Portugal
Western Europe's long-stay favourite: sunshine 300 days a year, a nomad visa that actually works, the Atlantic on three sides and a cost of living that, while rising fast in Lisbon, remains well below London or Paris.
Entry and visas
Portugal is in the Schengen Area: most non-EU visitors get 90 days in any 180 across the whole zone, visa-free for US, UK, Canadian, Australian and many other passports. The D8 digital nomad visa (temporary stay up to one year or a residence track) requires proof of remote income of roughly four times the Portuguese minimum wage; the D7 passive-income visa suits FIRE travellers. The EU's new Entry/Exit System is replacing passport stamps.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free (Schengen short stay) 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, counted together. The EU Entry/Exit System now records entries electronically and ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is scheduled to become mandatory; check before travel. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa-free (Schengen short stay) 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, counted together. The EU Entry/Exit System now records entries electronically and ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is scheduled to become mandatory; check before travel. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa-free (Schengen short stay) 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, counted together. The EU Entry/Exit System now records entries electronically and ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is scheduled to become mandatory; check before travel. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa-free (Schengen short stay) 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, counted together. The EU Entry/Exit System now records entries electronically and ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is scheduled to become mandatory; check before travel. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | EU freedom of movement EU citizens may enter, stay and work without a visa; register with local authorities for stays beyond three months. | — | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
D8 Digital Nomad Visa (up to 365 days): Temporary-stay visa (up to one year) or residence visa for remote workers with monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage; applied for at a Portuguese consulate abroad. official source ↗
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Working holiday and residence programmes
- Portugal D8 Digital Nomad visa · ages 18+ · 12 months
- Portugal Working Holiday visa · ages 18–30 · 12 months · verify
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
One of the safest countries in Europe. Pickpocketing on Lisbon's tram 28 and in Porto's Ribeira is the standard warning. Rip currents on Atlantic beaches and summer wildfires in the interior are the physical risks.
Official advisory: Portugal - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Excellent public and private healthcare. EU citizens use the EHIC; everyone else should carry insurance. No special vaccinations.
Money
Cards and contactless everywhere; Multibanco ATMs are fee-free for most foreign cards (avoid Euronet machines). Lisbon rents have roughly doubled since 2015 and are the main budget line for long stays.
Tipping: Rounding up or 5 to 10 percent in restaurants · Tap water: Safe to drink
Getting around
CP trains and Rede Expressos buses are cheap and reliable; Lisbon to Porto is three hours by Alfa Pendular. Uber and Bolt work in cities. The 2024-era monthly transit passes (Navegante) are a bargain for stays over a month.
SIMs and connectivity
MEO, NOS and Vodafone sell prepaid SIMs; EU roaming works for European SIMs. Fibre is widespread and fast.
