James Cave

Can You Move to Portugal as a Remote Worker? Yes, But it’s Not That Simple

A person sits on a white cushion next to a turquoise swimming pool, working on a laptop. They are partially shaded by large green leaves. Two teal pillows are placed by their side, and white pebbles surround the wooden deck area.

Ask most people what it takes to move to Portugal on the digital nomad visa, and they’ll tell you the same thing: meet the income requirement and you’re in. That’s the goal everyone fixates on. Hit the threshold — €3,680 per month for the main applicant, more if you’re bringing a family — and Portugal is yours. The visa is the finish line. Clear it and you’re done. Except that’s not how it actually works. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most …

If you’re researching Portugal’s Golden Visa, 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 away? But really, everyone’s asking the same thing: I want the security of EU residency, but I don’t want to uproot my life to get it. The short answer is: the minimum requirement is an average of 7 days per year in …

a male and female entrepreneur in an office

If you’re an entrepreneur thinking about moving to Portugal — or simply wanting a foothold there — you’ll quickly find there’s more than one route available. The two main options are the D2 visa and the Golden Visa‘s company investment route. But depending on your situation, you might actually be better served by something else entirely. Here’s the quick version: For most entrepreneurs who want to actually build something in Portugal, the D2 is the right answer. The Golden Visa’s …

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

On May 3, 2025, Portugal’s President António José Seguro signed the country’s revised Nationality Law, doubling the residency requirement for most foreign nationals from five years to ten. The law passed parliament on April 1 with a 152-64 vote and now awaits formal publication in the Diário da República before taking effect. For anyone who moved to Portugal — or was planning to — with citizenship in mind, this is a significant change. For some people already in the process, …

family standing together in Lisbon, Portugal

Authorities increasingly want proof you have a connection to Portugal when applying for citizenship.

The Pros & Cons Of Living in the Azores

There are places in the world that are genuinely, almost unreasonably beautiful — and then there’s the Azores, which manages to be both of those things while also sitting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, three and a half hours from anywhere, in a region that gets more rainfall than Seattle and where the inside of your house can feel colder than the outside in January. That’s not a warning. It’s the beginning of an honest conversation. The Azores …

A white plate with various Euro coins and a handwritten note that says "Thank You!" in cursive. The coins include different denominations and are placed around the note on the wooden table.

Tipping in Portugal isn’t as straight-forward as it is in other countries. While you may or may not agree with the tipping culture in the US, at least it’s straightforward. Here in Portugal, there are no rules about how much you should give as a tip in a restaurant, and it can often be very confusing. Speak to five different Portuguese people and they’ll all give you a different answer. Ask how much you should give a taxi driver, hairdresser, …

There are a few words that help explain Portuguese culture. One of them is saudade, a word that’s considered to be untranslatable but the closest interpretation is a feeling of longing. You can feel saudade for anything: a different time, a person, a relationship you once had. You can even feel saudade for something that hasn’t happened yet. Saudade is a useful word because it gives some insight into the slightly melancholy, poetic, and philosophical part of the Portuguese soul. It’s …

man shrugging his shoulders against yellow background

A few years ago, this was a much easier question to answer. Portugal’s Golden Visa was one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. You could buy a property, spend very little time in Portugal, and still work toward citizenship after five years. Now, that equation looks very different. The big issue is citizenship. Portugal’s government announced plans to increase the residency period for naturalization from five years to 10 years for most foreigners. This means more renewals, more …

The AIMA appointment usually takes place after you have moved to Portugal on your 120-day visa. In theory, it should happen within those 120 days. In practice, that does not always happen, and many people end up staying in Portugal beyond the validity of the initial visa while waiting for the appointment. Compared to the consular stage—usually the VFS appointment in your home country—this part of the process is supposed to be more of a formality. The main decision has …

Can You Move to Portugal as a Remote Worker? Yes, But it’s Not That Simple

Portugal Golden Visa Stay Requirements: How Much Time Do You Actually Need to Spend Here?

D2 Visa vs Golden Visa: Which Is Right for Entrepreneurs Moving to Portugal?

Portuguese Citizenship Now Takes 10 Years — What Changes in 2026 & Who’s Affected

What Counts as an ‘Effective Connection’ or ‘Tie’ to Portugal for Citizenship?

The Pros & Cons Of Living in the Azores

Tipping in Portugal: What to Leave, Where — and Where Not To

Portugal, a Nation of Desenrascados?

Is Portugal’s Golden Visa Still Worth It?

Which Documents Do You Need for Your AIMA Appointment?