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Portugal has been one of Europe’s most traditional sunny getaways reinvent themselves later as a long-term destination, attracting not only holidaymakers, but also a growing number of digital nomads looking to move to Southern Europe.
More than 200 Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) have been issued this year alone within a few monthsnot to mention the granting of tourist visas, which most remote workers from America use to temporarily stay in Portugal for up to three months, without the need for additional documentation.
If the Portuguese-speaking country has also been on your radar lately and you’re not sure what to expect when moving there, here are four incredible destinations to consider:
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The unofficial capital of Northern Portugal, as well as the country’s second largest city, O Porto, literally translated from Portuguese as ‘The Port’, is an important seaport located along the banks of the Douro River, an estuary that leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a cultural destination, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe, having been inhabited as early as the 2nd century BC and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its Baroque monuments, medieval monuments and centuries-old winemaking tradition.
Porto is a ‘workcation’ destination a high concentration of internet cafes and coworking centers, which make the digital nomads’ experience much more seamless, as well as a Gamma+ rating, awarded by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
This means that it is large and self-sufficient enough to be considered a major commercial hub with better than average urban infrastructure.
This makes the 1.7 million people strong Portuguese Metropolitan Area is one of the most attractive cities in Europe to live and do business in.
Cascais
The lesser-known beachside city is part of the Lisbon district, which includes both the Portuguese capital and a number of smaller settlements. Cascais has proved an important point of attention for digital nomads traveling through Portugal.
Firstly, it’s much smaller than Lisbon itself, with just over 200,000 inhabitants, and because it’s on the coast, as opposed to the banks of a busy estuary, life in Cascais feels a lot more relaxed and slower-paced than in the first city of Portugal.
Offering more accessible access to the Atlantic coast, sandy beaches and hidden coves, and is characterized by a historic center full of tiled facades and traditional Iberian houses, there are few places in Portuguese as charming and picturesque for working remotely as Cascais.
Moreover, it is becoming increasingly attractive now that ‘nomad fatigue’ is taking over Lisbon. In the past months, Lisbon have openly criticized the growing presence of remote workers and gentrified communities in the capital Expresso article in which they openly say so to leave.
In Cascais, however, the local attitude towards nomads seems to be the same a lot of friendlier.
Lagos
One of the main urban centers of the beautiful Algarve region of southern Portugal, Lagos has approximately 30,000 inhabitants within its municipal boundaries, making it the smallest city on this list but certainly not in the least prepared for a wave of expats.
With reasonable prices – especially out of season – a less chaotic city life and a hospitality sector able to accommodate remote workers, either through discounted accommodation rates for longer stays or through reduced prices for communal workplaces, Lagos is a seriously underestimated one nomad hotspot.
According to NomadsListIf you settle in subtropical Lagos, it will cost you $2,527 monthly, which falls within the estimated $2,000 – $3,000 budget of the average young digital nomad living in Southern Europe.
As far as tourist offerings are concerned, Lagos is best known for its vibrant nightlifetraditional Iberian architecture, food culture – due to its limited urbanization, and it is one of the best destinations for tasting authentic Portuguese cuisine – and golden sandy beaches.
Fortunately for American nomads, they can now fly non-stop to the Algarve, as flights between the United States and the region will soon start For the first time.
Madeira
The only destination not on the Portuguese mainland, the autonomous archipelago of Madeira, is located off the coast of Northwest Africa, but it is still part of Portugaland therefore just as safe, developed and well equipped as any other item on this list.
On the main island lies Funchal, a compact, beautiful capital known for its cobbled historic district, which dates back to the early 16th century, and a rapidly developing marina, bordered by luxury hotels and resort spas on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side. and an abundance of green spaces.
Funchal is your best choice a comfortable ‘nomadic life’ in Madeira because it has the best infrastructure, the highest concentration of work-friendly places and more affordable accommodation options compared to smaller towns on the main island or the smaller, more isolated island of Porto Santo.
Madeira too a winter sun destinationconnected all year round to mainland Portugal, but also to wider Europe via non-stop flights, although the frequency is particularly accentuated in the colder months, and they even organize direct flights from the United States, making it incredibly easy to reach .
You can stay in Portugal visa-free for 3 months
As mentioned in the introduction, in order to work permanently from Portugal as a digital nomad, you must apply for the relevant visa and meet all the criteria set out by the Portuguese authorities.
Alternatively, you can enter Portugal as a US citizen maximum 90 days out of a 180 day period as a visitor, visa-freeprovided that the purpose of your visit is not to perform paid work for a company based in Portugal or, of course, to be in the country illegally.
This means that you enter Portugal as a tourist for a short period, and that you must leave Portugal – and the Schengen areas as a whole – once the 90 days are up, for at least another 90 days.
Learn more about Schengen and why it is important that you know the European visiting rules here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
