100% approval rate for US D8 clients
Our legal team ensures every single D8 application meets the strict criteria of the Portuguese consulates.
Portugal D8 visa.
Europe’s leading digital nomad visa for remote workers.
Live in Portugal while keeping your US job, clients, or LLC. The European residency built for remote workers.
As featured in
01
Keep your US job, salary, and clients
02
Schengen travel across 26 countries
03
Family reunification included
04
Access to Portugal's public healthcare
05
US-Portugal double taxation treaty
01How we help
How Roots Global helps you get your D8 visa.
Six years ago, we stood exactly where you are today - navigating the daunting, complex process of securing our own visas and moving our lives to Portugal. We built Roots Global because we realised Americans needed more than just legal paperwork; we needed a trusted bridge.
Now, as a fully integrated American-Portuguese firm headquartered right here in the heart of Lisbon, we have guided over 2,000 US citizens through that exact same journey.
02Your relocation team
When American spirit meets best‑in‑class Portuguese immigration lawyers.
Legal know‑how meets lived experience. We are a cohesive team of expats and local lawyers - international perspective combined with on‑the‑ground expertise, guiding you through every step with empathy, clarity, and confidence.
03Income requirements
Navigating the D8 income requirement.
The D8 visa is designed for modern remote professionals who want to make Portugal their home base. To qualify, the program looks for a stable monthly remote income of €3,680 for a solo applicant. If you are moving with your family, the requirement scales very transparently, adding a predictable percentage for your spouse and children. Below is the exact breakdown of how the monthly roadmap looks for your household.
If you find yourself right on the line or slightly below this threshold, it is highly worth speaking to our team - the D7 visa might be a fantastic alternative for your situation.
Solo applicant
€3,680
/month
≈ $4,000 USD
With spouse
€4,140
/month (+50%)
≈ $4,500 USD
Per child
€276
/month (+30% each)
≈ +$300 USD
What counts as remote income
Qualifying income sources for US applicants for the Portuguese digital‑nomad visa.
W-2 remote employeeForm W-2
1099 independent contractor1099-NECFreelance / consulting income1099-NEC
US LLC owner (single-member)Schedule C
US LLC / partnership distributionsSchedule K-1US S-corporation owner1120-S / W-2Speak with someone from our legal team
30-minute consultation, no commitment.
04Why us
Five reasons Americans trust us with their D8.
Built by expats who made the move themselves, our Lisbon-based firm takes care of everything. We specialise in all the ins and outs of your W-2s, 1099 contracts, and LLC paperwork for Portuguese authorities, guiding you all the way to your final AIMA interview with zero stress.
Reviews
2000+ people
moved with Roots
05Visa comparison
Which Portugal route is right for you?
Portugal offers two attractive residency pathways for Americans. The D8 is built for active remote workers; the D7 for those with stable non‑employment income. Most clients qualify cleanly for one, and the wrong choice extends timelines by months.
Find out if you are eligible for the D8 visa in just one minute.
Seven short questions on your remote income, family, and timeline. No email required to read your personalised result.
06The process
What is the application process for the Portugal D8 visa?
At Roots Global, we take care of the bureaucracy so you can focus on the move. Our experienced legal team takes ownership from start to finish, ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and fully aligned with consulate requirements. We make the complex simple - so you can focus on your next chapter, not the paperwork.
We open with a calm, structured conversation - no sales pressure. By the end of the call you will know whether the D8 fits, what your timeline looks like, and what your case will cost. If we are not the right firm, we will say so.
Documentation format is the single biggest reason US D8 applications are rejected. We have refined the exact structure each consulate expects across more than two thousand US cases - including W-2 remote-work letters, 1099 portfolios, and LLC ownership paperwork.
You attend your appointment at the Portuguese consulate nearest you. We brief you on what each consulate asks and how to answer - with the precise phrasing that has worked in past cases.
Your initial four-month entry visa is issued. We coordinate your arrival logistics in Portugal and pre-schedule your residency appointment so there is no waiting.
AIMA is the immigration authority. We walk in with you, sit through the appointment, and intercept any issue in real time. Clients tell us this is the single most reassuring part of the process.
You are officially a Portuguese resident. The card grants Schengen travel, work rights, public healthcare access, and starts the clock toward permanent residency and citizenship.
07Requirements
Portugal D8 visa requirements: your readiness checklist.
Tick off everything you already have below. We handle whatever is missing - including the Portuguese‑side items that cannot be obtained without local representation.
Remote income at or above €3,680 per month (solo) - higher for family
Proof of remote work - employer letter, 1099 contracts, or LLC ownership
Three months of US bank statements proving consistent deposits
Clean criminal record - FBI background check with apostille
Valid US passport with at least six months remaining
Proof of accommodation in Portugal - rental contract or property deed
Portuguese NIF (tax identification number)
Portuguese bank account with seed deposit
Health insurance covering Portugal for the entry visa period
Readiness score
0%
Anything missing? Let our team take care of the rest.
Most clients start here. A consultation is the fastest way to map the path ahead.
How we help
Based in Lisbon, our relocation team provides a 360° solution that covers every pillar of your move. Housing, legal, education and everything in between, all under one roof.
Common questions
Frequently asked by US applicants.
Yes - that is exactly what the D8 was designed for. W-2 employees, 1099 contractors, and US LLC owners can all keep working for US clients or employers from Portugal. We package the documentation the consulate expects: a remote-work authorization letter from your employer, contracts and invoices for 1099 work, or your LLC operating agreement and tax filings.
Yes - the United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. However, the US-Portugal tax treaty and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion typically prevent double taxation. We connect you with US-Portugal cross-border tax specialists during onboarding.
You continue to file FBAR (FinCEN 114) annually for any Portuguese account holding over $10,000, and FATCA obligations remain. This is standard for US expats and your tax advisor handles it routinely. We brief you on which Portuguese banks make this least painful.
Most US employers are comfortable with it as long as you remain a US-based employee on a US payroll. The D8 does not change your employment relationship - you are not employed in Portugal. We provide a template authorization letter that addresses the questions HR and legal teams typically raise.
Yes. The D8 specifically allows you to operate a US LLC or S-corp from Portugal as long as your clients and revenue remain primarily outside Portugal. We help you document ownership, distributions, and revenue flow in the format the consulate accepts.
Medicare does not cover care outside the United States. Most D8 residents enroll in Portuguese public health (SNS) after residency and maintain Medicare Part A as a safety net for US visits. Many choose private Portuguese insurance for around €50 - €150 per month.
Ten years of legal residence. Portugal updated the citizenship residency requirement in 2024, and the clock now starts from when your residence permit is issued. Basic Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level) is required at application - most clients learn gradually over the residency period.
No. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are highly English-friendly. A2-level Portuguese is only required when you apply for citizenship after ten years. Most clients learn gradually through a tutor or app during their first few years of residence.
Mixed income is common. If your qualifying threshold is met through passive sources (pensions, dividends, rental income), the D7 visa is the cleaner route. If you have both, we structure the case around whichever pillar is strongest and flag any consulate-specific sensitivities.
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