Tourist woman in white hat holding hand of her boyfriend and exploring Lisbon city together. Couple on vacation. Traveling together. Follow me. Commerce Square in Lisbon, Portugal. High quality photo

What It’s Like Living in Portugal on a D8 Visa

by Northern Life

Portugal looks attractive not only to tourists but also to those seeking permanent residency abroad. The nomad visa brings you one step closer, so it’s worth considering if you have remote work with a decent monthly income. If you are wondering how your relocation and typical day might look with a Portugal digital nomad visa, we have an answer for you. Discover it and decide for yourself whether you’d like to try it!

Why Portugal?

When choosing a place for immigration as a nomad, several factors are essential, and Portugal meets all the key expectations. What are those?

  • affordable cost of living;
  • sun-soaked coastline, which you most probably lack in the UK;
  • relaxed pace of living;
  • Excellent infrastructure and ample space for remote workers.

Moreover, it’s easy to get a digital nomad living permit. So why not dare to take a bit of adventure and explore a new culture without sacrificing your job?

Landing and Settling In

With the big decision made, you are ready for a new chapter in your life. What’s next? Some mundane paperwork to settle in comfortably.

Get NIF, Bank Account, and Accommodation

You will need to get a NIF, a Portuguese tax number, first. Then comes the bank account opening. It will be needed for a rental contract, bills, so this step cannot be skipped.

As for the accommodation, you can start with a short-term option first. This way, you will know what you truly want for comfortable living and will be able to find the perfect long-term apartment for settling in.

Have Patience

When applying for a visa, you might have already noticed that any bureaucratic matters require patience. Even if you used the help of such experience services as Migrun, you have most likely faced long waiting times. Imagine what it would be like without expert guidance.

You should complete all the steps mentioned above. So, you will experience it. Still, remain positive, as bureaucracy takes only a couple of days, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy living like a local.

A Day in the Life on the D8 Visa

When everything is finally set up, you can now have your daily routine organised. By 10, you might already be in one of the comfortable coworking spaces offering you everything needed for a productive day.

At lunchtime, you might have an enjoyable break at a tasty meal, chatting with other nomads and locals in the working hub. Lunch might stretch a bit, as nobody is really in a hurry there. A little bit of busy work in the afternoon, and you are fully ready for an active social life after work. But that is already a topic for a different story.

Bottom Line

Summing up, living in Portugal on a D8 visa begins with excitement and uncertainty, as one navigates bureaucracy and cultural nuances. Over time, the unfamiliar becomes familiar, and you will undoubtedly enjoy your stay in the country.