Does my employer have to register in Portugal?

Not for your visa. Tax and payroll obligations are a separate question for them.

Can I work for a Portuguese company too?

The D8 is for work for entities outside Portugal; see Portuguese clients.

Can I keep my US job and move to Portugal on a D8 visa?

Updated 2026-11-12 · Income & work guide · Not legal advice

Yes. A US remote employee is the textbook D8 case: you keep working for your US employer, show a contract or employer declaration, and prove an average of €3,680+ a month over the last 3 months. Get written permission to work from Portugal, because your employer has its own tax and payroll questions to answer.

What to get from your employer
Document	Content
Employment contract or declaration	Role, start date, salary, contract type (MNE requirement)
Remote-work letter	Permission to work from Portugal and for how long
Payslips (3+ months)	To match the income average
Company details	Legal name and address outside Portugal

Questions your employer will ask

Payroll and withholding: if you become a Portuguese tax resident, Portugal can tax your salary; see tax residency.
Social security: the US and Portugal have a totalization agreement; see US tax treaty and social security.
Permanent establishment risk: a question for the employer's tax team, not the visa.

Quick answers

Can I keep my US job and move to Portugal on a D8 visa?: Yes, with your employer's permission and income of €3,680+/month.
Does my employer have to register in Portugal?: Not for your visa. Tax and payroll obligations are a separate question for them.
Can I work for a Portuguese company too?: The D8 is for work for entities outside Portugal; see Portuguese clients.

What to do next

Our $599 Standard plan includes an employer-letter template that covers what Portuguese posts look for, plus a human review of the full file.

Get the employer letter template

Sources

Checked: 2026-11-12. Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.