Complete List of Documents for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

One of the most important aspects of applying for a digital nomad visa is collecting and verifying all of the necessary documents. One little mistake or missing document could result in a rejected visa application. 

So, Nomads Embassy has compiled a list of required documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa to make your visa process smoother. 

Remember, gathering all of the documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa takes time! From requesting official documents from your home country to getting them apostilled to translating them into Portuguese, it can take weeks or months, depending on how organized you are. 

It’s your responsibility to provide the required documents for the lawyer to review, even when you work with Nomads Embassy’s hand-selected immigration lawyers, who make the process as smooth as possible.

Just because you must gather the documents doesn’t mean we’ll leave you to your own devices to do so! 

Nomads Embassy is committed to helping our members experience an informed and smooth visa application process. That’s exactly why we have resources like this article with a list of required documents for your Portugal digital nomad visa application and an explanation of what they should have. 

Of course, every visa application and case is different. This is just a general list of documents a straightforward case may require. The government, embassies, and individual consulates may require additional documents or translations. 

It is always important to check with the consulate where you are applying or work with an immigration lawyer for personalized assistance with your case. 

What is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

Portugal introduced the official digital nomad visa, also known as the D8 visa, in October 2022. 

This visa allows remote workers to relocate to Portugal for either one or two years. After five years of living in Portugal full-time, digital nomads can apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship. 

Applicants may include a spouse and dependents to bring with them to Portugal on the visa as well. 

It’s also important to note that digital nomads will pay taxes in Portugal when they apply for the digital nomad visa and establish a residence there. 

All in all, the Portugal digital nomad visa is an excellent opportunity for digital nomads and remote workers to move abroad and experience a gorgeous country and vibrant culture. Plus, Portugal is home to some of the best cities in Europe for digital nomads!

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility Requirements

Before diving into the required documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa application, it’s important that you determine if you are eligible to apply. 

To be eligible for the visa, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid at the time of applying
• Work Remotely – You must earn a remote income as a freelancer, employee, or business owner of a company located outside of Portugal
• Earn €3,280/month – You must meet the minimum income requirement equal to at least 4x Portugal’s national minimum wage
• Access to €9,840 – You must have a minimum amount in your bank account when applying
• International Health Insurance – You will need €30,000 in health insurance coverage in Portugal, including repatriation, for the duration of your stay
• Clean Criminal Record – You must submit a certified criminal record clean of marks from the last five years

If you meet the above requirements and wish to move to Portugal, then let’s dive into what documents you should begin collecting and preparing! 

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

As mentioned previously, it can take weeks or even months to fully gather all of the documents you need to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa. 

Before you start collecting these documents, remember to consult with your immigration lawyer (we can introduce you!) or the consulate where you will apply for an official list of required documents. 

Valid Passport

You must submit a color copy of the biometrics page of your passport. 

Your passport should also have at least six months of validity from the time you plan to enter Portugal. 

Proof of Financial Means and Income

To prove your income and that you meet the minimum income requirement, you must submit at least six months of bank statements. 

You must also provide bank statements showing a balance of at least 9,840€ or equivalent in your currency. 

Proof of Remote Work

Along with your Portugal digital nomad visa application, you must include a work contract with your employer, or clients, or proof that you own a business that allows you to conduct your tasks remotely. 

This can be a contract with a remote work allowance clause or an official letter from your employer. 

If you operate a digital business, proof of business establishment outside of Portugal may be required as well. 

For freelancers, it’s a good idea to set up an LLC and provide contracts with your clients as well. 

Certified Criminal Background Check

The immigration authorities in Portugal will review the last five years of your criminal record. You must submit an apostilled criminal background check with your visa application. 

If you have marks on your record but were either (1) never convicted or (2) convicted and served less than one year, you are still eligible for the visa. 

The background check must be no more than six months old when submitting it. 

You can read our guide about how to obtain a criminal background check in the US here. 

International Health Insurance Policy

One of the required documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa is an international health insurance policy with at least 30,000€ of coverage, including repatriation. 

Nomads Embassy has partnered with SafetyWing and Genki to provide our members with compliant health insurance for their digital nomad visas. 

Proof of Tax Residency

Applicants must also provide proof of their current tax residency in their documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa application.

This includes a copy of their annual tax returns in their country of residence. 

Address of Accommodations in Portugal

Some applicants are a bit confused by providing an address of where they will stay in Portugal before receiving visa approval. 

We recommend booking flexible accommodations on Airbnb, Booking, or your preferred website. In case your visa is rejected or takes longer than expected to process, you can reschedule or cancel your accommodations as needed. 

Proof of Relationship to Dependents (if applicable)

If you are applying with a spouse or dependent children, then you must submit proof of your legal relationship. 

These documents can include marriage, birth, or adoption certificates. 

Completed Visa Application

The last document for the Portugal digital nomad visa is the actual visa application. 

You can see a sample of the long-stay visa application here.

You must also include a colored passport photo with your application. It’s important to follow the Schengen visa photo requirements when submitting it. 

Do Documents for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Need to Be Translated and Certified?

Depending on the consulate where you submit your Portugal digital nomad visa application, you may need to translate your documents into Portuguese. 

Some embassies and consulates accept original documents in English, while others only accept Portuguese translations. It’s important to use an accredited translator. Most consulates have a list of local translators you can hire. 

Additionally, if you work with our immigration lawyers, they have in-house or contract translators they can refer you to. 

Before submitting your documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa, check with the consulate about what language they accept. 

What Documents Must be Apostilled or Certified?

Some documents must have an apostille to certify their authenticity and provide permission to be used in a foreign country. 

The documents that may require an apostille include

• Criminal background checks
• Proof of relationship documents
• Bank statements
• Proof of tax residency

For documents originating in the US, you can read our guide about how to get an apostille. 

If you need an apostille quickly, we have partnered with Apostille USA to get your documents certified in just 24 hours.

Get Personalized Legal Assistance for Your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application

As you can see, there is no straightforward instruction or process when it comes to applying for a digital nomad visa. 

There are many factors that need to be considered, including your eligibility situation, where you submit your application, and when you plan to relocate to Portugal. 

This process can take weeks or even months. However, the first and often longest part is gathering your documents for the Portugal digital nomad visa application. 

After spending all that time preparing these documents, the last thing you want to do is forget a document or apostille. When you work with Nomads Embassy’s hand-selected local immigration lawyers, you can rest assured that your application is compliant and has all of the necessary documents. 

With our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service, you’ll work one-on-one with our immigration lawyer partner to prepare your application, submit it, and have all of your questions answered by a legal professional. 

Are you ready to sit down and speak with an immigration lawyer about the possibility of relocating to Portugal and applying for the digital nomad visa?

Verify your eligibility with Nomads Embassy’s free assessment to get started today!