Digital nomads will be able to live and work in Portugal full-time thanks to a new visa

Sick of the office? Good news - Portugal has launched a new one-year digital nomad visa.

Under the new scheme, remote workers will be able to live and work in the country for up to 12 months.

To qualify, applicants must earn at least €2,800 per month - four times Portugal’s minimum wage.

“Portugal is a country for immigration. Every year, we receive thousands of immigrants, seeking opportunities in our country,” said Ana Catarina Mendes, a Portuguese Cabinet minister.

So if you’re looking for a change of scene - and fancy exploring Lisbon or Porto in between Zoom meetings - here’s everything you need to know.

The new visa - officially called the “residence visa for the exercise of professional activity provided remotely outside the national territory” - is designed for working professionals.

It’s an alternative to the existing ‘D7’ visa - a popular residency permit mostly aimed at retirees and ‘passive income’ earners.

The new visa - launching on October 30 - was created after the Portuguese government amended immigration law in July.

To qualify, applicants must:

This is an increase on the earnings requirements under the D7 scheme.

D7 visa holders only need to earn the Portuguese minimum wage (€822.50 per month) per month. However, these earnings must come from ‘passive’ income streams like rent or investments.

As well as showing proof of income for the last three months, applicants must submit tax residency documents and a contract of employment (or proof of self-employment).

You can apply at a Portuguese Consulate in your home country, or at Portugal's immigration agency, Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras.

With its buzzing cities, rugged coastline, and relatively low cost of living, Portugal is extremely popular with digital