I still remember my first few weeks in Lisbon in 2015. Being half Portuguese myself, returning after many years was like a big rediscovery. I fell in love again with the city's stunning architecture and perfect weather, but found myself living the typical digital nomad life - working alone in cafes, taking solo walks through the streets, eating meals by myself, and wondering if anyone else was sharing this beautiful but sometimes lonely experience. That's when it hit me: if I was feeling this way, others probably were too.
The Beginning
What started as a simple idea to meet other digital nomads over a drink grew into something I never could have imagined. Today, Lisbon Digital Nomads isn't just Portugal's largest meetup community - it's become a blueprint for how digital nomad communities can thrive worldwide.
The Need Was Clear
When I first arrived, Lisbon wasn't yet the digital nomad hotspot it is today. As someone who spoke Portuguese and understood the culture, I saw three clear needs:
- A way to combat the isolation that many nomads face (including myself)
- A support system to help newcomers navigate life in Lisbon and form meaningful connections
- An opportunity to support local businesses struggling in 2015 by bringing them new customers through our events
How It Started
Rather than launching with a grand plan, I started small and authentic. As an online marketer by trade, I knew I needed to reach the right people. I launched a focused outreach campaign:
- Direct messaging potential nomads on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook who mentioned "Digital Nomad" and "Lisbon"
- Partnering with Pieter Levels from Nomadlist, who promoted our meetup through his Twitter and email in exchange for including "Nomadlist" in the event title
- Placing posters with QR codes (definitely not cool in 2015!) in wifi-enabled cafés where remote workers gathered
My first meetup brought together over 40 people at a local bar near my accommodation. I chose this venue deliberately - not only was it convenient, but I also wanted to help the bar owner, who struggled with empty nights. The energy in that room told me I was onto something special. For the next two years, I continued organizing meetups solo whenever I was in Lisbon.
In 2017 the first person from the nomad community reached out to organize the meetups with me, and then the second, and before I knew it, we were a team. As we grew over the years the team also grew to 10 organizers of dedicated, fun and super talented people.
Online Community Evolution
Our online presence evolved thoughtfully:
- We started with Facebook Groups, introducing weekly themed threads
- As housing became a major topic, we created a dedicated group for accommodation
- Eventually, we migrated to Slack, which better suited our community's needs and communication style
- We discovered an interesting pattern: while some members were active both online and in person, many preferred either the physical events or the online community exclusively
Impact by the Numbers
- 20,000+ members on Meetup.com
- Largest Digital Nomad Community on Meetup.com worldwide
- Biggest meetup group in Portugal
- 200+ weekly attendees at Thursday gatherings
- 10 passionate core team volunteers
- Events running 7 days a week at peak, sometimes two a day
- Continuous operation since 2017, including through COVID-19, when we felt a special responsibility to support people isolated from friends and family
Impact Beyond Numbers
Our community created ripples of positive change throughout Lisbon:
- Countless meaningful connections formed, leading to friendships, business partnerships, and even marriages - there are a couple of children in this world today because their parents met at our events
- We helped local businesses survive challenging times, especially during COVID-19, while carefully following local health guidelines
- We built everything organically, without any financial investment in growth
- We pioneered new types of events in Lisbon - from group hikes to LGBTQ meetups, English-speaking comedy nights, and running clubs - inspiring others to create their own versions and enriching the city's cultural landscape
- Throughout the years, we were often approached by businesses seeking promotional partnerships. By staying true to our values and mission, we only pursued opportunities that genuinely benefited our community
Looking Forward
When I stepped down from the leadership team in 2023, the community had reached 20,000 members. Today, Lisbon Digital Nomads continues to serve as a model for building vibrant, supportive communities in the digital age. Whether you're building a professional network, social community, or business group, the principles remain the same: focus on genuine connections, empower your members, and stay true to your community's needs.
Psychologist, Author, Speaker
Lisbon digital nomads, as lead by Rosanna, changed my life. Her intentional leadership, sincerity, and natural talent at community building fostered a community that allowed me to find a home in Lisbon and meet the people who would become my family here.
Relationship Coach
Working with Rosanna in the Lisbon digital nomad community was an unforgettable experience.
Her ability to make everyone feel seen, valued, and genuinely connected is something rare and so special. She brought so much heart, energy, and creativity to everything she did, transforming our community into a close-knit family.
Beyond her warmth and kindness, she always showed up with grace, whether solving challenges or organizing events that brought people together in meaningful ways. Lisbon became more than just a place - it felt like home because of her.