A constant on Nomad List's list of the most popular places in the world for digital nomads, Portugal's coastal capital of Lisbon has a lot to offer location-independent professionals who love to work as much as play.
The relatively low cost of living in Lisbon, around 200 days of sunshine a year, friendly people, scenic views, and easy access to beautiful beaches are just some of the reasons why Lisbon is one of the hottest global hubs for remote workers.
The Portuguese capital, with a population of about 550,000 and 2.8 million people living in the surrounding metropolitan area, has a mix of neighborhoods in Lisbon - each with its own unique flair - that are suitable for slow travelers of all tastes and interests.
In this guide, you can find out what a digital nomad needs to know about making this city their temporary base.
Is it safe to travel to Lisbon?
Portugal is one of the most highly vaccinated countries and is recovering well from the coronavirus pandemic. Business is up and running again and tourism is getting back on its feet.
In Lisbon, masks are still mandatory in enclosed public spaces and on public transportation. At the time of writing, Lisbon is safe to visit.
How safe is Lisbon in general?
Lisbon is a very safe city, including for women, those traveling alone, or older visitors. It ranks 28th in The Economist's “Safe Cities Index 2021”, which lists the 60 safest cities in the world.
But that doesn't mean there's no crime. There are pickpockets, and you may be approached by people trying to sell you drugs. But don't worry about it. Lisbon is a great place to explore, as long as you exercise the same caution you would anywhere else.
What about the visa situation?
Whether you need a visa to live in Portugal depends, of course, on your nationality and passport. If you're from an EU country, you can live and work freely in Portugal without any formalities for 90 days.
Certain nationalities such as Americans, Canadians, and Australians don't need a digital nomad visa for a stay of less than 90 days. Most other nationalities must apply for a visa in advance.
Portugal hasn't yet introduced an official visa for digital nomads. But Portugal D7 visa is a good residency option for non-Portuguese remote workers who can prove they're able to live on their own income in the country.
It allows you to stay in Portugal for an extended period of time and grants you visa-free access to the rest of the Schengen area. You can learn more about the application process on the website of Portugal's official immigration and border services agency, which is known as SEF.
How's the quality of life in Lisbon?
Despite its technological progress and ambition, Lisbon is one of the most people-friendly capitals in Europe. It's also one of the sunniest cities in Europe, which means you can spend many hours outdoors.
People in Lisbon are almost never in a hurry and may not be the most punctual people you know. This leads to a slower pace of life and less stress, which many consider the best qualities of this city and Portugal in general.
You can experience a good quality of life in Lisbon, and you'll quickly realize that it's an ideal place to just be and enjoy yourself while listening to music, drinking coffee, hugging a loved one, or reading a book.
Can I get by with English in Lisbon?
English is widely spoken in Lisbon, especially in the tourist areas. But you'll have more fun and get things done faster and easier if you learn Portuguese.
How can I get around in Lisbon?
The metro in Lisbon has four lines that connect different parts of the city, and the city has an efficient bus network. With a reloadable "zapping" card, a one-way metro ride costs €1.34 and a bus ticket costs €2.
If you plan to use public transportation in Lisbon regularly, it's worth buying a monthly pass that allows you to take unlimited metro, bus, tram, train, and ferry rides.
Taxis are relatively expensive in Portugal's capital. That's why many people prefer to use ride-hailing services like Bolt or Uber. Renting a car is also an option.
What's the cost of living in Lisbon?
Like anywhere, what you spend in a month in Lisbon depends on your lifestyle. But Portugal's capital is generally an affordable city.
According to Nomad List, the estimated cost of living in Lisbon is about €1,900, which is lower than in Barcelona, London, Paris, and many other European cities.
The Numbeo website says the estimated monthly cost for a single person in Lisbon is around €570, excluding rent.
How can I find accommodation in Lisbon?
There are many hotels and rentals in Lisbon, but most digital nomads prefer rental apartments and rooms or shared accommodation in Lisbon. Flatio is one of the platforms where you can find fully furnished apartments for mid-term stays in Lisbon in just a few clicks.
Can I access fast Internet in Lisbon?
In Portugal, you have access to efficient 4G/5G services, and Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere, such as shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, and public libraries.
MEO, NOS, Vodafone, and other operators offer a wide range of plans that allow you to use different amounts of data, calls, and text messages per month.
Lisbon has an average Internet speed of 109.99 Mbps for broadband and fiber Internet and 35.68 Mbps for mobile data.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lisbon for digital nomads?
Deciding where to live in Lisbon is not easy because there are many great neighborhoods to choose from. These places, most of which are centrally located, are very popular with digital nomads:
- Baixa
- Chiado
- Bairro Alto
- Cais do Sodré
- Santos
- Príncipe Real
Where can I work?
There are many cafes in Lisbon that welcome remote workers with open arms. You can also work from libraries, including the National Library of Portugal or municipal libraries open to the public.
If you prefer a more professional environment, you can choose from hundreds of co-working spaces across the city. You can find some good ones here.
How big is the digital nomad community in Lisbon?
The digital nomad community in Lisbon is quite large, and there's a strong sense of community among remote workers.
There are many Facebook groups you can join to network with location-independent professionals from other countries. They host regular meetups where you can have fun, learn new things, and share your own knowledge with others.
The bottom line
Lisbon is arguably one of the best places in the world to live as a digital nomad. The city has a fantastic nightlife and is the perfect home base for road trips around Portugal and weekend adventures to places like Sintra, Cascais, Porto, Nazaré, and the Algarve.
Portugal recently became the host of Europe's first digital nomad village, which means there's a bright future ahead for the digital nomad community in Lisbon and other parts of the country. So if Lisbon isn't already at the top of your bucket list, then it absolutely should be!
