Applications to Portugal’s latest digital nomad visa are set to open later this month.
Whenever you think “digital nomad,” you may immediately take into consideration tropical destinations.
However the trend has also been growing in Europe, and Portugal just announced a latest digital nomad scheme that may open for applications this month.
The federal government confirmed last week that from Oct. 30, staff from any countries that are not a part of the European Union or European Economic Area can apply for the distant work and residency visa.
Proof of tax residency, employment details, equivalent to a contract, and evidence of staff’ income might be required.
Applicants may even should be earning no less than 4 times as much because the Portuguese national wage. That’s currently 822 euros ($798), so the minimum monthly income for digital nomads can be around 3,288 euros.
Digital nomads are selecting Europe
The digital nomad community is growing quickly in Europe, with increasingly countries creating specific visas for foreigners to work in them remotely. Croatia, Iceland and Greece are amongst those that already offer this form of visa, while others like Spain are planning on launching them soon.
Portugal is already a top destination for working and living abroad. Beaches, cities and mountains — the small country of 10 million has all of it. And combined with a less expensive cost of living in comparison with many European nations and the U.S., it has turn out to be popular amongst expats.
Around 7,000 Americans were living within the southern European country at the tip of 2021, in response to essentially the most recent data released by the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Office. Overall, the share of foreigners living in Portugal is at an all-time high.
Research has suggested that Portugal is the third safest country on the planet for digital nomads, the country got here ninth in a rating of the healthiest countries for those working and living abroad and digital nomad platform Nomad List ranks Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, as the highest destination based on feedback from its community.
Visa options in Portugal
The favorable rating got here despite Portugal not having an official digital nomad visa thus far. Options have included the D7 visa, which was designed for retirees but utilized by people of all ages wanting to live and work abroad. Anyone can apply for it so long as their income is above the local minimum wage, nevertheless it does require holders to remain within the country for a specific amount of months every year.
One other (rather more expensive) alternative is the Golden Visa. In exchange for investment of no less than 350,000 euros which have to be held for no less than five years, Portuguese residency could be gained. Holders of the Golden Visa only must stay within the country for per week every year to maintain their status.
Criticism about these programs has been widespread: Some argue that they, especially the Golden Visa, could possibly be used as a strategy to “buy” citizenship, while others are mostly concerned concerning the influx of foreigners driving up prices for locals.
