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Quick answer
- Income for one person: €3,680 per month in 2026, four times the Portuguese minimum wage of €920.
- Family: add 50% of that base (€1,840) per additional adult and 30% (€1,104) per child.
- Active remote income: a salary from an employer abroad or contracts with clients outside Portugal. Passive income belongs under the D7.
- Citizenship: under the 2026 law it takes 7 or 10 years of legal residence, not 5.
What is the Portugal D8 digital nomad visa?
The D8 is a residence visa for non-EU citizens who work remotely from Portugal: employees whose contract allows remote work, and freelancers with service contracts. It is often called the digital nomad visa or the remote work visa. It exists under Portugal's Foreigners Law (Lei 23/2007), and the residence permit is issued by AIMA, which replaced SEF in 2023.
D8 temporary stay visa vs D8 residence visa
The D8 comes in two versions, and the difference matters if you plan to stay or bring family.
Temporary stay
- Valid for up to one year and renewable.
- Family members cannot join under it.
- Time on it does not lead to permanent residence.
Residence visa
- A 120-day visa with two entries, then a 2-year residence permit.
- Renewal for 3 years at a time.
- Family members can join, and permanent residence is possible after 5 years.
This guide follows the residence visa.
Who can apply for the D8 visa?
- Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
- Employees whose contract with an employer outside Portugal allows them to work remotely from Portugal.
- Freelancers who can show service-provider contracts and income above the minimum threshold.
- Applicants with a clean criminal record and accommodation in Portugal.
What income counts for the D8 visa?
The D8 is built on active income from remote work that you already earn. It must be regular and documented.
Usually accepted
- A salary from an employer outside Portugal under a contract that allows remote work.
- Freelance income backed by service contracts with clients outside Portugal.
- Payslips, invoices and bank statements showing the income is regular.
Usually not enough
- Savings alone, however large.
- Passive income only, such as pensions or rents (see the D7).
- Contracts or income you only expect to have in future.
- Income that mainly comes from Portuguese clients or employers, which we check before filing.
D8 visa calculator 2026: how much income does your family need?
Choose your household and the year you plan to apply.
How much income does my family need for the D8?
Enter your monthly remote income to check whether you qualify.
| Household member | Share | Monthly | Annual |
|---|
| Government fees (approx.) | Per person | Household |
|---|
* The D8 threshold is four times the minimum wage. 2027 (€970) is announced and 2028 (€1,020) is a projection. Savings shown are 12 or 24 months of the minimum wage, weighted by household size, as an indicative reference only, both pending publication. Fees per person: consular visa about €90, AIMA application analysis €121.95, residence card €104.82. AIMA fees can be lower for digital submissions. Legal fees, translations, apostilles and insurance are not included. Estimate only, not legal advice.
D8 visa income requirement 2026: how much money do you need?
The D8 threshold is four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which rose to €920 per month on 1 January 2026. A clean criminal record is the other basic eligibility requirement.
- Main applicant: €3,680 per month or €44,160 per year.
- Each additional adult (spouse, partner, dependent parent): +50% of that base, €1,840 per month.
- Each child under 18: +30%, €1,104 per month.
D8 visa income for a couple and a family
A couple needs €5,520 per month and a couple with two children €7,728. The government has announced €970 for the 2027 minimum wage, which would take the single-applicant figure to €3,880.
D8 visa savings requirement
Consulates commonly expect savings in a Portuguese bank account as supporting evidence, often around 12 months of the minimum wage (€11,040) for the main applicant, with additions for family members. Practice varies by consulate, and savings do not replace regular income.
Lei 23/2007 · 2026 minimum wage decree · consular practice
D8 income requirement for one applicant, 2022 to 2028
Dashed line: announced or projected values. Applying sooner means a lower threshold.
The D8 at a glance
One map of the whole process, from eligibility to citizenship.
Benefits of the D8 visa
- Free movement within the Schengen area (29 countries).
- The right to live in Portugal, and to work for your remote employer or clients.
- Access to the National Health Service, public education and the courts.
- A route to permanent residence and, under the 2026 law, to nationality.
Tax treatment depends on your situation. The old non-habitual resident regime is closed to new applicants, and its successor, the IFICI regime, depends on the nature of your work, so take tax advice before you move.
How to apply for the D8 visa: the application procedure
- Prepare in Portugal. Obtain a NIF, open a Portuguese bank account and secure accommodation. This can be done remotely through a lawyer with a power of attorney.
- File at the consulate. Apply at the consulate, or through VFS where it operates, with jurisdiction over your place of legal residence, with your remote work contract or freelance contracts. The consulate has a target of 60 days to decide a complete file and requests the immigration authority's opinion.
- Receive the visa. Once approved, the visa is stamped in your passport.
- Travel and attend AIMA. Enter Portugal while the visa is valid and attend your AIMA appointment for biometrics and the residence permit.
D8 visa processing time and validity
The consulate stage takes about 60 days after a complete file. The visa has two entries and lets you stay up to four months while you obtain the residence permit in Portugal. AIMA then processes the permit, and some consulates pre-schedule that appointment while others leave you to book it after arrival. This is the stage where applicants report the most delays, so plan for several months overall.
D8 residence permit validity and expiry
The consular visa cannot be renewed. The first residence permit is valid for 2 years and the first renewal for 3 years, provided you still meet the requirements.
D8 visa minimum stay in Portugal
During each permit you should not be absent for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months in total. Long or repeated absences can put renewal, permanent residence or citizenship at risk.
Bringing your family on the D8 visa
Family members can obtain residence through family reunification under the residence visa. Lei 61/2025 changed the rules for relatives already in Portugal: the permit holder generally needs a period of residence first, reported as two years, and minor children are treated differently. Because household income is assessed together, we usually recommend filing for the whole family at the consulate, so no one waits. We confirm how the rule applies to your case.
D8 visa renewal
Renewal applies to the Portuguese residence permit, not to the consular visa. Request it before your permit expires, and late requests can bring fines or refusal. You must again show that you meet the income requirement, so keep your contract or invoices in order.
D8 visa documents checklist
Your consulate's list always prevails. The core items are:
- Application form.
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Two identical passport photos with a plain background.
- Travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent care and repatriation.
- Criminal record certificate from your home country and any country where you lived for over a year, with the consular authorisation to consult it.
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal: purchase, a registered lease, or a loan agreement.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account.
- Proof of tax residence for the past 12 months.
- An employment contract from outside Portugal that allows remote work, or freelance service contracts.
- Payslips or invoices, and bank statements showing your income.
From D8 visa to permanent residence and citizenship
Older guides still promise citizenship after five years. Since the nationality law changed on 19 May 2026, that is no longer correct.
Consular D8 visa
Filed with the consulate or VFS in your country of residence. The consulate decides about 60 days after a complete file.
Enter Portugal
The visa allows two entries. Attend the AIMA residence appointment within its validity.
First residence permit, 2 years
Limits on absences from Portugal apply, so keep proof of your life here.
Renewal for 3 years
Request it before expiry, and show you still meet the income requirement.
Permanent residence
Becomes available under Article 80 of the Foreigners Law.
Naturalisation
7 years for EU and CPLP nationals, 10 for others, counted from the issue of your residence permit.
D8 vs D7 vs Golden Visa
| D8 (digital nomad) | D7 (passive income) | Golden Visa (ARI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Remote workers and freelancers for foreign clients | Retirees, landlords, investors | Investors |
| Income test (2026) | €3,680/month (four times the minimum wage) | €920/month for the main applicant | Investment instead of income |
| Work in Portugal | Remote work for foreign employers or clients | Residence permit holders can generally work | Allowed |
| Basis | Existing remote income | Existing passive income | Qualifying investment |
If your income is passive rather than from work, the D7 has a far lower threshold. The Golden Visa is an investment route with its own rules. Read the D7 guide or see all residence visas.
Why D8 visas are refused
- Income below the threshold. Forgetting the +50% and +30% additions for family members is the most common error.
- Contract does not allow remote work. An employer letter or a freelance contract should clearly cover working from Portugal.
- Irregular freelance income. A few large invoices are harder to prove than a steady pattern.
- Weak accommodation proof. A holiday rental rarely satisfies the consulate; a registered lease or deed is safer.
- Documents not apostilled or translated, or criminal records that are too old.
- Wrong consulate. The file must go to the post with jurisdiction over your legal residence.
Questions about the Portugal D8 visa
How much income do I need for the Portugal D8 visa in 2026?
€3,680 per month (€44,160 per year) for a single main applicant, which is four times the 2026 Portuguese minimum wage of €920. Add 50% (€1,840) for each additional adult and 30% (€1,104) for each child under 18.
How much does a couple need for the D8 visa?
€5,520 per month in 2026, or €66,240 per year. Consulates also commonly expect savings in a Portuguese bank account as supporting evidence.
Can passive income qualify for the D8 visa?
Generally no. The D8 is built on active income from remote work that you already earn. Pensions, rents and dividends fit the D7 visa, which has a much lower income threshold.
Can I work for Portuguese clients on a D8 visa?
The D8 is designed for remote work for an employer or clients outside Portugal. Income from Portuguese clients may not count towards the threshold, so we check your income mix before filing.
What is the difference between the D8 temporary stay and residence visa?
The temporary stay is valid for up to one year, does not allow family members to join and does not lead to permanent residence. The residence visa leads to a 2-year permit, renewals of 3 years, family reunification and permanent residence after 5 years.
Can my spouse and children join me?
Family members can obtain residence through family reunification under the residence visa. Since Lei 61/2025, relatives already in Portugal generally face a waiting period, reported as two years, with exceptions such as minor children. Filing for the whole family at the consulate can avoid that wait.
How long does the D8 visa take?
The consulate decides about 60 days after a complete file. The visa has two entries and lets you stay up to four months. Plan for several months overall.
Does the D8 still lead to citizenship after 5 years?
No. Under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026, naturalisation generally requires 7 years of legal residence for EU and CPLP nationals and 10 years for everyone else. Permanent residence is still possible after 5 years.
Will the D8 requirement increase in 2027?
Yes. The government has announced a minimum wage of €970 for 2027, which would raise the D8 requirement to €3,880 for new applications. The 2028 figure is a projection.
Do I need a Portuguese bank account and NIF for the D8 visa?
Yes. A Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account are normally part of the file. We can obtain both remotely.
Will I pay tax in Portugal on a D8 visa?
Living in Portugal usually makes you tax resident. The old non-habitual resident regime is closed to new applicants, and the IFICI regime depends on the nature of your work, so take tax advice before you move.
Get your D8 file reviewed in Lisbon
Tell us how you earn your income, your family and your country of residence. We will check the numbers and the documents before you file.
Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 183, 1.º Esq., 1050-014 Lisboa · info@cscadvogada.com
General information, not legal advice. Figures reflect 2026; last reviewed 30 October 2026.
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