Portugal's D8 visa gives remote workers a legal route to live there long-term. Here's the real income bar, what to prepare, and what it doesn't cover.
Portugal's D8 visa, introduced in 2022, was one of Europe's earliest dedicated routes for remote workers — and it remains one of the more demanding ones on paper, even though it's genuinely achievable for a typical remote professional salary.
Who it's for
The D8 is aimed at non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely — as an employee of a foreign company or as a self-employed professional/freelancer — and whose income comes from outside Portugal. A defining condition is that you cannot take on Portuguese clients or employment while on this visa; it's built specifically around income earned abroad.
Income requirement
The threshold is set at four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which worked out to roughly €3,280 a month as of recent updates — confirm the exact current figure before applying, since the minimum wage (and therefore this threshold) is reviewed periodically. This is a meaningfully higher bar than some comparable schemes elsewhere in Europe, so budget realistically rather than assuming a borderline income will clear it.
What you need to apply
Typical requirements include proof of stable remote income (employment contract or a track record of client invoices), a Portuguese NIF (tax number) and bank account, proof of accommodation in Portugal, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. You can apply at a Portuguese consulate abroad or, for some applicants already legally in the country, through AIMA (Portugal's immigration and asylum agency).
Tax position
Portugal's old NHR flat-tax regime for new residents closed to new applicants after 31 March 2025, replaced by the narrower IFICI scheme — which is aimed at research, scientific and innovation-focused roles, not remote workers generally (our other Portugal article covers this in depth). In practice, most D8 visa holders who become Portuguese tax residents are taxed under the ordinary progressive IRS system, not a special flat rate — don't assume the old NHR pension/income deal still applies, since it commonly doesn't for a typical remote worker today.
Path to residency
Like several other Portuguese residence permits, time on the D8 counts toward permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship eligibility after five years of legal residence — provided you maintain the visa's conditions and spend the required minimum time in the country each year.
Where property fits in
The D8 carries no property-purchase requirement — it's entirely separate from Portugal's former Golden Visa real-estate route, which closed in October 2023. Most D8 holders rent initially. If a purchase is on your mind once you've settled, our articles on Portugal's best areas to buy and the practical purchase-process risks are a useful next step — and note the new 7.5% non-resident IMT surcharge our other Portugal article covers, which applies based on tax residency status at the time of purchase, so becoming a Portuguese tax resident under the D8 before buying can matter financially.
FAQ
Do I need to buy property for the D8 visa? No — it's based on remote income, unrelated to the former Golden Visa. Can I take on Portuguese clients? No — the visa is built around foreign-sourced income; local work isn't part of it. Does the old NHR tax deal apply? Generally not anymore for new applicants — NHR closed to new entrants in 2025 and its replacement doesn't cover ordinary remote-worker income. How long does approval take? It varies by consulate and case load; build in several months of buffer.
How we help
We connect D8 applicants with immigration lawyers for the visa itself and tax advisers for an accurate read on your real tax position once resident, and help once you're ready to look at renting or buying. Informational only, not immigration or tax advice — thresholds and rules are reviewed periodically; confirm current figures before you apply.