Long-Stay (Type D) — Digital Nomad / Remote Worker (D9)Verified 2026-05-12Portugal D9 Digital Nomad Residence Visa (Informational)
The D9 Visa (introduced October 2022) is Portugal's dedicated route for remote workers and freelancers earning from non-Portuguese sources. It's become one of the most sought-after Portuguese visas for Indian tech workers, designers, writers, and consultants. AIMA substantive decisions. Informational only.
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Please note: SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal long-term residence visas (D1 Work, D2 Entrepreneur, D3 Teaching, D4 Research/Study, D7 Retiree, D8 Family Reunification, D9 Digital Nomad, CPLP Mobility, Golden Visa, etc.). This page is provided for informational purposes only. For Portugal residence visas, apply directly via the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi + AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — or consult a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where our Indian-side expertise adds the most value.
Processing
60–90 days typically (D-visa preliminary decision by Embassy + AIMA substantive review)
Stay Duration
4-month entry D-visa; residence permit (initial 2 years, renewable; permanent after 5)
Starting Fee
€90
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Portugal visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1SureshotVisa does NOT process D9 — informational only.
- 2Income must be from NON-Portuguese sources — if your clients are Portuguese, use D2 instead.
- 3Threshold of 4× minimum wage updated annually — verify current rate.
- 4Portuguese tax residency triggers if you spend 183+ days in Portugal — plan with a tax advisor.
Who Can Apply
- Indian remote workers employed by non-Portuguese companies
- Freelancers / consultants with non-Portuguese clients
- Earning at least 4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,280/month gross in 2024)
- Demonstrable ability to work fully remotely
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| D9 Residence Visa — Embassy fee | €90 |
| AIMA Residence Permit fee | €84 |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,052 |
Government fees set in EUR. Plus Portuguese setup (accommodation, NIF, bank) — typically €1,500-3,000 in legal / advisory fees.
Documents Required
Income / Work Documents
- !Employment contract with non-Portuguese employer OR client contracts (for freelancers)
Must show fully remote arrangement
- !Proof of minimum income — 4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,280/month gross 2024)
Bank statements showing this income for last 3-6 months
- !Income tax returns (last 2-3 years)
- !Employer letter confirming remote-work approval (for employed applicants)
Portugal Setup
- !Portuguese accommodation — rental contract (12 months) OR property deed
- !Portuguese Tax Number (NIF)
- !Portuguese bank account with initial deposit
Core Documents
- !National D-Visa application form (signed)
- !Valid passport
- !Passport-size photos
- !PCC India + every country lived 1+ year past 5 years (apostilled)
- !Travel medical insurance (first 4 months)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
8 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Verify income meets €3,280/month threshold
Document 3-6 months of income at the threshold.
- 02
Get employer's remote-work approval
For employed applicants — letter confirming Portugal-based remote work is OK.
- 03
Open NIF + Portuguese bank account
Via Portuguese lawyer — typically done remotely.
- 04
Secure Portuguese accommodation
12-month rental contract OR property.
- 05
PCC + apostille
India + countries lived 1+ year past 5 years.
- 06
Fill D-visa application + submit at VFS
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/prt.
- 07
Consulate + AIMA decision
60–90 days.
- 08
Enter Portugal + AIMA residence permit
Within 90 days of arrival.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- D9 launched October 2022 — replaces D2 / D7 misuse by remote workers. Use D9 if your income is from non-Portuguese sources.
- Income threshold: 4× minimum wage (€3,280/mo gross in 2024) is firm — applications below this are routinely refused.
- Tech workers from Indian / US / European companies are the most common D9 applicants.
- Portugal's tax position for remote workers reformed significantly in 2024 (NHR changes) — engage a Portuguese tax advisor.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Embassy of Portugal)
Portuguese MFA visa portal. Download the Schengen / National Visa application form, complete in English/Portuguese, sign.
VFS Global Portugal (India)
Book biometrics appointment, view checklists, track application status.
AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo
Successor to SEF (since Oct 2023). Handles substantive decisions on Portugal long-term residence permits.
VFS Application Centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Portugal D9 Digital Nomad Residence Visa (Informational) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
What's the income threshold for D9?+
Can my partner / family join me?+
Does Portuguese tax kick in?+
What about Madeira / Azores?+
What if my income drops below threshold during renewal?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Portugal visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Portugal Visa Types
Portugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Portugal for tourism — Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Azores — up to 90 days.
Portugal Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Type C)
Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian business professionals attending meetings, conferences, training, or trade events in Portugal.
Portugal Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew members on shooting assignments in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Visa for EU/EEA/CH/UK Family Members (Schengen Type C — Fee-Exempt)
Fee-exempt Schengen short-stay visa for Indian close family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens travelling to or in Portugal.
Portugal D1 Subordinate Work Residence Visa (Long-Stay — Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D1 Residence Visa for Indian employees with a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Professional Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D2 Residence Visa for Indian entrepreneurs, startup founders, and independent professionals.
Portugal D3 Highly Qualified / Teaching / Cultural Activity Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D3 Residence Visa for highly qualified professionals, teachers, researchers, and cultural professionals.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Portugal website and Embassy of Portugal. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.