How to Become a Digital Nomad in Portugal

In recent years, work-from-home jobs have become fashionable, and there's never been a better time to be a digital nomad. Portugal is one of the best countries in the world to live as a digital nomad, thanks to its great weather, low cost of living and relaxed lifestyle.

What exactly is a digital nomad? A digital nomad is someone who works remotely, usually from a laptop, while traveling around the world. If you are obsessed with freedom and love to travel, the digital nomad lifestyle is perfect.

Becoming a digital nomad in Portugal is an enriching experience that allows you to live a life full of freedom and adventure. In this article, we'll go over the basics of digital nomad life in Portugal, including where to live, what to do, and how to find work.

Why is Portugal a good destination for digital nomads?

Portugal is one of the most magical and underrated countries in Europe. From stunning coastal cities to vibrant metropolises, Portugal has something to offer everyone - whether you're on a short-term trip or living a nomadic lifestyle.

Portugal is not only a beautiful country, but also an affordable place to live and work. The cost of living in Portugal is much lower than other Western European countries, making it a great destination for digital nomads on a budget.

If you want to move to Europe to work remotely, Portugal has the following advantages to offer:

• High quality of life - Thanks to its affordable cost of living, Mediterranean climate and relaxed lifestyle, Portugal ranks high in both the Human Development Index and the World Happiness Report a top spot.
• Excellent internet connections - Portugal has one of the best broadband networks in Europe, making it easy to stay connected at work.
• A thriving community of digital nomads - Portugal is home to a growing number of digital nomads, entrepreneurs and remote workers. This makes it easy to find like-minded people to exchange ideas with and get advice from.
• Numerous coworking spaces - With the growing number of digital nomads in Portugal, the number of coworking spaces is also increasing. There are now dozens of coworking spaces across the country, making it easy to find a space that fits your needs and budget.

Needless to say, Portugal is a great destination for anyone who wants to become a digital nomad. If you're intrigued by the idea of ​​living and working in this beautiful country, read on for tips on how you can make it happen.

Porto -Quelle: pexels.com

Do you need a visa to work as a digital nomad in Portugal?

If you want to travel abroad to work, the first thing you need to check is whether your destination requires a visa. As digital nomadism becomes more prevalent, many countries have started offering nomad-specific visas - so it's always worth asking.

Although there is no specific visa for digital nomads in Portugal, the D7 visa is most suitable for people who want to live on their own income in Portugal.

Although the law does not specify what income is accepted for this type of visa, proof of retirement income, pensions, rental properties and remote work is common.

The D7 procedure is divided into two different steps:

1. Apply for the residence visa before leaving the country of origin/legal residence (this is an authorization to come to Portugal).
2. Once you have received the visa and arrived in Portugal, you must apply for a residence permit (which is an authorization to live legally in Portugal) before the SEF.

To obtain the D7 visa for Portugal, the applicant must:

• obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF),
• open a Portuguese bank account,
• demonstrate financial independence,
• provide proof of accommodation,
• take out full health insurance,
• have a clean criminal record,
• meet the minimum length of stay.

Regarding the question of the possibility of setting up a GmbH in Portugal, this is possible as long as the applicant has a Portuguese NIF number. Therefore, it is not mandatory to have a Portuguese visa/residency permit to set up an LLC in Portugal. For more information about your visa options for Portugal, see here .

Cost of living in Portugal: how much do you need to earn per month?

Compared to other European countries, Portugal is considered one of the cheapest countries to live in. But that doesn't mean that you have to accept a lower quality of life, because Portugal is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer.

Those: pexels.com

As with most countries, some cities in Portugal are more expensive than others, making it difficult to estimate what you will need to earn as a digital nomad in Portugal. In Lisbon, for example, the cost of living is around 1,500 euros per month, while in smaller cities it can be as low as 600 euros.

However, the following breakdown can be used as an average value:

• Basic utility costs (electricity, heating, water and garbage collection): €100
• Transport (public or private car): €200
• Internet and telephone connection: €70
• Groceries: €460
• Entertainment (night out, cinema, etc.): €290

To get more accurate information, we should look at the cost of living in specific cities. Here is a video about it:

Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal. It is a vibrant, diverse city with a rich history and culture. The cost of living in Lisbon is relatively high compared to the rest of the country, but there are many opportunities for digital nomads to find work and accommodation.

In Lisbon you can expect the following basic costs:

• €850 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center
• €630 for a month's rent outside the city center
• €1.50 for a public transport ticket
• €10 for a meal in a cheap restaurant
• €20 for a meal in a mid-range restaurant
• €2 for a beer in a bar
• €1 for a bottle of water

To live comfortably in Lisbon you need to earn at least €1,500 per month.

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is known for its stunning architecture, delicious food and lively nightlife. The cost of living in Porto is lower than Lisbon, making the city an affordable option for digital nomads.

In Porto you can expect the following basic costs:

• €660 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center
• €510 for a month's rent outside the city center
• €1.45 for a public transport ticket
• €8 for a meal in a cheap restaurant
• €18 - €20 for a meal in a mid-range restaurant
• €2 for a beer in a bar
• €0.90 for a bottle of water

To live comfortably in Porto, you need to earn at least €1,000 per month.

Braga

Braga is the third largest city in Portugal and is known for its historic center, churches and parks. Compared to Lisbon and Porto, the cost of living in Braga is relatively low.

In Braga you can expect the following basic costs:

• €550 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center
• €420 for a month's rent outside the city center
• €1.55 for a public transport ticket
• €7 for a meal in a cheap restaurant
• €15 for a meal in a mid-range restaurant
• €1.70 for a beer in a bar
• €0.90 for a bottle of water

To live comfortably in Braga you need to earn at least €800 per month.

The cities in the outskirts are quite similar to Braga. However, it's often better to choose one of the more populated cities so you have access to coworking spaces and better internet. However, it's important that you love the place you live in - so smaller cities might be right for you. Here is a short video about Braga:

Coworking Spaces

As a digital nomad, work life can sometimes feel lonely and isolated. However, thanks to the ever-growing number of coworking spaces popping up all over Portugal, this no longer has to be the case.

Coworking spaces offer an excellent opportunity for digital nomads to network with other professionals, exchange ideas, and work on projects together. Additionally, many of these spaces also offer a range of other amenities, including meeting rooms, social areas, and even food and beverage.

Coworking Space - Quelle: pexels.com

Porto i/o in Porto

Dieser Coworking Space is located in four different neighborhoods, making it perfect for digital nomads who want to be close to the action. All locations offer stunning city views and are equipped with everything you need for your work, including high-speed WiFi. You get all of this for a monthly fee starting at just €130.

Avila spaces

As the most awarded business center in Portugal, you can be sure that Avila Spaces knows how to deliver an excellent coworking experience. This space offers high-quality amenities, great networking opportunities and excellent customer service, and you can choose between coworking spaces, rental offices and meeting rooms.

Occupy Cowork

This is a relatively new coworking space in Aveiro that has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best options in the area. Occupy Cowork offers a wide range of services and facilities, including fast WiFi, cable access, lounge areas and more.

Coworking spaces can be found all over Portugal. So if they are not in the city of your choice, all you need to do is search for “coworking spaces” and the name of your city. Alternatively, you can also use the practical Global Coworking Map.

Internet speeds

Luckily for digital nomads in Portugal, the country is one of the 20 fastest countries in the world in terms of average internet speed. Depending on your location, you can expect speeds of around 70-90 Mbps, which is enough for most online activities. However, in some places the internet can reach speeds between 350 Mbit/s and even 1 Gbit/s.

• Medium broadband speeds 2022: 99 Mbit/s download, 70 Mbit/s upload
• Average mobile phone speeds in 2022: 80 Mbit/s download, 14 Mbit/s upload

Taxes for digital nomads in Portugal

For non-residents who earn their income outside of Portugal, the country is quite lenient when it comes to taxable income. If you receive “Non-Habitual Resident” status, i.e. H. If you have a visa to work in Portugal and have not been a resident of Portugal for the last five years, you just need to 20% income tax on your income earned in Portugal.

Worldwide income (income outside Portugal) is only taxed if you stay in the country for 183 days within a 12-month period, which is similar in most other European countries. The official information You will find here .

Conclusion

If you want to become a digital nomad but don't know where to go, Portugal is a great place to start. With its relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle and low cost of living, you can easily settle here and enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer.