Law that creates visas for digital nomads comes into effect on 30 October

The regulation of the changes to the so-called Foreigners' Law has already been published in the Diário da República and will facilitate the entry into the country of foreign workers working remotely.

The Portuguese visa law for digital nomads comes into force on 30 October and will allow those who want to work remotely from Portugal to stay in the country for one year.

In fact, the regulation of the changes to Law 23/2007, better known as the Foreigners' Law, was published in the Official Gazette on September 30, with the date foreseen to come into force precisely at the end of the month. The law requires, for "temporary stay visa and residence permit for digital nomads", that the applicant proves fiscal residence and monthly average incomes in the last three months of a minimum value equal to four minimum monthly remunerations. It is necessary to present an employment contract or promise of an employment contract and a declaration from the employer proving the employment relationship.

For professionals with independent activity, the law requires documents proving the partnership contract, service contract or proposal of service contract. And a document demonstrating services provided to one or more entities.

The new visas will facilitate the process of entry into the country for these workers. "Until now there was no simple way for temporary residents to work remotely from the country. Before, expats had to apply for a D7 visa, which was mainly aimed at retirees," explains Bloomberg agency.

The news agency also reports that Portugal "has become a favourite destination for Americans who want to move abroad".

Quoted by the agency, Patricia Casaburi, managing director of Global Citizen Solutions, stresses that "digital nomadism is a trend that has been gaining traction since the early 2020s and with the covid-19 pandemic, remote work has become a reality for many workers. "This visa will simplify procedures for citizens from other countries who want to come to Portugal and the country will benefit from attracting more human resources."