Relocating to Portugal: What Has Changed for Newcomers

Portugal had 1,543,697 foreign residents at the end of 2024, according to the Migration and Asylum Report published by the country's immigration agency, AIMA, and reported by the news agency Lusa. That was nearly four times the 421,802 recorded at the end of 2017, and about 18 percent more than a year earlier. Brazilians made up 31.4 percent of the total, followed by Indians, Angolans and Ukrainians.

The growth has come as the rules for moving to Portugal have changed. The real estate route to a golden visa has closed, the tax regime that drew many foreign professionals has been replaced, and the immigration agency has struggled with a backlog. For anyone considering a move, including remote workers, retirees and people relocating for work, the practical picture today differs considerably from the one described in many older guides.

The golden visa after real estate

Portugal's golden visa program, launched in 2012, was for years associated with property purchases. That ended with the new rules that took effect on October 7, 2023, which removed real estate investment as a qualifying route, according to the immigration consultancy Migronis. Existing permits can still be renewed.

The remaining options are aimed at productive investment. They include at least 500,000 euros in qualifying Portuguese investment funds with a maturity of at least five years and at least 60 percent invested in national companies, at least 500,000 euros in research activities, at least 250,000 euros in artistic production or cultural heritage, the creation of at least 10 jobs, or at least 500,000 euros invested in a Portuguese company that creates or maintains five permanent jobs, according to Migronis.

Visas for remote workers and retirees

For people who earn their income outside Portugal, two visas are more relevant than the golden visa. The digital nomad visa, known as the D8, was introduced in October 2022 for remote workers employed by or providing services to companies abroad. Applicants must show income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, and the visa is initially valid for one year and renewable, according to the visa guide Nomad Signal.

The D7 visa is designed for people with passive income, such as pensions, rents or dividends. In 2026 a single applicant needs passive income of at least 920 euros a month, equivalent to the minimum wage, and savings of about 11,040 euros, with higher amounts for spouses and dependents, according to Portugalist. Salary and freelance income do not count toward the D7 requirement. The D2 visa covers entrepreneurs and founders.

Processing times are a practical concern. AIMA's 2024 report showed 286,302 foreign residents waiting for a decision on their residence applications, according to Essential Business. Applicants should allow for delays and check current requirements with official sources, since thresholds tied to the minimum wage change each year.

The end of the old tax regime

The Non-Habitual Resident regime, which offered reduced tax rates to new residents for up to 10 years, was a major draw for foreign professionals and retirees. It has been replaced, for new applicants, by a narrower incentive for scientific research and innovation known as IFICI and informally as NHR 2.0, effective from January 1, 2024, according to Idealista.

IFICI applies a flat 20 percent rate to eligible employment and self-employment income for up to 10 years. Eligibility is limited to people who have not been Portuguese tax residents in the previous five years and who work in qualifying, highly skilled roles at eligible employers such as certified startups, technology and innovation centers, or companies in specified sectors. Most freelancers working for foreign clients will not qualify, so remote workers should take tax advice before assuming any reduced rate applies.

Where people settle

Lisbon and Porto remain the main destinations for remote workers and relocating professionals, offering coworking spaces, international flight connections and English widely spoken in business settings. International schools are concentrated in Lisbon, Porto and Cascais. The Algarve in the south, known for its coastline, attracts many retirees, while Madeira has promoted itself to remote workers through a digital nomad village offering coworking facilities and community events.

As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Portugal also offers easy travel to the rest of Europe, which matters to people whose work involves regular trips elsewhere on the continent.

Finding a place to live

Housing is often the first practical hurdle. Newcomers typically need a Portuguese tax number, known as a NIF, and a local bank account to complete visa applications and sign longer contracts, and arranging both takes time. Many therefore start with a furnished rental for one to several months while they open accounts, complete visa formalities and decide which neighborhood suits them.

A furnished monthly rental also allows time to compare areas before committing. In Lisbon, that might mean weighing a central neighborhood against a quieter district with modern amenities, or checking proximity to coworking spaces for those who work remotely.

Key points

Property and the golden visa. Real estate investment stopped qualifying under the rules that took effect on October 7, 2023. Funds, research, cultural, job-creation and company investment routes remain.

Remote workers. The D8 digital nomad visa is designed for people working remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal, with an income threshold of four times the minimum wage.

Tax. The Non-Habitual Resident regime is closed to new applicants. It has been replaced by IFICI, a narrower regime with a 20 percent flat rate for qualifying highly skilled roles.

Processing times. AIMA's 2024 report showed more than 286,000 applications awaiting a decision, so applicants should plan for delays.

For those starting with a temporary base, RentRemote lists furnished apartments in Lisbon for monthly stays, set up for people who work from home.