The Digital Nomad (D8) visa in Portugal is a great opportunity for remote workers and freelancers to live and work in the country. Find out what is special about this type of visa, how it differs from the D7 visa and how Ukrainians with temporary protection/residence permit can apply for a digital nomad visa

Legal advice on visa issues

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Ukrainians who currently have temporary protection or a residence permit in Europe are often looking for new opportunities for living and working. One of the options for those who work remotely or freelance is the Digital Nomad visa in Portugal. This visa, also known as D8, is designed for people who earn an active income outside the country and allows them to live and work in Portugal.

Are D7 and D8 (Digital Nomad) visas the same thing?

For a long time, the D7 visa was perceived by many freelancers as an analogue of the visa for digital nomads, since there was no separate type of visa for this category. And so, thanks to the ability to confirm passive income outside of Portugal, the D7 was often used by freelancers to move to the country. However, now there is a new type of visa (D8) specifically designed for digital nomads, which emphasizes an important difference between these two visa categories. Let's take a look at the key differences between these visas.

What is a D7 visa in Portugal?

The D7 visa provides an opportunity for permanent residence in Portugal for foreign nationals who are pensioners or have a confirmed passive income. According to Article 58 of Law No. 23/2007 of July 4, 2007, “Aprova o regime jurídico de entrada, permanência, saída e afastamento de estrangeiros do território nacional”, the D7 visa allows foreign nationals to enter Portugal and apply for a residence permit.

The rules for obtaining this visa are set out in Article 58 of Law No. 23/2007 dated 04.07.2007.

And only financially independent foreigners from non-EU countries with passive income, such as pensioners or investors, can apply for a D7 visa.

In addition, in order to apply for a D7 visa, you need to buy or rent real estate in Portugal and confirm that your monthly passive income from abroad is at least €820, which corresponds to the minimum wage in Portugal. After obtaining a D7 visa, the applicant can obtain a residence permit for a period of 2 years with the right to work.

Thus, these are the main requirements for a D7 visa:

– Passive income: at least 820 euros per month (9840 euros per year).

– Real estate: purchase or rent in Portugal.

– Bank account: opening a bank account in a Portuguese bank and transferring a sufficient amount for living expenses.

Digital Nomad (D8) visa: who is it suitable for?

The Digital Nomad (D8) visa is a relatively new type of visa that allows remote workers or freelancers to live and work in Portugal for up to one year, or apply for a residence permit to stay in the country for a longer period. This program was created in response to the growing popularity of digital nomadism amid increasing employer loyalty to remote work. The visa is mainly aimed at attracting highly qualified IT specialists. That is, it is an ideal option for those who work in IT, marketing, design, or other areas that allow remote work.

A Digital Nomad visa in Portugal is granted to freelancers and employees of foreign companies who receive income from outside the country. The main requirement is to confirm such income.

According to Article Artigo 31.º-A, this visa belongs to the national resident visas of category D and provides for

– the possibility of obtaining a residence permit (residence permit);

– validity for 4 months, during which it is necessary to apply for a residence permit.

Thus, the basic requirements for a D8 visa:

– Work: The applicant must work remotely for a foreign company under an employment or service contract.

– Income: The monthly income must be at least 3280 € (four minimum wages in Portugal in 2024).

– Savings: You must have at least 9840 € (12 minimum wages in Portugal) in an account, which proves financial solvency for the period of stay.

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What to choose: D7 or Digital Nomad? The main difference between visas

The main difference between D7 and Digital Nomad visas is the type of income. For a D7 visa, you need to have passive income, such as real estate rent, dividends, royalties, or interest from investments. Other types of income, such as salaries for remote work or income from entrepreneurial activities, are not eligible for this visa.

Instead, the Digital Nomad visa requires active income - the applicant must work remotely for a foreign company under an employment or service contract.

The income requirements also differ. For a D7 visa, the minimum income must be €820 per month or €9840 per year, while for a Digital Nomad visa, this figure is much higher - at least €3,280 per month.

Another important difference is the need to open a bank account in Portugal. For a D7 visa, you need to have an account in a Portuguese bank and transfer funds to it sufficient to live in the country for a year. For a Digital Nomad visa, opening an account at the stage of application is not mandatory.

Thus, for Ukrainians who lost their jobs due to the war but managed to find remote work in European or other international companies, the D8 visa can be the key to new opportunities.

D8 visa application procedure: what documents are required for a Digital Nomad visa?

To obtain a D8 visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

1. Passport valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of return.

2. Photos: Two 4.5×3.5 cm photos.

3. Employment contract or contract confirming remote work.

4. Bank statement confirming a monthly income of 3280 € or more.

5. A tax return or a certificate from the employer about the taxes paid.

6. Bank statement with savings of at least € 9840.

7. A motivation letter in English, in which the applicant explains the purpose of moving to Portugal.

8. Tickets to Portugal with the indicated date of arrival.

9. Apostilled police clearance certificate translated into Portuguese.

10. A lease or purchase agreement for real estate in Portugal for a period of at least one year.

11. Health insurance (we told you how to choose the right insurance policy for entering Portugal in the previous article).

12. A completed application form for a national visa.

13. For children under 18 years of age - copies of parents' documents.

The visa processing time is up to 60 business days, and you can apply only from a country where you have citizenship or a residence permit or temporary protection.

If you are planning to apply for a Digital Nomad visa to Portugal or have any questions about obtaining a residence permit, please contact Visit Ukraine lawyers. Our specialists will help you prepare all the necessary documents and provide advice on employment and residence permit issues.

It's easy to get advice - contact us and we will provide you with professional legal support at all stages of the application process.

We remind you! Since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, many Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection in the European Union, including Germany. However, many of them want to switch to a more stable and long-term type of residence permit - a work permit (residence permit). Read how to switch from temporary protection to a residence permit in Germany, what requirements need to be met, and what opportunities such a switch opens up in our previous article.

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