About Portugalist
Moving to Portugal should feel exciting — not confusing
Most of the relocation information out there is vague, outdated, or wrapped up in someone else’s sales pitch. We’re here to be a better alternative — clear, accurate, and transparent.
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How Portugalist started
Built because the information we needed didn’t exist
Portugalist is an independent guide to moving to and living in Portugal. James Cave founded Portugalist in 2016.
Having lived in Northern Portugal, Lisbon, and the Algarve, James had direct experience of life in different parts of the country. What stood out was how difficult it was to get detailed, trustworthy answers to basic relocation questions — especially around visas like the D7, Golden Visa, and Digital Nomad Visa.
At the time, most of the available information came from law firms, estate agents, and other companies with something to sell. The content was often thin, overly polished, or presented in a way that felt more like a pitch deck than actual guidance.
Portugalist was built to change that.
What Portugalist covers
Practical answers about moving to Portugal
Residency visas — the D7, the Digital Nomad Visa, the Golden Visa. NIF numbers and bank accounts. Buying and renting. Healthcare, taxes, schools, learning the language. Where to live, which is the question people underestimate most.
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Visas & residency
The D7, the D8 Digital Nomad Visa, the Golden Visa — and every route in between.
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Choosing where to live
100+ place profiles, regional comparisons, and a 2-minute quiz to find your fit.
What makes us different
No fluff, no hard sell, no recycled forum advice
People deserve more than slick presentations that leave out the important details. Portugalist is built around four simple principles.
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Transparency
No fluff, no hard sell. Just clear information about what’s involved.
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Accuracy
Guidance shaped by research and real expert input — lawyers, realtors, accountants.
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Depth
Practical answers, not surface-level summaries — the detail that actually helps you decide.
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Clarity
Making complex topics easier to understand — without dumbing anything down.
The book
Moving to Portugal Made Simple
James Cave’s practical guide to relocating to Portugal, Moving to Portugal Made Simple, has earned hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon and is available worldwide. It covers everything from picking the right visa to setting up your life once you’ve arrived.
Who we help
People from all over the world — with a focus on non-EU movers
Some people find us when they’re just exploring the idea. Others when they’re comparing visas, or already getting ready to make concrete plans.
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Americans
D7, D8, Golden Visa, 401(k) and IRA considerations, NHR / IFICI tax planning, and the IRS angle.
Plus Australians, South Africans, and many others looking for straightforward, reliable relocation guidance. We also help EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who are moving over.
Get in touch
Planning a move? We’d love to hear from you
Whether you’re still exploring your options or ready to take the next step, Portugalist is here to help you make sense of the process — and move forward with confidence.
Thinking about Moving to Portugal?