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Many European delights await you in Portugal, from the picturesque beaches to the vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes. It also has one of the lowest living costs in Europe, making it a popular destination for expats.
Additionally, you can expect free healthcare and quality education, and you will enjoy the same right as other EU nationals if you move there longer.
You can get a head start on living in Portugal with this moving to Portugal guide.
Quick Facts About Portugal
Some quick facts about Portugal are:
| Official name | Portuguese Republic |
| Form of government | Republic, parliamentary democracy |
| Capital city | Lisbon |
| Population | Around 10 million |
| Area | 91, 985 km² |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Official languages | Portuguese and Mirandese |
Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Move to Portugal?
Whether you need a Portugal visa depends on your country of residence as explained below:
- An EU/EEA citizen. As a citizen of the EU/EEA countries, you do not need to apply for a visa to enter the country. You can move there with only a valid passport or another travel document.
- A non-EU/EEA citizen. As a citizen of the non-EU/EEA, you must apply for a Portugal visa to move there for more than three months.
Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA Citizen
You do not need to obtain a visa to move to Portugal as a national from one of the EU/EEA countries. However, you must apply for a registration certificate to stay longer than three months. The application for the certificate takes place at the local Council, and you must do it within 30 days of the first three months in Portugal. The registration certificate is five years from the issuance date.
In addition, you also have to comply with at least one of the following conditions:
- Be employed or self-employed in Portugal.
- Have sufficient resources to support yourself and your family members.
- You are enrolled in an accredited private or public educational institution and can support yourself financially.
Moving to Portugal as a non-EU Citizen
Moving to Portugal as a citizen of a non-EU country acquires that you apply for a national (long-term) visa. These visas are usually valid for over a year and lead to residency in Portugal.
Furthermore, to legally stay longer than three months in the country, you must apply for a residence permit at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) and register your social security number at a registration office.
You can move to Portugal for over three months by choosing one of the following ways:
- To work.
- To study.
- To join a family member.
- To retire.
Moving to Portugal for Work
To move to Portugal to work, you must obtain a work visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate. At the same time, your employer in Portugal has to apply for a Work Permit (Autorização de Trabalho) at the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) on your behalf.
After arriving in Portugal, you must apply for a residence permit at SEF, register for social security, and get a tax number at the Social Security office.
The residence permit allows you to live and work in Portugal for one to two years with the possibility of renewing. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency.
Moreover, if you want to work remotely in Portugal, you must hold a Portugal D7 Visa.
Moving to Portugal to Study
Once you are accepted into a Portuguese higher education institution, you must apply for a student visa to pursue your studies there. Following the issuance of your visa by the Portuguese embassy, you will need to apply for a residence permit at Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) after entering Portugal. A student’s residence permit lasts one year; you can renew it annually during your studies.
Regardless, during your time as a student in Portugal, your stay will not count towards your permanent residency. To be eligible for permanent residency, you must switch to a work visa which is valid for a year and can be renewed for five years.
Moving to Portugal for Family Reunification
To join your family members in Portugal, they must be residence permit holders or citizens of Portugal. Whereas you must apply for a family visa and be an immediate family member. You are considered an immediate family member when you are:
- A spouse or registered partner.
- A minor child.
- Any child under the care of the applicant.
- A dependent adult child.
- A dependent first-degree relative.
- A minor sibling under the legal custody of the resident.
In addition, before you apply for a family visa at a local Portuguese embassy, your sponsor needs to apply initially at the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service- SEF on your behalf. Finally, to obtain your long-term residence permit in Portugal, you must register as a resident of Portugal at SEF once you enter Portugal.
The validity of the family visa is as long as the duration of the sponsor’s residence permit. The initial validity usually is for two years and can be extended every three years.
Moving to Portugal for Retirement
As a third-country national, you must apply for a visa to move to Portugal for retirement. Portugal offers two routes for you:
- The Retirement Visa. The retirement visa is for you who want to live in Portugal without working. Still, you can support yourself financially with pensions, savings, etc. Upon entering Portugal, you must make an appointment with Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service-SEF and apply for a residence permit. Your residency permit for retirement in Portugal is initially valid for one year. You can renew it twice, each time for two years— in total your permit has a validity period of five years. After five years and meeting all other requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
- The Golden Visa. The Golden Visa is a type of investment program which grants Portuguese citizenship to those who invest in the country. The most common investment is purchasing a property in Portugal worth at least €500,000. The residence permit you receive when applying for a Golden Visa is initially valid for one year. You can also apply for renewal, and you will get a permit that lasts for two years. Then after five years, you can apply for permanent residency.
How to Become a Permanent Resident in Portugal?
First, you must hold a temporary residence permit to become a permanent resident in Portugal. The temporary residence permit is valid for a year and can be renewed for up to five years. Then after five years of temporary residency, you can switch to a permanent residence permit. Permanent residency is only for those who wish to stay indefinitely in Portugal.
Can I Win Citizenship in Portugal?
You can win Portuguese citizenship. You must be a legal resident for five years before applying for citizenship. You can also win citizenship through other routes:
- By marriage or legal partnership.
- By descent (parents or grandparents).
- Via Portugal’s former colonies.
- By Sephardic Jewish colonies.
- By birth.
- By adoption (applicable to those under 18s).
Does Portugal Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, Portugal allows dual citizenship. However, you should check if your original country allows it before obtaining a second citizenship. As long as it does, you can move forward with Portugal.
How Can I Move My Belongings to Portugal?
When moving your belongings to Portugal, you have air freight, sea, or land options. You can choose which best suits you depending on your budget and urgency. Furthermore, you must be in Portugal at the time your shipment arrives.
The documentation you must have includes:
- Your valid passport.
- Certificato de Bagagem (luggage certificate) issued by a Portuguese consulate.
- A serial number of major electrical appliances.
- Proof of residence.
- Declaration of ownership of the goods (notarized and signed by you).
Moreover, important information for customs allowances for goods includes:
| Traveling within the EU | Traveling from outside the EU |
| 800 cigarettes | 200 cigarettes |
| 400 cigarillos | 100 cigarillos |
| 200 cigars | 50 cigars |
| 1 kg smoking tobacco | 250 gr of tobacco |
| 10 liters of spirit drinks | 1 liter of spirit drinks |
| 20 liters of intermediate products | 20 liters of intermediate products |
| 90 liters of wine | 4 liters of still wine |
| 110 liters of beer | 16 liters of beer |
Some forbidden or restricted items in Portugal are:
- Perishable foods.
- p*rnographic materials.
- Drugs and narcotic substances.
- Gold bars.
- New items (less than six months old).
Can I Bring Pets to Portugal?
Yes, you can bring up to five pets as long as they are not for commercial use.
The rules you need to follow when bringing your pets to Portugal depend on whether you are moving from within or outside of the EU:
- When moving within the EU, your pets must have a European Pet Passport, a microchip, or a pet tattoo. They also must be vaccinated against rabies, and if you vaccinated them recently, you must wait 21 days before moving to Portugal.
- When moving from outside the EU, you can only bring dogs and pets. They must:
- Have a microchip or readable tattoo.
- Be vaccinated against rabies (at least 21 days before moving).
- Enter Portugal through the Traveler’s Point of Entry. These include the airport of Lisbon, Oporto, Faro, Funchal, Ponta Delgado, Ilha Terceira, and Beja.
Why Should I Move to Portugal?
You should consider the following pros and cons before deciding to move to Portugal:
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable cost of living 一 compared to countries in the European Union, life in Portugal is relatively inexpensive. To put it into perspective, the US is approximately 42% more expensive than Portugal. | Language 一 Portuguese is the country’s official language, and you can encounter obstacles in government agencies. Consequently, you will be required to know at least basic Portuguese. |
| Safety 一 Portugal is ranked 3rd among the safest countries in the world. Compared to other European countries, the crime rate is very low. | Salaries 一 compared to other European countries, wages in Portugal tend to be considerably lower. |
| Tax matters 一 due to the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) in Portugal, you will have many benefits, such as tax exemption on foreign source income, a 20% flare rate for certain Portuguese source incomes, etc. | Bureaucracy 一 is a primary concern for ex-pats. Paperwork is slow, and completing things takes quite a bit of time. |
| Medicine 一 both citizens and residents of Portugal are entitled to free medical care at the country’s public hospitals. | Lack of central heating 一 you won’t find a radiator in your house in Portugal in the winter like in some European countries. To keep warm at night, you’ll have to buy yourself a heater. |
| Education 一 a variety of schools and universities are available in Portugal, offering families an excellent education system. Several international students decide to study in Portugal because of its highly regarded education system and internationally recognized universities. | Slow pace 一 Portugal possesses a quiet lifestyle unsuitable for everyone. It is common for residents to be unpunctual and in no hurry. |
| Friendly people 一 people of Portugal are well-known for their hospitality. They are quite happy to talk to you despite the language barrier. | |
| Weather 一 Portugal is the perfect destination for nature lovers who want to live in a warm climate full of sunlight. Moreover, it depends on where you settle in Portugal, and the kind of climate will vary. As you travel south, the weather becomes warmer. |
Which Cities in Portugal are the Most Popular for Expats?
The following cities are some of the most popular cities in Portugal for expats:
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Braga
- Aveiro
- Lagos
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. It is a diverse city with many foreigners and is great for expat families. Portugal offers everything to its residents. If you enjoy the buzz of a big city, wonderful beaches, and historical attractions, Lisbon is the place for you. With its vibrant shopping districts, vibrant nightlife hubs, cozy local quarters, and scenic coastal views, the nation’s capital has a variety of lifestyles to offer.
Lisbon’s cost of living is somewhat higher than that of most other cities in Portugal. As an expat your overall expenses can go up to €2,530 per month.
Porto
Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city. Undoubtedly, Porto rivals Lisbon as a center of culture and entertainment. Additionally, its historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to this, it is extremely popular with tourists. In addition, Porto has charming neighborhoods, fantastic food, and a balanced pace of life.
Moreover, it is rich in tradition, culture, and history, providing many job opportunities. The cost of living is relatively low, especially compared to Lisbon. The cost of living for expats is approximately €2,100 per month.
Braga
It is one of Portugal’s oldest cities and a great choice if you’re searching for a smaller and cheaper city than Porto or Lisbon. The city is becoming increasingly popular among expats as one of Portugal’s up-and-coming cities. Known for its lively nightlife and rich history, Braga is also home to one of Portugal’s oldest cathedrals.
Indeed, this is a smaller city with cheaper rent, transportation, and education costs. Your expenses go around €1,450 monthly. Finally, expats are also attracted to this city because of the variety of cafes, bars, charming streets, enriched culture, and rich history.
Aveiro
Aveiro is famous for its beautiful canals, colorful gondolas, and Nouveau architecture. It is a small and very calm city. Due to this, Aveiro is particularly popular with students and pensioners. Besides, Aveiro offers many amenities, such as infrastructure, education, and other amenities that can make a living more comfortable.
Aveiro is also a safe city with low crime rates. Therefore, you will always feel safe there. Another advantage of living in Aveiro is the low cost of living. It is especially evident compared to Lisbon and Porto. The monthly living costs for expats are approximately €1,730 per month.
Lagos
Lagos is a paradise for those who enjoy summer. The excellent year-round weather and the beautiful beaches are just some reasons expats move there.
Moreover, Lagos offers a rich history, buzzing cafes, a nightlife scene, and an incredible landscape. To enjoy all this, you will only be spending a little. Prices remain the same despite Lagos’ popularity as a tourist destination, especially during July and August. The monthly living expenses will be around €1,445.
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