Moving To Portugal From US

Moving to Portugal from the USA can be challenging, but having a moving checklist can make the whole task seem simpler. Portugal has developed into one of the top destinations for Americans seeking a European lifestyle. The entire Western Coast of Portugal has breathtaking coastlines, energetic culture, a feasible cost of living, and most importantly, a welcoming group of local communities.

All this makes the idea of moving to Portugal even more popular, and we should also consider the same if thinking of relocating to Portugal from the US. As per current studies, approximately 60,000 expats have decided to relocate to Portugal, and among them, around 11% of those expats are from the United States of America.

You can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa, but you will require a residency permit to live there for a longer time. Let’s dig deep into this guide and understand the rewards of moving to Portugal and the various aspects related to the relocation, ranging from the lifestyle of the country, cost of living, healthcare, and visa requirements, among a few others.

What do you need to know about Portugal?

Officially known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is located in the Southern part of Europe. This country was founded in the year 1143 and covers an overall area of 92,212 km2. The mainland of Portugal is situated in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing its northern and eastern borders with Spain and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Along with the mainland, Portugal includes two independent islands, the Azores archipelago and Madeira, in the Atlantic Ocean

The Azores Archipelago consists of 9 islands, including Corvo, Graciosa, Pico, Flores, Faial, Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge, and Terceira.

Ranked 19th for quality of life and 13th as one of the world’s most peaceful nations by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Portugal blends tradition with modern living.

Its economy, increasingly focused on services and exports, thrives through partnerships with countries like Spain, Germany, France, and the UK. For those considering a fresh start, moving to Portugal offers a world of opportunities.

What are the Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens?

If you are planning to move to Portugal, you need to know about the visa requirements for your situation. Let’s explore some of the important aspects of each of the applicable visa options one by one:

Digital Nomad Visa

Also known as the D8 visa, the digital nomad visa was introduced in the year 2022, which is required for remote workers and digital professionals who are working with non-Portuguese companies. The D8 visa is popular among those Americans who are moving to Portugal and want to continue with their careers, along with enjoying a healthy European lifestyle. To apply for this visa, you must have a monthly income of approximately €3,280 and savings of around €36,480.

• This type of visa will allow you to live in the country for at least one year, and you can visit Schengen countries every six months for 90 days.
• If you meet the criteria, you can even apply for citizenship after living for five years in the country.
• You will have access to the various healthcare services, schools, and a university. Hence, it would be a good choice for those relocating with families and children.

Overall, a digital nomad visa is not costly; you just need to showcase your work online and have sufficient money as per the visa requirements.

Golden Visa

If you are wondering how to relocate to Portugal from the US through investment, the Golden Visa will be the right option for you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have a qualifying investment, for example, a capital transfer or a property purchase. 

The golden visa was started in 2012 to bring foreign investment to Portugal, and from that time it has emerged to be one of the most popular programs of its kind in Europe. You can renew this type of visa every two years, but you must complete the initial phase of one year to be eligible for the same.

The golden visa is potentially the best one in Europe for those American citizen who demands the flexibility to stay outside Portugal but with a road towards citizenship.

D7 Visa

If you are a retiree with a regular passive income and want to move to Portugal from America, this would be the simplest way for you to relocate. You should have enough financial resources to support yourself in the new country, for example regular income like a pension, rental income, or even investments. 

To qualify for the D7 visa, the applicant must have an assured monthly income of around €760 for one person and €1,140approximately for a couple who wants to move to the country. In short, you would be required to show sufficient funds in your Portuguese bank account to cover the cost of living in the country, without needing to work.

D1 Visa

The Portugal D1 Visa (Work Visa) allows non-EU citizens, including Americans, to live and work in Portugal under an employment contract with a Portuguese company. To qualify, applicants must have a valid full-time job offer that meets Portuguese labor laws and minimum wage standards. Required documents typically include a valid passport, employment contract, criminal record certificate, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and sometimes proof of qualifications.

Once approved, the D1 visa allows entry into Portugal, after which you must apply for a residence permit through AIMA (formerly SEF). This permit is usually valid for two years and renewable. The D1 visa grants access to public healthcare, social security, and family reunification benefits, and it can lead to permanent residency or citizenship after a few years of legal stay.

Tech & Start-up Visa

The Startup Visa offers an opportunity for young entrepreneurs from around the world to establish or expand their innovative businesses in Portugal. It serves as a residence visa program aimed at attracting global talent, investment, and creativity to strengthen Portugal’s innovation landscape.

What is important for a start-up visa?

• An applicant is required to develop innovative products and services in the knowledge-based or tech-based industries.
• Need to showcase their caliber to create skilled working opportunities.
• The applicant must be able to achieve an annual turnover of more than €325,000 in a period of 5 years after their establishment.
• Mostly, an applicant will be required to collaborate with a certified Portuguese incubator.

What is the requirement for a tech visa?

• This type of visa is mainly created for qualified professionals who will be joining tech companies in Portugal.
• The applicant needs to either have an ISCED Level 6 qualification or a Bachelor’s degree.
• An ISCED Level 5 qualification and 5 years of associated technical experience is also accepted.

With a tech visa, you can contribute to the booming technology sector of Portugal.

Student Visa

With a student visa, you can attend college and universities or even vocational courses in Portugal. You will need to get this visa if you are going to pursue a program with a duration of over 90 days.

Moreover, for summer schools or any short-term courses that would last for less than 3 months, you can go for the Schengen short-stay visa. 

Here’s what you can access with a student visa:

• Reside in Portugal legally for the entire duration of your studies. 
• Easily access the local services and reap the benefit of a few job opportunities while you are still enrolled in the course.

With most of the visa options, family members can move to the new country with the main applicant. The eligible members can be your spouse, financially dependent parents, children, or an unmarried partner. In case of an unmarried partner, you need to submit proof of a committed relationship. 

Most visa types in Portugal allow family members to accompany or reunite with the main applicant. Eligible relatives typically include a spouse, an unmarried partner (with proof of a committed relationship), dependent children, and financially dependent parents.

With a residence permit, family members can move to Portugal from the US and most cases, can access public education and healthcare services.

Adding family members to your application requires submitting extra documentation – such as marriage or birth certificates—and meeting higher financial requirements. Generally, applicants must show an additional 50% of the required monthly income for a spouse and around 25–30% more for each dependent child.

How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Portugal?

Once you obtain a temporary residency permit in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency after five years. Temporary permits must be renewed periodically during this time. Permanent residency allows you to live and work in Portugal without further renewals, and it can also open the door to applying for Portuguese citizenship after six years of residency.

For European Union (EU) citizens, the process is more straightforward, as they have the automatic right to live and work in Portugal. However, this does not apply to U.S. citizens, who must follow the standard visa and residency procedures. Carefully research your options and choose the visa that best fits your circumstances. With the proper documentation, you can look forward to starting a new life in Portugal.

How to Prepare for Citizenship?

• You must have lived in Portugal for a minimum of 5 years as a resident.
• You will need to meet any physical requirements according to your resident visa.
• You need to undertake a Portuguese language test from CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira).
• The test will be easy, and you are required to pass only at the A2 level. However, if you are over 60 years, or mentally or physically disabled, you need to clear the language test.
• You need to demonstrate that you have a basic understanding of the Portuguese culture, history, as well as customs.
• You are required to have a clean criminal record and not present any threat to the security and public order of the country. 
• You must take an oath of adherence to the state and resign from any other citizenship that you were holding.

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Most Popular Cities for an American Moving to Portugal

When Americans move to Portugal, they often choose cities that offer a mix of culture, amenities, and lifestyle. From bustling urban centers to peaceful coastal towns, there’s a place for everyone. Here are some of the most popular cities where Americans feel at home:

• Lisbon – It is the vibrant capital of Portugal with a combination of coastal beauty and urban life. Lisbon is popular for its dynamic social environment, rich culture, and powerful international connections. It provides broad dining, entertainment, and career opportunities along with leading international airports.
• Porto – This historic city is popular for its port wine and impressive UNESCO-listed riverside. Here you will find a mixture of modern creativity and old-world charm. Overall, Porto is famous for its bright culture, welcoming locals, and gastronomy.
• Braga: This is a rapidly growing northern city with a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. The cost of living is affordable, the student population is booming, and startups are emerging at a fast pace. Braga is walkable, it has a lot of historical monuments, and hosts a huge number of cultural events.
• Coimbra: It is known as a peaceful university town and is home to the oldest university in Portugal. The lifestyle in Coimbra is relaxed, with lots of scenic beauty and a lively student community.
• Aveiro: Also called the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is a scenic coastal city of Portugal. It is famous for all the colorful boats, affordable living, and tasty seafood. This city has good schools, and the locals are also friendly as well as welcoming.
• Cascais – A charming coastal town near Lisbon, known for its golden beaches, safety, upscale lifestyle, and vibrant seaside atmosphere.
• Faro – The Algarve’s capital, offering a relaxed lifestyle, rich history, and easy access to stunning southern Portugal beaches.
• Madeira – A scenic island paradise with lush landscapes, mild weather, and a tranquil lifestyle perfect for nature lovers.

Does Portugal have a good quality of life?

Portugal has been constantly recognized for its high quality of living, safety, trustworthy healthcare system, and welcoming local community. Since the rate of crime in the country is low, the residents can live in a peaceful environment. Portugal is a perfect blend of traditional life and modernity, which makes life there inspiring and comfortable.

The country is full of natural beauty and rich culture, which makes it ideal for long term settlers and remote professionals looking for a rewarding style of living. For anyone relocating, Portugal promises a lifestyle filled with comfort and joy.

What type of climate does Portugal have?

Portugal has 300 sunny days a year, which makes it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities. The winter in the country is pleasant, summers are pleasant, making it an excellent choice for surfing, hiking, and beach outings.

Continuous sunlight improves daily life, encouraging outdoor gatherings, markets, and festivals in scenic surroundings. To sum up, Portugal has a favorable climate that creates an active and cheerful atmosphere, fostering a healthy lifestyle. This makes it one of the most appealing destinations in Europe for both visitors and residents.

The country’s natural beauty, from the Algarve’s coastline to the Douro Valley’s vineyards, makes it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

What job opportunities can Portugal offer?

The tourism and hospitality industry provides opportunities for expats, specifically in the Algarve and Lisbon. The IT sector mostly uses English as its working language and works with foreign companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, which are looking forward to expanding their operations in Portugal. 

Foreign companies that have Portuguese offices often recruit English speakers for specific roles, and teaching English language remains the most appropriate option for native speakers. Before moving to Portugal, you must note that the salary you will get in Portugal may be lower than what you might have gotten in the US.

Is the cost of living in Portugal affordable?

Portugal is popular for its significantly low cost of living, making it a popular choice for those planning to relocate with the help of an international household moving company or on their own as compared to the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and even its neighbor, Spain. This has made it a top destination for expats and digital nomads who value both comfort and economic ease.

Expenses in the country are about 42% lower than in the United States, making it appealing for those moving from high-cost cities such as New York or San Francisco. The difference in day-to-day expenses is significant. 

From housing and dining to groceries and everyday necessities, Portugal offers excellent quality at an affordable cost.

You can check out the following pointers to get an idea of living in Portugal:

• You can expect a monthly estimated cost of around €1,622 for a single person, including the rent for your accommodation.
• For a one-bedroom house in the city center, you can expect to pay something around €940, while for a three-bedroom house, you can expect to pay something around €1,592.
• You can expect to pay for the basic utilities like water, garbage, and electricity of around. €114/month, if you are living in an 85 m² apartment.
• You can expect an average internet bill of around €37.50/month and a mobile phone plan of around €19/month.

What Healthcare Services can US Citizens Moving To Portugal Access?

To have access to the public healthcare system, U.S. citizens moving to Portugal must be legal residents of the country. If you are looking for detailed coverage and faster access, you will need to get private insurance. 

Here’s what you need to know about the public healthcare system:

• Both a legal resident and an expat can enroll themselves in this national system.
• To enroll, you will need to have a residency permit as well as a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF). 
• Next, you will need to obtain a Social Security number by registering with the Social Security Administration. 
• Lastly, you need to go to a local healthcare center to obtain your unique identifier, which will be your user number to access the services.

With the Public Healthcare (SNS), you can access a broad range of services; however, you may be required to pay the user fee for availing certain services. 

Until you are a legal resident of the country, you can purchase travel insurance. This will keep you covered for the initial few months after you have relocated to Portugal. Hospitalization, medical emergencies, and any repatriation to cover your visa needs will be taken care of by this temporary insurance.

How is the Education System in Portugal for Expats?

As per the US News and World Report, Portugal occupies the 25th position, approximately, among the countries with the best education system. Education in Portugal is mostly state-funded and provides free education to children in between the ages of 6 to 18 years.

Expats moving to Portugal can also choose between private schools and international schools.However, the international school option can be more appealing for the expats, as it will offer the children multilingual curriculum as well as internationally recognized qualifications. 

The cost of the education system in Portugal will widely vary from zero fee to thousands of euros, depending on whether you choose a private or public school. Here’s what you need to know about the education costs in the country:

• Nursery schools supported by the Creche Feliz law will be completely free. 
• Private day care in major cities like Lisbon will cost you something around €350 and €500.
• In secondary and primary schools, either you pay nothing for enrolling in the public schools or pay somewhere around €500 for private schools. Choosing international schools will cost you something around €5.000 to over €10.000 for early schools. 
• Higher education in public universities will cost you monthly tuition fees of around €1.000 to €1.500 for national students and around €3.000 for non-EE/EEA citizens.

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Customs Regulations for Portugal

Documents required to move to Portugal

• Passport (original)
• “Certificado de Bagagem” issued by Portuguese Consulate
• Inventory (in Portuguese, consularized and in duplicate and signed and dated by the customer)
• If motor vehicles are included in shipment, they should also be listed 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 property owned by customer, 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 customers own possessions

Customs Regulations

CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT IN PORTUGAL PRIOR TO SHIPMENTS ARRIVAL FOR CUSTOMS INSPECTION

• Shipment must arrive within 90 days of customers arrival and normally within 120 days of issue of the “Certificado de Bagagem”
• Only one shipment allowed without special permit
• If more than one shipment, detailed inventory must be submitted for each with the first shipment
• If shipment originates from more than one place, separate inventory must be submitted for each
• All shipments must be cleared through same Customs office
• Household goods must correspond in quantity to the social standing of the customer

Prohibited Items

• Firearms, weapons and ammunition (up to a caliber of 7.62mm requires a special permit, anything over is prohibited)
• Drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic material
• Gold in bars
• Perishable foodstuff
• Alcohol
• Games of chance

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• New items (less than six months old) or items not showing obvious signs of use (do not pack in manufacturer’s cartons)
• Electrical appliances and electronic items must be shown on the inventory with make, serial number, etc.
• Tobacco products
• Antiques
• Above items should be loaded near container doors for easy access by Customs
• A reasonable quantity of wine and spirits in a household goods import equivalent to the contents of a normal domestic wine rack and cocktail cabinet

Motor Vehicle

Vehicles that have been in possession of the shipper for at least six (6) months can be imported. Duty and tax will be applied on all cars. The duty and tax rates vary based on year, make, model, and engine size. The duty and tax rates are very high.

• Documentation needed
  • Original registration
  • Title
  • International driver’s license
  • Insurance document

Pets Regulations

• 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.

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How Professional Movers Can Simplify Your Moving to Portugal?

Relocating to Portugal from the USA can be an exciting yet challenging experience, but International Sea & Air Shipping makes it simple and stress-free. Our experienced team handles every aspect of your international move so you can focus on settling into your new home abroad.

We offer reliable household goods shipping to ensure all your personal belongings reach Portugal safely and on time. Our fine art shipping services protect valuable artwork and collectibles with expert care, while our packing services for overseas shipping use premium materials to safeguard everything from delicate items to large furniture.

As professional international piano movers, we transport instruments with precision and attention to detail. With years of expertise in global relocations, we manage all documentation, logistics, and transportation—providing a smooth and worry-free moving experience to Portugal.

Why Choose International Sea & Air Shipping?

When it comes to container shipping, International Sea & Air Shipping stands out for its reliability and efficiency. Whether you need a small container for personal items or a larger option for full household relocation, we provide solutions tailored to your specific needs. With our expertise, we ensure your belongings are transported safely and on time.

We provide an end-to-end service that includes everything from packing and documentation to selecting the right container for your needs. With years of experience in global relocations, we are equipped to manage all the logistics involved in moving to Portugal from the USA. Let us handle the complexities of international moving while you prepare for your exciting new life.

Another reason to choose us is our transparency. Before you commit, you can get a free moving quote to help you plan your budget effectively. Our quotes are detailed and accurate, ensuring there are no surprises later. At International Sea & Air Shipping, we aim to provide a seamless and stress-free moving experience from start to finish.

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