Digital Nomads: Who Are They?
In recent years, a new term has entered common usage – “digital nomad,” often associated with IT work. The assumption that digital nomads are only programmers or IT professionals doesn’t fully capture the reality of this growing group of people. Today, there are around 40 million digital nomads worldwide, and by 2040, it’s estimated there will be 60 million.
So, who are digital nomads, and how are they changing the stereotypes about the future of society?
A digital nomad is, first and foremost, a lifestyle. It’s a philosophy that has created a community of people who value work-life balance, diverse, environment and opportunity to travel a lot, and nature. It’s not a profession, nationality, or location, nor is it a religion or set of rules. It’s a small world that gladly welcomes anyone who wants to be part of something bigger, unknown, and exciting.
Imagine you’re an influencer building your own fitness channel for users around the world. You spend three months living in Los Angeles, then head to Argentina for a few months to change scenery and conquer some Patagonian peaks. After that, you jet off to Iceland to catch the Northern Lights. During all of this, your channel keeps growing, your followers get the content they need, your income remains steady, and your family is right there with you, sharing your adventures. You make new friends all over the world, explore new places, not just online but in person, experience nature and historical landmarks firsthand, while your children practice multiple languages. Meanwhile, your spouse gathers enough material to finally write that book on international cuisines they’ve always dreamed of.
This is the core philosophy of the digital nomad: do what you love, wherever you want, without harming society or nature – instead, contributing to both while earning an income.
The outdated image of a digital nomad as a nerdy programmer stuck at home writing code for months is no longer accurate. Today’s nomads are often young, mostly under 40, and many have families and children. They manage businesses or work remotely, are into sports and healthy living, have hobbies, are well-educated, respect local laws and cultures, and are financially independent and secure.
Why States Benefit from Collaborating with Digital Nomads
Many countries have realized that attracting digital nomads is mutually beneficial. They’ve started offering various advantages to give nomads the opportunity to live and work in their countries. As a result, these countries welcome young, educated people with high cultural values who spend their remotely earned money on their needs and desires, boosting the local economy without creating competition for jobs with the local population.
Portugal is one of the top countries for digital nomads. Over the past few years, the Portuguese government has been passing laws and relaxing residency requirements. They’ve even introduced a special visa for this group of residents – the D8 Visa – showing just how much Portugal values digital nomads.
Portugal as a Hub for Digital Nomads
For several years now, Portugal has been a hub for digital nomads. Statistics show that digital nomads prioritize the following when choosing where to live:
● Proximity to large bodies of water
● Easy access to an airport
● Presence of nature
At the same time, they look for:
● Flexible work schedules
● New experiences and opportunities
● A free lifestyle
● A strong business community
Clearly, Portugal is the perfect place for digital nomads and their families. It offers everything – high quality life at a low price, safety, beautiful nature, an ideal climate, healthy and delicious cuisine, and a prime location on the world map, with several international airports offering access to any part of the globe in just a few hours. The Portuguese Digital Nomad Residency (D8 Visa) allows you to travel freely worldwide, while excellent schools and top-notch free healthcare make it a priority for families with children.
This is why Portugal is experiencing a boom in residency applications from those seeking the D8 Visa.
How to Get the D8 Visa with Relyon Relocation
A digital nomad values their time, so they understand that the D8 Visa application process should be handled by people who have the knowledge, documents, and practical experience to get it done. That’s why nearly all of them turn to Relyon Relocation. Everyone knows that if Relyon specialists take on a case, the chances of success are 100%.
Relyon Relocation will provide the full range of services – from preparing the necessary documents for your entire family and obtaining a tax number to finding housing and schools.
Requirements for Obtaining the Portuguese Digital Nomad Residency:
- The applicant must have a long-term (at least 1 year) contract with a company outside of Portugal. The applicant can be an employee or an individual entrepreneur providing services to multiple clients.
- There are two types of Digital Nomad visas:
o Short-term visa: This allows the applicant to stay in Portugal for up to 12 months but doesn’t grant a residence permit. This option is ideal if the applicant doesn’t plan to stay long-term. Requirements include proof of paid accommodation for the entire stay and return tickets from Portugal to their home country, similar to the long-term D8 Visa.
o Long-term visa: This grants a residence permit and allows the applicant to stay in Portugal for over a year. This is the choice if the applicant wants to obtain residency, live in Portugal, and potentially pursue Portuguese citizenship in the future. The residence permit can be renewed if the applicant proves they continue to earn the required income. - The applicant must apply in the country where they hold citizenship or a residence permit and must show proof of income from remote work (€3280) for at least three months.
- If the applicant is applying for a D8 Visa, their family members can apply for accompanying visas. These visas will have the same duration as the main holder’s Digital Nomad visa – either long-term and converted to a residence permit by AIMA, or short-term. Requirements for accompanying family members vary by consulate: +50% savings for a spouse and +30% for a child.
Choosing to live and work as a digital nomad in Portugal is more than just a lifestyle decision—it’s a commitment to freedom, growth, and opportunity. With the D8 Visa, you can experience all that Portugal has to offer while enjoying the flexibility of remote work. Let Relyon Relocation guide you through the process, so you can focus on your journey, not the paperwork. Start your new adventure today, and unlock the endless possibilities that come with the D8 Visa.