an application with all forms and documents needed are submitted.

The consular service in charge must request a legal binding opinion, after the submission of the file from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Police (SEF).

When an answer is obtained you will be requested to handle your passport to the embassy and new visa will be stamped on one of the pages of your passport.

To be able to apply for the D8 visa we support clients in preparing a successfull aplication by dealing with the bureocracy of the paperwork and making sure it's according to the guidelines before submitting.

We will guide you through all paperwok needed, forms to fill and tax number to Portugal and Bank account / rental or property purchase.

Type and validity of the visa

The D8 visa is a residence visa that is intended to enable the holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal. In this context, the visa is valid for two entries and entitles the holder to remain in Portugal for a period of 4 months, while the applicant waits in Portugal for a final resident permit issued by the immigration department.

First step:
the local consulate stamps a temporary D8 visa on your passport
Second step:
the applicant travels to Portugal on that’ D8 temporary visa and waits for the final visit to the immigration department to convert the temporary visa to a final D8 residence visa.

Residence permit

The D8 visa enables the respective holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal for a period of one year, which can then be renewed for successive periods of 2 years and can be converted into a permanent residence permit after 5 years.

To be able to convert and apply for the final D8 visa the applicants will need to visit the immigration department in person in order to collect fingerprints and photos and in order to deliver the original documents previously shown at the local embassy.

After this visit the Residence Visa card is mailed to the Adress of your choice. The first card will have a validity of 1 year.

Family Reunification

Members of the family of the holder of the residence permit obtained via a D8 visa are also entitled to a residence permit, based on family reunification statute.

Resident’s rights

Without prejudice to the application of special provisions and other rights provided in the law or any international convention to which Portugal is a party, the holder of a residence permit shall be entitled to, without the need for a special authorization regarding his or her foreign status, the following:

1. Access to the National Health Service care;
   
2. Acess to the Portuguese National Education Service and schools;
   
3. Exercise of any work activity as an independent professional;
   
4. Acess to Portuguese Vocational schooling, initial and further professional training and retraining;
   
5. Access and protection from the Portuguese Law and legal system.
   

To submitt the application:

1. Application form (available in SEF’s website);
   
2. Passport or other valid travel document;
   
3. Two identical passport size photos; with blank background, and easily identifiable;
   
4. Valid travel insurance, with coverage for all medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation;
   
5. Application for Criminal Record consultation by Portuguese Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF);
   
6. Certificate of criminal records issued by his/her home country of origin or the country where the applicant resided for more than one year;
   
7. Proof that the applicant has adequate accommodation - by either buying, renting or borrowing a property;
   
8. Proof of health insurance coverage;
   
9. Document providing the amount of income exceeding the minimum
   
   
   Applicant needs to have also
   
   NIF and Portuguese bank account
   Proof of tax residence (12 months)
   Employment contract from outside Portugal or freelancer contract
   Payslips
   
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If you want our assistance to apply for this visa, please contact us.