What is the income requirement for the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa?

The D8 Digital Nomad Visa requires a minimum monthly income of €3,280 — four times the Portuguese national minimum wage (€820 in 2026). This income must come from remote work for non-Portuguese employers or foreign clients. The consulate will typically want to see 3–6 months of bank statements demonstrating this level of earnings.

What is the difference between the D8 and D2 visa in Portugal?

The D8 is for people who work remotely for a foreign employer or have clients exclusively outside Portugal — you don't need to establish a business in Portugal. The D2 is for self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs who want to build a professional practice or business that serves Portuguese clients or operates within Portugal's economy.

Do I need to earn exactly €3,280 every single month for the D8?

Not necessarily month-by-month. Freelancers with variable income can demonstrate their average over a 3–6 month period. The consulate wants to see that your income is sustainable, not that every month is identical. We advise clients on how to present variable income in the most favorable light.

Can I switch employers while on the Portugal D8 visa?

Yes. You can change remote jobs while on the D8, as long as your new employer is also a non-Portuguese entity and your income remains at or above the €3,280/month threshold. You should keep documentation of your employment status in case of any AIMA follow-up.

How long does it take to get the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

The total process typically takes 2–4 months: a few weeks for document preparation, variable wait time for a consulate appointment (1–6 weeks), then 1–3 months for AIMA to process your Portuguese residency permit after you arrive in Portugal.

Can I work with Portuguese clients on the D8 visa?

The D8 is designed for income earned primarily from non-Portuguese sources. Occasional work with a Portuguese client may be acceptable, but if your primary clients are in Portugal or you're building a Portuguese-market business, you should look at the D2 visa instead.

Is the D8 income requirement net or gross?

Portuguese authorities assess net income — the amount actually deposited into your bank account. Gross salary before tax deductions from a foreign employer is the starting point, but your bank statements (showing actual deposits) are the primary evidence reviewed.

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa 2026 (D8) — Requirements & How to Apply

Quick Eligibility Check

Is the D8 Digital Nomad Visa Right for You?

Portugal's digital nomad visa is one of the best in Europe — but the income bar is real. Here's who it fits and who it doesn't.

✓ Great fit if you…

✅Work remotely for a non-Portuguese employer
✅Freelance primarily for clients based outside Portugal
✅Earn €3,280/month or more (net) consistently
✅Want legal EU residency without changing your job
✅Want access to Portugal's healthcare and schooling
✅Are thinking about planting roots and eventually getting citizenship

✗ Not the right fit if you…

❌Earn under €3,280/month — no exceptions from consulates
❌Live on passive income like pensions or dividends (→ D7 Visa)
❌Want to build a business or serve Portuguese clients (→ D2 Visa)
❌Want to work for a Portuguese company locally

What You Need

D8 Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

These are the core documents required by consulates and AIMA. Employed remote workers and freelancers have slightly different evidence requirements — we guide you through both.

1

Proof of Remote Work or Freelance Income

Employed: employer letter confirming remote status + employment contract. Freelancer: client contracts and invoices showing foreign-source income.

2

Bank Statements (3–6 Months)

Statements showing regular deposits at or above €3,280/month. Freelancers with variable income can show a 6-month average — we advise on framing this correctly.

3

Valid Passport

Biometric passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay. Some consulates require a specific number of blank pages.

4

Criminal Record Check

From every country you've lived in for 12+ months over the last 5 years. Must be apostilled and translated into Portuguese if not in English.

5

Private Health Insurance

Valid coverage in Portugal, active until you can enroll in the SNS after receiving your residency permit. We recommend plans from €600–€1,200/year.

6

Proof of Accommodation + NIF

A signed rental lease or property deed in Portugal. Plus your Portuguese NIF (tax number) — which we can obtain for you remotely before you travel.

Step by Step

The D8 Application Process

From your first call to residency card in hand. We've done this dozens of times — we know exactly what each step takes.

Discovery Call & Income Review

We review your employment type (salaried vs. freelance), income evidence, and timeline. We map out exactly which documents you need for your specific consulate.

1–2 weeks

Document Preparation

We guide you through gathering, apostilling, and translating your documents. We also obtain your NIF remotely and can assist with opening a Portuguese bank account before you fly.

2–4 weeks

Consulate Appointment

You attend your D8 visa appointment at the Portuguese consulate in your home country. We prep you for the interview and review every document before you go in.

1–6 weeks wait

Enter Portugal

Your D8 visa arrives. You fly to Portugal. You have 120 days from visa issuance to enter. Time to find your apartment, set up your workspace, and explore your new city.

Your timing

AIMA Appointment

We book your AIMA appointment for your Portuguese residency permit. We prepare your full submission and handle any follow-up requests. This is often where people get stuck without a guide.

~1–3 months

Residency Permit Issued ✓

Your 1-year residency permit (renewable for 2 more years) is issued. You enroll in the SNS, get your full banking setup, and start the clock toward permanent residency and EU citizenship.

You're a resident

Transparent Pricing

D8 Visa Cost Breakdown

Every fee, upfront. No surprises. These are government fees plus our service — not cost of living or moving expenses.

Consulate Visa Fee

~€90

Paid to the Portuguese consulate in your country

AIMA Residency Permit

€320–€700

Government fee for issuing your 1-year permit

Health Insurance

Included

Required until SNS enrollment — we source and arrange the right plan for you

Guyven Full Package

Book a call for pricing

NIF, bank account, health insurance, document support, AIMA prep — everything included

Government fees above are paid directly to Portuguese authorities — we pass them through at cost, no markup. We'll give you a full personalised breakdown in your discovery call.

Common Questions

D8 Digital Nomad Visa FAQ

What's the difference between the D8 and D2 visa?

The D8 is for people whose work and income comes from outside Portugal — a foreign employer or foreign clients. You don't need to set up any business structure in Portugal. The D2 is for self-employed people who want to build a professional activity within Portugal's economy — serving Portuguese clients, operating as a registered freelancer (Recibos Verdes), or founding a company in Portugal. If your work is fully international, D8. If you're building a practice in Portugal, D2.

Do I need to earn exactly €3,280 every single month?

No — consulates understand that freelance income fluctuates. What they're looking for is a consistent average over 3–6 months of bank statements. One quiet month won't kill your application if the trend is clear and sustainable. We help you structure your income presentation for maximum clarity. Salaried remote workers have an easier time since their monthly deposits are identical.

Can I switch employers or clients while on the D8?

Yes. You're free to change remote employers or freelance clients as long as your new work is still for non-Portuguese entities and your income stays above threshold. Portugal doesn't require you to notify AIMA of every employer change. Just keep documentation in case AIMA asks at permit renewal time.

Can I work with some Portuguese clients on the D8?

The D8 is designed for income predominantly from non-Portuguese sources. An occasional small project with a Portuguese client is unlikely to be an issue. But if you're actively building a Portuguese clientele, taking on regular Portuguese contracts, or operating as a Portuguese-market professional, you're in D2 territory — and should plan accordingly.

Is the €3,280 income requirement net or gross?

The bank statement review looks at what actually hits your account — which is net. If your gross salary is €4,000 and taxes reduce it to €3,000 deposited, that's below threshold. Plan with your net take-home figure. For self-employed applicants, revenue is not the same as income — what you invoice is not what the consulate sees; what you bank is.

Can I bring my partner and kids on the D8?

Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can join you under family reunification. The primary applicant's income must be sufficient to support the family — the requirement scales up for larger households. Each family member needs their own documentation package. We coordinate family applications together to streamline the process.

Ready to Start?

Let's Make Portugal Your Home Base

Book a free 20-minute call. We'll check your income, review your situation, and tell you exactly what the process looks like for you — before you commit to anything.

🔒 No Obligation ⏱ 20 Minutes ✅ 100+ Relocations €0 Hidden Fees

Book a Free Call Take the 2-Min Quiz

Not Quite Right?

Explore Other Portugal Visa Options

D7 Visa Passive Income Visa For retirees, pension holders, and people living off investments. Income threshold: €820/month. D2 Visa Entrepreneur & Freelancer Visa For self-employed professionals and startup founders building a practice in Portugal. Not Sure? Take the 2-Minute Quiz Answer 4 questions and we'll identify your best Portugal visa pathway.

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8) —Live in Portugal, Work for the World