Portugal is currently among the top destinations for digital nomads — thanks to the affordable cost of living, modern infrastructure, and residency visa options. With a range of cities catering to remote workers, Portugal offers different environments, from busy metropolitan areas to coastal towns.
Below are six cities that are ideal for digital nomads, focusing on factors such as infrastructure, connectivity, and cost of living. We are also looking into one of the Portugal visas that allow freelance workers to move there.
1. Lisbon
The capital of Portugal, is one of the most popular cities for digital nomads:
- cost of living: moderate compared to other European capitals, with monthly expenses ranging from €1,000 to 1,800;
- coworking spaces: many options, including Second Home and Heden, cater specifically to freelancers and remote workers;
- transportation: well-connected public system, including buses, trams, and a metro;
- internet: widespread fiber-optic coverage, with different providers and packages supplying speeds between 200 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
2. Porto
The northern Portugal city has a more laid-back atmosphere compared to Lisbon — a mix of modern amenities and lower costs, great for to digital nomads in search of a quieter environment:
- cost of living: lower than Lisbon, with monthly expenses ranging from €800 to 1,500;
- coworking spaces: options like Porto i/o and Cru Cowork provide professional environments;
- transportation: the city is connected by buses and a metro system;
- internet: fiber coverage, with speeds up to 1 Gbps. The average speed is around 500 Mbps for residential connections.
3. Faro
Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, is one of the best towns in Portugal for foreign freelancers seeking coastal living with access to essential amenities:
- coworking spaces: spaces like Algaworks provide quiet work environments;
- leisure activities: proximity to beaches and nature makes it ideal for work-life balance;
- transportation: well-connected by buses and trains to other cities in the Algarve;
- internet: high-speed internet and fiber connections available throughout the city, the average download speed here is around 100-200 Mbps, with some fluctuations depending on the provider.
4. Braga
One of Portugal’s oldest cities provided a mix of tradition and modernity. Braga’s low cost of living and smaller community make it appealing to nomads seeking a quiet and less crowded city. Though smaller, Braga has a growing community of expats and digital nomads:
- cost of living: lower than Lisbon and Porto, with monthly expenses ranging from €700 to 1,200;
- coworking spaces: spaces like Startup Braga provide professional environments for remote work;
- internet: high-speed internet up to 1 Gbps is available, especially in the city center. Rural areas might experience lower speeds, but fiber coverage has been expanding.
5. Coimbra
Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, offers a youthful atmosphere. Its academic vibe and affordable living costs make it a good option for digital nomads valuing culture and education. The large student population brings energy to the city:
- cost of living: between €700 and 1,200 monthly;
- coworking spaces: spaces like Jumpers Cowork provide essential infrastructure for remote workers;
- internet: reliable fiber connections with speeds typically between 200-500 Mbps.
6. Madeira (Funchal)
Ths island capital of Madeira has been gaining popularity among remote workers from abroad. Its has a of convenient infrastructure and natural beauty, great for a work-life balance:
- cost of living: living costs range from €800 to 1,400 per month;
- coworking spaces: dedicated spaces like Digital Nomads Madeira Island support remote workers;
- leisure: outdoor activities of all kinds, including water sports, hiking, and site seeing;
- internet: some of the best fixed-line speeds in the download speeds averaging 83 Mbps and uploads around 49 Mbps. Fiber is widely available, particularly in Funchal, where speeds up to 1 Gbps are possible.
How to get a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
The D8 visa for digital nomads allows remote workers who work online to move and live in the country. To obtain the Portugal Digital Nomad visa (D8), applicants must:
- Prove a monthly income of at least €3,280. Note: this is roughly four times the minimum wage of the country, and this threshold is raised every year.
- Work remotely, either as a contracted freelancer or an employee of foreign companies.
- Provide a rental agreement or property ownership in Portugal.
- Get a Portuguese bank account.
- Provide health insurance, a clean criminal record, and a motivation letter explaining reasons for moving to Portugal.
Applicants can choose between two types of visas. One is a temporary stay visa, valid for one year. Another is a long-term residency visa, which can be converted into a two-year residence permit upon arrival in Portugal.
Benefits of getting a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa include:
- visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period;
- the possibility of applying for Portuguese citizenship — after legally residing in Portugal for five years, you can apply for permanent residency and, subsequently, Portuguese citizenship. Citizenship seekers must pass a basic language test and meet other legal requirements;
- family reunification with the long-term version of the Digital Nomad Visa. It allows one to bring their spouse, dependent children, and parents to live with you in Portugal under family reunification rules;
- access to Portugal’s public services, including healthcare and education, offering a high-quality standard of living while residing in the country.
Application process:
- Document preparation. Gather the required documents, including a valid passport, recent passport-size photos, a work contract or proof of remote employment, bank statements showing monthly income of at least €3,280, and evidence of sufficient savings (€9,840 or more).
You will also need a certificate of no criminal record (with an apostille), proof of health insurance, a rental agreement or property ownership, and a NIF (Portuguese tax identification number).
- Application submission. Submit the documents to the nearest Portuguese consulate. Pay the processing fee, which is typically around €90 per person.
- Processing. The application is typically processed within 60 days. If successful, the visa is stamped into the nomad’s passport.
- Residency Permit application. As soon as you arrive in Portugal, apply for a residency permit — book an appointment with AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum). Getting the permit includes submitting biometric data.
After approval, you will receive your residence card within approximately two weeks.
- Visa renewal. The initial residence permit is valid for two years, and can be renewed for an additional three years. After five years of continuous residency, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
In a nutshell
Portugal has become a top destination for digital nomads due to its affordable living, modern infrastructure, and residency options. Among the best cities in Portugal for digital nomads are Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Braga, Coimbra, and Funchal. They offer a range of environments, from busy metropolitan areas to peaceful coastal towns.
The cities also have affordable costs, coworking spaces, reliable internet, and excellent transportation options, creating an atmosphere for a balanced work-life experience.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8) allows remote workers, including freelancers and employees of foreign companies, to reside in the country while enjoying benefits like visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. Applicants must demonstrate a monthly income of at least €3,280 and provide proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
