Here is the Complete Digital Nomad Guide to Portugal.
Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads. It has excellent weather year-round, a stunning landscape, a rich history, welcoming people, and amazing infrastructure for remote workers.
On top of this, the transport and connectivity network is excellent, meaning that you can live in less expensive places and still have convenient access to fantastic amenities.
Located in southern Europe, Portugal is one of the oldest countries on the continent. It boasts a vast diversity of landscapes, lush mountains, sandy beaches, vibrant cities, and a rich history.
It even claims to have the oldest bookstore in the world. Let’s just say there is something magical about this southern European gem.
Imagine how pleasant it is to make this place home away from home. Traveling to and living in this country should be on your bucket list.
After all, a large number of digital nomads across the world have chosen Portugal as their remote workplace.
So, if you are yet to decide your ideal country to live and work in, continue reading this digital nomad Portugal guide to learn more about remote working in this country.
Advantages of Digital Nomad Portugal
There are several reasons why Portugal is one of the top destinations for digital nomads. Here are just a few of them:
- Reliable internet: the country has one of the fastest internet infrastructures. Digital nomads can also take advantage of the various WiFi hotspots spread throughout the country.
- Affordability: Portugal boasts one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe. From accommodation to groceries to transportation, everything is generally affordable in Portugal.
- Friendly weather and stunning scenery: Portugal enjoys a warm climate throughout the year, with winter being wet. Also, with almost 830 km of coastline and a diverse landscape, Portugal is an excellent place to be.
- Ease of interaction with locals: Portuguese are generally friendly people. It won’t take long for a digital nomad to feel at home while in Portugal. The good thing is that many locals speak English, simplifying communication.
- Strong foreign community: If you reside in one of the major cities, you will easily find an established digital nomad community. There is also a digital nomad village in Madeira, which is dedicated to the digital nomad community.
- Portuguese cuisine: With a diverse local cuisine supported by a diverse selection of international restaurants, you will be spoilt for choices. To say the least, the food scene is incredible. Key stable foods include baked bread and pastries, wine, sea food, and coffee.
- Portuguese digital nomad visa: One of the things that makes Portugal attractive to many digital nomads is its digital nomad visa. The program allows holders to stay in the country beyond the typical 90 days offered by tourist visas (we will discuss more about Portugal’s digital nomad visa in the next section).
Digital Nomad Portugal Visa
Portugal will introduce its digital nomad visa in 2022. The visa allows non-EU nationals to live and work remotely in Portugal for a period of at least one year.
As a requirement, you are supposed to show proof of sufficient income. In this case, you need to be earning at least €3,040 per month.
Note that this source is income from employers or clients outside Portugal. Besides this, you should show that you have the financial means to stay in the country for at least one year.
There are two options to apply for a Portugal digital nomad visa:
- Temporary Stay Visa: This option is ideal if you want to stay in the country for an extended period but don’t want permanent residency. This visa is valid for one year, but you can extend it by another two years.
- Residency Permit: This option is suitable for digital nomads who wish to stay in the country for more than one year. The permit is valid for two years, but you can extend it for another three years. After the five-year period elapses, you can apply for citizenship or a permanent residence permit.
Also Read: Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: The Complete Guide for 2024
The Best Places for Digital Nomads in Portugal
Nearly every region in Portugal is ideal for digital nomads. But there are a few that stand out because of the infrastructure, quality of life, and presence of a big digital nomad community:
Lisbon
Lisbon is not only the capital of Portugal, but it is also a vibrant city filled with culture and modern infrastructure for remote workers.
It offers several coworking spaces and cafes. There is also quite a meet-up group for digital nomads in Lisbon.
Besides the excellent infrastructure for digital nomads, Lisbon also has a number of historical sites. Some noteworthy ones are the Carmo Convent and Church, as well as the Lisbon Cathedral.
And if you are interested in trying Portuguese cuisine, then Time Out Market Lisbon offers the best variety.
Porto
Porto is almost similar to Lisbon, but with a homey and cheerful vibe. Most remote workers love this place because of its quality of life.
Another impressive thing about Porto is that it is a city you can navigate by foot. There is also an excellent subway and bus system. Of course, you will not want to miss the French-inspired Sao Bento Train Station.
For food lovers, Porto also offers a variety of local cuisine. There is also a lot to learn for history lovers. Thankfully, the city is home to one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ribeira Riverside.
Braga
Braga is Portugal’s third-biggest city and is home to a growing number of digital nomads. This historical town is packed with nice cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy.
It also offers beautiful gardens and historical monuments to explore. This place is ideal for people who want to visit Spain because it is located on the border.
Minho
Minho is another affordable city for digital nomads. There is also a lot to explore while here, thanks to its close proximity to Peneda-Geres National Park, the country’s only national park.
Digital Nomad Portugal: Cost of Living
As mentioned earlier, one of the most attractive qualities of Portugal is its affordable cost of living, especially when compared to the US and other top European countries.
While prices may vary from region to region, the cost of living is generally low. Here are just a few examples of common expenses:
- Cost of food and drink: On average, a meal costs about $10, while coffee costs less than $2.
- Cost of accommodation: The average rent in Lisbon is about $900–$1500 per month. The cost will reduce slightly to about $700 if you reside outside the city. Generally, the rent will depend on the neighborhood you are living in. Also, note that Lisbon is one of the most expensive places in Portugal. So, you would expect these costs to be slightly lower if you were planning to stay in other cities and islands.
- Cost of transportation: The average ticket for local transport is about $2. If you are a frequent traveler, you can purchase a monthly pass for $50. Aside from this, there are taxis, which are generally affordable.
Also Read: The 10 Best Hostels in Lisbon 2024 (with Prices)
Do I Need to Learn Portuguese to Live in the Country?
As you may already know, Portuguese is one of the hardest languages to learn. It has several silent letters and about nine vowel sounds. So, it might take quite some time to learn the language.
But the good thing is that a majority of the Portuguese population speak English, so you will not have a hard time communicating here unless you choose to live in some rural places.
With that said, it won’t hurt to learn a few basic Portuguese phrases and words. Even if you don’t speak it perfectly, many locals will appreciate the effort to learn their language.
The Downside of Living as a Digital Nomad Portugal?
As explained in the above sections, there are many benefits to relocating to Portugal as a remote worker. However, there are a few potential downsides that you should know about. Here are the main ones:
- The Portuguese language is hard to learn, especially if you intend to stay longer in the country. But as explained above, you can still communicate with locals using English. You can also learn a few phrases and grow from there.
- While the weather is generally great year-round, some regions may experience cold winters. The issue here is that most houses are not well insulated, and some even lack central heating systems. So, this is something worth keeping in mind.
- If you are planning to explore the country for more than six months, then you should be prepared to become a tax resident. Digital nomads who apply to stay in Portugal for more than 183 days will have to sort out their taxation issues as part of their applications. So, if you don’t want to become a tax resident, just limit your stay to 183 days.
- The Portuguese postal system can be slower than that of most western countries. Things may get held up at customs, especially if they are originating from a non-EU country. You can circumvent this slow process by purchasing most of your things from within Europe.
Final Thoughts on Digital Nomad Portugal
As you have learned from this guide, Portugal offers excellent opportunities for digital nomads. It is a warm and picturesque country that is welcoming to visitors and offers an excellent quality of life.
On top of this, it offers one of the best digital nomad visas and supportive infrastructure for digital nomads. So, it is not a surprise that it has become one of the best destinations for remote workers.
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