Want to test-drive Portuguese life before making a bigger commitment? An extended workation in Portugal offers the perfect opportunity to experience living in the country while maintaining your income. Let’s explore what you need to know about planning an extended stay.
How long can you stay in Portugal without a visa?
For non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, the Schengen 90/180 rule sets clear boundaries on your stay. You can spend up to 90 days within any 180-day period in Portugal or other Schengen countries combined.
Once you’ve used your 90 days, you’ll need to leave for another 90 days before returning. This can influence how you plan your workation and whether you might need to consider other visa options for a longer stay.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens enjoy more flexibility but should still be mindful of registration requirements.
After 90 continuous days, you should register at your local Câmara Municipal (town hall). You’ll need to bring your valid ID or passport, proof of address, documentation showing employment or financial means, your Portuguese tax number (NIF), and, in some cases, proof of health insurance coverage. While this requirement isn’t strictly monitored in practice, it’s important to be aware of the rules.
Alternatively, Portugalist highlights that there is a one-year stay option on Portugal’s digital nomad visa. While this does give you the opportunity to spend more time in Portugal, and it is potentially renewable, you do have to apply for the visa in advance – which takes time, requires paperwork and at least an address for four months in Portugal. You may also need a NIF and Portuguese bank account, depending on the consulate you apply through.
You’ll also need to prove your income is at least €3,480 per month for an individual (as of 2025). Family reunification is also not an option on that section of the visa. If you’re considering a workation with family members (such as a spouse or children) you’ll either need separate one-year nomad visas or to visit for a few months and then return to your country of residence and apply for the two-year residence permit.
Extending your stay in Portugal
While it’s possible to extend a Schengen visa, success often depends on having compelling justification. The main challenge isn’t necessarily making a case for extension but navigating AIMA’s current processing delays. If you’re considering this route, start the process well before your permitted stay expires.
Portugal actively welcomes digital nomads and remote workers, but extended stays can raise tax implications. The key is understanding where you stand – consulting a tax professional can help navigate these waters, especially if you’re planning a longer-term stay.
Choosing your base: one location or many?
When it comes to selecting where to stay, consider whether settling in one location or exploring multiple destinations better suits your goals.
Staying in one place for several months allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the area, build local connections and truly experience what life would be like as a resident. You’ll discover favourite cafés, develop routines, and potentially make lasting friendships.
However, if you’re considering Portugal as a future home but aren’t sure where you’d like to settle, splitting your time between different regions can provide valuable perspective.
Each area offers distinct advantages: Lisbon provides a vibrant international atmosphere with extensive infrastructure for remote workers, while Porto offers similar amenities with a more laid-back vibe and lower cost of living. The Algarve beckons with its beautiful beaches and growing digital nomad community, and Madeira has established itself as a digital nomad haven with year-round mild weather.
For accommodation, consider that many Airbnb hosts offer significant discounts for stays of 28 days or longer. These monthly rates can make longer-term stays more economical while providing the flexibility to experience different areas.
Whether you choose to stay put or move around, a workation offers an ideal way to maintain your income while experiencing daily life, exploring local culture, and determining if Portugal could be your future home.
Where to stay in Portugal and essential information
One of the biggest questions you need to ask yourself is: where should you stay while you’re in Portugal?
Lisbon
Portugal’s digital nomad hub features abundant coworking spaces, regular meetups, and extensive English usage.
The city maintains reasonable temperatures through winter, though buildings can feel chilly due to poor insulation. The established international community makes integration easy, particularly for first-time remote workers in Portugal.
Algarve
Boasting Portugal’s best weather, the Algarve offers winter temperatures typically ranging from 12–20°C. Perfect for combining work with surfing and beach life.
The region transforms during summer months (June–August), with tourist crowds and accommodation prices soaring. With this in mind, consider shoulder season visits for a more authentic experience.
Madeira
Home to the world’s first digital nomad village, Madeira combines work-friendly infrastructure with exceptional hiking opportunities. The island maintains mild temperatures year-round. Some choose it for tax advantages, though most visit shorter-term.
Flight reliability can be a consideration – the airport’s exposed location leads to occasional cancellations. While beautiful, island isolation can feel constraining during longer stays.
Porto
Portugal’s second city offers a more affordable alternative to Lisbon, with outstanding food culture and historic charm. Winter brings significant rainfall – northern Portugal averages more precipitation than the UK.
The digital nomad scene, while present, is quieter than Lisbon’s. Buildings often lack effective heating, making winter workations challenging without careful accommodation selection.
Azores
Nature enthusiasts will find paradise in the Azores. Pico Island offers whale watching and Portugal’s highest peak, while Faial features dramatic crater views. São Miguel provides the most amenities, but remains quiet in winter. The archipelago’s small population and limited winter activities can make social connections challenging.
The practicalities of an extended workation in Portugal
Healthcare considerations
While not a legal requirement, Non-EU/EEA/Swiss visitors should consider getting Schengen-valid travel insurance.
EU citizens should bring EHIC cards but might consider supplementary coverage. Private healthcare is surprisingly affordable – specialist consultations typically cost around €80.
Brits can use their GHIC card but should follow the advice of taking supplementary coverage.
Seasonal considerations
Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) typically offer the best balance of weather and crowds. Winter brings some challenges. While outdoor temperatures remain mild by European standards, poorly insulated buildings often feel colder inside than out. Air conditioning remains uncommon in residential buildings, though some rental properties offer it.
Internet infrastructure
Urban areas boast impressive internet infrastructure, with providers like MEO offering up to 10 Gbps packages (although 1 gbps is the typical limit for most home packages). However, individual accommodation quality varies significantly. Rural locations, even in tourist-heavy regions like the Algarve, may have limited connectivity despite nearby towns having fibre access.
Mobile internet provides reliable backup, with good coverage throughout populated areas. EU visitors benefit from roaming agreements, though fair usage policies apply and some carriers restrict tethering. Some UK networks also offer roaming in Europe. Consider purchasing a local SIM for extended stays.
Want to come back – permanently?
A workation in Portugal provides valuable groundwork for a permanent move. Use this time strategically to prepare for visa requirements and evaluate long-term compatibility.
Essential preparations
Secure a 12-month rental contract or purchase property – both are typically required for digital nomad applications, as well as for other visas like the D7. Your workation allows you to view properties in person and understand local rental markets.
Obtain your NIF (Portuguese tax number) and open a local bank account. These steps require physical presence in Portugal and are mandatory for most visa processes. Starting early helps avoid delays in your permanent move. You can order these remotely from outside of Portugal, but you will have to pay a lawyer or relocation company and this will cost more.
Location scouting
Portugal’s compact size and efficient train network along the western coast make it easy to explore potential locations. Weekend trips between Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, Lisbon, and the Algarve help confirm your chosen base. Each region offers distinct lifestyle benefits – experiencing them personally will prove invaluable.
Cultural integration
Connect with local expat communities to understand daily life realities. Ask about healthcare experiences, bureaucratic challenges and seasonal changes. Their insights often reveal aspects of Portuguese life that short-term visitors miss.
Begin practicing Portuguese as soon as you arrive. While English works for tourism, managing utilities, healthcare, and government services often requires basic Portuguese comprehension. You won’t need Portuguese to move here, but it is always good to start as you mean to go on.
Most importantly… enjoy yourself!
Finally, have fun! Eat a pastel de nata (or many), try a Francesinha, and spend at least one weekend lying on a beach in the Algarve.
This may be a workation – and potentially one where you’re scouting out Portugal as a place to live – but it’s also supposed to be a chance to enjoy another culture too.
Have you taken a workation in Portugal? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.
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