Vlad Shifter
Founder
Entrepreneur and corporate consultant with 10+ years of experience with PwC, P&G, Coca Cola, Unilever and others. TechCrunch 200 Alum.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8)
Remote employees and freelancers earning €3,680+/month can live in Portugal under Article 61-B of Law 23/2007. We prepare the full AIMA dossier and handle the consulate appointment.
- Income threshold: €3,680/month (4× Portuguese minimum wage 2026).
- 4-month entry visa → 2-year residence permit → renewable 3 years.
- Path to permanent residency at 5 years, citizenship at 10 years (post-19 May 2026 reform; 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals).
- IFICI tax regime eligible — 20% flat tax on Portugal-source income for 10 years.
- Family included: spouse, minor children, dependent parents.
Benefits of a D8 Visa in Portugal
Lower bar than employment visas
Unlike D3, no employer setup is required — your existing remote job or freelance contracts qualify directly.
EU mobility from day one
Once residence is granted, you can travel Schengen freely for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Family unification on the same file
Spouse, minor children, and dependent parents apply alongside the main applicant. No separate income proof needed if family members are dependents.
IFICI tax eligibility
D8 holders performing highly-qualified activities qualify for the IFICI regime (the post-NHR replacement) — 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income for 10 years.
Tax-residency clarity
183-day Portuguese tax residency triggers IFICI eligibility window. We coordinate filing timing with the 15 January IFICI application deadline.
Citizenship path
10 years of legal residence (or 7 years if CPLP or EU citizen) — post-19 May 2026 reform.
The benefits of moving to Portugal
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Most accessible EU residency
For remote workers with stable income, Portugal in 2026 is the most accessible EU residency. Atlantic climate, English-friendly business environment.
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Lower cost of living
25% lower cost of living vs Spain or France. Lisbon and Porto are practical bases.
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Universal healthcare access
Portuguese healthcare is universal for legal residents after 6 months of contributions.
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Education options
Public schools are free; international schools in Lisbon, Porto, and Cascais cost €8,000–€18,000/year.
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Honest about AIMA in 2026
AIMA processing remains slow in 2026 — realistic end-to-end timeline is 9–18 months in Lisbon/Porto, ~5–9 months via regional offices — but the consulate visa is reliable when the dossier is complete.
How to get the Portugal D8 Visa with Relovisa
From eligibility review to residence permit and IFICI tax application — your dedicated case manager handles every step.
1. Eligibility + income structuring
We confirm your income meets €3,680/month and structure the proof package: employment contracts with foreign companies, freelance contracts (preferably 3+ months of invoicing), or dividends.
2. NIF
We obtain your Portuguese tax number (NIF) — a prerequisite for the AIMA dossier. A Portuguese bank account is also required — we send you a detailed step-by-step guide for opening one.
3. AIMA-compliant dossier
Full filing: income proof, accommodation, criminal record certificate, health insurance, savings (12× SMI minimum recommended).
4. Consulate appointment
We book and prepare you for the Portuguese consulate appointment. Consulate visa typically issued in 30–60 days.
5. AIMA biometrics + permit
After arrival: AIMA biometrics appointment and residence permit issuance. Realistic 2026 timeline: 9–18 months end-to-end in Lisbon/Porto; ~5–9 months via regional offices. AIMA's legal target is 90 days.
6. IFICI tax application
If your activity qualifies (most software, engineering, research, management roles), we file the IFICI application by 15 January after your first full Portuguese tax-residency year.
Let your personal case manager and lawyer handle all the paperwork
No more dealing with bureaucracy — we take care of every detail.
1. Understand Your Immigration Options
During a consultation, our expert evaluates your profile and outlines pathways, helping you make an informed decision.
2. Tailored Strategy for Approval
Lawyer analyzes your case, identifies challenges, and creates a step-by-step roadmap to maximize success.
3. Complete Document Preparation
With minimal input from you, we handle certificates, translations, and applications.
4. Smooth Application Process
Your manager schedules appointments, ensures compliance, communicates with authorities, and tracks progress.
5. Bureaucratic Tasks Solved
We handle finding housing, tax registrations, and residence permits, eliminating paperwork stress.
Book a
consultation
Not sure which visa or country suits your needs?
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Recommended
Portugal D8 — Standard
from €2,490
+ €990 per family member
For remote employees and freelancers.
- Eligibility review and personalized strategy guide
- Preparation of all required documents
- Initial consultation
- Unlimited chat with a dedicated visa expert
- Lawyer consultation for complex cases
- All required forms completed by us
- Pre-submission document double-check
- NIF
- Consulate slot booking where the jurisdiction allows it, OR detailed step-by-step instructions where booking requires in-person face + passport verification by the applicant
- End-to-end case management through visa issuance
About “Relovisa Advisors”
Relovisa is a premium full-service immigration consultancy (HQ Portugal, "Made in Portugal"). It is not a law firm: it works with licensed immigration lawyers and tax advisors per jurisdiction. Relovisa delivers EU/UK/US residency and citizenship to founders, skilled professionals, investors, and remote workers, handling the paperwork end-to-end. Distinctive: its own Portuguese EOR/payroll entity, packaged with the Portugal D3 and Spain DNV routes, plus deep specialist depth on the France Talent (Passeport Talent) innovative-project route, including DRIEETS dossiers and the no-incubator route with two letters of support.
99.2%
Average success rate
99.2% of clients get their visas and residence permits
7000+
Cases · 30+ countries
Clients across North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the CIS
80+
Experts and lawyers
Professionals from around the world
8 years
Average experience
In immigration law & consulting
Our team, lawyers and partners
Our legal experts and professionals take care of everything — from document preparation to final approval — with 24/7 support, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
Olia Nemirovski
COO
10+ years specialist in client and partner relations, driving innovation through deep customer understanding.
Evgenia
Immigration lawyer
Licensed lawyer with deep knowledge of UK immigration law, she excels as a case manager for Talent Visas with 99.8% success rate.
Vladimir
Immigration consultant
Over three years of project management experience in German work immigration processes.
Daniela
Immigration Lawyer
Her expertise includes legal representation in court proceedings, expedited solutions for delayed residence processes, and all visa programs.
Petra
Immigration consultant
Specializes in D visas: Digital Nomad, D7, D2, D3, etc. She has experience working with various types of income.
Marilia
Immigration Attorney
Lawyer with 4 years experience works with global mobility processes for self-employed individuals through D8, D2, or IT workers through D3/Blue Card.
Thiago
Immigration Attorney
Relocated more than 300 high-qualified professionals to Portugal since 2018. Currently holding 100% success in lawsuits against AIMA (200+).
Vladislav
Tax Advisor
A licensed tax consultant with thousands of cases handled worldwide, from EU countries to Hong Kong and the USA. Specializes in finding solutions in the most unique and challenging situations.
Thomas
Tax Advisor
Thomas specializes in crypto business consultancy, with notable projects including market research for Bit2Me, a major Southern European cryptocurrency exchange.
FAQs
Is the D8 the same as the "Portugal Digital Nomad Visa"?
Yes. D8 is the legal code under Article 61-B of Law 23/2007. "Digital Nomad Visa" is the commercial name introduced in October 2022.
What income proves the €3,680/month threshold?
AIMA accepts employment contracts with foreign companies, freelance contracts (preferably 3+ months of consistent invoicing history), or company dividends. We structure the income proof per Portuguese tax registry conventions.
Can I apply with crypto income?
Crypto income alone is typically rejected. We help convert crypto-derived earnings into a documented stream (registered freelance activity, payments through a foreign-employer EOR) that AIMA accepts.
Do I need to live in Portugal full-time?
To renew at year 2 and year 5, you must spend at least 16 months out of every 2-year permit period in Portugal. We provide a residency-tracking framework so you don't lose status.
How does D8 differ from <a href="/d7-visa-portugal" class="underline">D7</a>?
D7 is for passive income (rent, pensions, dividends). D8 is for active remote work income. Different income proofs, similar permit mechanics.
How does D8 differ from <a href="/d3-visa-portugal" class="underline">D3</a>?
D3 requires you to be employed by a foreign or Portuguese company with a qualifying degree/role and pays into Portuguese social security. D8 has no employer-setup requirement. If you want the structured employment route with IFICI optimization, see our D3 + Portuguese payroll page.
When does the citizenship clock start?
From the date your residence permit is issued (not consulate visa date). 10 years from that point under the post-19 May 2026 rules.
What about IFICI tax?
D8 holders performing one of the 27 qualifying activities (most software, engineering, research, scientific, and high-level management roles) qualify for IFICI. Application deadline: 15 January after your first full Portuguese tax-residency year.