Digital nomads and their local impact in Portugal

Original report by PTS (Taiwan)

Laptop with a view over the city

On 3 March 2026, Taiwan’s Public Television Service (PTS) aired a report on its evening news about Portugal’s appeal to remote workers, driven by the digital nomad visa and the country’s mild climate.

According to unofficial estimates cited in the report, around 120,000 digital nomads live in Portugal. While their presence boosts the economy and tourism, house prices have risen particularly sharply in the European context, and local residents face strong pressure in accessing housing and have directed criticism at these new digital migrants.

Guya Accornero, a CIES-Iscte researcher specialising in social movements, contributed to the report with her analysis of the local impacts of this phenomenon.

Watch the full report on YouTube.