Exploring the Updated Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa for 2024

Everything About The New D8 Visa That You Should Know

Are you a digital nomad trying to figure out where to go next? Are you considering moving abroad to live and work remotely as a digital nomad? You only need to look in sunny Portugal.

You should give the recently renowned Portugal serious consideration for your next transfer, as it offers a plethora of benefits and the recently launched D8 Portugal Digital Nomad Visa program.

Update in D8 Visa as of January 2024

For an overview of visa requirements, considerations for and against digital nomadism, reasons to visit Portugal, and more, keep reading!

Is It Possible To Obtain A Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

Digital nomads and remote workers were able to get residency in Portugal up until recently by applying for the D7 Passive Income Visa or D2 Entrepreneur Visa. However, at the end of October 2022, Portugal unveiled two brand-new D8 digital nomad visa choices that are intended especially for remote workers who wish to reside in Portugal while continuing to make a living abroad.

Is the New Portugal Digital Nomad Visa A Work Permit Or A Work Visa?

In a technical sense, no. A national visa known as the D8 can be used for either a temporary stay or temporary residency, depending on whether you apply for a two-year or one-year permission.

And what distinguishes a tourist visa from a D8 visa?

You can only enter Portugal for a maximum of 90 days with a tourist visa, and you are not permitted to work (legally) during that time. Depending on the type of visa you apply for, the new D8 Visa permits you to work remotely from Portugal for a period of one to two years (longer with renewal).

Who Can Submit An Application?

People and nationals of third countries who are at least eighteen years old and not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

Which Visa Should You Apply For, a D8 or a D7?

The Portuguese government used to approve D7 visas for those with active revenue streams rather than passive ones as there was no special visa for remote workers and digital nomads. In other words, even though they didn't officially have passive income, they were permitting remote workers and digital nomads to become residents of the D7. We received approval in this manner. Check out this post to see the precise documents we included with our D7 visa application.

Since the release of the new Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, there have been reports of individuals having their D7 visa applications denied if they cannot demonstrate that they have passive income in addition to their active sources of income (freelance employment, remote job, etc.).

Therefore, you should apply for the D7 Visa if you want to rely on passive income to support yourself while in Portugal and if you want to stay longer than a year.

While you should submit an application for the Temporary Stay if your stay will only be one year and you intend to work remotely.

Digital Nomad Visa.

Additionally, you want to apply for the D8 Digital Nomad Residency Permit (4-month visa changed to 2-year residency permit after you arrive in Portugal) if you intend to stay for up to 2 years and intend to sustain yourself with active foreign-earned revenue.

D8 Digital Nomad Visa Types

When submitting an application for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, there are two options. The first is a visa that permits a remote worker to enter Portugal temporarily for a period of one year.

The second is a 4-month visa that, once you get to Portugal, you can change into a 2-year temporary resident status. I've heard rumors that the D8 Digital Nomad Visa is what it will be named. The D7 Passive Income Visa application process is comparable.

A lot of digital nomads and remote workers used to apply for the D7 Passive Income Visa or D2 Entrepreneur Visa in order to live in Portugal because there was no official remote worker visa in place at the time. It is expected that the government would encourage remote workers to apply for the remote work residency permit rather than taking the D7 route now that the new D8 Digital Nomad Visa has been put into effect.

The One-Year Temporary Stay Digital Nomad Visa's Advantages

1. Live and work legally in Portugal as a freelancer or self-employed business owner for up to 1 year
2. Try out Portugal without having to commit to long-term residency
3. Enjoy visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area
4. Have the option to renew for an additional 6 months
5. Maintain tax residency in your home country or current tax residency
6. Skip the requirement to open and fund a Portuguese bank account

Which nations are a part of the Schengen Area?

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland are the 26 nations that participate in the Schengen area.

Advantages Of The 2-Year Digital Nomad Residency Permit:

1. You can live and work in Portugal for up to two years as a freelancer or self-employed business owner legally.
2. Choose whether to start a Portuguese business or expand your current one in Portugal
3. Get a Portuguese residency card to replace the four-month visa in your passport
4. Once your visa has been changed to a residency permit, you can travel the Schengen Area without a visa
5. Possibility of obtaining additional tax advantages by applying for Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) status
6. Possibility of extending resident permission for an extra three years, for a total of five years.
7. After five years, you can apply for citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal.
8. Reap the benefits of Portuguese residency, including healthcare and education.
9. Have the option to bring your family under family reunification.

Income Requirements

This criterion has caused some uncertainty, especially in light of the recent age of the visa and the sluggish and elusive distribution of information. Lawyer Jéssika Aguiar, co-founder of relocation and visa experts Smart Relocation Lisbon, has determined that the minimum income needed for a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is four times the minimum wage in Portugal every month for the preceding three months. Bewildered? Let's dissect it.

Income Over 3040€ for the Previous Three Months: 820€ x 4 = 3280€: 3 = 1094€/Month

The current minimum wage in Portugal is 820 euros a month. That multiplied by four gives you 3280€ as the total. The digital nomad must have made at least this much money throughout the preceding three months. This translates to an average minimum monthly income of 1094 euros.

TIP: Keep in mind that this is the very least. Approval is not a given. If you can, try to provide more evidence than the bare minimum to increase the likelihood that your application will be accepted.

Applying for a Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

The application procedure is comparable to that of Portugal D7.

1. Collect the necessary paperwork.
2. Schedule a meeting with the VFS office or consulate of your choice
3. Present your application during the scheduled time.
4. Ease into waiting for your decision (it may take up to 90 days, depending on the office where you filed your application).
5. Get your passport and visa.
6. Go to Portugal!

There are a few extra actions you must do if you want the longer residency permit:

7. Within four months after your visa has been approved, go to the pre-arranged SEF interview in Portugal.
8. Acquire your two-year Portuguese residency permit.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, for digital nomads seeking their next destination, Portugal emerges as an enticing option with its newly introduced D8 Digital Nomad Visa. This visa program presents numerous advantages, including the flexibility to live and work legally in Portugal for up to one year, with the possibility of extending for an additional six months. Notably, it offers visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, the option to maintain tax residency outside Portugal, and no requirement to open a Portuguese bank account. Whether opting for the one-year temporary stay or the two-year residency permit, Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa facilitates a seamless transition for remote workers looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant Portuguese lifestyle while pursuing their professional endeavors.

How Pelican Migration can help?

Pelican Migration Consultants specialize in assisting digital nomads with their D8 Digital Nomad Visa application for Portugal, offering comprehensive support throughout the process.

Here's how we can help you secure your visa seamlessly:

1. Personalized Guidance: We provide tailored guidance based on your individual circumstances, ensuring you understand the requirements and steps involved.
2. Document Preparation: Our experts will assist you in gathering and organizing the necessary documents, ensuring compliance with Portuguese immigration regulations.
3. Application Assistance: We offer hands-on assistance in completing and submitting your visa application, minimizing errors and increasing the likelihood of approval.
4. Ongoing Support: From application submission to visa approval, we're here to support you every step of the way, offering timely assistance and guidance as needed. With our dedicated support, you can embark on your digital nomad journey to Portugal with confidence and peace of mind.