Portugal Announces Year-Long Visas for Digital Nomads

7th October 2022

Last modified on October 13th, 2022

The residence permit is for employed & self-employed people with an aim to regulate the temporary stay or residency of remote workers. Brexit means most people from the UK can only stay in an EU or Schengen country for 90 days out of 180. Some hope ski countries may follow the example of Portugal. UPDATED

It may not seem relevant to us skiers and snowboarders at first sight.

There is no skiing in Portugal after all.

But PlanetSKI is currently in Portugal as we are using it as a base to write vast amounts of copy for the upcoming winter ski season, away from distractions.

We are able to as we are not staying long, but we are using up valuable days in the EU for the approaching ski season.

Our winter plans last season were affected by the 90-day rule and we had to leave the Alps early as time was running out as the UK opted to leave the EU and is not in Schengen.

We were not the only ones.

We came across some ski instructors in Pila in Italy who were forced to return mid-season after 90 days.

Others had chosen to “work from home” in the mountains of Europe, but could only stay for half the season.

“Digital nomadism is a trend that has been gaining traction since the early 2020s and with the COVID-19 pandemic remote working became a reality for many workers,” said Patricia Casaburi, the Managing Director of Global Citizen Solutions, an investment migration company with a strong presence in the Portuguese market.

“This visa will simplify procedures for citizens from other countries who want to come to Portugal and the country will benefit from attracting a new labour market and more human resources.”

Lets hope the alpine nations are watching closely and will follow suit.

Spain and Greece are perhaps looking at following the example of Portugal.

Both have numerous ski resorts.

For further details on the 90-day rule see here.

Digital Visa Details for Portugal:

This visa is split into two categories, encompassing both remote workers aiming for a temporary stay of up to one year; and also digital nomads looking for a residency visa in Portugal.

To qualify for the two types – either short stay or residency permit – remote workers need to prove a monthly income that is four times the amount of the current minimum income in Portugal (the current minimum monthly income in Portugal is €705,00) and a work contract or proof of self-employment.

The digital nomad visa can be applied from a Portuguese Consulate in their own home country; or if the applicant is already in Portugal, they could apply by an expression of interest with the Foreign Borders Office.