The Portugal Remote Work Visa (officially known as the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa) has recently been established. The country has become a popular destination for travellers and those digital nomads looking to relocate, especially to Madeira Island. Portugal offers a range of benefits, including fabulous weather, a favourable tax system, a prime location in Europe, stunning scenery, high security, low crime rates, and historical ties to Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil. Furthermore, its membership in the European Union gives access to the European market.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased remote work, and many businesses are now entirely operated online. This allows employees and business owners to use digital and electronic resources to work from anywhere. However, working abroad requires obtaining a residency permit in the host country.
Employees and independent workers can obtain residency permits to live and work in Portugal to apply for the Portugal Remote Work. Previously, these permits were only granted to employees with a contract or service agreement with a Portuguese-based company or those who invested in Portuguese territory. The new Digital Nomad Visa now includes these foreign citizens who perform their professional activities remotely for companies outside of Portugal.
Law No. 18/2022 and Regulatory Decree No. 4/2022 established the Portugal Remote Work in Portuguese legislation. This visa is granted to employees and independent professionals who work remotely for individuals or companies based outside of Portugal. The applicant must demonstrate their employment relationship or service provision and provide proof of monthly income and fiscal residency.
This new visa opens up Portuguese territory to citizens worldwide who can perform their professional activities remotely. If the digital nomad does not possess a residency visa for remote work, they can apply through an expression of interest process. The new visa regulations are expected to take full effect on October 30th, 2022 and are considered a significant change to Portuguese immigration law.
For more information on the above, please click here and here.
At MCS, we can assist you with your tax and immigration matters in Portuguese territory, especially Madeira Island. This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or professional advice of any kind. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Lília has graduated in 2002 with a law degree from Universidade Nova de Lisboa. She joined MCS’s legal team in 2003, providing support to the legal department in corporate and shipping… Read more
