Work remotely.
Live in Portugal.

The D8 (officially the residency visa for the exercise of subordinate or independent professional activity remotely) is Portugal's dedicated visa for non-EU nationals who work remotely for foreign employers or clients. Launched in October 2022, it grants a 4-month entry visa leading to a 2-year residency card, renewable for 3 more years, with eligibility for permanent residency after 5 years. Portuguese citizenship is a separate step: under the new Nationality Law in force since 18 May 2026, the citizenship qualifying period is 10 years for most foreigners and 7 years for CPLP nationals (Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea). The clock counts from the date the residence card is issued.

Minimum 4× Portuguese national minimum wage — €3,680/month in 2026 (approximately $4,050/month). Income must come from foreign sources: a non-Portuguese employer paying you salary, or foreign clients paying you for freelance/consulting work. Documentation: 3+ months of bank statements, employment contract or 3+ client contracts, recent tax returns.

D8 is for active remote work income — you are currently employed, freelancing, or running a business. D7 is for passive income — pensions, dividends, rental, royalties. The income threshold is much higher for D8 (~€3,680/mo) than D7 (€920/mo), reflecting that D8 holders are early-career professionals rather than retirees. Both lead to identical residency rights. See the D7 page →

No — and in fact you cannot use Portuguese employment income for the D8. The visa is specifically designed for income that remains foreign-sourced: a US tech company paying your salary, a UK marketing agency hiring you as freelancer, a Dubai client paying for consulting. Once you have your residency card, you may also take Portuguese employment, but the original visa qualification must be from foreign sources.

Yes — and this is the most popular combination for tech professionals and consultants. IFICI is Portugal's new tax incentive program (replacing NHR) offering 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income from high-skill activities for up to 10 years. We file the IFICI registration after your AIMA card is issued; service is $890 separate from the D8.

NIF + 1-year fiscal representation, Portuguese consulate D8 visa application, document apostille coordination, full AIMA application after arrival, biometrics scheduling, plus 12 months of case management. Portuguese consulate fees (~€90) and translation fees are billed at cost. IFICI tax registration is sold separately for $890.

Realistic timeline: month 1 — NIF + Portuguese bank account; months 1–2 — consulate dossier preparation and submission; months 2–4 — consulate visa issued (4-month validity); months 4–8 — you travel to Portugal, attend AIMA biometrics, receive 2-year residency card. Total: 4 to 8 months from kickoff.