Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa, Checked Against the Consular Sheets
by Yannick SchrothAug 6, 20269 min read
Atlantic swell at Ericeira. Photo: Carlos Eduardo Joos / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped.
Figures checked against Portuguese consular sheets, AIMA and DGERT on 6 August 2026.
What the D8 actually is
Like Spain, Portugal does not publish a euro figure in the rule itself. The consular checklists for the visto de residência para o exercício de atividade profissional prestada de forma remota ask for proof of average monthly income over the last three months of at least four guaranteed minimum monthly wages. The wage is then set separately each year, so the threshold moves on its own.
For 2026, DGERT records the RMMG at 920 EUR, fixed by Decreto-Lei 139/2025 with effect from 1 January 2026. Four times that is 3,680 EUR a month, and because the test is an average over the last three months, a single strong invoice does not carry it. Freelancers with lumpy income should plan the three-month window deliberately.
The official requirements
| What the consular checklist lists | |
|---|---|
| Income | Average monthly income over the last three months of at least four times the RMMG, which is 3,680 EUR in 2026 |
| Employment evidence | Employees: an employment contract or an employer declaration proving the relationship. Freelancers: a company contract, a services contract, or a document showing services provided to one or more entities |
| Insurance | Valid travel insurance covering medical expenses including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation, minimum cover 30,000 EUR |
| Criminal record | A criminal record certificate, apostilled or legalised where applicable, plus a request authorising the Portuguese authorities to check their own records. Not required under 16 |
| Passport | Valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay |
| Tax residence | A document attesting your tax residence |
| Residence permit | AIMA issues a permit valid two years from issue, renewable for successive three-year periods |
The CPLP shortcut, if it applies to you
One rule in the checklist is worth knowing because it is rarely mentioned in English. Citizens of the CPLP, the community of Portuguese-language countries, which includes Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and Cabo Verde among others, are exempt from providing insurance, means of subsistence and a return ticket, on presentation of a signed termo de responsabilidade from a Portuguese citizen or a legally resident foreign citizen guaranteeing food and accommodation. For a Brazilian passport holder that is a materially different application from the one everyone else files.
Visa first, permit second
The two-stage structure trips people up. The consulate issues a residence visa, which gets you into Portugal. The residence permit is then issued in country by AIMA, and that is the document that gives you the long stay: valid two years from issue, renewable for successive three-year periods. Budget for the appointment queue, which has been the practical bottleneck in Portugal rather than the legal criteria.
One more warning specific to Portugal: presenting every document does not entitle you to the visa. The consular sheet states plainly that a complete file does not imply automatic approval, that the post may request further documents, and that a refusal does not entitle you to a refund.
Where to base in Portugal on a D8
Portugal is the most consistent surf coast in Europe, and the Azores add whales and canyoning to it. These are the bases we cover in full.
Ericeira
Europe's only World Surfing Reserve, with beach breaks and reefs inside a half-hour of Lisbon.
Surf · reserveRead the guide → 37°06′N 8°40′W · AlgarveLagos
The Algarve's nomad centre, with sheltered coves, sea kayaking and the mildest winter on the mainland.
Surf · kayakRead the guide → 39°21′N 9°22′W · Leiria districtPeniche
A working fishing town with waves on both sides of the peninsula, so something is always offshore.
Surf · valueRead the guide → 37°44′N 25°40′W · AzoresThe Azores
Mid-Atlantic volcanic islands for whale watching, canyoning and coasteering.
Whales · adventureRead the guide → 39°36′N 9°04′W · Leiria districtNazare
The biggest rideable waves in the world at Praia do Norte, and a normal beach next door.
Surf · big waveRead the guide →FAQ
What income do you need for Portugal's D8 visa in 2026?
Portuguese consular checklists require proof of average monthly income over the last three months of at least four times the guaranteed minimum monthly wage (RMMG). DGERT records the 2026 RMMG at 920 EUR, fixed by Decreto-Lei 139/2025 from 1 January 2026, so the threshold is 3,680 EUR a month. Because it is a three-month average, one strong month is not enough.
How long does the Portuguese D8 residence permit last?
AIMA states that the residence permit for remote professional activity is valid for two years from the date the document is issued, and renewable for successive three-year periods. The consulate issues the residence visa that gets you into Portugal; AIMA issues the permit that keeps you there.
What insurance does the D8 require?
Valid travel insurance covering the medical expenses that may arise, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation, with minimum cover of 30,000 EUR.
Are Brazilian and other CPLP citizens treated differently?
Yes. Citizens of CPLP countries are exempt from presenting insurance, means of subsistence and a return ticket, provided they present a signed termo de responsabilidade from a Portuguese citizen or a legally resident foreign citizen guaranteeing food and accommodation, and covering removal costs in case of irregular stay.
Does a complete D8 application guarantee the visa?
No. The consular sheet states that failure to present the necessary documents may mean refusal, that the consular post may request further documents whenever it considers it appropriate, that a complete file does not imply automatic approval, and that a refusal does not entitle you to a refund of the fees.
Sources
- Consulado-Geral de Portugal (Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros), official checklist for the visto de residência para o exercício de atividade profissional prestada de forma remota, "nómadas digitais": income averaged over the last three months of at least four RMMG, 30,000 EUR minimum insurance cover, criminal record requirements, passport validity, tax residence document, the CPLP exemptions, and the notice that a complete file does not imply approval. Consular checklist (PDF, mne.gov.pt), checked 6 August 2026.
- DGERT (Direcção-Geral do Emprego e das Relações de Trabalho): the 2026 guaranteed minimum monthly wage of 920 EUR, fixed by Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025 with effect from 1 January 2026. dgert.gov.pt, checked 6 August 2026.
- AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo): the residence permit for remote professional activity is valid for two years from issue and renewable for successive three-year periods. aima.gov.pt, checked 6 August 2026.
- The 3,680 EUR monthly figure is four times the official 920 EUR RMMG, our arithmetic on the two official sources above.