Your Guide to Ericeira
Everything you need to know about living and working from Europe's surf capital.
Restaurants
Our residents' picks — from cliff-side seafood to nomad brunch spots. All tested, all worth it.
Esplanada Furnas
Perched on the Furnas cliffs with waves crashing below. You pick your fish from the chilled display at the entrance and the grill master does the rest. The seafood rice is legendary.
Known for: Grilled fish, percebes, arroz de marisco
Rua das Furnas — on the cliff promenade
The Capsule
Widely called the number one food spot in town. Truffle mac’n’cheese, steak tartare with seasonal fruit, and in-house roasted specialty coffee. ArchDaily-featured interior with open kitchen.
Known for: Gourmet brunch, specialty coffee, natural wines
Rua da Fonte do Cabo 54 — quiet side street
Tik Tapas
The definitive tapas spot. Menu split into meat, sea, and earth sections so every table gets variety. Legendary waiters, great wine cellar, and the kind of place where you stay way longer than planned.
Known for: Sautéed mushrooms, lamb chops, stuffed squid
Rua do Ericeira 15 — town center
Beach Pizzas
Brazilian-influenced artisanal pizzeria with thin, crispy dough that regulars call the best in town. Pizzas named after surf spots. Also does açaí bowls, tapiocas, and coxinhas.
Known for: Crispy thin-crust pizza, açaí bowls, €9 pizzas
Rua Alves Crespo — steps from Praia dos Pescadores
Mar das Latas
Modern Portuguese sharing plates with an exceptional wine program. Seasonal menu that rotates constantly. The special-occasion spot overlooking Praia dos Pescadores.
Known for: Sharing plates, Portuguese wines, ocean-view terrace
R. Cap. João Lopes 24A — above Fisherman’s Beach
GiG — Green is Good
The go-to brunch for health-conscious nomads. Set inside a former historic grocery store with original fittings. Açaí bowls, pancakes, fresh juices, and strong vegan options. You can hear the waves from inside.
Known for: Açaí bowls, vegan brunch, fresh juices
Tv. Misericórdia 16 — old town, near Fisherman’s Beach
Balagan
Eastern Mediterranean sharing plates at Praia do Sul with uninterrupted sunset views. Ibiza-meets-Tel-Aviv energy with mezze, skewers, hummus, and a serious cocktail menu.
Known for: Mezze plates, sunset cocktails, vegan-friendly
Praia do Sul — south beach
Solar do Sal
Rustic churrasqueira at the Salinas de Rio Maior salt flats, 30 min inland. The chicken is roasted over charcoal with a secret family recipe and served in endless platters. No reservations — just show up and wait. Worth every minute.
Known for: Charcoal chicken, piri-piri sauce, arroz doce
Estrada das Salinas, Rio Maior — at the salt flats
Surf Spots
Ribeira d’Ilhas
The crown jewel of the World Surfing Reserve. Hosts international competitions.
Foz do Lizandro
Beginner-friendly beach break with a river mouth. Great for learning.
Praia do Norte
Consistent waves and less crowded than the main breaks. Local favorite.
Spa & Wellness
Hotel Vila Galé Ericeira
5-minute walk from Survana. Full spa with pool, sauna, and treatments. Open to non-guests.
Coworking
Kelp Cowork
Biophilic coworking space with beach access. The most popular option in Ericeira.
€17/day
Coastal Cowork Collective
Ocean views, 4 meeting rooms. Premium option for teams and client calls.
From €300/mo
SITIO AI HUB
2,230m² tech hub in Alvalade, Lisbon. Microsoft AI partnership and Sage Corps internship programs.
Alvalade, Lisbon (30 min)
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal's D8 visa lets remote workers and freelancers live legally in the EU. A 2-year renewable residence permit with a path to full Portuguese citizenship after 5 years. Your income must come from outside Portugal — remote employment, freelancing, or passive income all qualify.
Min. monthly income
€3,480/mo
4x minimum wage
Savings required
€11,040
3 months proof
Residency requirement
183 days/year
To maintain status
Initial permit
2 years
Renewable for 3-year periods
Path to citizenship
5 years
A2 Portuguese required
How to apply
Get your NIF
Obtain a Portuguese tax identification number. This can be done remotely through a fiscal representative or in-person at a local Finanças office.
Gather documents
Collect all required documents. Criminal records and certain certificates may need to be apostilled or legalized, depending on your country.
Consulate appointment
Schedule and attend an appointment at your nearest Portuguese consulate. Submit your application and documents in person. Fee: ~€90.
Receive entry visa
Processing typically takes 30–60 days. Once approved, you’ll receive a temporary visa sticker in your passport to enter Portugal.
AIMA residence permit
After arriving in Portugal, schedule an appointment with AIMA (formerly SEF) to obtain your residence permit card. Fee: ~€83.
Required documents
- ✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓NIF (Portuguese tax number) — obtainable remotely via fiscal representative
- ✓Proof of remote income (employment contract, freelance contracts, or 3–6 months bank statements)
- ✓Health insurance valid in Portugal
- ✓Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
- ✓Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or booking confirmation)
- ✓Passport-sized photos (biometric format)
- ✓Completed visa application form
Benefits
- ✓Live and work legally in Portugal
- ✓Travel freely across the Schengen Area (26 countries)
- ✓Path to permanent residency after 5 years
- ✓Path to Portuguese (EU) citizenship after 5 years
- ✓Family reunification rights for spouse and dependents
- ✓Access to Portuguese public healthcare (SNS)
- ✓Open a Portuguese bank account and build EU credit
Need help with your D8 application?
We recommend Fresh Legal — an immigration firm recommended by a previous Survana resident who successfully went through the D8 process. They handle everything from NIF registration to AIMA appointments. We have no commission or affiliate arrangement with Fresh Legal — this recommendation is purely based on resident experience.
Income thresholds are tied to the Portuguese minimum wage and update annually. Verify current requirements on the AIMA website or your nearest Portuguese consulate.
Day Trips
Salinas de Rio Maior
Europe’s only interior salt mines. Surreal pink and white salt pans inland.
White Fountain Ecopark
Nature retreat with swimming pool, ice baths, and camping. Community favorite.
Lisbon
30 minutes by car. World-class food, nightlife, and culture.