The remote work revolution has transformed Portugal into one of the most attractive European destinations for digital nomads, thanks to a combination of quality of life, good connectivity, security, an affordable cost of living, and a natural environment, as well as a particularly favourable legal and tax framework.

According to the Global Digital Nomad Report 2024, prepared by the consultancy Global Citizen Solutions, Portugal ranks 7th in the global ranking of the most sought-after destinations for digital nomads, with a particularly advantageous performance regarding visa benefits (3rd place) and quality of life (9th).

The study highlights Portugal as the most accessible country in Western Europe and where the advantages of the D8 visa, designed specifically for remote workers, are highly valued, as it allows time spent in the country to count toward permanent residency, paving the way for citizenship. More than 16,000 digital nomads already reside in Lisbon alone (Nomad List 2023), and approximately 2,500 D8 visas were issued in 2023.

While large cities and coastal areas, such as Lisbon, Porto, and Ericeira, continue to be hotspots for remote work, more and more digital nomads are opting for inland regions. Seeking a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle, they are driving new models of regenerative rural living, a movement that is already being called the "digital rural exodus."

"Living in harmony with nature can be as practical as it is inspiring, and the growing interest in natural environments reflects the values ​​that many remote workers seek: sustainability, a sense of community, mental well-being, and connection with nature," says Samuel Delesque, technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Traditional Dream Factory (TDF), a pioneering regenerative project in Europe, located in Abela, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, and reported by Publituris.