Portugal’s D8 (often called the “digital nomad” or “remote work” visa) is popular because it can turn a work-from-anywhere plan into a lawful stay. But submitting the visa application is only step one. Your medical cover needs to work for the consulate stage, on arrival, and through your first years of residence — particularly if you’re relocating with a partner or children.
This guide keeps things practical and compliance-safe: what official checklists typically ask for, how access to the public health system (SNS) generally works once you’re legally resident, and how to think about local private plans versus IPMI if you expect to move again. Where requirements can vary by consulate or personal circumstances, we call that out and repeat it in “Points to verify”.
- The visa application usually requires evidence of cover: official checklists typically ask for valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, and repatriation.[1]
- D8 generally has two routes: a temporary stay route and a residency visa route; the residency visa is commonly used to enter Portugal and then apply for a residence permit with AIMA.[3]
- SNS access usually comes later: access to the public system is generally linked to legal residence and local registration steps (such as obtaining a “Número de Utente”).[7]
- Local private plans can be useful for day-to-day care: they may be simpler for routine private appointments in Portugal, but are often not built for frequent cross-border moves.
- IPMI may suit a multi-country lifestyle: if you expect to relocate again (or split time between countries), portability and continuity can matter more than the lowest premium this year.
- Plan in phases: “visa-checklist” cover, then arrival set-up, then year-one stability, then a 3–10 year mobility plan (including tax and renewal considerations).
Requirements can vary by consulate and applicant type. This is a high-level “have you got the basics?” list based on official checklists.[1]
- Valid passport and national visa application form.
- Evidence you work remotely (employment contract/letter, or service contracts if self-employed).
- Evidence of income meeting the minimum threshold stated on the checklist (often described as “four times” the Portuguese monthly minimum wage over recent months).[1]
- Valid travel/medical insurance meeting the required wording (medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, repatriation).[1]
- Evidence of accommodation and a personal statement setting out your plans.
- Criminal record / police clearance (time limits and apostille/legalisation requirements are commonly listed).
What the D8/digital nomad visa is
“D8” is widely used as shorthand for Portugal’s national visa route aimed at people who work remotely (for a foreign employer and/or foreign clients) and want to live in Portugal while continuing that work. In official documentation, it is often described as remote work performed from Portugal (“digital nomads”) and processed through the national visa system.[1]
From a planning perspective, the key point is that official guidance typically sets out two routes: a temporary stay visa and a residency visa. Portugal’s national visa portal explains that temporary stay visas are intended for stays of under a year (with multiple entries), while residency visas are generally valid for a limited period (commonly around four months) and allow two entries — with the expectation that you apply for a residence permit after you enter Portugal.[3]
Often used where you want to stay lawfully for a defined period without immediately moving into the longer residence permit process. Official checklists for the remote-work temporary stay route typically include evidence of remote work, income over recent months, accommodation, and valid travel insurance.[1]
Often used where you plan to live in Portugal longer term and will apply for a residence permit after arrival. Portugal’s national visa portal describes residency visas as time-limited for entry and linked to the residence permit step.[3]
Temporary stay applicants usually need “visa-compliant” cover for the intended stay. Residency visa applicants often need evidence of cover for entry and the initial residence period — and then a longer-term plan if you expect to remain resident.
What D8 typically asks you to demonstrate (in plain English)
Visa officers typically want assurance that you can support yourself without relying on Portuguese public funds, and that you have a clear and lawful basis for your stay. D8 checklists commonly focus on three areas:
- Remote work: contracts/letters showing you can work remotely and who pays you.[1]
- Income: recent evidence of income meeting the minimum threshold stated on the checklist (often described as “four times” the Portuguese monthly minimum wage).[1]
- Medical cover and supporting documents: valid travel/medical insurance plus the usual background documents (ID, police clearance, etc.).[1]
Glossary (quick definitions)
- SNS: Serviço Nacional de Saúde (Portugal’s national health service).
- Número de Utente: an SNS user number used to access public services in Portugal.
- AIMA: Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — the agency that took over key administrative migration functions previously associated with SEF.[10]
- IPMI: international private medical insurance (international medical plans designed for expats and people who move between countries).
- Underwriting: the insurer’s medical risk assessment when you apply for cover (which may result in exclusions, premium loadings, waiting periods, or a decline, depending on the case).
- Waiting period: a period during which certain benefits are not payable (varies by plan and benefit).
Health insurance requirements (official sources)
For most applicants, “health insurance” is not just a planning point — it’s a document that forms part of your visa application. The most reliable approach is to work from the official checklist used by your consulate/VFS office, then choose cover that can sensibly support you after you arrive.
The wording used on official checklists
Official remote-work visa checklists commonly require valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation.[1] You’ll often see very similar wording across the D8 remote-work checklists (for both temporary stay and residency formats).[2]
Why the wording matters: consular staff usually assess your documents against the checklist. If your insurer’s certificate does not clearly reflect the required scope (medical expenses + urgent assistance + repatriation), you may be asked for clarification or updated evidence of cover.
What the consulate typically looks for (and how to approach it)
Requirements can vary by consulate and nationality. However, official checklists provide a dependable baseline for what is usually expected. Based on the remote-work D8 checklists, you should be ready for the consulate to look for:
- A clear insurance certificate (policy schedule or insurer letter) confirming: (a) your name; (b) cover dates that meet (or exceed) your intended travel dates / visa validity period; (c) territorial validity including Portugal; and (d) the required scope (medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, repatriation).[1]
- Consistency across the application: dates on your accommodation evidence, any travel itinerary (if requested), and the insurance period should align and not contradict each other.[1]
- Confirmation the policy is in force: if the insurer issues documents “subject to payment”, make sure you can evidence the premium has been paid and cover is active at submission.
Some official checklists in other jurisdictions explicitly refer to a minimum level of cover (for example, €30,000) and specify that the policy must include repatriation and emergency treatment.[15] The safest approach is not to assume your consulate will apply the same minimums as another jurisdiction: check the requirements in your consulate/VFS guidance and ensure your evidence of cover matches both the wording and any stated limits.
Income evidence and “tax residence certificate” also appear on D8 checklists
Although these are not insurance requirements, they affect timing — which in turn affects when your cover needs to start. D8 checklists typically ask for evidence of average monthly income over the last three months meeting a minimum value described as four times the Portuguese monthly minimum wage (the exact wording can vary).[1]
Many D8 checklists also request a tax residence certificate from your country of origin (or the USA in some versions).[2] Because these certificates can take time to obtain, build realistic lead times into your insurance start date and application timetable.
Why “visa-compliant” insurance can fall short in practice
It’s common to focus on getting the certificate for the visa file and only later realise the policy isn’t well-suited to how you actually live. Typical friction points include:
- Territorial or residency restrictions: some policies only cover emergencies and/or restrict cover once you become resident.
- Term length: short-duration cover can expire before you have a comfortable transition into longer-term healthcare arrangements.
- Dependants: adding a spouse/partner or children later can be more complicated if you start with a short-term product not designed for ongoing family cover.
A practical way to think about it is in two parts: (1) “What does the consulate accept for the visa file?” and (2) “What do I want to rely on for the first 12–24 months in Portugal?” Those answers are not always the same.
Public healthcare access (SNS) and eligibility
Portugal’s public system (SNS) can form an important part of your long-term healthcare approach — but it is usually not what you rely on to meet the visa insurance requirement. For most relocations, SNS access becomes relevant once you are legally resident and have completed local registration steps.
Eligibility in principle: legal residence matters
Official government guidance states that foreign citizens with legal residence in Portugal can obtain an SNS user number (“Número de Utente”), which supports access to care through the system.[7] Migrant guidance pages repeat the same principle: legal residence enables you to obtain the user number and access assistance through SNS.[8]
What you typically need to register (Número de Utente)
The government service page for requesting an SNS user number lists information and documents commonly required, including an identification document, a Portuguese tax number (NIF), a full address in Portugal, and a residence authorisation with valid status (as applicable).[6]
- Identification document.
- Portuguese NIF (tax number).
- Proof of address in Portugal (local requirements can vary).
- Valid residence authorisation / evidence of legal residence status (as applicable).[6]
Local health centre processes can vary by municipality. If you are in a transition period (for example, waiting for an appointment or documentation), ask what interim evidence they will accept.
Important: “access” is not the same as “quick access”
In practice, public systems can be under pressure. The key planning point is that even if you are eligible for SNS, you may still want private medical cover for speed, language support, and wider provider choice — particularly in your first year while you’re getting established.
Foreign citizen access can be nuanced
The Portuguese health regulator (ERS) provides FAQs on foreign citizen access to SNS and related administrative processes such as registration and user identification.[9] If your circumstances are more complex (for example, a change of status or registering dependants), it’s worth checking the official FAQs and confirming requirements with your local health centre.
Bottom line: treat SNS as a post-arrival system you register for, rather than your “visa insurance” solution. Private cover typically bridges the gap.
Private and local plan options
Once you’re in Portugal, private healthcare is widely used — either self-funded, via a Portugal-based private medical plan, or through an international plan (IPMI). The right option depends on how long you expect to stay, how stable your address and tax profile will be, and how frequently you expect to travel or relocate.
The three common “buckets” (Portugal context)
Often used to meet the visa requirement because it can match the checklist wording (medical expenses + urgent assistance + repatriation).[1] The key limitation is that many travel policies are not designed as long-term cover for residents.
Typically designed for care within Portugal, often with provider networks and local billing arrangements. These can work well for families who want straightforward access to private clinicians locally.
Usually designed for expats and people living across borders. This can be particularly relevant if you want continuity across relocations or expect to leave Portugal within a few years.
Comparison table: public healthcare vs local private plans vs IPMI
| Feature | Public healthcare (SNS) | Local private plan (Portugal) | IPMI (international) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Public healthcare access for eligible residents (a long-term national system). | Private healthcare access within Portugal (often network-based). | Cross-border medical cover designed for expats and mobile lifestyles. |
| Eligibility | Generally linked to legal residence and registration (Número de Utente).[7] | Depends on insurer rules; may require local administrative details and acceptance by underwriting (varies). | Depends on insurer rules and underwriting; often available to expats in many countries. |
| Portability | Not portable as an insurance policy; it is a national public system. | Usually limited outside Portugal (some plans may include restricted travel benefits; check policy terms). | Typically designed to be portable internationally (subject to area of cover and policy conditions). |
| Visa application suitability | Usually not used to meet the D8 insurance requirement at application stage. | May be accepted if it can provide compliant evidence of cover and is active at submission (consulate-specific). | Often acceptable if the insurer issues a compliant certificate and the policy meets the checklist scope. |
| Underwriting | Not applicable in the insurance sense. | May include medical questions, exclusions, and/or waiting periods depending on the product and applicant. | Usually medically underwritten; terms can vary by medical history, age, benefits selected, and insurer. |
| Claims & payment | Public charging rules and access pathways; availability can vary locally. | Often uses network billing within Portugal; out-of-network rules vary by plan. | May offer direct settlement with hospitals and/or reimbursement, depending on insurer and provider network. |
| Timeline fit (arrival → year 1) | Often becomes relevant once you complete post-arrival registration steps.[6] | Can support routine private care once in force; set-up time varies. | Can be in force from inception and provide continuity through early residence stages and future moves. |
How to decide (without making it complicated)
Start with your expected “mobility pattern”: are you building a base in Portugal for several years, or are you likely to relocate again within 12–36 months? Then decide what you want to prioritise: continuity, predictable costs, breadth of cover, or administrative simplicity.
- If you expect to move again: portability and guaranteed renewability (subject to policy terms) are often central.
- If you expect to settle: a blend of SNS plus a Portugal-based private plan can work well for many families, depending on access and preferences.
- If you have more complex medical needs: review underwriting, provider access, and how pre-existing conditions are treated before you relocate.
IPMI for digital nomads
IPMI (international private medical insurance) is designed for people living outside their home country who want medical cover that can move with them. It is not automatically “better” than a local plan — it is simply built around different assumptions: cross-border living, changing addresses, and continuity.
When IPMI often fits (Portugal digital nomad scenarios)
- You need portability: you may spend year one or two in Portugal and then relocate (or split time across countries).
- You want continuity for dependants: particularly if you anticipate school moves or multi-year travel.
- You want one claims/admin process: rather than arranging new cover each time you move country.
Key points to check before you apply
IPMI is typically medically underwritten. In practice, what is covered depends on the policy terms and the underwriting outcome. A sensible review usually focuses on:
- Area of cover: Portugal-only versus regional/worldwide, and whether that matches your travel and work patterns.
- Outpatient vs inpatient: families often value routine GP/paediatric care and outpatient diagnostics, not just hospital cover.
- Pre-existing conditions: how existing conditions are handled (and whether any moratorium-style approach is available).
- Maternity: if relevant, check waiting periods and benefit terms early — don’t assume.
What to ask your broker/insurer (visa evidence + real-life fit)
- Evidence of cover wording: Can you issue a certificate that explicitly confirms cover for necessary medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, and repatriation — and confirms territorial validity including Portugal?[1]
- Cover dates: Can the certificate show the full period required for my intended stay / visa route?
- Residency change: Does cover remain valid once I become resident in Portugal (or does it change/cease under the policy terms)?
- Portability: If I leave Portugal next year, can I keep the policy in force without reapplying (subject to terms and area of cover)?
- Dependants: Can my spouse/partner and children be included now, and what documents are needed for their visa application?
- Claims in Portugal: Do you have a provider network and/or direct settlement in Portugal, and how does pre-authorisation work?
- Renewal terms: How are renewals handled, and are there any age-banding or benefit-change points I should plan for?
We do not recommend specific insurers in relocation guides. The right policy is case-specific and depends on your medical history, budget, and whether you expect to remain in Portugal or move again.
3–10 year planning (mobility and taxes)
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to separate “month one compliance” from “year three reality”. Your visa application needs to be correct now, but longer-term risks often relate to renewals, changes in income, adding children, moving countries, or becoming tax resident.
A phased timeline (before you apply → arrival → first 90 days → year 1+)
- Confirm which D8 route you are applying for (temporary stay versus residency visa) and use the correct checklist.[3]
- Align insurance inception/expiry dates with your travel plan and the consulate’s wording requirements.[1]
- Prepare clear income evidence for the required period (checklists commonly refer to the last three months and a minimum threshold).[1]
- Start documents with longer lead times early (police certificates, apostilles/legalisation, tax residence certificates).[2]
- Secure a stable address and keep evidence of address accessible (many systems depend on it).
- Start your local admin set-up: NIF, plus the steps needed for SNS registration.
- If your route involves a residence permit, track the post-arrival process and appointments (AIMA handles key administrative migration functions).[11]
- Apply for an SNS user number (“Número de Utente”) if eligible; government guidance lists typical requirements such as ID, NIF, and a Portuguese address.[6]
- Decide whether you want a Portugal-based private plan for day-to-day care alongside (or instead of) international cover.
- Ensure your family’s cover is coherent (dependants, maternity planning, chronic conditions, and any waiting periods).
- Re-check that your cover still aligns with your residency status and travel footprint.
- Plan for future moves: changing country often changes what “good cover” looks like.
- Review tax residency triggers and reporting obligations before you cross thresholds or change your tax address.
Tax residency: keep it high-level, plan early
Tax is outside the scope of an insurance guide, but it matters because it can affect residency planning, documentation, and long-term costs. Portuguese government guidance notes that one criterion for requesting a tax address in Portuguese territory is remaining more than 183 days (consecutive or not) in a 12-month period beginning or ending in the relevant year.[12]
The Portuguese tax authority also explains in its FAQs that, if you are resident for tax purposes in Portugal, you may be required to declare income obtained in Portugal and abroad (depending on the rules, treaties, and your circumstances).[13] This is where you should speak to a qualified tax adviser — ideally before your first full tax year in Portugal.
Some forms and checklists still refer to “SEF” because that was the historic immigration service. The Portuguese government confirms that AIMA was created following the abolition of SEF and took over administrative migration functions from late 2023.[10] In practice, mixed terminology is common while systems and documents are updated.
If you want a framework for longer-term thinking, see our relocation strategy guides for similar “public vs private vs IPMI” planning: US Citizens Moving to Spain (3–10 Year Strategy) and US Citizens Moving to Italy (3–10 Year Strategy).
Checklist: visa documents & arrival
This section is designed to be practical: what to compile for the visa application, and what to prioritise in your first weeks after arrival. Always follow your specific consulate/VFS checklist and instructions, as they may request additional documents.[1]
Visa document checklist (D8 remote work)
- National visa application (completed and signed) plus passport photos.[1]
- Passport valid beyond the intended period of stay (check the checklist for the exact requirement).[1]
- Proof of lawful stay if applying from a country where you are not a citizen (consulate-specific).[1]
- Proof of address within the consular jurisdiction, where required (often used to confirm jurisdiction).[1]
- Valid travel/medical insurance covering necessary medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, and repatriation.[1]
- Police clearance / criminal record certificate within the stated timeframe, with apostille/legalisation as required.[1]
- Personal statement setting out why you are moving to Portugal and where you plan to live (often explicitly requested).[1]
- Accommodation evidence (lease, invitation/term of responsibility, etc., depending on the checklist).[1]
- Evidence of remote work: employment contract and/or employer declaration, or service contracts and evidence of services if self-employed.[1]
- Income evidence for the last three months meeting the minimum threshold (often stated as “four times” the Portuguese monthly minimum wage).[1]
- Tax residence certificate from your country (often listed on the checklist).[2]
Some checklists note that failing to provide all documents may result in refusal, and that the consular post may request further documents.[5]
Arrival checklist (first weeks)
- Keep your cover in force: avoid any gap in cover during the settling-in period, when you are most likely to need everyday medical support.
- Secure a stable address: many administrative processes depend on it (including SNS registration requirements around address details).[6]
- Start SNS set-up (if eligible): confirm what your local health centre requires for the Número de Utente. Government guidance highlights ID, NIF, and a Portuguese address as typical requirements.[6]
- Track residence steps (if applicable): if you entered on a residency visa route, keep on top of appointments and document requests (AIMA is responsible for key administrative migration functions).[11]
- Choose your year-one healthcare set-up: SNS-only, SNS plus a local private plan, or IPMI as your primary cover.
Broker-ready “evidence of cover” wording (template)
If your insurer can provide a letter/certificate, it often helps to mirror the checklist language. You can use the wording below as a starting point (your insurer may use its own standard format):
Subject: Insurance certificate for Portugal D8 (remote work) visa application Hello, Please issue an insurance certificate for my Portugal national visa application confirming: • Policyholder(s): [Full name(s)] • Policy number: [Number] • Cover dates: [Start date] to [End date] • Territorial validity: includes Portugal • Scope of cover: valid travel/medical insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation. If possible, please include the above scope wording verbatim to match the consular checklist requirements. Thank you, [Name]
Keep a PDF copy of the certificate and policy schedule. Consulates may request a re-issued certificate if dates change.
Get Started
If you’re planning a move to Portugal under the D8 route, we can help you choose an approach that is both visa-compliant and practical for your first 12–24 months — and then adapt it as your residency and mobility plans develop. Start with our Individuals & Families page, or request a comparison via Get a Quote.
For quick answers on how we work and what we can (and can’t) advise on, please see our FAQ.
Points to verify
- Which D8 route you are applying for: temporary stay versus residency visa, and the exact checklist your consulate uses.[3]
- Insurance wording acceptance: whether the consulate requires specific phrasing on the certificate (medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, repatriation).[1]
- Minimum sum insured (if any): whether your consulate specifies a €30,000 (or other) minimum; some other jurisdictions do.[15]
- Required cover period: whether cover must run for the full intended stay, a minimum number of months, or a full year (varies by route/consulate).
- Accepted evidence format: certificate versus full policy wording, and any language requirements (English vs Portuguese vs certified translations).
- SNS eligibility and local registration: what your local health centre requires for the Número de Utente, especially if your residence authorisation is still in progress.[6]
- AIMA process updates: which office is handling your residence steps, how appointments are scheduled, and whether any procedural changes affect timescales.[11]
- Tax residency triggers: how the 183-day criterion and tax address rules apply to your pattern of stay, and whether your circumstances trigger additional reporting obligations.[12]
Resources / Sources
- [1] VFS Global (Portugal, USA) — “Temporary Stay Visa for Remote Work – Digital Nomads” checklist (PDF). https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/usa/english/pdf/temporary-stay-visa-for-remote-work-digital-nomads.pdf
- [2] VFS Global (Portugal, USA) — “Residency Visa for Remote Work – Digital Nomads” checklist (PDF). https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/usa/english/pdf/residency-visa-for-remote-work-digital-nomads-nov-25-national.pdf
- [3] Portuguese MFA visa portal — “Type of Visa” (temporary stay vs residency visa overview). https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/general-information/type-of-visa
- [4] Portuguese MFA visa portal — “Temporary Stay: Necessary Documentation” (includes travel insurance wording; remote work/digital nomads referenced). https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/necessary-documentation/temporary-stay
- [5] VFS Global (Portugal, USA) — “Digital Nomad Checklist” (temporary stay visa done remotely) (PDF). https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/usa/english/pdf/Digital-Nomad-Checklist.pdf
- [6] Gov.pt — “Pedir o número de utente do SNS” (request SNS user number). https://www.gov.pt/servicos/pedir-o-numero-de-utente-do-sns
- [7] Gov.pt — “Número de utente do Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS)” (foreign citizens with legal residence can obtain a user number). https://www2.gov.pt/-/seccaonumerodeutentedoserviconacionaldesaudesns
- [8] Gov.pt — “Migrantes: cuidados de saúde em Portugal” (migrant healthcare overview; SNS user number access principle). https://www2.gov.pt/migrantes-viver-e-trabalhar-em-portugal/migrantes-cuidados-de-saude-em-portugal
- [9] ERS (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde) — FAQ: access of foreign citizens to SNS. https://www.ers.pt/pt/utentes/perguntas-frequentes/faq/acesso-de-cidadaos-estrangeiros-a-prestacao-de-cuidados-de-saude-no-servico-nacional-de-saude/
- [10] Portugal.gov.pt — “Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) starts functions” (created with abolition of SEF). https://www2.gov.pt/en/noticias/agencia-para-a-integracao-migracoes-e-asilo-aima-inicia-funcoes
- [11] Portugal.gov.pt — “Migration and Asylum: FAQs” (AIMA roles and responsibilities). https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc23/communication/news-item?i=migration-and-asylum-faqs
- [12] Gov.pt — “Personal income tax (IRS) in Portugal” (183-day criterion and tax address guidance). https://www2.gov.pt/en/cidadaos-europeus-viajar-viver-e-fazer-negocios-em-portugal/trabalho-e-reforma-em-portugal/imposto-sobre-o-rendimento-das-pessoas-singulares-irs-em-portugal
- [13] Portal das Finanças (Tax Authority) — FAQ: foreign income and resident reporting obligations (IRS). https://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/apoio_contribuinte/questoes_frequentes/Pages/faqs-00653.aspx
- [15] VFS Global (Portugal, India) — checklist example referencing minimum travel insurance coverage (e.g., €30,000) and repatriation/emergency cover (jurisdiction-specific). https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/portugal/india/english/pdf/dr-goa-checklist-sep-25.pdf
