6 months on portugal's digital nomad visa
I've been in Lisbon for 6 months on Portugal's D7 visa. It's not the instagram version most people post about but I'll take it
Getting the visa was its own adventure. The whole process took about 4 months. Getting a NIF – your Portuguese tax number – required 3 visits to the finance office because something was always wrong or missing. The SEF appointment for biometrics took 2 months to schedule. You need private health insurance with specific coverage minimums that half the providers don't actually meet. Start the paperwork well before you plan to move
The cost surprised me most. Lisbon is not cheap anymore. My 1-bedroom in Alfama runs about €1,200/month which is close to what I was paying before I moved. Groceries are reasonable – maybe €250/month if you cook – but eating out adds up. Budget at least €2,000-2,500/month for a comfortable life in Lisbon. Anyone telling you €1,200 is enough either hasn't been here recently or lives far outside the center
The community part has been the best and worst of it. Coworking spaces everywhere, remote worker meetups weekly, people from all over. The downside is the nomad scene is incredibly transient. You make friends and they leave in 3 months. Then you make new friends and they leave too. After a while it gets exhausting
Taxes were less painful than expected. I need a Portuguese accountant which costs about €100/month. The NHR regime is gone for new applicants but the standard rates are still manageable especially if you're paid in USD or GBP. Get an accountant before you arrive, not after – I learned this the hard way
Internet is excellent, probably the best I've ever had. Public transit works. Weather is exactly what everyone says it is. Those parts live up to the hype
if you're thinking about Portugal my honest advice is consider Porto over Lisbon. 80% of the lifestyle at 60% of the cost. I wish someone had told me that before I signed a 12 month lease