Why You Need a NIF for the D7 and Digital Nomad (D8) Visa

If you are planning to move to Portugal on a D7 or D8 visa, the paperwork starts well before you book a flight. One of the very first items on the list is a Portuguese tax number, the NIF. It quietly underpins almost every later step, so getting it early saves you weeks of waiting.

Where the NIF fits in the visa journey

The standard order of operations is consistent across both visa types, and the NIF comes first:

1. Get a NIF. You can do this remotely, before you ever enter Portugal. Non-EU applicants use a power of attorney (a Representação) so a representative can register you with Finanças. If you are new to the term, our explainer on what a NIF is and why you need one covers the basics.
2. Open a Portuguese bank account. This step requires the NIF, which is exactly why you secure the number first. See our walkthrough on opening a Portuguese bank account for the details.
3. Transfer and show proof of funds. You move money into the account and keep documentation ready to demonstrate it.
4. Submit the visa application. The submission requires proof of your NIF and a Portuguese bank account, so steps one and two are prerequisites, not optional extras.

Because the bank account depends on the NIF, and the application depends on the bank account, a delay at the start ripples through everything. That is the main reason applicants register their NIF remotely and early.

D7 versus D8: which one is yours

The two visas look similar on paper but target different income profiles.

The D7 is the passive or stable income visa. It is built for retirees and passive-income earners who can show steady money from pensions, rental income, or dividends. The key word is passive: the income arrives without you actively working for it.

The D8 is the Digital Nomad Visa. It is for remote workers and freelancers with active income, meaning earnings you generate through ongoing work for an employer or clients outside Portugal. As of 2026 the D8 carries a minimum income requirement around 3,680 euros per month, roughly four times the Portuguese minimum wage.

A note on the money figures

Proof of funds is often cited at around 11,040 euros held in your Portuguese bank account before you apply. Treat both this number and the monthly D8 minimum as moving targets. They track the Portuguese minimum wage and are adjusted each year, so always confirm the current figures before you apply rather than relying on an article date.

Two more things worth knowing

Residence applications are now handled by AIMA, the agency that replaced the former SEF. If a guide still references SEF, it is out of date.

Tax planning is also part of the picture. The well-known NHR scheme has closed to new entrants and has been succeeded by a new framework. If you are weighing the tax side of your move, read our overview of the NHR closure and the IFICI regime before you commit to a structure.

Getting started

The fastest way to unblock the rest of the process is to lock in your tax number now. You can get your Portuguese NIF online without travelling, then move on to the bank account and funds with confidence.

Ready to take the first step? Get your NIF with Coepi for a flat 29.99 euros including VAT, fully online, submitted the same day.