Portugal is among the top ten countries in the world for digital nomads

Portugal is one of the top ten countries in the world for digital nomads with a score of 3.58, according to the ranking classification From the International Visa Guide. However, the North American press warns of future changes in the law, which may explain the fact that Madrid ousted Lisbon.

“Portugal has already announced several policy changes in 2024 that could be seen as hostile to digital nomads, including the end of the non-habitual resident system, which allowed a ten-year tax break for new residents, regardless of nationality,” it said on Sunday. CNBC channel.

Spain tops the rankings Digital Nomad IndexFollowed by Argentina, Romania, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia. Portugal ranks sixth, after Uruguay, Malta, Norway and Andorra.

The index ranks countries based on the following criteria: availability of special visas, internet speed, tax policies and duration of tax exemptions, income requirements for visa applications, cost of living in euros, Global Health Score (GHS – Global Health Score) and popularity of tourism.

Portugal has had a visa for nomads since last year. This “passport” is intended for citizens from outside the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to live and work abroad from Portugal.

The government issued about 2,600 visas to nomads in one year, according to information the Foreign Ministry sent to Publico in November. The foreign workers in this system who search the most in the country are North Americans, Brazilians and Britons and the preferred cities are Lisbon, Porto and Funchal (Madeira).

The digital nomad visa, which came into force in the country in October 2022, is valid for up to one year – but longer than a tourist visa – and gives the right to enter multiple times into the national territory. It is also possible for the remote worker’s family members to request a temporary residency or residence visa so that the digital nomad can have his or her loved ones close by.