Relocating to Portugal is unfortunately not as simple as packing a bag and hopping on a flight. In order to wake up bathed in the warm Portuguese sun or lounge on the glistening beaches, there are a few steps to take first. At first, it might seem a little confusing, but we will try to break it down for you. Here is what to know about moving to Portugal.
Moving to Portugal Pros and Cons
So, why is everyone moving to Portugal? Is moving to Portugal a good idea? We already know the answer, but let’s take a quick look at our moving to Portugal pros and cons list to see if the country is a good fit for you.
Pros of relocating to Portugal
- Portugal offers sunny weather for most of the year
- A relaxed, laid-back lifestyle
- Friendly locals
- The beaches of your dreams
- Excellent international schools
- A huge expat network (over one million expats currently live in Portugal!)
- A stable economy
- A well-run Portuguese healthcare system with affordable private health insurance
- Low cost of living compared to the US, UK, and most countries in Western Europe
- Portugal offers some of the best food in the world
- Portuguese people speak English very well in the major cities, meaning you can get by even if you don’t know the Portuguese language very well
Some of the advantages we mentioned could also be disadvantages of living in Portugal if it is not to your taste, such as the climate or the pace of life there, so even our list is relative. In the interest of fairness, here are some other cons to consider.
Cons of relocating to Portugal
- The need for learning Portuguese in towns with few foreigners.
- Difficulties with paying by card since you’ll find a few shops that don’t accept Visa or Mastercard, so you’ll need to keep a stash of cash on you just in case
- Heat in summer, rain in winter – the winter months can get chilly if your home is not well insulated
- The pace of life could be too slow for some
Requirements for Moving to Portugal
The requirements for moving to Portugal will depend on a few different things, like how long you intend to stay there, the country you will be coming from, and what you intend to do in Portugal. Let’s break down the different requirements to keep in mind.
Portugal in the EU and the Schengen Area
Portugal has been part of the European Union (EU) since 1 January 1986. That means that starting that day, Portugal accepted, and was accepted, in a free commerce, free transportation of goods and free circulation zone.
On June 25, 1991, Portugal signed the Schengen Agreement, eliminating border controls for citizens of other European countries that are also part of the agreement.
So basically, people from Portugal can easily (and without the need for a visa!) visit an EU country and/or a country in the Schengen Area (and vice versa) for 90 days.
Countries outside the EU or the Schengen Area
When visiting any country in the EU or Schengen Area for 90 days or less, Schengen Area requirements are in order.
Given these requirements, we can classify the countries outside the EU or the Schengen Area in two categories:
- Those who need a Schengen Visa;
- Those who don’t need a Schengen Visa.
In case a person from outside the EU or the Schengen Area wishes to reside in Portugal for more than 90 days, that person must apply for a Portuguese visa before coming to Portugal.
It doesn’t matter where you come from, because in this case, the Portuguese law and requirements stand. If you come from a country outside the EU or EEC and want to move to Portugal, have a look at our guide on Portuguese residency.
Applying for a visa
There are multiple kinds of visas, as we will see in a bit. However, all applications for a visa must be filed at the local Portuguese Consulate in the area of residence of the person applying.
In the rare case of Portugal not having a Consulate or an Embassy of Portugal in the country the person is from, there will be a Consulate of another country from the Schengen Area that should represent Portugal in this situation.
There is a range of visa options made available by the Portuguese government for expats from non-EU countries who want to live, work, and study in Portugal. Here are main visas and residence permits available to help you on your mission of relocating to Portugal:
- Portugal Golden Visa – Investment visa: A five-year Portuguese residency by investment program
- Portugal D2 Visa – Entrepreneur visa: Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Portugal or for self-employed individuals looking to expand into Portugal.
- Portugal D7 Visa – Retirement / passive income visa: Those who earn a regular passive income from pensions, rental income, financial investments, or other sources can apply for this visa.
- Portugal D8 Visa – Digital nomad visa: With this visa, self-employed or digital nomads working remotely will first get a Portuguese residence permit and, after five years of legal residency, will also be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship. In fact, this is not just limited to the digital nomad visa. Holding residency for five years with any of the visas listed here will qualify you to apply to be a Portuguese citizen.
- Student Visa: International students living outside the EU who have been accepted into a study program at a Portuguese educational institution will qualify for this one.
- Work Visa: A Portugal resident permit for work is an option if you have been offered an employment contract in Portugal.
- Temporary Residence Permit: A temporary Portugal residence permit is for foreigners who intend to live in Portugal for a short period for a specific reason, for example, for scientific research, a long-term study program, or for family reunification.
- Permanent Residence Permit: Permanent residency permits are for foreigners who want to live in Portugal indefinitely. The requirements for the permanent residency visa include holding a temporary residence permit, and you must have lived in Portugal for 5 years.
Here are the general document requirements for somebody who wants to move to Portugal and has to apply for a Portugal visa for residency:
- Official form
- Passport or additional travel document valid for three months after the duration of the stay
- Two passport photos, up-to-date and with enough quality to identify the applicant
- Valid travel insurance, allowing medical coverage, including medical emergencies and repatriation
- Request for criminal record inquiry by the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum – AIMA (formerly the Immigration and Border Services or Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF)
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where the applicant is residing for over a year (children under the age of 16 are exempt from producing a criminal record)
- Proof of suitable accommodation conditions
- Proof of means of subsistence as stipulated by law
Depending on the visa you apply for and your home country, the required documentation might differ. You can find all the additional information about what documents you may need at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you are considering relocating to Portugal, or perhaps even seeking eventual Portuguese citizenship, and would like to discuss which visa option is best for you, Global Citizen Solutions has friendly experts who are willing to help.
Relocating to Portugal from USA
If you are thinking about how to move to Portugal from the US, you should know that these rules also apply to you. But let’s go through relocating to Portugal from USA soil step by step.
Coming from the US
If you are a citizen of the US thinking about a move to Portugal, the first thing you should do is to go to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your area of residence and apply for one of the Portuguese visa options. Once you have qualified for a visa, you will be able to start planning to move to Portugal, including confirming your accommodations, booking your flights, and arranging for international moving companies to transport the belongings you cannot take with you on your flight. Then, it’s just about enjoying your new life living in Portugal!
What about other countries?
If you are coming from any other country not in the EU, EEA or Schengen area, the same rules should apply, but you should check with the Embassy of Portugal or Consulate General of Portugal in your country to be sure.
What to do After Arriving in Portugal?
The first step in the journey is to get yourself set up. That means that, if you come from the EU, you should ask for the Certificate of Registration of Citizen of the EU at your local town hall. If, on the other hand, you come from a country outside the EU, you should make an appointment with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum – AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) and get your residency permit.
Following that, you will have to go to the Finances Services office (Finaças) and apply for a National Identification Number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF”) to be able to open a Portuguese bank account and keep your tax benefits and responsibilities in check. There is also another easy way to obtain your NIF. You can simply obtain your NIF at the click of a button with a third-party provider, read more about how to get a tax identification number in Portugal here. The last mandatory checkpoint is filing the documentation for your Social Security Number (Número de Identificação de Segurança Social or NISS) in order to be covered by the Portuguese Social Security. If you work for a Portuguese company, they can secure one for you on your behalf.
Is moving to Portugal hard?
Moving to Portugal is no harder than moving to any other country in the EU or the Schengen Area. Though it may seem like there are a lot of rules, it’s really quite easy, if you follow some relocation tips.
This gives you the opportunity to move to Portugal and grow as a dependent or independent worker, as an entrepreneur, or as an investor. It really isn’t as hard as you would think. Besides, it is completely worth it, considering is low, the country itself is stunning, and the Portuguese culture is sure to get under your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to Portugal
What are the steps to move to Portugal from the USA?
American expats just looking to move to Portugal from the US for 90 days or less will be able to do so without a visa. However, to immigrate to Portugal from US soil long-term, American expats can apply for one of the various visa options, including the Portugal Golden Visa, the D2 Visa, D7, Visa and D8 Visa. From there, you’ll just need to make sure you’ve got suitable accommodation and find some reliable international moving companies to transport your belongings.
How can I relocate to Portugal from the UK?
Since Brexit, UK citizens wishing to relocate to Portugal long term will need to apply for one of Portugal’s visa options, For example the Portugal Golden Visa, entrepreneur (D2) visa, passive income (D7) visa or digital nomad (D8) visa. The requirements for UK citizens will be the same as the requirements for Portugal immigration from USA soil.
What documents are required for moving to Portugal?
- Passport or additional travel document
- Two passport photos
- Valid travel insurance, allowing medical coverage
- Request for criminal record inquiry with AIMA
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of suitable accommodation conditions
- Proof of means of subsistence as stipulated by law
What are the best cities to relocate to in Portugal?
Lisbon is quite a popular Portuguese city for many American expats and their families, especially given the good international schools in the area. Porto, Cascais, and cities in the Algarve region are also popular Portuguese cities among expats when deciding on an area to settle in Portugal.
What are the benefits of moving to Portugal?
An affordable cost of living for a European country, excellent healthcare (both public and private healthcare), rich history and culture, ease of travel, low crime rates, excellent food, and over 300 days of sunshine per year are the main perks of living in Portugal.
How does Portugal’s Golden Visa program work?
To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program, you will need:
- A clean criminal record
- Be a non-EU, non-Swiss, and non-EEA national
- Make an investment of at least €250,000
- Spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal.
