Digital Nomad Visa Portugal

Manuela Tomas-Austin
Sep 24
2 min read

Digital Nomad Visa Portugal

Validity of the Permit

The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa follows a two-step process:

At the consulate in the U.S.: Applicants receive a temporary visa valid for 4 months.
In Portugal: This converts into a residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for 3 additional years. After 5 years, U.S. citizens can apply for permanent residence or even Portuguese citizenship.

Financial Requirements

To qualify, applicants must show proof of sufficient income. For 2025, the requirement is:

At least €3,280 per month, equal to four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Income must come from remote work or freelance contracts with clients outside Portugal.
Savings alone are not accepted — Portuguese authorities want to see ongoing monthly income.

Professional Background

Applicants need to prove they are established professionals, either by:

Having a remote employment contract, or
Demonstrating freelance work with foreign clients.

Required Documents for U.S. Citizens

U.S. applicants must prepare several key documents. The most important include:

Valid U.S. passport
Employment or freelance contracts proving remote work outside Portugal
Proof of income (bank statements, pay slips, invoices)
Health insurance valid in Portugal
FBI background check, which must be apostilled

This is where Scribble Seal plays a vital role: we handle Apostilles and notarizations for U.S. documents, ensuring that your paperwork meets all Portuguese legal requirements. Without a properly apostilled FBI background check, your application will not be accepted.

Processing Times

At consulates in the U.S.: Expect 2 to 3 months for the initial visa approval.
In Portugal: The residence permit usually takes around 60 days to be issued, though timing can vary.

Tax Considerations

Many U.S. citizens moving to Portugal look into the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, which offers favorable tax treatment for up to 10 years. The program has been evolving, so it is important to confirm the latest requirements before applying.

How Scribble Seal Supports U.S. Citizens

Applying for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa requires several U.S. documents to be apostilled before they will be recognized abroad. Scribble Seal ensures:

FBI background checks are correctly apostilled
Any other U.S. documents are notarized and legalized as needed
Your paperwork is complete and compliant before submission

With Scribble Seal managing the U.S. side of the process, you can avoid costly delays and focus on your relocation plans.

For U.S. citizens considering Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa, the key to a smooth application lies in proper document preparation. Scribble Seal ensures that your U.S. documents are ready for Portuguese authorities, making your move abroad easier and stress-free.