What was the personal situation or challenge?
Sarah, a thriving independent designer from Ireland, was eager to have a fresh start in Nazaré, Portugal. Her plan was to continue offering her design services to her global clientele while simultaneously expanding her customer base in her new Portuguese surroundings.
However, she was uncertain about the optimal strategy to handle this transition without encountering exorbitant tax burdens on both her domestic earnings from Portugal and her international income.
Sarah was also worried about the fact that she might struggle to attract Portuguese clients as she was not proficient in the language yet.

Furthermore, Sarah wanted to make her work more meaningful by focusing on clients involved in pro-sustainability initiatives and vegan product-based businesses in Portugal, but she was unsure of how to initiate this process.
Sarah's partner, who was from Australia and an up and coming surfer as well as a keen tennis player, expressed concerns about whether they would be able to combine his surfing and engaging in their other sports interests.
How did Portugal Pathways help?
Portugal Pathways visa experts presented Sarah with the option of a Digital Nomad visa(D8), as it was the most suitable visa option choice for her life in Portugal. This option was appealing due to its straightforward visa process, suitable to her lifestyle and its compatibility with the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime which would allow her to pay 0% tax on income not derived from Portugal.
In addition to handling the visa process, Portugal Pathways also organized Portuguese language lessons for Sarah to enhance her command of the language.
They actively sought clients in the nearby areas that were involved in the sustainability and vegan produce sectors, assisting her in establishing connections with new clients.
Sarah's partner's interests were also addressed by Portugal Pathways, as they found multiple opportunities for her partner to take his talent to the next level and also structure potential royalties that her partner is likely to receive if his surfing career moves to the next level.
They facilitated membership in various clubs with ample opportunities to interact with fellow expatriates, fostering new friendships and ensuring a smooth transition to their new home.