The D8 visa, officially known as the Residence Visa for the Exercise of Professional Activity Provided Remotely Outside National Territory, was created in 2022 to allow professionals carrying out remote activity for employers or clients based outside Portugal to legally reside in the country while maintaining that international professional activity. This article falls within the Immigration and Nationality practice area at Araújo & Associados.
Unlike visas linked to carrying out professional activity for Portuguese employers, the D8 is based on the applicant demonstrating that they maintain a professional relationship, whether as an employee or as an independent service provider, with entities based outside Portugal, and that this activity can be carried out remotely from national territory. The regime is administered by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
Third-country nationals who typically fall into one of the following profiles may apply for the D8 visa:
A common condition for these profiles is that the source of remuneration is predominantly external to Portugal, this visa not being intended for professionals whose activity is directed mainly at Portuguese clients or entities.
The digital nomad visa may be applied for under two distinct routes, with different legal implications. The temporary stay route grants a stay in Portugal for a limited, renewable period, but does not confer a residence permit or count towards naturalisation purposes.
The route geared towards obtaining a residence permit, by contrast, allows for the formalisation of a residence title with AIMA, making it the relevant route for those who may wish, in future, to assess the possibility of applying for Portuguese nationality. The choice between the two routes should be considered in light of the applicant’s intended length of stay in Portugal.
The regime requires proof of average monthly income equal to four times the national minimum wage, indexed annually. In 2026, this reference value stands at €3,680 per month for the main applicant, calculated on the basis of the €920 national minimum wage in force that year.
Where the application includes family reunification, an additional income requirement applies for each family member included, with the specific percentage varying according to the degree of kinship. As these values are indexed to the national minimum wage and subject to annual updates, it is advisable to confirm the value in force at the time the application is submitted.
The D8 visa application generally includes:
The D8 visa application is submitted to the Portuguese consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s area of residence in their home country, or to an authorised service centre. Once the visa is obtained, the applicant formalises the residence permit in Portugal with AIMA, by prior appointment. Scheduling and decision timeframes vary according to the consulate or competent department and the volume of cases being processed at any given time, so it is not possible to give a uniform timeframe applicable to all proceedings.
Only the residence route of the D8 visa counts towards the period of legal residence required for naturalisation; the temporary stay route does not have this effect. The general period of legal residence required for most applicants was changed by the Nationality Law reform in force since 18 May 2026, now standing at ten years, reduced to seven years for nationals of European Union member states and of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). We set out the grounds and requirements for naturalisation in the article Portuguese Citizenship.
For applicants whose income comes from passive sources, such as pensions, rental income or dividends, rather than remote professional activity, the most suitable route may be the D7 visa. For applicants wishing to obtain residence through a qualifying investment in Portugal, there is the programme described in the article Golden Visa in Portugal. The choice between these routes depends on the applicant’s specific professional and financial profile.
In operation since 1980, with offices in Porto and Lisbon, Araújo & Associados handles immigration proceedings for clients from more than 31 countries, providing legal advice in Portuguese, English, French, German and Spanish.
The D8 visa is based on demonstrating a remote professional relationship with a foreign entity, while the D7 visa is based on own income of a passive nature, such as pensions, rental income or dividends. The choice between the two depends on the specific source of the applicant’s income.
The regime is intended for professionals whose remote activity is carried out for entities or clients based outside Portugal. Anyone whose activity is directed predominantly at Portuguese clients or entities should assess other residence routes better suited to their situation.
Yes, through the family reunification process, which may involve additional income requirements.
The temporary stay route allows a limited, renewable stay in Portugal, but does not count towards naturalisation purposes. The route geared towards a residence permit allows the applicant to obtain a residence title with AIMA, making it the relevant route for those who may wish, in future, to assess Portuguese nationality.
Generally, employment or service contracts, bank statements and tax returns for the months prior to the application, demonstrating the regularity and external origin of the income earned.
Indirectly, and only through the residence route. Once the period of legal residence required by the Nationality Law has elapsed, currently ten years for most applicants, or seven years for nationals of the European Union and the CPLP, the holder may assess the possibility of applying for naturalisation, subject to compliance with the other applicable legal requirements.
For further information about the D8 visa, or to schedule a legal consultation, you can contact us through our Porto or Lisbon offices, by telephone, e-mail or through the form available on the website. We provide legal advice in Portuguese, English, French, German and Spanish.
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