Remote work visas look similar on the surface: prove overseas income, show accommodation and insurance, submit a clean criminal record, and receive a residence document that lets the family live in Europe. In practice, Greece and Portugal solve different problems for remote workers.

Greece’s route is typically chosen by people who want a Mediterranean base with a clear monthly income test. Portugal’s D8 route often suits those who want a longer-term residency pathway with a more structured “residence visa → residence permit” progression. Coates Global supports both options through its service pages for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa and the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, and compares them as part of a broader planning approach across Residency and Citizenship by Investment and the Countries programme library.

Core eligibility: the income threshold is the first separator

Greece: a fixed monthly income benchmark

Greece’s official embassy guidance states that applicants must show a steady income during their stay of €3,500 per month.
Most guidance also indicates this is aimed at people working remotely for employers or clients outside Greece (not taking local Greek employment). 

Family impact: Greece generally increases the required income where dependents are included (common references are +20% for a spouse and +15% per child), but the safest approach is to treat the uplift as case-specific and confirm it against the applicable consular checklist and current practice.

Portugal: 4× the minimum wage benchmark (D8)

Portugal’s “remote work / digital nomad” residence visa checklists commonly require proof of an average monthly income equivalent to 4× the Portuguese monthly minimum wage.
Because the minimum wage changes, the euro amount moves year to year. Many 2025 references peg this at €3,480 per month (4 × €870). 

Family impact: Coates Global’s Portugal D8 materials also spell out uplift figures for dependents (for example additional monthly amounts for a spouse and each child), which can be useful for early budgeting. 

What the visa actually gives you: “visa” vs “residence permit” sequencing

Greece: national visa first, then residence permit (if extending)

Greece’s embassy guidance describes a national visa for up to 12 months for digital nomads.
Many practitioner summaries also note that those who want to remain longer typically convert to a residence permit in Greece (often described as a 2-year renewable permit). 

What this means for families: Greece can be a strong “live now” option, but families should plan the second step early if the intention is to stay beyond the initial visa period.

Portugal: D8 can be structured for a longer residency track

Portugal’s D8 route is often presented in 2 formats: a shorter “temporary stay” style visa and a residence visa leading to a residence permit (the practical route used by people planning a longer stay).
Coates Global’s service page positions Portugal’s route as a flexible residency option for remote workers and families. 

What this means for families: Portugal often appeals to households who want a clearer, longer-term structure (and who are comfortable with the administrative steps after arrival).

Document requirements: similar categories, different pressure points

Both countries usually ask for the same categories of evidence:

• proof of remote work relationship (employment contract or client agreements)
• proof of income
• accommodation
• health insurance
• criminal record certificate

Greece: keep the file simple and consistent

The Greece embassy note points applicants to the visa appointment and documents process and highlights the key income requirement.
In real-world practice, Greece cases tend to go smoothly when the income evidence is clean, the remote work arrangement is unambiguous, and documents match exactly (names, dates, consistent translations).

Portugal: the checklist discipline matters

Portugal’s VFS remote work visa checklist explicitly calls for proof of average income over recent months at the 4× minimum wage benchmark.
Portugal files often become slower when accommodation evidence is weak, or the financial story is inconsistent (for example, income shown in one document but not reflected in bank statements).

For applicants who are not purely “remote employees” and are closer to self-employed work, Portugal’s Freelancer Visa (D2) can sometimes be the more natural fit.

Families: schooling, stability, and what “good” looks like

For families, the best route is rarely the cheapest. The decision is usually driven by:

• how predictable the permit renewals are
• how easy it is to evidence income for 2 adults
• whether the family wants to spend 3–9 months per year in-country, or only occasional visits
• whether the family wants a longer-term settlement option

Portugal is frequently chosen when the family wants a broader “life admin” infrastructure and a longer planning horizon. Greece is often chosen when the family wants a Mediterranean base and a simpler first-year entry.

Tax reality: the “183 days” question should be discussed early

Remote workers often assume a visa automatically decides tax residence. It does not.

Both Greece and Portugal have tax residence frameworks that commonly look at time spent in-country (the “183 days” concept is widely used across Europe), alongside other connecting factors. This is not something to guess or rely on social media summaries for. A sensible plan is to choose the visa route first, then obtain tailored tax advice once the family knows how many days they realistically intend to spend in-country.

(Where Coates Global adds value is in keeping the immigration strategy aligned with the practical lifestyle plan, and then coordinating with tax specialists when the family is ready.)

Which one is “better” depends on the family’s goal

Greece is often better if the goal is:

• a straightforward Mediterranean base for the next 12 months
• a clear income threshold to hit (€3,500 per month as per Greek embassy guidance) 
• a lifestyle-first move where the family wants to test Greece before making longer-term decisions

Portugal is often better if the goal is:

• a more structured residency pathway for remote work (D8 residence visa route) 
• a plan that may extend into multi-year residence planning (especially for families)
• flexibility to align remote work with other Portugal routes over time (for example, comparing with Portugal’s investment options on Portugal or the broader Residency by Investment Programmes if the family later wants an investment-led plan)

The best “decision questions” to ask before choosing

A quick consultation usually becomes clear once these are answered:

1. Is the move a 12-month lifestyle chapter, or a 3–5 year residence plan?
2. Is the main income a salary, freelancing, or business ownership?
3. Will both adults work remotely, or only 1?
4. Is the family comfortable proving income at the required monthly threshold with clean documentation?
5. Does the family want a path that feels more “settled”, or a lighter-footprint base?

If those answers point in different directions, a structured comparison across both routes is normally the fastest way to avoid an expensive wrong turn.

Greece and Portugal are both strong options for remote workers, but the right choice is the one that matches the family’s real plan and keeps the file legally clean.

Coates Global can assess eligibility, confirm the most suitable route (Greece DNV vs Portugal D8), and provide a clear document plan and timeline for the entire household. To start, visit Contact Coates Global or review the relevant programme pages: Greece Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, Countries, and How We Operate.

Ready to take the next step towards EU residency or citizenship? Speak to Coates Global today for clear, compliant guidance tailored to your goals. Whether you need a portugal golden visa solicitor, a hungary golden visa solicitor, an italy investor visa consultant, or a malta citizenship by investment solicitor, we’ll help you understand eligibility, costs, timeframes, and documentation—so you can move forward with confidence. Book a consultation and get a clear plan from day 1.