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Remote work: the clean setup

The D8 visa requires your work to be performed remotely for employers or clients outside Portugal, with average income of €3,680/month shown over roughly the last 3 months. Once you're Portuguese tax resident, that income is taxable in Portugal — at progressive rates, or at IFICI's 20% if your profession qualifies. The totalization agreements decide where you pay social security: US employees on a US payroll can generally remain in the US system temporarily via a certificate of coverage; long-term residents typically shift to the Portuguese system. Get the certificate question answered before you move, not after.

Freelancing and self-employment

Registering as self-employed (trabalhador independente) is straightforward with a NIF: you open activity ("abertura de atividade") on the Finanças portal, invoice through the system, and file quarterly social security declarations. Contributions run at 21.4% on a base of 70% of your relevant service income — an effective ~15% of gross — with a full exemption for your first 12 months of first-time activity. Under ~€200,000 turnover you can use the simplified regime, where only a fraction of income is presumed taxable.

The IFICI question for professionals

If you're moving with a career — engineering, research, tech, teaching, medicine — check the IFICI list before assuming standard rates. Qualifying professionals pay 20% flat on Portuguese employment or self-employment income for 10 years, with most foreign income exempt (pensions excluded). Conditions attach to both your role and your employer (eligible sectors, export share, or certification), and the registration deadline is 15 January of the year after you become resident. Details on the Tax & Finance page.