Working Remotely in Portugal: Your Definitive Guide 2024

Imagine starting your workday with a freshly brewed espresso in a charming café overlooking Lisbon’s cobblestone streets, breaking for lunch on Porto’s scenic Douro River, or wrapping up a productive afternoon with a sunset stroll along the Algarve’s golden beaches.

As the trend of remote working continues its upward growth, Portugal has become a dream destination for digital nomads seeking a perfect blend of professional opportunities and an exceptional quality of life. Working remotely in Portugal is highly sought after due to the country’s reliable infrastructure, warm hospitality, affordable living costs, and stunning landscapes.

Working remotely is especially getting more popular among young expats who like to move around the world freely and enjoy flexible working hours. If you’re considering working remotely in Portugal, this article will give you all the information you need to know.

Why work remotely in Portugal?

According to the Work from Wherever Index released by Kayak, the world’s leading travel search engine, Portugal ranked first as the best country in the world for remote work, ahead of  Spain, Romania, Mauritius, and Japan, thanks to its accessibility for remote workers, Portugal’s quality of life, great weather, safety, and high English proficiency.

Portugal remote work is a great choice for freelancers and digital nomads, considering the low cost of living, internet connectivity, and wide range of activities to enjoy once the laptop closes at the end of the day.

In the next sections of this article, we will dive into more details about everything related to remote working in Portugal, including the legal issues, what to expect, and what the best places are in Portugal for digital nomads and expats to settle.

Portugal's Digital Nomad Visa for Remote Workers

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, or D8 Visa, was launched in 2022 and is designed for individuals who work remotely, freelance, or own a business, and wish to combine work and travel in a foreign country. Simply put, remote workers have the option to reside and work remotely in Portugal for a duration of either up to 12 months or up to five years, depending on the pathway chosen. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Originate from a country outside of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Either be self-employed or work for a business based outside of Portugal
• Earn a monthly income that is at least four times the current Portuguese minimum salary, which is approximately €3,280 per month

There are two pathways for the Digital Nomad Visa. Remote workers have the option to seek either a short stay visa, allowing for a temporary stay of up to one year, or a renewable residency permit that can be extended for a maximum of five years. Both categories hold significant appeal, catering to those seeking a short-term temporary stay visa as well as those interested in obtaining a residency visa for a potentially longer-term living arrangement in the country.

In the first two and half months after the Digital Nomad Visa was launched, Portugal granted more than 200 Digital Nomad Visas. As of December 2024, Portugal has issued over 2,600 Digital Nomad Visas since the program began. The Ministry of Affairs in the country has reported that the majority of applications have been received from Brazil, the UK, and the USA.

Legal Considerations for Remote Workers

If you’re an EU citizen who is considering moving to live and work in Portugal, the good news is that you don’t need any visas for working remotely in Portugal. You can simply find the proper accommodation, book your ticket, and fly to the country. In case you’re planning to spend more than three months living and working in Portugal, you will need to fill out an application in the nearest Freguesia to fill out an application and migrate your accommodation.

The situation is a little bit different for non-EU citizens, it may take a little bit longer and include some more paperwork. However, it is not impossible and is much easier than in many other European countries.

Portugal offers many options for remote workers and digital nomads who are non-EU citizens, encouraging them to come to the country to work. After 183 days of your residence in Portugal, you will be considered a taxpayer, and you will need to fill out a tax return application. Now, let’s start the process from the beginning and tell you the more detailed information.

Moving to Portugal as a remote worker 

It all starts with landing a proper job opportunity that will enable you to earn money and start thinking about moving between countries. If you’re considering finding a job in Portugal, our partners as Global Citizen Solutions have created an ultimate guide to finding a job in Portugal. You can also view our Jobs in Portugal for Americans guide.  

Once you have stable remote work in Portugal, the next step is to decide what visa to apply for – and Portugal offers a lot of options. 

As a non-EU digital nomad, you will need to get a valid visa and be able to enter Portugal. Besides the Digital Nomad Visa, another popular option is the D7 Visa. The D7 Visa allows you to work remotely while living in Portugal, as long as you can provide proof of your passive income (which is not obtained from within Portugal). You can work as a freelancer or do remote work, but you must not work for a Portuguese employer.  

To be able to get the Portuguese passive income visa you must: 

• Provide proof of a passive income required, which is at least the Portuguese minimum wage. In 2024, the Portugal minimum wage is €820 per month. If you want your family to join you as a dependent, an additional 50 percent of the minimum wage is required. 
• Obtain a Portuguese NIF Number (Numero de Identificacao Fiscal). You have to apply for a NIF Number at a Finance (Tax and Customs Authority) service point in Portugal. The NIF number enables you to do any activity regarding business or financial transactions. 
• Open a Portuguese bank account. Everyone residing in Portugal must have a Portuguese bank account as well as a NIF Number in order for their funds to be valid. 
• The residency requirements for the D7 Visa: When the residency card is first issued, it is valid for two years. During this time, permit holders cannot leave the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during the two-year period. When the D7 Visa is renewed, the new residency card will come with a validity of three years. Permit holders cannot leave the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during the three-year period. 

For investors who are considering Portugal to invest and live in, you can also consider the Portugal Golden Visa. The Portugal Golden Visa Program, also known as the Residence Permit Program, is a five-year residency-by-investment scheme for non-EU nationals. After five years of residency, you will be able to apply for Portuguese cCitizenship.

For a personalized look at the best visa option for you, get in touch with our partner, Global Citizen Solutions. The team can accurately assess your goals and give you expert guidance on the best visa option to choose.

Accommodation for Digital Nomads in Portugal

After getting the job, and choosing the visa program that best suits you, you will need to secure accommodation in the country.

While considering working remotely in Portugal, you should know that the country has a lot to offer, and you will find many different available options for your accommodation. Just make sure that you start searching for accommodation early, especially if you’re searching in the summer months. Portugal welcomes thousands of tourists each year, and finding long-term rental houses may be a little hard during the peak seasons.

The most popular option for digital nomads and expats in Portugal who are planning to work remotely to search for short-term accommodation is Airbnb. However, if you are planning to stay for longer than a few months, this can get pricey. Try to be specific in your search and add some filters for the places that have desks and work chairs.

There is another alternative to Airbnb, which is NomadX. This is a start-up based in Portugal, intended mainly for digital nomads. You can arrange short and long-term accommodation through this service. It is focused more on areas like Lisbon and Porto, as well as some surf and beach towns between these cities. If you’re considering moving to Lisbon or any other city in Portugal long term, purchasing property is a sound investment that could save you money in the long run.

You can also consider co-living spaces, which are hostels for freelancers and remote workers who can live and work together. This option is a great option for you to socialize and expand your network in the country. Check out Coliving.com.

In addition to the options mentioned above, you can always go old school and book hotels or hostels, if you find that they suit your budget and requirements for working. You can use Booking.com for this category of accommodation search.

Coworking Spaces for Working Remotely in Portugal

A co-working space is a kind of shared office where you pay to use the facilities. Co-working places give you the option to book your spot daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the availability.

Since expats and digital nomads have been flocking to Portugal recently, the country has a lot of co-working places and qualified offices for this category of workers, and things keep growing. Major areas like Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve offer various options for remote workers to help people focus and provide a suitable atmosphere for work.

While spending your working hours at one of those co-working places, you will enjoy having your own desk to work on, a good internet connection, and some fresh food and drinks included in the price. Some even have workshops and social events on offer, and you can find like-minded people to get to know and socialize with.

The good thing about Portugal as well is that you can easily work in cafés in many places in Portugal, particularly in the bigger cities, that will give you free Wi-Fi access and a comfy desk to work while ordering something to drink or eat.

You can always use Google maps to categorize your search while trying to find the right place to work in. Also, you can use some apps like Croissant to find a proper co-working space nearby, in which you find the real-time availability in the place you are about to book. It also allows you to buy credit that you can use at multiple co-working spaces.

Life in Portugal for Digital Nomads

Life in Portugal is a mix of over 300 days of sunshine a year, 830 km of coastline, and affordable prices. What else can anyone ask for when seeking a good quality of life?  

You will enjoy living in a safe country with friendly people and high-quality services. It may be best to avoid visiting Portugal for the first time during the summer, because this is the high season, and the country gets overwhelmed with the number of tourists. It is not fair to get your first impression about Portugal when it’s so busy, so perhaps visit during an off-peak season.  One of the good things about moving and living in Portugal is the Portuguese people are nice and friendly, and you will be able to make many friends quickly with a large number of expat groups.  

The official language in Portugal is Portuguese, but no need to worry, your English will do. As most Portuguese people can speak a little English, you will always find someone to help, especially in hotels and hospitals in big cities. Portugal ranked number six in the Global Ranking of English Proficiency, above countries such as Denmark, Germany, and South Africa.  

If you’re into languages, you can enjoy learning some Portuguese words, and Portuguese locals will really appreciate you as a beginner and try to help you master the Portuguese language.  

If chasing finger-licking foods is your thing, then you will have a great time living in a coastal city like Portugal. This country offers so many seafood varieties in coastal areas. In Portugal, you should try the salt cod (Bacalhau), tomato stews packed with prawns and mussels, and grilled sardines. There are also 39 Michelin-star restaurants in Portugal to choose from, for the very best the culinary scene has to offer. 

Best Locations to Work Remotely in Portugal

In the coming section, you will gain some ideas about the big cities and locations in Portugal that may be of interest to you if you’re considering working remotely in Portugal.

Lisbon

Let’s start with the capital. Lisbon is one of the most vibrant and cultural capitals in Europe and is a perfect destination for remote workers and digital nomads since the city offers everything that you may need.

In Lisbon, you will find a good transportation network, lovely restaurants to try different things, a good internet connection, and many English speakers. Lisbon is also home to expat groups in Portugal which offer great ways for newcomers to meet and expand their network with people from different nationalities. Check Meetup and InterNations.

Being the capital, Lisbon provides everything you might need in your first days in Portugal, and keep in mind that there you will find all the main governmental offices where you will deal with your paperwork, visa issues, and any legal problems.

Porto

Just like Lisbon, Porto has different co-working spaces with excellent facilities for you to start working and connecting with the whole world.

The city’s infrastructure is continuously growing, and this will reflect on your quality of life there and make your day-to-day life easier.

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal, and it offers great vibes for people who are considering living there.

Like much of Portugal, Porto offers a lot to lovers of history and food. It’s even home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ribeira riverside.

The Algarve

The Algarve is the perfect setting for remote workers who are looking for year-round pleasant weather. The region is known for its warm winter temperatures and stunning ocean views.

No matter where you go in the Algarve, you can find restaurants and cafes that match your unique needs.

Since many tourists in the Algarve hail from the UK, English is widely spoken among the local population, so you won’t need to worry about the language barrier.

Try to target some of the amazing coastal towns like Tavira, Albufeira, Lagos, or Olhão. You can also check the available co-working spaces in the Algarve.

Peniche

Peniche is one of the largest traditional fishing ports in Portugal and a major Atlantic hub for maritime-tourist activities.

The city is very rich with its cultural traditions and has many stunning natural wonders where you can fully immerse yourself in the region.

You will also find Peniche Portugal real estate to be quite affordable compared to other coastal areas, such as the Algarve.

The Baleal village in the north also offers sea-view cafés and fishing taverns.

For a more lively environment, think about Supertubos beach and Peniche city. Nightlife and coastal apartments are more available there.

Final Thoughts for Remote Workers in Portugal

Considering working remotely in Portugal is a wise decision and you will definitely experience the quality of life and the major changes in your lifestyle after spending some time in Portugal.  In Portugal, you will get a good amount of everything: Beautiful sightseeing opportunities, charming weather that will boost your mood, delicious food that will satisfy you, and welcoming people who will make you feel at home.