One of the main reasons foreigners contemplate relocating to Portugal is the safety it offers. Portugal ranks fourth globally as one of the world’s most peaceful nations and third in terms of safety.
Portugal, which blends the best aspects of Europe, was a popular choice among foreigners. Portugal boasts some of Europe’s most beautiful cities and beaches, as well as some of the most affordable. Portugal is gaining popularity as a destination for expats and digital nomads.
Let us outline the essential information you will require for your journey if Portugal is also on your list of potential destinations. Examine the expat lifestyle in Portugal, find out about the available visas, find the top expat neighborhoods, and comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of living abroad.
Portugal Residency for non-EU Citizens
Portugal provides non-EU nationals with a number of alluring residence possibilities. There are various ways for a foreigner to become a resident of Portugal. Here are a few of them:
After moving to Portugal, you can seek permanent residency in five years. You must apply for a long-term visa before traveling to Portugal if you are not a citizen of the EU or EEA.
Some of the requirements include being at least 18 years old, living in Portugal for five consecutive years, and not being absent from the country for more than six months in a year or 12 consecutive months at any point.
Portugal’s Golden Visa Program
The Portugal Golden Visa is another excellent option for foreigners who want to live in Portugal. If you invest €500,000 or more in specific Portuguese investment funds, you can obtain the right to residency with minimal stay limits.
You can invest and reside in Portugal for five years as an expat if you have a Portugal Golden Visa. Along with living, working, and studying in Portugal, you also have the flexibility to travel across the Schengen Area of Europe.
If you are a citizen of Switzerland or another non-EU/EEA nation, you are eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa. You must have no criminal background in Portugal or your home country and be at least eighteen years old.
Despite a lot of news coverage regarding the most recent iteration of the Portugal Golden Visa and whether it is coming to an end, the program is still in operation, accepting applications through 2024, and it intends to continue with new enhancements, such as changes to the citizenship law. The nation now permits Portugal Golden Visa candidates to apply for Portuguese citizenship within five years of the first residency application, regardless of approval. In European nations, it is regarded as the quickest way to apply for citizenship through Golden Visa.
Portugal D7 Residency Visa
Foreign nationals who are retired or not can demonstrate that they have passive income by obtaining a Portugal D7 Visa. According to the Get Golden Visa, to be eligible for residency, a pension must be at least €709.10 a month. This form of visa is typically preferred by retirees who are eager to experience a sunny European lifestyle.
The Portugal Passive Income Visa and Retirement Visa are other names for this category of visa. For non-EU/EEA nationals, it is an additional way to get permanent residency.
A consistent passive income that covers your living expenditures in Portugal is a requirement for obtaining a D7 Visa. In order to apply for a Portugal D7 Visa in 2024 as a single candidate, you must demonstrate that you have €8,460 in passive income annually.
Portugal Digital Nomad visa (D8 Visa)
You must demonstrate that you have an active source of income in order to be eligible for the Portugal D8 Visa, which is also a digital nomad visa. By applying for this sort of visa, you can live in Portugal as an expat if you are working remotely for a company located outside of Portugal. You must be able to prove that you make at least €4,389 a month in order to obtain Portuguese residency. Then, you can take advantage of this visa and follow the increasing trend of remote workers receiving benefits in independent locations.
This visa type is also beneficial in terms of tax. A Portugal Digital Nomad visa means 0% tax on foreign income. So you just pay 20% tax on income earned in Portugal. Having an opportunity to either get a temporary or residence visa, you can experience what a digital nomad visa in Portugal brings you through flexibility opportunities.
