Portugal: State of Play for Digital Nomads 2025

Key findings

• 01

  IFICI is narrower than NHR — only ~30% of incoming nomads will qualify under the new activity list.

• 02

  AIMA backlogs added an average 7.4 months to D8 timelines in 2025.

• 03

  Demand is shifting from Lisbon (-9% YoY arrivals) to Porto, Madeira and the Silver Coast.

From the report

The replacement of NHR by IFICI in 2024 changed who Portugal attracts. Tech founders and high-earning W2 employees still benefit; lifestyle retirees and crypto traders largely don't. Our data shows a clear migration from Lisbon to second-tier cities as housing pressure eases the further you get from the capital.