James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist and the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition with more than 450 reviews on Amazon. He also wrote German Men Sit Down to Pee and Other Insights Into German Culture, a humorous guide to German culture, which has more than 650 ratings on Goodreads. Originally from Ireland, James Cave has lived in northern Portugal, Lisbon, and the Algarve, and has written about moving to Portugal since 2016. He is known for no-fluff guides to the D7, the Golden Visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa, along with citizenship and buying property in Portugal. Follow James Cave on Amazon, Goodreads, and LinkedIn, or at james-cave.com.

Spain vs Portugal: Which Country Has Easier Visas For Families?

Family of four at the airport together, looking back at a camera.

If you’re a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen weighing up Spain versus Portugal for a family move, you’re not choosing between good and bad — you’re choosing between two of Europe’s most family-friendly countries. Both offer sunshine, coastal living, international schools, and a slower pace of life. Spanish is a global language; Portugal slightly less so, but it is known for its safety. But before you fall in love with a city, check whether your income type and level actually gets you in. …

piggybank and calculator next to a notepad and keyboard

The short answer is yes—but it’s not quite as simple as showing the Portuguese government a bank statement and declaring you can support yourself. You’ll need to qualify for a specific visa or route to residency that accommodates your financial situation. Let’s explore the options available for moving to Portugal with savings. 1. The Golden Visa (For Those with €500k or More in Savings) The Golden Visa is specifically designed for individuals with substantial savings. The concept is straightforward: you …

someone writing pros and cons on a glass pane

Here are the things I really like about the D7 visa and the things I don’t. But if you take one thing away, take this: I’d still apply for it tomorrow if I was looking for a way to move to Europe. Portugal’s D7 visa is one of the most attainable residency visas in the whole of the EU. As of , an individual needs just in passive income per month and around in savings. Search around and you’ll struggle …

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Here’s a question that keeps coming up: can you actually work once you’re in Portugal on a D7? Some officials say you can. Some say you can’t. Immigration lawyers give different answers. It’s one of the most confusing aspects of Portugal’s residency system. In this article, we’ll break down what the D7 visa actually is, whether you can work on it, what the risks and requirements are, and whether you might be better off with a different visa altogether The …

a box of medications with days of the week

Moving abroad is scary enough. But when you have a pre-existing condition? It gets properly terrifying. Right now, you’ve got a setup that works. Your doctor knows your history, your prescriptions are sorted, your medical records are more or less all in one place. Everything’s familiar, even if it’s not perfect. Then you start thinking about Portugal. What happens to your medications? Will insurance companies cover you? How long until you can access the public health system, and can you …

Moving to Lisbon? The good news is that you’re headed to one of Europe’s safest capitals, where violent crime is rare and most neighborhoods are perfectly fine for daily life. But like any major city, Lisbon has areas that require extra awareness, especially after dark. Let’s break down what you actually need to know as an expat planning to make Lisbon home. The Reality Check: How Safe is Lisbon Really? Portugal consistently ranks as one of the safest countries globally, …

A hand holding a Portuguese passport in front of a blurred background resembling the colors of the Portuguese flag, green and red.

Most weeks, someone emails me a version of the same question: my great-grandmother was born in Porto—can I get a Portuguese passport? It comes from all over—Canada, the UK, Australia—but far and away the most often from the United States. People who never used to think about a second passport suddenly want the option, and a great-grandparent from the Azores or mainland Portugal looks like a route in. So here’s the direct answer. You cannot claim Portuguese citizenship by descent …

A close-up of a person's hand using a calculator. The person is holding a pen in one hand and pressing the buttons on the calculator with the other. In the background, there are documents, papers, and a notebook with a spiral binding.

Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax scheme has been a topic of significant interest and controversy in recent years. Although the NHR program officially ended in 2023, the Portuguese government has since introduced NHR 2.0 (often called TISRI or the scientific and innovation regime, among other things). In July 2024, the new government announced plans to bring back the NHR regime – but crucially the new regime will exclude dividends, capital gains and pensions or social security. This article examines the …

A person with light pink nails holds a pen poised over a stack of documents on a black desk. The documents appear to have text and sections for signatures. Another hand rests nearby, seemingly guiding the writing process.

Let’s talk about something that might not be the most exciting part of your Portuguese adventure, but it’s definitely worth getting right: estate planning. Whether you’ve got a lovely villa in the Algarve or a bank account in Porto, having a clear plan for your assets can save your loved ones a lot of headaches down the road. Do You Need a Portuguese Will? While there’s no legal requirement to have a Portuguese will, here’s the deal: if you own …

A toyota Camry car - one of the most popular cars in California. But should this be imported into Portugal?

Thinking about bringing your beloved car to Portugal? While it’s possible to import a vehicle tax-free when moving here, the process isn’t always straightforward. Let’s break down what you need to know. The Tax-Free Window When moving to Portugal, you have a one-time opportunity to import a vehicle without paying Portugal’s hefty vehicle tax (ISV) and VAT (IVA). This can save you thousands of euros, but there’s a catch – well, several catches. Main Requirements Important: Miss any of these …

Spain vs Portugal: Which Country Has Easier Visas For Families?

Can You Move to Portugal on Savings Alone? Yes — With These Caveats

Portugal’s D7 Visa: The Pros, The Cons, and Why I’d Still Apply For It Tomorrow

Can You Work on Portugal’s D7 Visa?

Can You Move to Portugal With Pre-Existing Health Conditions & Prescriptions?

Which Areas of Lisbon Are Unsafe?

Can You Get Portuguese Citizenship Through a Great-Grandparent? Yes, But It Isn’t Straightforward

Does Portugal Still Have An NHR Tax Regime?

Wills in Portugal: What Expats Need to Know Before It’s Too Late

Want To Import Your Car Into Portugal? Check It’s Worth It