What is the difference between Portugal's temporary-stay and residence digital nomad visas, and how long does each last?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Portugal has two remote work visas. The temporary-stay visa covers a stay of less than a year and allows multiple entries. The residence visa is valid for four months and two entries, and lets you enter to apply for a residence permit. Under the law, that permit is valid for two years and renewable for three years at a time.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Temporary-stay visa: purpose	Entry and stay of less than a year, including for remote work for people or companies based outside Portugal	Lei 23/2007, art. 54.1(i)
Temporary-stay visa: duration	Granted for the duration of the stay; valid for multiple entries	Lei 23/2007, art. 54.2
Residence visa: purpose	Entry into Portugal to apply for a residence permit	Lei 23/2007, arts. 58.1 and 61-B
Residence visa: duration	Valid for two entries and a stay of four months	Lei 23/2007, art. 58.2
Pre-authorisation	Issued with the residence visa: information on getting the residence permit, plus provisional tax (NIF), social security and national health service numbers	Lei 23/2007, art. 58.6
Residence permit	Valid for 2 years from the card’s issue date, renewable for successive 3-year periods, unless special legal provisions apply	Lei 23/2007, art. 75.1
Conditions for the permit	Include a valid residence visa, presence in Portugal, means of subsistence, accommodation, social security registration where applicable, and no relevant criminal record	Lei 23/2007, art. 77.1

Two visas for the same kind of work

The immigration law has two remote work visas. Article 54.1(i) lists remote work, employed or self-employed, for a person or company based outside Portugal among the purposes of the temporary-stay visa. Article 61-B creates a residence visa for the same activity. The Foreign Ministry’s list of national visa types shows “Trabalho remoto / Nómada Digital” under both temporary stay and residence.

Temporary stay: less than a year

The temporary-stay visa is for a stay of less than one year. The law says it is granted for the duration of the stay and is valid for multiple entries. It does not lead to a residence permit by itself. If you want to stay longer than first authorised, the law allows an extension of stay (prorrogação de permanência), which may be granted if the conditions of your admission are still met, save in duly justified cases (art. 71).

Residence visa: four months to get a residence permit

The residence visa is a door to residence. It lets you enter Portugal to apply for a residence permit and is valid for two entries and four months. With it you receive a pre-authorisation of residence, which includes provisional tax, social security and health service numbers.

Once in Portugal, you apply for a temporary residence permit. The law has no separate permit article for remote workers, so the general rules apply: the conditions in article 77, and a validity of two years from the card’s issue date, renewable for three years at a time (art. 75.1).

Decision deadlines: 60 days for a residence visa and 30 days for a temporary-stay visa (Lei 23/2007, arts. 58.4 and 54.3).
Renewing the permit: apply at least 30 days before it expires (Lei 23/2007, art. 78.1).

Sources

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2026-10-25: Page created

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