7 Best Places to Live in Portugal for Digital Nomads

1. Lisbon

If you can afford the higher cost of living, you'll be rewarded with a high quality of life and plenty of things to do while living in Lisbon.

Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, is a magnet for digital nomads and expats from around the world. Known for its thriving startup scene, this city offers a wealth of opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Plus, the city is teeming with co-working and co-living spaces, fostering an environment that makes it easy to connect with like-minded individuals. 

While the cost of living may be slightly higher compared to other Portuguese cities, the dynamic lifestyle Portugal's capital city offers justifies every penny. You can feed your wanderlust by exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Belem Tower and the nearby Sintra Castle, as well as admiring the soulful tunes of Fado shows in the historic Alfama district.

And if you're in search of the perfect spots to work remotely, the city doesn't disappoint. With a myriad of fantastic co-working spaces and cafés to choose from, you can work amidst inspiring surroundings that fuel creativity and productivity. Lisbon combines the best of both worlds, culminating in a fulfilling nomadic lifestyle.

Best Coworking Spaces in Lisbon

Remote workers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to coworking spaces in Lisbon. To narrow it down for you, 2 of my favorites are:

• Liberdade229: One of Lisbon’s original co-working spaces, this spot is built for long-term community members and has a central location.
• Village Underground: This unique space near LX Factory is made from repurposed objects like shipping containers and even a double-decker bus!

Best Place to Stay in Lisbon for Digital Nomads

Unless you apply for one of the long-term visas I highlight below, you won't be able to sign a long-term lease. That means, your best option will be a place suited for remote workers like us. Outsite Lisbon is my top pick. Situated in a gorgeous historic building, this co-living and co-working space is one of the best hotels in Lisbon for solo travelers and digital nomads, and has tons of events that make it easy to meet others.

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2. Madeira

If you're looking for a community atmosphere and the ability to meet a lot of other remote workers, Madeira will be the best place to live in Portugal for you.

Tucked away amidst the glistening waters of the Atlantic, the Portuguese island of Madeira is the best place in Portugal for digital nomads thanks to a program that aims to attract diverse talent and stimulate the local community.

The Digital Nomads Madeira Program, a collaborative endeavor by the Madeira government and Startup Madeira, offers up to 100 digital nomads complimentary workspace, internet connectivity, and inclusion into a Slack community. There are also plenty of engaging activities and events, promoting interaction and networking amongst participants and locals.

Known as Europe's first digital nomad village, the hub is located in the sunniest part of the island, Ponta do Sol. This thriving community brings together like-minded individuals who share a similar lifestyle, facilitating an environment of collaboration and creativity. Ponta do Sol is visited by tourists, but not typically a place where they stay, so it's free from crowds most of the year. 

There's also a growing network of co-working spaces, particularly around Funchal, that offer a professional setting to work efficiently. These spaces are designed to inspire and fuel creativity, making them ideal for digital nomads.

Madeira is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts with tons to do from hiking the picturesque Levada trails to chasing breathtaking waterfalls as well as fog-shrouded otherworldly land of Madeira’s Fanal Forest.

Best Coworking Spaces in Madeira

If you join the program, your workspace will be covered but if you don't, look into:

• Cowork Funchal: Spot with 24/7 access in Madeira’s small capital city.
• Co-Working Space @ Ponta do Sol: A free coworking space in the John do Passos Cultural Centre.

Best Place to Stay in Madeira for Digital Nomads

I highly recommend staying in Ponta do Sol at Banana House. This cozy co-living space will introduce you to local traditions and food to make you feel at home. 

3. Porto

To soak up Portuguese culture while still being able to take advantage of being able to work from anywhere, living in Porto, is a fantastic option.

Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is slightly smaller and more cost-effective than Lisbon. This Northern Portugal hot spot offers the hustle and bustle of city life yet is affordable, making it a perfectly balanced option for digital nomads. 

Porto is renowned for its world-famous port wine houses located in the historic Vila Nova de Gaia. For even more food and wine adventures, a trip out to the scenic Douro Valley is a must, with its terraced vineyards and scenic boat rides up and down the river. 

However, there’s more to Porto than sightseeing and wine-tasting. The city has plenty of co-working cafes offering high-speed internet and a comfortable working environment. These spaces serve as networking hubs, where you can meet and collaborate with other digital nomads. 

Additionally, the city boasts an array of outstanding hostels that are not only cost-effective but also offer a great chance to meet travelers from around the world. Porto, with its affordable living, rich history, and robust digital nomad community, truly offers a balanced lifestyle for those choosing to work and travel simultaneously.

Best Coworking Spaces in Porto

Get some work done in the historic old town of Porto at:

• Typographia Cowork: A coworking spot in a restored house in downtown Porto that offers incredible views of the Porto cathedral, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
• Mesa 325: This cozy specialty coffee shop run by a local couple is one of the best places to get some work done if you’re looking for a free spot to work.

Best Place to Stay in Porto for Digital Nomads

Book your stay somewhere that you'll meet other remote workers. Personally, I loved my stay at Selina Porto. With an inner courtyard, bar and restaurant, colorful coworking space, and affordable rooms, you can’t go wrong with Selina Porto.

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4. The Algarve

Combine low cost of living with beautiful beaches and that's just what you can get when you try living in the Algarve region.

The Algarve region is another of the best places to live in Portugal for digital nomads with its near-perfect weather, abundant outdoor activities, and excellent digital nomad community. The region in Southern Portugal, with cities like Lagos, Portimāo, and Faro, is home to an immense population of remote workers, creating an environment for networking and collaboration, crucial for the nomadic lifestyle.

Its climate is a significant draw, boasting nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, perfect for sunshine-loving digital nomads who want to enjoy warm weather after a day of hard work. The sunny weather also makes this one of the best places to learn to surf!

Adding to the allure are the breathtaking beaches, making the Algarve region one of the most picturesque work locations in Europe.

Beyond its incredible natural beauty, the Algarve Coast is also highly affordable, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads on a budget. Despite its popularity, the cost of living is considerably lower than other beach locations in Europe, allowing digital nomads to enjoy a high standard of living without burning a hole in their pocket.

However, it's worth noting that the Algarve does tend to get crowded during the summer. But for those who relish a bustling environment, this could add to the area's charm!

Best Coworking Spaces in Algarve

Take some time away from the beach at one of these 2 great coworking spaces:

• Alandra Square: At just $8 per day, this spot in Faro is a reliable option for digital nomads in Algarve.
• Lagos Coworkers: This beautiful space in Lagos is perfect for a day of working with a perfect view. 

Best Place to Stay in Algarve for Digital Nomads

With plenty of surfing and yoga, Bura Surfhouse in Lagos is great for backpackers and digital nomads who want to lounge by an outdoor pool and participate in family dinners with locally sourced ingredients.

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5. Cascais

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Living in Cascais is ideal for digital nomads that want a strong sense of community and be surrounded by other foreigners. Just know the popularity brought with it a raise in prices.

Cascais is a great choice for those that want to be near Lisbon without the chaos that a capital city can bring. In recent years, Cascais has become a hub for expats and digital nomads alike looking for the best places to live in Portugal.

Because of the town's popularity, it's far from being the most affordable choice but will give you a big international community, a great beach right in town, and easy access to the more rugged Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

In order to really enjoy living in Cascais, I recommend having a stable online job or a high earning freelance gig. Things like rent and basic necessities are more expensive than you'll see in other parts of Portugal so it's best to come prepared.

Best Coworking Spaces in Cascais

Need a place to work? Coworking spaces in Cascais don't disappoint. Check out:

• Lobo Cowork - Estoril: Work best in a beautiful environment? This coworking space is just 5 minutes from the beach and train station, too.
• The Living Room Co-working: The Living Room offers a cozy, home-like atmosphere and is ideal for those who thrive in a comfortable, relaxed setting. 
• Cowork Cascais: This space feels like home and offers tons of amenities like a pool, open kitchen, garden, and even a padel court, which makes it the perfect place to not only get some work done but also meet others living in Cascais.

Best Place to Stay in Cascais for Digital Nomads

Outsite also has a coworking and coliving space in nearby Guincho. The house itself is incredibly cozy, has a pool, and ocean views. It's near a local surf spot too so if you're a surfer, what better way to start your day at work than with a quick ride?

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6. Caldas da Rainha

Living in Caldas da Rainha is ideal for those that prefer a smaller town buzzing with creatives.

Prefer an artistic town that's thriving with creativity? Head to Portugal's Silver Coast and check out Caldas da Rainha. This town is known as one of Portugal's artists hubs and is bursting with craftsmen and artists. If you're a creative person too, you'll likely get a lot of inspiration living here.

Compared to larger cities in Portugal, Caldas da Rainha offers a low cost of living. You can shop daily at the local farmers market and live comfortably in the city center for less than €1000/month.

Just know that since Caldas da Rainha is such a small town, there's virtually no nightlife. While there are a handful of cool places to visit and things to do during the day, once the sunsets the party starts to wind down. For some, that's a huge perk and for others, that's likely a con.

Best Coworking Spaces in Caldas da Rainha

• Prontos. Cowork: This coworking space is located right in the city center so you'll be hard pressed to find a better location. It offers everything you'll need for a productive work day.
• Pipe Dream Coworking: This one is located farther south on the Silver Coast but also offers a coliving space so you can get all in one go.

Best Place to Stay in Caldas da Rainha for Digital Nomads

Caldas da Rainha doesn't offer any coliving spaces (except for the one nearby listed above). Instead, you'll need to book a hotel or rent an apartment. For short-term stays, I recommend:

• Nova Delpa AL: Located just one minute from the fruit market, this simple hotel covers the basics at an affordable price.
• 19 Tile Ceramic Concept: Enjoy a slightly more upscale stay at this quirky boutique hotel located right nearby the other.
• Artist’s Corner: Get more space at this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom. While farther from the market, you'll be close to the train station.

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7. Setúbal

Looking for a more affordable place to live while still being on the beach? Living in Setúbal checks a lot of boxes for digital nomads that are looking for a tranquil way of life.

Another great place to live in Portugal is Setúbal. This small city is in southwest Portugal, about 45 kilometers south of Lisbon. If you dream of living on the beach without going broke, Setúbal is a great place to consider.

Setúbal used to be relatively off-the-beaten-path among expats and digital nomads but has grown in popularity as more and more people are choosing to move or at least visit Portugal.

The city center of Setúbal is super walkable so unless you plan on exploring a lot while here, you won't need a car. You should be able to get by on foot and by utilizing the public transportation (buses and trains).

For ease of access, Baixa, the city center, is the best place to live in Setúbal. For daily views of nature, you might prefer Viso and if you're moving here with a family and crave more space, check out Liceu.

Best Coworking Spaces in Setúbal

Unfortunately, as of publication, there are no coworking spaces in Setúbal. You'll need to either bounce around cafes or book a place to live that's also comfortable to work from.

Best Place to Stay in Setúbal for Digital Nomads

There also aren't any coliving spaces here, making it best for the digital nomad that prefers their alone time. Instead, you'll need to book a hotel or apartment rental while you're here:

• Setúbal CityCenter Studios: Set right in the city center, this studio apartment is clean, bright, and has everything you’d need for a short stay.
• Baixa-Mar Setúbal Miradouro: Enjoy a lot more space at this 1-bedroom apartment with a full living room and dining area. 
• Preia-Mar Duplex Setúbal Miradouro: Set in the same building as the mid-tier option, this apartment gives you 2 full bedrooms.

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Best Portugal Visas for Remote Workers

Before the D8 visa was announced, digital nomads used the D7 visa to live in Portugal, even though this visa wasn't created for them necessarily (it was more for retirees and those making passive income). Now that the D8 visa is an option, you might still be able to apply for the D7 but most likely the D8 will be a better fit for you.

As of 2023, these are the requirements for each visa for you to decide which one best suits your financial and work situation. You're able to apply for either of these visas on your own by reaching out directly to the embassy or consulate closest to your address of residency. There are also plenty of companies/lawyers that offer this service for you if you're willing to pay to leave the paperwork up to someone else.

D7 Visa Requirements

Like I mentioned, the D7 visa was created for retirees or those who earn a steady passive income in mind. Since the requirements weren't too strict about where that "passive" income came from, remote workers were able to slip in and apply for this, so long as they could approve a steady monthly income.

In general, these are the requirements to apply for Portugal's D7 visa:

• Proof of a minimum monthly income of €800 (can usually just show the past 3 months)
• Proof €7000-8000 in a Portuguese bank account
• A background check
• Portuguese Tax ID Number
• 1-year (typically) signed lease for housing in Portugal

D8 Visa Requirements

The biggest difference you'll quickly see is that Portugal requires remote workers to make a lot more than just ~€800 like they expect for the D7 visa. The other big difference is that the D7 visa allows for continual visa renewals, so long as you continue to meet the requirements, whereas the D8 caps your stay at a max of 5 years. Keep in mind though that in Portugal, it's possible to apply for citizenship just after 5 years.

For the D8, there is a short-stay option and a long-stay option. The main difference is that with the short-stay visa, you can only stay in the country for 1 year but with the long-stay you can stay up to 5 years (if you're able to renew the visa after 2 years).

In general, there are the requirements to apply for Portugal's D8 visa:

• Proof of fully remote income
• Proof of a minimum monthly income of €3,000 (can usually just show the past 3 months)
• Proof €7000-8000 in a Portuguese bank account
• A background check
• Portuguese Tax ID Number
• 1-year accommodation (for long-stay), 4-month accommodation (for short-stay)
• Travel insurance (we recommend SafetyWing)

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Tips for Digital Nomads Living in Portugal

Whether you choose just one of these vibrant places to live or decide to try them all out for a few weeks (the real perk of remote work!), there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind while working and living in Portugal:

• Wifi across Portugal is pretty reliable. The only places I would worry about are Madeira and Azores, but if you sign-up for a co-working space you shouldn't have any troubles.
• You'll get the best rate by booking a stay for at least 1 month.
• Use the Croissant App to save on co-working fees if you're traveling to a few different places.
• You'll find that most digital nomads prefer to work from the more modern coffee shops, instead of at the older local haunts.
• Do your best to learn a few local phrases in Portuguese. Mondly is a great app for phrases and vocabulary.

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Where Will You Live in Portugal?

There's a reason so many expats and digital nomads have been flocking to Portugal and you might want to consider doing the same. With the ease of a digital nomad visa giving you the ability to legally work and stay in the country, along with fantastic places to live, a rich history, stunning architecture, and a high quality of life, Portugal has a lot to offer. The only question left to answer is which of these places to live will you choose?