With its warm climate, low cost of living, and endless activities, it’s no surprise that many Expats set their sights on Portugal. But even when your mind’s made up, moving to the other side of the world can be a daunting task. It’s time to focus on the logistics: the nuts and bolts of how to move to Portugal. Here, we detail the steps you must take when moving to Portugal, from the USA, or elsewhere.
Table of Contents
- Finding Work in Portugal
- Finding Accommodation
- Education in Portugal
- Moving Your Possessions to Portugal
- When you arrive in Portugal
- Learning Portuguese
- Your Next Steps in Moving to Portugal
For more information on what living in Portugal is like, please see our full guide for Expats.
Finding Work in Portugal
Portugal is consolidating its role as a hub for start-ups and international companies alike. As a result, Expats can often find jobs in the big cities, particularly in Lisbon. IT and software roles are in particular demand, and native English speakers are sought-after for teaching roles.
It is not legally required to have a contract to work in Portugal. However, you may need one if you wish to apply for a work visa.
A typical full-time contract would involve a 40-hour working week and 22 days of holiday per year. However, Portugal does have an incredible host of public holidays as well, which add an extra 13 days to your mandated 22 days!
Compared to the US, wages are lower in Portugal but proportional to the lower cost of living. When moving to Portugal, you need to consider your monthly income needs. An average couple will need a monthly income of around €1,500 to live in rural areas or €2,500 in the cities.
Remote Working from Portugal
Portugal is fast becoming one of the best countries in the world for remote working. The country has a stable internet connection for both mobile and fixed broadband connections and due to its central location in the world, can cater for most timezones. Lisbon, the Algarve, and Porto are popular places, but those looking for cheaper rents tend to move out of these centers.
You can also work remotely from co-working spaces, which are offices you pay to use. You can book a co-working space on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For those looking for something less formal, a beautiful café makes a great office.
The D7 visa is perfect for remote workers, freelancers, and crypto traders.
The government has also implemented a program to help Digital Nomads move to Madeira. A Digital Nomad village in Ponta do Sol offers free workspaces, exclusive events, and a designated host to help you settle in. A short-stay furnished apartment in Madeira would cost anything from €500 upwards.
Need Immigration Assistance for Portugal?
Get clear advice on the best visa, residency, or citizenship route from Anna Clara in a 30 minute consultation. She will also give you quote for further services should you want them. This could be the full end-to-end visa service, residency cards, or help to settle in.
Finding Accommodation
If you are planning on moving to Portugal, one of the first things you will need to decide is where to live.
Renting
Renting is a popular choice for Expats in Portugal. Rental prices are, on average, 75% lower than in the US.
Renting an apartment or house in Portugal requires you to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN). There are also instances where you will need a Portuguese guarantor. If you don’t have one, you’ll be required to pay the rent in advance and a deposit. The advance payments depend on the real estate company you’re negotiating with.
Apartments in Portugal follow a useful coding system. A T2 apartment has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. A T0 apartment is a studio-type apartment. If you see a “+1” on the apartment description, it means there is an additional room in the apartment with no windows.
Rental costs in Portugal vary depending on the location, area of the property, age of the property, and facilities. Apartments and houses located in highly-populated areas such as Lisbon have higher rent than those located in Guarda.
In areas like Lisbon, you can secure a decent rental apartment from around €800 per month. Apartments in less populated areas such as Guarda are available for as little as €200 per month.
Buying Property
The option of buying a property can also qualify you for a Portugal Golden Visa. However, due to recent changes in the law, we would encourage you to read our detailed Guide on the Golden Visa program.
The residential property market in Portugal is very active, with a wide range of options. Location, area, type, and facilities all impact the prices of residential properties in Portugal.
For example, a single-family home in the coastal town of Cascais can cost upwards of €4 million. A T2 apartment in the same location can cost from €300,000 upwards.
When purchasing property in Portugal, you must also cover some transaction costs. These costs depend on the purchase price of the property and are the buyer’s responsibility to pay. These costs can include:
- Legal fees (1% to 2% of the purchase price).
- Notary and registration fees (1% to 2% of the purchase price).
- Municipal tax (0% to 6% of the purchase price).
- Stamp duty (0.4% to 0.8% of the purchase price).
There are also property agent fees of 5% to 7% of the purchase price, plus the 23% VAT. This fee is covered by the seller of the property.
READ ALSO: Living in Portugal: Want an Insider Guide to a great European life?
Education in Portugal
If you are moving to Portugal with children, of course you will want to consider their education. Portugal offers a high-quality education system. Kindergarten or preschool is optional and runs from ages 3 to 5. After that, school is compulsory from the ages of 6 to 18.
Preschool and basic education in Portugal are free. Upper secondary education is split into further studies and general, technical, and work placement training.
State schools are free of charge, both for Portuguese citizens and Expats. Teaching is all in the Portuguese language, which can be a fast way for youngsters to develop their fluency. However, International schools also teach in English. These schools are naturally a more expensive option with prices ranging from €400 to €1,800 a month.
Portugal’s education system comprises three stages.
- Preschool education (optional) (ISCED 0).
- Basic education (ISCED 1 and 2).
- Upper secondary education (ISCED 3).
Homeschooling is legal in Portugal if you prefer. But it’s not as simple as declaring that you are educating your child at home. You have to enroll your child at a school and then elect to conduct their learning at home. Registering with a foreign umbrella school can be a simpler alternative for Expats.
Moving Your Possessions to Portugal
Portugal has excellent options for sea, air, and road freight. They all have pros and cons, and you’ll need to decide which suits you best.
You can see our guide to choosing an international moving company here.
Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll need a Baggage Certificate (Certificado de Bagagem). This document is your proof of ownership, and you’ll need it to minimize the customs and import duties on your goods. You can get the certificate from your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate.
To get quotes from the best relocation companies for your route, you can use this tool by Sirelo. Add your details once, and you will receive five quotes in a couple of days to compare and decide. Most of our clients say that they save about 40% of costs by using this tool.
Moving pets to Portugal
You can bring some pets to Portugal, but there are requirements. Cats, dogs, and ferrets need a rabies certificate and a pet passport. The company you choose to transport your pet should have all the information you need.
When you arrive in Portugal
When you first arrive in Portugal, you’ll need to get a Fiscal Number Número de Identificação Fiscal. Take your proof of address and ID to the town hall (camara), and they’ll issue it there. You’ll need this to open your bank account and other financial transactions.
You’ll also need to register your residency at the camara, to formalize your residency in Portugal.
You may be eligible for a social security number (segurança social) for those working or retiring. The process for this depends on your employment status and work permit.
Using an experienced local immigration expert makes these processes much, much simpler. Find out why using a Where Can I Live trusted partner takes all the risk out of choosing a lawyer.
Learning Portuguese
Moving to a different culture and environment can be challenging in a number of ways. However, language barriers are no longer a major issue. Most of your Portuguese neighbors will speak English, and translating technology helps bridge any gaps in day-to-day situations.
That said, Portuguese is a beautiful language, and it’s worth the time invested in learning it. It will help you communicate with your new friends, colleagues, and neighbors more fluently. Also, if you decide that perhaps this is going to be a permanent move and want to pursue citizenship, you must be proficient in Portuguese.
There are many language learning options in Portugal itself:
- Online language courses such as those from FSI Language Courses are convenient and receive good reviews.
- There are also Language schools in Portugal such as CIAL in Lisbon and Royal School of Languages in Porto. They offer Portuguese courses targeted at foreigners living in Portugal.
But if you want, you can get started right now. We recommend these online opportunities to make sure you hit the ground running.
- Duolingo: This free and easy-to-use app has gamified language learning and is used by thousands of people to build vocabulary.
- Babbel: This is similar to Duolingo although it is subscription-based, however, many reviewers say it produces better results.
- italki: You can virtually connect with Portuguese teachers, tutors, or conversation partners anytime, anywhere.
- Udemy: Udemy offers more than 800 user-reviewed Portuguese language courses from beginner to expert.
- FluentU: This language learning method gets fantastic reviews. Learn at your own pace with a wide range of resources.
READ ALSO: Portugal Citizenship Full Guide >> 7 best ways to get it
Your Next Steps in Moving to Portugal!
There’s a lot to consider when emigrating, and many Expats look back in hindsight and wish they had been more organized in the process.
If moving to Portugal is your dream, we want to take the stress out of it. We provide a comprehensive “Moving Abroad Checklist” to keep your move to Portugal on the right track.
If you still have questions, please consider booking a consultation with our excellent Portugal Immigration law partner.Have a read of reviews from other Where Can I Live clients that have used Goncalo and his team for their immigration matters
