Portugal

Located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, in southern Europe, Portugal is a nation that belongs to the European Union. It is the westernmost country in continental Europe and is bordered by Spain to the north and east. The Azores and Madeira archipelagos, two independent nations located in the northern Atlantic Ocean, are also part of it.

Portugal is known as a year-round holiday destination for sunny getaways and beach walks, due to the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the climate, which is characterized by very bright summers and moderate and pleasant winters. In reality, Portugal's 850km coastline can be considered one single beach, with a range of landscapes that allow you to choose between the warm, calm seas of the south and the rough, cold seas of the north. For those wanting expansive views, there are large golden sand beaches, but also small coves with orange-colored rocks and cliffs.

The paths taken also allow you to come into contact with spirituality. People who like to walk in search of knowledge, nature and culture are increasingly interested in the Portuguese Way of Santiago de Compostela and the Ways of Fátima.

Garlic remains the main ingredient, and is used extensively. Although "fusion cuisine" with diverse influences is currently popular, particularly in Lisbon, many restaurants of all stripes are truly returning to the rich culinary heritage of real Portugal. A simple diet, focusing on fresh fish, shellfish and seafood, is still the norm throughout Portugal, especially along the coast.

The advantages offered by Portugal for digital nomads

Portugal has many advantages for teleworkers, particularly in the following areas:

• Quality of life : pleasant climate, lower cost of living than in other European countries, security, diversity of landscapes and cultural richness;
• Infrastructure : efficient high-speed internet network, coworking spaces available in large cities such as Lisbon and Porto;
• Advantageous taxation : specific tax regime for non-habitual residents (RNH), partial or total exemption from income tax for 10 years under certain conditions.

Statistics on the digital nomad community in Portugal

Portugal is one of the destinations favored by digital nomads, and the community of independent workers and digital entrepreneurs continues to grow in this country. Here are some key figures:

• In 2020, Portugal ranked 4th place preferred destinations for digital nomads according to the ranking established by the Nomad List site;
• The main cities where digital nomads are settling are Lisbon, Porto and Faro;
• The digital sector represented approximately 8% of Portuguese GDP in 2020, with annual growth of nearly 10% over recent years.

Explanation: why is Portugal so attractive to digital nomads?

Several reasons explain the enthusiasm of teleworkers for Portugal:

1. A recognized quality of life : Portugal is regularly cited as being one of the best countries in which to live and work, thanks in particular to its pleasant climate, its security and its cultural richness;
2. Adapted infrastructure : the country has been able to develop an efficient internet network and modern and functional coworking spaces, thus facilitating the exercise of professional activities for digital nomads;
3. A favorable tax framework : the specific tax regime for non-habitual residents (RNH) allows digital nomads to benefit from a partial or total exemption from income tax, under certain conditions.

Local initiatives to support the digital ecosystem

In addition to the infrastructure and advantageous tax framework, Portugal has also put in place several initiatives to attract and retain digital nomad workers. Among these, we can cite:

• The program StartUP Visa, intended to facilitate the establishment of foreign startups in Portuguese territory;
• Financial aid and personalized support for entrepreneurs in the digital sector;
• International events such as the Web Summit, which is held every year in Lisbon and brings together thousands of professionals in the sector.

In conclusion, Portugal appears to be a destination of choice for teleworkers, thanks in particular to its specific visa for digital nomads, its quality of life and its tax advantages. The statistics bear witness to this attractiveness, with a constantly growing community of digital nomads and a booming digital sector.

THE teleworking visa in Portugal is an interesting opportunity for digital nomad workers who wish to settle in a country offering an attractive living environment and advantageous taxation. In this article, we will present to you the visa specific to digital nomads, statistics on the digital nomad community in Portugal and the advantages offered by this country.

The visa dedicated to digital nomads: the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

In order to attract self-employed workers and entrepreneurs in the digital sector, Portugal has put in place a specific system: the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. This visa allows these professionals to legally stay in Portugal while continuing to carry out their professional activities remotely.

Conditions and procedures for obtaining the visa

To be eligible for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, you must meet certain conditions:

• Be a national of a country outside the European Union or European Economic Area;
• Be able to demonstrate a stable monthly income, higher than the Portuguese minimum wage;
• Take out international health insurance;
• Provide a clean criminal record.

The steps to obtain this visa are carried out at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. It is necessary to provide certain documents, such as a valid passport, a completed visa application form and supporting documents relating to the conditions mentioned above.

Visa duration and renewal

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is initially valid for one year, renewable for up to five years. After this period, it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit.