Sophie(31)

In Utrecht I was paying €1,400 for a small apartment. My freelance income was good, but costs ate everything up. When a friend sent photos from her Lisbon coworking space overlooking the Tagus, I was sold.

The D7 visa was the key. As a freelancer with stable income I qualified. The application took time — you need a NIF, a Portuguese bank account, and proof of income. But step by step it worked out.

Lisbon is a paradise for digital nomads. There are coworking spaces everywhere, the wifi is excellent and coffee costs a fraction of what you pay in the Netherlands. I usually work from a space in Príncipe Real, overlooking the city.

The cost of living is genuinely lower. My rent is €900 for a nice apartment in Alfama — with a rooftop terrace. Eating out starts at €8-10. The supermarket is also cheaper, especially fresh vegetables and fish.

What I hadn't expected is how international Lisbon is. I have friends from Brazil, Germany, Italy and of course Portugal. The expat community is warm and helpful. Still, I'm learning Portuguese too — it opens doors you'd otherwise miss.

One thing I recommend to everyone: sort out your tax situation properly. As a freelancer you need to register with Finanças and become VAT-liable. It's not difficult, but you need to do it.