Living Abroad: Digital Nomads in Portugal

As in other parts of the world, Digital Nomads (also know as "Global Nomads") are a growing population in Lisbon, Portugal. In fact, Portugal is consistently named as one of the top destinations for digital nomads in the world. And that makes complete sense. Expats in Portugal are drawn to the gorgeous weather, beaches, the access to a robust network of other digital nomads in the fabulous city of Lisbon and other parts of Portugal.

Additionally, the government of Portugal has brilliantly gone out of its way to attract tech startups and the tech talent that they know they'll attract. They have added a special visa for anyone starting tech start ups. According to an article in Entrepreneur called Lisbon Lures Tech Entrepreneurs With Carrot of EU Citizenship, it notes that "the government has launched a scheme that offers residency and eventual citizenship to anyone who invests €1 million or more in the local economy, creates 10 jobs or purchases €500,000 worth of property." The article cites Politico's piece about how Lisbon Bids for Tech Talent.

In an article about digital nomads in Portugal on Independent.co.uk it's noted that "freelance workers from all over the world who base themselves in [Lisbon] for months or even years at a time." Rosanna Lopes, 33, has been running a meet-up group for freelance workers for two years now. 'My goal was to integrate the local startup scene with the digital nomad scene,' she says. Now her nomad community numbers around 150, has taken on a co-working space, and hosts regular networking events."

If you're unfamiliar with co-working spaces, they are places where individuals can get all of the services that they need in an office, with the added benefit of not getting roped into a long-term lease, and meeting and (potentially) collaborating with all of the other people you meet there.

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Bucket List Bombshell has helpfully written an article about the 7 Best Spots to Work From For Digital Nomads in Lisbon. The article provides a glance at the options that potential Digital Nomads will have to work from if they move to Lisbon - they include coffee shops (of course), and more "official" co-working spaces that reside in different setting and incorporate different elements that may or may not appeal to you. The important thing is that there are options galore and you almost certainly will find a space that works for you.

To look at some of the great working spaces that are available, try consulting the co-working listings for Lisbon, Portugal.

Also, Digital Nomads don't live (completely) in a bubble, and begin to notice that they can have an impact on the cities they inhabit temporarily or use as a home base. In an article on Skift.com entitled Lisbon's Overtourism Lesson: Living Like a Local Is Not Enough, the author, a digital nomad herself, writes: "How do we grapple with enjoying everything this beautiful city has to offer without feeling like we’re getting in the way?"

That's great food for thought in our increasingly interconnected world!

Also remember to read ExpatExchange's general article about Global Nomads. We will keep that update with articles as they roll out to help you better understand the digital and global nomad trends as they continue to develop and emerge.