Portugal has announced that starting October 30, applications will be open for a digital nomad visa that will allow successful applicants to live in and work from the country for up to 12 months, Euronews reports.
To qualify, applicants must earn at least €2,800 a month, which is about four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
“Portugal is a country for immigration. Every year, we receive thousands of immigrants, seeking opportunities in our country,” Ana Catarina Mendes, a minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, was quoted as saying by Euronews.
The initiative, officially called the “residence visa for the exercise of professional activity provided remotely outside the national territory”, aims to attract more international remote workers who can help boost the economy.
The initiative could be considered an alternative to the existing "D7" visa, which allows anyone to live and work in the country if their monthly income is higher than Portuguese minimum wage (€705 per month).
The D7 visa is usually associated with passive income such as rental income, investments, or pensions, but many people have successfully applied by showing proof of income from remote work.
The digital nomad visa follows an amendment to immigration law in July by the Portuguese government.
Applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for the visa:
- Are from a country outside the EU or EEA
- Are self-employed or employed by a company based outside Portugal
- Earn at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage a month (around €2,800)
Documents that must be submitted with the visa application include proof of income for the last three months, proof of employment or self-employment, and tax residency documents.
You can apply at Portugal's immigration agency, Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) or at a Portuguese consulate in your home country.
Are you planning to move to Portugal? Read our guides to find out how to prepare well and make the most of your stay.
