Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa 2026 — Remote-Worker Residency from $890

Q: How is the D8 different from the D7?

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.

01 · What it is

The Portugal D8, in plain English.

The D8 visa (officially the residency visa for the exercise of subordinate or independent professional activity remotely) is Portugal's residency program launched in October 2022 specifically for non-EU nationals who work remotely — either as employees of a foreign company, or as freelancers serving foreign clients.

It is the visa designed for the 2020s remote-work economy: software engineers at US tech companies, designers serving UK and German clients, marketing consultants billing Dubai brands, copywriters with a roster of European agencies. Whatever your stack, if your income arrives from outside Portugal and exceeds the threshold, the D8 is built for you.

It grants a 4-month entry visa from the Portuguese consulate, followed by a 2-year residency card after biometrics at AIMA in Portugal. Renewable for 3 more years, with eligibility for permanent residency after 5 years. Portuguese citizenship is a separate, later step. The new Nationality Law (Lei da Nacionalidade), in force since 18 May 2026, sets the qualifying period at 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.

02 · Income thresholds

How much remote income do you need?

The D8 income threshold is 4× the Portuguese national minimum wage. With the minimum wage at €920/month (effective 1 January 2026), the D8 threshold for the main applicant is €3,680/month gross (~$4,050/mo). Family members add to the threshold and to the savings reserve.

HouseholdMinimum monthly income

Single applicant€3,680/month

+ Spouse / partner (+50%)€4,140/month

+ Each dependent child (+30%)+ €276/month each

Savings reserve (separate from monthly income)≥ €11,040

⚠ AIMA reassesses your income at the time of your residency-card appointment, using the minimum wage in force at that date — so a mid-year minimum-wage increase after you start the process may shift the threshold upward.

What counts as remote income? Salary from a foreign employer (US W-2, UK PAYE, German Lohnsteuerkarte). Self-employment income from foreign clients (3+ active contracts is the practical bar). Royalty / licensing income from non-Portuguese sources. What does not count: any income from a Portuguese employer or Portuguese clients (that would require a different visa, the D2 or a work permit).

Required documentation: 3+ months of bank statements showing the income arriving, employment contract or freelance contracts, recent tax returns (US 1040, UK SA302, etc.), proof of a Portuguese bank account, criminal-record certificate with apostille from your country, plus proof of at least €11,040 in savings (12× monthly minimum wage) at the time of application.

03 · Timeline

From kickoff to residency card · 4 to 8 months.

The D8 process mirrors the D7: visa application at the Portuguese consulate in your home country, then residency-card application at AIMA in Portugal. The main differentiator is the income documentation — we prepare an explainer for your consulate covering contracts, employer letters and tax filings.

Month 1

NIF & fiscal setup

Portuguese tax number, fiscal representation, Power of Attorney — required before any consulate filing.

Months 1–2

Consulate dossier

We compile the full D8 file: employer letters or client contracts, bank statements, tax returns, criminal record with apostille, accommodation proof, health insurance.

Months 2–4

Visa issued

Consulate issues 4-month entry visa. You travel to Portugal within validity. We pre-book your AIMA biometrics for shortest possible wait.

Months 4–8

AIMA card

Biometrics in Lisbon (30 min). AIMA issues 2-year residency card by post. Card is renewable, and permanent-residency eligibility opens at year 5.

04 · What's included

The $890 professional fee, line by line.

Included in our fee

NIF + 1-year fiscal representation (Portuguese tax number, mandatory)
Power of Attorney from Bar-registered Portuguese lawyer (Ordem dos Advogados nº 67883F)
Consulate dossier preparation: employer letters, client contracts review, income documentation, accommodation proof, apostille coordination
Portuguese bank account opening assistance (Novobanco, 100% remote)
AIMA biometrics appointment booking after arrival
12 months case management: every email, follow-up and escalation
Family inclusion at no additional professional fee
IFICI tax-regime briefing (separate $890 service to file post-residency)

Not included — billed at cost, with receipts:
• Portuguese consulate visa fee (~€90 per applicant)
• AIMA residency-card issuance fee (~€85 per card)
• Certified translations of foreign documents
• Apostille / consular legalization in your home country
• Portuguese health insurance (~€40–€80/mo, required for visa)
• IFICI tax registration ($890, sold separately)

Professional fee

$890

One-off · USD · Stripe checkout · refundable on filing error per refund policy

Start application → 💬 WhatsApp our team ⚡ Bundle with IFICI ($1,780)

Other routes to Portuguese residency

Not sure D8 is right for you?

The D8 is for active remote-work income. If your income is passive, or you want to invest passively, these alternatives may fit better:

🆔

NIF — start here →

Step zero before any visa. $59 in 3–7 days. Includes 1-year fiscal representation.

🏖️

D7 Visa — passive income →

For pensions, dividends, rental income. €920/mo threshold. From $890.

💎

Golden Visa →

€500k fund investment · 7 days/year presence · faster path to citizenship. From $5,990.

🏢

D2 + LDA — founders →

Portuguese company + entrepreneur visa. $1,490 bundle. Best IFICI pathway.

💼

IFICI — 20% flat tax →

Most D8 holders later incorporate an LDA to access IFICI. 20% flat tax for 10 years. $890.

📅

Strategy call — $49 →

45-min video call to confirm D8 fits your situation. Credited if you proceed.

05 · Frequently asked

Questions we hear from D8 clients.

What is the Portugal D8 digital nomad visa?

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.

What income do I need for the D8?

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.

How is the D8 different from the D7?

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 →

Does the D8 require a Portuguese employer?

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.

Can I combine the D8 with IFICI (the new NHR)?

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.

What's included in $890?

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.

How long does the D8 take?

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.

Work remotely.
Live in Portugal.