Portugal launches a digital nomad visa for remote workers 🎉
It's official: Portugal is becoming a haven for digital nomads!
As of 30 October, Portugal will introduce a new visa geared toward remote workers that will make it easier to stay there for longer than just a few months at a time.
Portugal has grown in popularity as an international destination not only for travel but also for longer-term relocation. About 9.6 million international tourists visited Portugal in 2021 per government estimates — a 48% increase from 2020 but still sharply down from 2019. Despite the pandemic’s impact on tourism, remote working increased, a trend Portugal is now trying to take advantage of. Well done, Portugal!
The new digital nomad visa comes in two different types, depending on how long you want to stay in Portugal. You can apply for either a temporary-stay visa of up to one year or a residency permit that can be renewed for up to five years.
The digital nomad visa and residence permit will be available for people employed outside of Portugal who can provide a contract of employment, tax residency documents and proof of an average monthly income over the past three months equivalent to at least $2,750 a month. For freelancers or other self-employed workers, proof of the same level of income will be required by way of service contracts or other means of proof of services.
It’s easy to see why Portugal is so popular amongst remote workers. It's a pretty sweet deal: low cost of living, mild weather, an abundance of coworking spaces, connections to major European cities, and the country's fluency in English! It's also helpful that the application requirements aren't too complex, unlike a lot of other countries!
If you've never been to Portugal, you're missing out. It's such a beautiful country with a rich culture, stunning beaches and delicious food.
I took my motorhome/ RV and my beloved bike, Baby, all the way from the U.K. to Portugal a few years ago, and I’ve been in love with this country ever since. I found it super easy to work from my van- there were wifi spots all over, and Vodafone was super reliable for mobile data as backup. The beaches are absolutely breathtaking — you can do amazing water sports such as kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding and more. Ohh and don’t get me started on the food- this is not the place to lose weight!
The capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is also an incredible city with so much history and culture. There are so many things that make me fall in love with this country over and over again. I’d definitely choose Portugal if I ever decide to move back to Europe.
So what are you waiting for? Apply for your digital nomad visa today and book your flight!
And here are this week's remote jobs for you to check out 👇
Stay rebellious,
Michelle