Portugal: a “must-visit” for all digital nomads

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Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many Mediterranean countries have reshaped their strategies regarding economy. Because of the lack of traveling, their biggest source of revenue was greatly reduced. Portugal, a small state on the fringes of the European Union, opted for wider introduction of digital nomads to its economy.

With its moderate climate, diverse and picturesque landscape and vibrant people, Portugal was from the start set as ideal place for digital nomads to settle.

In addition to its natural beauties, government of Portugal introduced various different benefits for workers willing to develop this industry

Firstly, Portugal implemented more flexible Visa programs. There are two possible Visa options for each worker from this branch to choose, Temporary Stay Visa and Residency Visa (D2 or D7 subcategory).

Temporary Stay Visa offers one year stay in this country, without becoming resident. Additionally, it also grants permission to do independent work. This includes various research or investigation, internships and further educational development. The travels in and out of the country are not limited during this time period and this type of Visa can be renewed two more times. It is ideal as a starting point for people looking to further investigate this country.

Further requirements for this type of Visa are easily displayed at the official Foreign Ministry of Portugal website. This website is also a place for online application for this Visa.

For digital nomads that already made their mind about choosing Portugal as their place to settle there is a Residency Visa with two categories, both of which are valid for only four months. After this period, request for residency permit in Immigration and Border services of Portugal is needed, often resulting in permit being granted.

D7 subcategory is more restrictive in regards to economic investment. It is primarily meant for people looking to live from passive income and are not interested in any type of investment. Often retirees are most eligible for this subcategory.

D2 is Visa to go for all freelancers and entrepreneurs. It allows all those granted to set up their own business and investments as they wish. There are no limitations for establishing business presence or proprietorship, which makes it enormously beneficial for development of the remote worker economy.

Furthermore, in the last couple of years many co-worker hubs have been established in all main Portuguese cities. These were inspired by great popularity and the surge of digital nomads in its biggest cities. 

Primary example of this trend is the city of Porto and its famous hub “Porto i/o”. With their offices located in four different parts of the city, “Porto i/o” has become an ideal way for digital nomads to socialize. There are different regular lectures, workshops and talks held in these offices.

Besides this one in Porto, another most important hubs for co-working is in Lisbon. Their Liberdade229 offices offer communal kitchen and posh and hygienic bathrooms, alongside all regular requirements.

Alongside co-working spaces and offices, for all digital nomads that are more comfortable in a more relaxed environment, there are various newly opened co-working cafes. These facilities started spreading with each digital nomad that settled in this country. These cafes are usually divided between those that offer more traditional beverages, for example famous Portuguese pastelarias, and the more modern international type, with common regular coffee and other beverages.

Two main destinations for co-working cafes are “Wish Slow Coffee House” and “Copenhagen Coffee Lab”. Both of them were opened since the wider introduction of digital nomads in the society of Portugal.

Networking has also been greatly developed. Most influential go-to institutions are the Business Association of Portugal and the Confederation of Portuguese business. Both of them offer a great opportunity as a meeting ground. Many networks can be made between digital nomads during various gatherings and manifestations sponsored by these organizations.

With this in mind, digital nomads also opened up new possibilities for Portugal. Many manifestations were organized in the form of meet-up events, which attracted tourists from all around the globe to Lisbon, Porto, and other cities boosting their economy even further. Today, smaller events are held on a weekly basis, primarily in Lisbon.  They range from different business forums to LGBTQ+ gatherings of digital nomads, in order to further establish and attract more people to these events. These are usually in person meet-ups which attract all those interested in the city.

To support this trend, the government of Portugal subsidized many international banks, in order to further enhance their place as a hub for digital nomads. With this program, an advanced banking system was implemented. Part of this system are interbank networks run and supported by Multibanco; an organization specially formed for improvement of this sphere.

Regular banking system is now paralleled by the Online banking network too. Opening new bank accounts is possible through mobile phone and laptop. Most influential banks in this sphere are Bunq, N26(as one of the most famous) and Revolut.

With all of this in mind, it is logical that Portugal will further develop this branch of industry. With its reasonable accommodation fees and rates, hospitable people and government and city administration so willing to support this type of worker, this idea and process will surely pay off. (photo credit: Everaldo Coelho/Unsplash)