Portuguese Minister Says Digital Nomads Are Fundamental for the Country
According to a report of the Portugal News, at present, 650,000 immigrants are working in Portugal, or six times more compared to 2015 figures, AtoZSerwisPlus.ro reports.
The Minister emphasized that in Social Security contributions alone, foreigners already account for ten per cent of the country’s working force and also account for €1.8 billion.
Joana Gloria from the Lagos Digital Nomad project has said that the community at present has 6,500 members and is active for a period between mid-September and mid-May, with the Netherlands and Germany being the main countries of origin for the digital nomads seeking Lagos.
“When the tourist season starts, the prices of accommodation are very high; they can’t afford it, and they go to other cheaper destinations and then return,” she told Lusa, considering the digital nomad as the new tourist, adding that their is also more and more Portuguese opting for this kind of lifestyle.
Foreigners’ interest in Portugal’s Digital Nomad visa has marked a significant increase in the past few months.
According to a previous report provided by Portugal Resident, a total of 200 digital nomad visas were issued by authorities in Portugal in just two and a half months.
In addition, the same revealed that citizens from the following countries benefited the most from this program: the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil.
The report noted that internationals interested in remote work like the year are eligible to spend in Portugal and are also permitted to apply for a five-year residency, and soon after, they can receive permanent residency that can be renewed every ten years.
To benefit from Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa, foreigners are obliged to have a monthly salary of more than €3,040.
It was also clarified that for those who work for a company, the rules continue to remain the same. Still, “they may present as proof a work contract, the promise of a contract or a statement from their employers proving the employment relationship”.
People’s interest in remote work has marked a notable increase since the spread of the Coronavirus and its new variants.
In addition to Portugal, several other European countries, such as Latvia, Croatia, Italy, and Spain, are famous for their digital nomad visa schemes.
