Moving To Portugal

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Located in the south western Europe, Portugal is a country that is rich in historical and cultural heritages. This is a powerful nation. It has one of the most developed economies. It offers a very high quality of life in all aspects of life. Moving to Portugal from the USA and settling down there can be a dream for many American expats. If you are one of them, we can guide you through the process. Planning to make your move soon? Let us help.

Moving to Portugal from USA

The International Sea & Air Shipping Advantages


You must have the question in mind. Where are we, International Sea & Air shipping, featuring in your relocation to Portugal from the USA? Valid question, we get that. Let us explain. Every relocation, whether within the same country or international, can create confusion. It involves a flurry of activities and to-do lists. These tasks encompass a wide range of activities. They include moving your household goods, handling the visa documentation process, house-hunting, and many other tasks.

A lot to process, right? But do not worry! Here is where we come in. We provide professional guidance to help you make a hassle-free move to Portugal from the USA. At International Sea & Air Shipping we understand all requirements related to international relocation.

Our team consists of experienced professionals. They have knowledge and expertise. They will guide you at every step when moving to Portugal from the USA. When relocating to Portugal from the USA, you can expect high-quality professional assistance from us at International Sea & Air Shipping.

International Sea & Air Shipping packs together quite a long years of experience in operating globally. Our professional services from packing and relocation of your household goods, the relocation of your car, guidance on what kind of container will suit your purpose, documentation help and more will help you make a smooth transition when you are moving to Portugal from the USA.

At International Sea & Air Shipping we provide end to end specialized services. This is for all types of moving from the origin to the destination. So, let our professionals handle your international shipping to Portugal from USA. You can then tackle the post move challenges and requirements easily.

About Portugal

Officially the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula and shares a border with Spain. One of the 20 most visited countries in the world, Portugal is a major travel destination and romantic getaway, boasting beautiful landscapes, beaches and mountains, historic architecture, and a rich culture.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Portugal ranks 19th in citizen quality of life and is considered the 13th most peaceful nation in the world. With a diversified and increasingly service-based economy, Portugal’s export partners include Spain, Germany, France, Angola, and the UK. Import partners are Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and Netherlands.

Portugal, a dreamy destination for international relocation

Portugal has featured prominently in the global map for centuries. The location of this Southwestern European country on the Iberian Peninsula has led to constant territorial disputes by various settlers. Due to the many settlements and each leaving its historical and cultural marks on this land, Portugal has a rich historical, architectural and cultural presence that entices people globally.

Looking at modern-day Portugal one will find this country to be a dream place to relocate and settle down. The advanced economy of the country and the status as a powerful nation being a member of the European Union, United Nations, the Schengen Area and also the Council of Europe (CoE), Portugal for sure passes as a top class relocation choice.

Customs Regulations for Portugal

  • Passport (original)
  • “Certificado de Bagagem” (issued by Portuguese Consulate)
  • Inventory (in Portuguese, consularized, in duplicate and signed and dated by the customer)
  • If your shipment includes motor vehicles, you should also list them on the inventory.
  • Valued inventory (for Customs purposes)
  • Serial number of major electrical appliances
  • “Atestado do Residençia” (proof of entitlement to reside in Portugal)
  • Either deed to the property owned by customer, a Work Permit or a Permanent Residence Permit
  • Declaration of ownership of goods, signed by the customer and witnessed by a Notary Public, stating goods are the customer’s possessions
  • CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT IN PORTUGAL PRIOR TO SHIPMENTS ARRIVAL FOR CUSTOMS INSPECTION
  • Shipment must arrive within 90 days of customer’s arrival and normally within 120 days of issue of the “Certificado de Bagagem”
  • You are allowed only one shipment without a special permit.
  • If you import more than one shipment, you must submit a detailed inventory for each, starting with the first shipment.
  • If the shipment originates from more than one place, you must submit a separate inventory for each.
  • You must clear all shipments through the same Customs office.
  • Firearms, weapons, and ammunition up to a caliber of 7.62 mm require a special permit; anything over this caliber is marked under prohibition.
  • Drugs and narcotics
  • Pornographic material
  • Gold in bars
  • Perishable foods
  • Games of chance

We will ship back or abandon any of the above items in your shipment, charging the customer for any additional costs.

  • New items (less than six months old)
  • Items not showing obvious signs of use (do not pack in manufacturer’s cartons)
  • You must show electrical appliances and electronic items on the inventory with their make, serial number, etc.
  • Tobacco products
  • Antiques
  • For alcohol, authorities permit a reasonable quantity of wine and spirits in a household goods import, equivalent to the contents of a normal domestic wine rack or cocktail cabinet.


Load the above items near the container doors for easy access by Customs.

  • Customers can import vehicles that have been in their possession for at least six months.
  • Authorities will apply duty and tax on all cars based on year, make, model, and engine size, and the duty and tax rates are very high.

Documents needed:

  • Original registration
  • Title
  • International driver’s license
  • Insurance document
  • Certificate of Health issued by a veterinarian no more than four weeks prior to the date of entry of the pet in Portugal

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Because regulations can change without notice, any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance cannot be held against International Sea & Air Shipping. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

Moving to Portugal from the USA – Documentation you need

Planning an intern as an American citizen, when you are moving to Portugal from the USA and staying for not more than 90 days, you will not need a visa. However, if your plan is to relocate to Portugal from the USA for a longer term than 90 days, you will have to produce a proper visa to justify your reason for staying in the country. International move to Portugal is more than just packing your bags and booking your flight.

There are different types of visas available to US expats looking to move to Portugal from the USA. Here is a list –

  • Golden visa or investment visa
  • D7 visa or the retirement visa
  • D1 visa or the work visa
  • Student visa
  • Star-up visa

The most popular choice among wealthy Americans to move to Portugal and settle there are the Golden visa and the D7 visa. Under the Golden visa or the investment visa one can invest in the country and obtain a residential permit. D7 visa is equally popular where many Americans are seeking to relocate to Portugal from the USA after retirement. To apply and obtain a D7 visa, applicants must provide proof of constant passive income.

In Portugal, the Immigration and Border Service, also known as Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), handles all visa applications and processing.

How to obtain permanent residency in Portugal?

The process is similar to most of the other countries. Once you have obtained a temporary residency permit after moving to Portugal from the USA, you have to renew it after 5 years. Once you complete this, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.

There is also another way of becoming a permanent resident in this country. In case you belong to any country which is a member of the European Union you have the right to live and work in Portugal based on your European heritage. However, this is not applicable to individuals who have served in the US army.

So research well before you plan and move to Portugal from the USA, apply for the right visa that is applicable to you and get ready for a new life in a new country.

Moving to Portugal from the U.S.

Immigrant friendly process

According to Expat Insider survey conducted in 2021 Portugal ranked 5th in terms of one of the top countries for the expats to move in. The immigration process and settling down in this European country is comparatively easier that is helpful when you are shipping to Portugal.

Quality of life in Portugal

Quite affordable and yet offers a high quality of life – that is the Portugal lifestyle for you. When relocating from the USA to Portugal, you will find that house hunting is cost-effective, and the process of settling down here is also cost-effective.

Affordable healthcare system

Compared to the American healthcare system, in Portugal access to healthcare services is quite affordable and of high quality. In fact, it will give you more confidence to know that as per WHO Portugal’s healthcare system ranks 12th in all round efficient services.

While these are some of the many reasons to move to Portugal from the USA you can also look forward to having other top reasons like safety, favorable climate, good educational system among others to back your decision to move to this European country for a longer term.

Best cities to move in Portugal from the USA

While relocating this is one important aspect you need to research on. Here is some help for you. These are some of the top cities you can move in to –

  • Lisbon
  • Braga
  • Porto
  • Coimbra
  • Aveiro

Top ports in Portugal

It is an additional benefit to know some of the top ports of Portugal especially when you are planning to move your household goods via sea freight. Here is a list –

  • Port of Lisbon
  • Port of Leixoes
  • Port of Sines
  • Port of Aveiro
  • Port of Setubal