James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist.com, a website he created in 2016 to make moving to Portugal more simple. He’s also the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition and with more than 400 reviews on Amazon. Through Portugalist, James has helped thousands of people plan their move and settle into life in Portugal with clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information. Portugalist has been featured in countless publications including the WSJ, New York Times, and Independent.

D2 VS D8: Which Is Better For Freelancers & Entrepreneurs Moving to Portugal?

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Written by: | Last Updated: March 4, 2026

If you’re a freelancer, the confusing thing about Portugal’s D2 visa and Digital Nomad Visa (D8) is that, at first glance, you can seem like a fit for either. In theory, that’s true. But in practice, the general rule is …

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Last modified: March 4, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 8 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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13+ Ways to Learn European Portuguese for Free

A man in a blue checkered shirt is sitting at a desk, writing in a notebook with a pen. In front of him is an open laptop, and there's a blurred background with a window, some indoor plants, and office items.

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Written by: | Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Learning European Portuguese doesn’t have to be expensive. There are now plenty of free resources that can help you get started, from apps and YouTube channels to podcasts, phrase tools, and language exchange communities. If your goal is to build …

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Last modified: March 4, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 16 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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Can I Bring Dependent Parents With Me to Portugal?

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Written by: | Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Yes — you can bring dependent parents to Portugal. Portuguese family reunification rules explicitly include your dependent parents and your spouse’s dependent parents as eligible family members, provided you can prove the family relationship, sufficient means of support, and accommodation. …

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Last modified: March 4, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 4 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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Digital Nomad Visa vs Golden Visa: Which Visa Is Right for You?

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Written by: | Last Updated: March 3, 2026

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you’ve probably encountered two very different residency routes: the Digital Nomad Visa and the Golden Visa. Both eventually lead to the same end-point — residency, then permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship. But they’re …

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Last modified: March 3, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 2 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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How To Write A Winning Personal Statement For Your D7 Visa Application

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 26, 2026

If you’re applying for a residency visa like Portugal’s D7 or D8, one of the trickiest parts of the application can be the personal statement: not because it needs to be literary, but because it needs to do a clear …

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Last modified: February 26, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 4 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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What Are The Stay Requirements for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

A hand stamps a passport on a desk, with keyboard, pen, eyeglasses, and notebook—suggesting steps in moving to Portugal.

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 24, 2026

If you’re researching Portuguese residency, one question comes up again and again: “How much time do I actually need to spend in Portugal?” Sometimes it’s framed as minimum stay requirements.Sometimes it’s how long can I be outside Portugal?But really, everyone’s …

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Last modified: February 24, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 2 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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Can You Apply for the D7 Visa With Just Savings?

Two people are working together at a desk. An older man with gray hair and glasses is standing and operating a calculator while a woman with long hair in a yellow sweater is seated, holding a pen and looking at documents. A laptop and plant are on the desk.

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Savings are typically required as part of a D7 visa application, but most people will be unsuccessful if they apply with savings alone. This is regardless of how much you have in savings. However, it is possible to convert a …

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Last modified: February 24, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 3 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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What Insurance Do I Need for the D7 Visa?

An older man sits on a couch, using a laptop with a phone to his ear, while a woman stands nearby packing a suitcase. The room is bright, with light-colored furniture and a clock on the wall behind them.

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 16, 2026

When applying for a visa like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa? What type of insurance do I need? Travel or health insurance? There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and it doesn’t help that the rules constantly change—and …

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Last modified: February 16, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 1 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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Can You Invest in Portugal’s Golden Visa Through an IRA or 401K?

An envelope labeled "Roth IRA" with a 100 euro note partially visible, surrounded by various euro bills, documents, and a green pencil on a wooden table. Two people are partially visible on either side of the table.

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 9, 2026

For Americans interested in Portugal’s Golden Visa, one question comes up again and again: Can I use my 401(k) or IRA to fund the investment — without triggering huge U.S. tax penalties? Technically, the answer can be yes. In practice, …

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Last modified: February 9, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 5 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

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Reviews: Practice Portuguese – An Engaging Podcast & Interactive Language Learning Platform

A language site for moving to Portugal displays a Portuguese dialogue transcript, plus options for downloads, vocabulary, and a quiz.

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Written by: | Last Updated: February 7, 2026

Ever dreamed of effortlessly chatting with locals in a Lisbon café, or confidently navigating life as an expat in the Algarve? If you’re nodding your head, then learning European Portuguese is probably high on your to-do list. But let’s face …

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Last modified: February 7, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 1 times. If you see any errors, please get in touch.

Thinking about Moving to Portugal?

Portugalist has been running since 2016 (10 years now!) and during that time we've helped countless people move to Portugal. Whether you're weighing up the D7 against the Golden Visa, wondering whether to rent or to buy, or just trying to figure out which part of Portugal is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

Talk To Us

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