7 Helpful Tips for Your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application

Take it from us; we know just how difficult, confusing, and frustrating applying for a visa can be. We’ve been through it ourselves. So, here are some helpful tips for your Portugal digital nomad visa application to set your expectations and create a less stressful experience. 

While Nomads Embassy strives to create streamlined digital nomad visa application processes with our hand-selected local immigration lawyers, information and knowledge are power in these situations. 

That’s exactly why we are creating helpful resources, such as this article with firsthand tips for your Portugal digital nomad visa application. 

With the information in this article, you can know what to expect and how to plan before you begin your Portugal digital nomad visa application. 

It’s important to remember that every case is different. So, the information here may not exactly match your situation. However, it’s helpful to know and consider, especially if you decide to submit your Portugal digital nomad visa application on your own. 

What is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware of what the Portugal digital nomad visa is. However, we’re going to do a quick rundown to refresh your memory. 

The Portugal digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live in Portugal for one year, with the option to apply for a two-year residence permit. 

To qualify for the Portugal digital nomad visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Work remotely
• Earn at least 3,280€ per month (for individual applicants)
• Clean criminal record from the last five years
• Obtain compliant international health insurance

It’s also important to note that digital nomads applying for this visa will become tax residents in Portugal.

For a full, in-depth breakdown of the requirements and application process, you can read our guide to the Portugal digital nomad visa here. 

Is it Easy to Apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

If it were easy to apply for a digital nomad visa, especially in Portugal, Nomads Embassy wouldn’t exist. 

While it isn’t impossible to apply for this visa alone, it can come with frustrations, drawbacks, and delayed timelines. Let’s also not forget to mention conflicting information from sources online and the consulates themselves. 

To combat the difficulties and confusion of applying for Portugal’s digital nomad visa, Nomads Embassy has partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to offer a Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service. 

You simply gather your documents, attend your visa appointment, and our lawyers will do the rest! 

To learn more about our Portugal Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service, request our free eligibility assessment below. 

Helpful Tips for Your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application

Now that we’ve covered some crucial information about the Portugal digital nomad visa and the application process, let’s dive into these crucial and helpful tips when applying for your Portugal digital nomad visa. 

Verify Your Eligibility

We can’t stress enough about how important it is that you verify your eligibility for the Portugal digital nomad visa before you begin your application. 

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, you can expect a quick, flat-out visa refusal from the consulate. 

The most important requirement to meet is the minimum income requirement. In fact, it’s more favorable to earn more than the minimum requirement to increase chances of approval. 

It’s always a good idea to get a second – or even third – opinion and review of your eligibility. 

You can see if you qualify for free with Nomads Embassy’s digital nomad visa eligibility assessment now. 

Keep a Flexible Timeline and Be Patient

Depending on your situation, where you live, and what documents you already have, applying for the Portugal digital nomad visa could take anywhere from weeks to a few months. 

It’s essential to keep your timeline and expectations flexible. 

There are a lot of moving parts that have to work together in order to get to the final approval. This includes you gathering your documents, your home country’s government providing apostilles, translators reviewing your documents, and your local VFS or Portuguese consulate having an open appointment. 

In some instances, applicants may be waiting for one document, such as their FBI background check, for weeks. 

It’s also common that visa appointments at the Portuguese consulate or embassy may not be available for months. While it may seem like a nuisance, it actually gives you more time to get the necessary documents to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa.

Translate and Certify Documents

Depending on the consulate or VFS office you submit your digital nomad visa application, they may require your documents to be translated into Portuguese. 

Many consulates will also require your documents, such as marriage certificates and criminal background checks, to have an apostille. This certifies that they are authentic documents and may be used in a foreign country.  

There are a few different routes you can take to get an apostille for your documents. You can send your documents to the government by mail and wait for them to be returned, visit the apostille office in person, or use a fast-track apostille service. 

The fast-track apostille service is ideal for digital nomads who are on a tight schedule. 

Before submitting your visa application, check directly with the consulate to see if they require translations and apostilled documents. 

Apply Within Your Country of Residence and Local Jurisdiction

One of the most important tips for your Portugal digital nomad visa application is to be present in your country of residence and make your appointment at a Portuguese consulate or VSF office in your local jurisdiction. 

For example, if you are a resident in California, then you cannot submit your application to a consulate in New York. You must visit the consulate serving residents of California and the surrounding area. 

So, to answer one of the most commonly asked questions – no, you may not apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa while already in Portugal. 

You must be in your country of residence to submit your visa application before traveling to Portugal. 

Reserve Temporary and Refundable Accommodations

Remember the previous tip about remaining flexible and patient? This is one of those times where it is crucial. 

One of the requirements when applying for the Portugal digita nomad visa is to present an address of where you will stay. Depending on when you visa appointment is and how long it takes for the consulate to approve your application, you may need to have flexible accommodation reservations. 

We recommend checking out apartments on Booking.com for Flatio for refundable and flexible reservations. 

Find the Right International Health Insurance Policy

The Portugal digital nomad visa requires applicants to have a qualifying international health insurance policy that covers their medical bills in Portugal at least 30,000€ per year and include repatriation. 

Nomads Embassy has partnered with Genki and Safetywing to provide our readers with compliant health insurance for their digital nomad visa applications. 

Use Credible Sources and Information

One of – if not the most – important tips for your Portugal digital nomad visa application is to do your research. Get your information from credible sources such as the Portuguese consulate website, immigration lawyers, and immigration laws. 

Unfortunately, there is a lot of miscommunication and misinformation about visas and immigration. Let’s face it; it’s a really complex legal process! 

One of the best sources of information you can use is an immigration lawyer. When they work on your case, they will speak with the necessary authorities to ensure you have all of the right documents, lead you through the process seamlessly, and provide legal advice and information. 

Should I Use an Immigration Lawyer to Apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa?

While it isn’t required to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa, it certainly helps!

When you find a trusted and reliable immigration lawyer, especially one local in Portugal, you’ll experience a smoother, stress-free visa application. 

You’ll have all of your questions answered by a legal professional, someone to follow your application from start to finish, and support from an experienced expert. 

So, using these tips for your Portugal digital nomad visa application, you can do it on your own, but it’s so much easier with an immigration lawyer. 

Get Personalized Legal Assistance with Your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Have you decided to take the stress-free route and apply for your Portugal digital nomad visa with legal assistance?

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads is ready to introduce you to our hand-selected local immigration lawyers to assist you! 

We traveled to Portugal to find the best immigration lawyers and created an exclusive Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service just for you. 

Including everything you may need to successfully submit your Portugal digital nomad visa application and dedicated assistance, you’ll have a smoother experience from day one. 

Are you ready to get started on your Portugal digital nomad visa?

Request our free eligibility assessment or complete the form in this article to begin the process with Nomads Embassy!