Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Legal Preparation and Coordination of the Visa and Residence Process for Remote Workers Employed by or Serving Employers or Clients Outside Portugal
The application route known as the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa covers the visa and residence processes for people who carry out their professional activity remotely, whose working relationship continues with employers, companies or clients outside Portugal, and who wish to live in Portugal.
Canaydın Law Firm provides services in the D8 suitability assessment, obtaining the Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF), carrying out bank account opening procedures in Portugal, preparing the visa file and scheduling the appointment, and, after entry into Portugal, preparing the AIMA residence file and having the authorized attorney in Portugal accompany the applicant to the AIMA interview.
- D8 Suitability Assessment
- NIF and Banking Procedures
- Visa and AIMA Process
Who Is the D8 Visa Suitable For?
The D8 application is assessed for people who can carry out their work remotely without being physically tied to an employer in Portugal and who earn their income from working or service relationships outside Portugal.
If the basis of the application is passive income, the D7 Passive Income Visa should be assessed separately; if establishing a company in Portugal or a local entrepreneurial activity forms the basis of the application, the D2 Visa should be assessed separately.
Temporary Stay or Residence Visa?
Depending on the length of stay planned in Portugal, digital nomad applications may be assessed under a temporary stay visa or a visa for residence purposes.
In Canaydın Law Firm's long-term relocation files, the service flow is planned so as to cover both the visa application and the AIMA residence stage in Portugal.
2026 Income Requirement
In a D8 application, the applicant's average monthly income over the last three months must correspond to at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage. Since the monthly minimum wage in Portugal for 2026 is EUR 920, the basic income reference is EUR 3,680 per month.
- 2026 minimum wage: EUR 920 per month
- D8 basic income reference: at least EUR 3,680 per month on average over the last three months
Not only the amount of the income but also its regularity, source, bank transactions and consistency with the working or service relationship are assessed within the integrity of the file. Since the minimum wage and the D8 income reference tied to it may change from year to year, they must be checked again on the date of application.
How Is the Working Relationship Documented?
In the application, the nature of the remote work and the source of income must be clear and documentable. The documents to be submitted may differ depending on the form of work.
For salaried employees
For freelancers and independent professionals
- Service contract or service contract offer
- Documents showing services provided to one or more clients
- Relevant company documents, if there is a company partnership or corporate connection
- Income, bank and tax residency documents
Basic Elements of the Application
A D8 file does not consist only of an income document. The remote working relationship, accommodation in Portugal and the applicant's personal documents must be prepared together.
NIF and Portuguese Bank Account
The Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) is obtained by us, and bank account opening procedures are carried out in Portugal. The opening of a bank account is subject to the relevant bank's customer acceptance and compliance review.
Accommodation
Lease, ownership or other accommodation documents in Portugal suitable for the nature of the application are checked for the file.
Personal and Consular Documents
Apostille, translation and file checks are provided for the passport, criminal record, marital status documents, travel health insurance and other necessary application documents.
Petitions and Explanations
The necessary petitions and supporting texts explaining the applicant's remote work model, income structure and residence plan in Portugal are prepared according to the characteristics of the file.
D8 Application Process
- 01
Suitability and Work Model Analysis
The applicant's employer or client relationships, income structure, tax residency, family situation and residence goal in Portugal are assessed.
- 02
NIF and Banking Procedures
The Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) is obtained and bank account opening procedures are carried out in Portugal.
- 03
Accommodation and Document Plan
The accommodation arrangement in Portugal and the documents to be obtained from Türkiye and other countries are determined.
- 04
Preparation of the Visa File
The file is completed by preparing the work, income, bank, accommodation and personal documents and the necessary petitions.
- 05
Visa Appointment and Application
An appointment is scheduled with the competent Portuguese diplomatic mission or application system; the visa application process is conducted and followed up.
- 06
Entry into Portugal and AIMA Interview
After the residence visa, the residence file required for AIMA is prepared. The authorized attorney in Portugal accompanies the applicant to the AIMA appointment, and the process is followed up locally.
- 07
Residence Card and Subsequent Procedures
Follow-up of the residence card, family procedures, renewal, or additional requests arising in the file are coordinated separately when necessary.
AIMA and the Residence Card
The D8 residence visa is the first stage of the long-term relocation process. After entry into Portugal, the residence permit application before AIMA must be completed.
- Preparation of the AIMA residence file and document check
- Coordination of the AIMA appointment and application process
- Accompaniment of the AIMA interview by the authorized attorney in Portugal
- Follow-up of biometrics and residence card procedures
- Coordination of renewal and subsequent residence procedures
According to AIMA's current practice, the digital nomad residence permit is initially valid for two years, and subsequent renewals can be made for three-year periods. In each file, the legislation and administrative practice current on the date of application are checked separately.
Application with Spouse and Children
The D8 process can be planned together with the spouse and eligible family members. Which visa or family reunification procedure the family members will proceed under is assessed separately according to the main applicant's visa type, current residence status and family ties.
- Preparation of marital status and family documents for the spouse and children
- Coordination of apostille and translation processes
- Assessment of the financial adequacy and accommodation arrangement for the family within the scope of the file
- Planning the AIMA and residence card procedures together with the family file
Tax Residency and Professional Structure
Actually starting to live in Portugal may have consequences for the applicant's tax residency and existing business or company structure. Our D8 visa and residence service does not include tax calculation or tax return services; where necessary, coordination is provided with an independent financial advisor or tax advisor in Portugal.
Refusal, Additional Document and Delay Processes
If a refusal, an additional document request or a delay arises in the D8 visa or residence file, the existing file and the grounds are examined separately.
What We Do for You
Preliminary D8 Suitability Review
The remote work model, employer or client relationships, income structure and residence goal in Portugal are assessed together.
NIF and Banking Procedures
The Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) is obtained and bank account opening procedures are carried out in Portugal.
Visa File and Appointment
Work and income documents, personal documents and the necessary petitions are prepared; the visa appointment is scheduled and the application process is followed up.
AIMA File and Attorney Accompaniment
The AIMA residence file is prepared in Portugal; the authorized attorney in Portugal accompanies the applicant to the AIMA appointment.
Family and Subsequent Residence Procedures
The procedures of the spouse and children, as well as the residence card, renewal and related subsequent stages, are coordinated according to the scope of the file.
Coordination with Professionals in Portugal and Limits of the Service
Canaydın Law Firm's D8 service covers the assessment of the applicant's suitability, obtaining the NIF, carrying out bank account opening procedures, preparing the visa file and scheduling the appointment in Türkiye, preparing the AIMA residence file in Portugal, and coordinating the local attorney's accompaniment to the AIMA interview. Services that, under Portuguese law, must be carried out only by a local authorized attorney, financial advisor or other licensed professionals are performed by the relevant independent professionals.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic difference between the Portugal D7, D8 and D2 programs?
D7 has an application structure based on passive income, D8 on remote work/digital nomad status, and D2 on entrepreneurship or independent professional activity. The suitable program is assessed according to the person's income, work and business model.