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.

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Portuguese Music: 12 Singers & Bands Worth Listening to

Outside of Portugal, Portuguese music is relatively unknown and it can be difficult to know which singers and bands you should listen to. This list will get you started. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it covers artists and bands from a wide variety of genres including pop, hip hop, dance, heavy metal, and, of course, fado. Listening to Portuguese music is a good way to learn Portuguese as it’s spoken in Portugal. Ana Moura Ana Moura is a Portuguese …

A serene beach scene with calm waves gently washing onto the shore. Rocky cliffs covered in patches of greenery rise in the background under a clear blue sky. The smooth sand reflects the surrounding landscape, creating a peaceful and picturesque view.

For Americans, Brits, Canadians, Australians, and anyone else without an EU/EEA or Swiss passport, Portugal’s 90-days-in-180-days Schengen rule is often the first big headache. It’s fine for a short trip, but not ideal if you’re thinking about moving here— or even doing a longer “test-the-waters” stay. The good news? You can stay longer. But the routes differ hugely in cost, commitment, tax consequences, and how much time you’re expected to spend in Portugal. This guide walks you through your options …

Panoramic view of a coastal landscape in Portugal with shallow water and boats anchored in the distance. Green patches of seaweed and sandbeds are visible at low tide. Houses with yellow roofs and a clear blue sky can be seen in the background.

The Eastern Algarve, starting from the charming town of Olhão and stretching to the Spanish-Portuguese border, offers a unique and enchanting lifestyle for those seeking a more laid-back and authentic Portuguese experience. While it may not be as crowded as the Central Algarve, the Eastern Algarve still boasts a fair share of tourists, striking a perfect balance between tranquility and vibrancy. Living in the Eastern Algarve means having access to a wide array of stunning beaches, although some may require …

A picturesque coastal scene shows a sandy beach surrounded by rugged cliffs and clear blue waters. White-washed buildings with red and yellow roofs overlook the beach from the cliffs above. People are sunbathing and enjoying the beach. Small plants are in the foreground.

The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. The Central Algarve is the vibrant heart of the Algarve region, offering a perfect blend of stunning beaches, world-class amenities, and easy access to both the eastern and western parts of the Algarve. With the majority of the population, including a significant expat community, residing in this area, the Central Algarve provides a diverse and dynamic lifestyle. One of the main draws of the Central Algarve …

Two people sit on a park bench facing a circular fountain in a city square. The park is surrounded by bare trees and colorful buildings with a blue and white facade, reminiscent of Portugal's charming architecture. It's a clear day with a few people walking in the background.

Lisbon is a city that captures the hearts of both visitors and residents alike. With its rich history, stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and warm, welcoming atmosphere, it’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to call Lisbon their home or spend their holidays exploring its charming streets. However, with so many diverse neighbourhoods to choose from, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. Whether you’re looking for a lively area to stay during …

Two flags are displayed side by side, representing Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese flag, featuring a green and red design with a coat of arms, is on the left. The Spanish flag, with red and yellow stripes and a coat of arms, is on the right. Overlaid text reads "Portugal versus Spain.

A lot of people think about moving to Spain or Portugal. Both have a similar climate, they have shared histories, similar cultures, and are located right next to each other, so it’s understandable why so many people lump the two together. Regardless of which country you choose to live in, you’ll be right next to the other one and so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel around both. But travel is one thing and living somewhere is very different, …

A smiling family of three poses outside, sitting close together. A young girl in a pink shirt holds a soccer ball, with her father in a plaid shirt kneeling beside her and her mother in a denim jacket standing behind, embracing them.

If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen planning to move to Portugal with a non-EU spouse, partner, or children, you have good news: your family members don’t need to apply for standard Portuguese visas like the D7 or Golden Visa. Instead, they can join you through a streamlined family reunification process called “Article 15.” However, while this process is simpler in theory, getting an appointment with AIMA (Portugal’s immigration agency) can be challenging (and some choose to go the visa route instead). …

A hand in a green sweater is extended against a light blue background. Floating above the palm are three large, yellow question marks.

For those who’ve taken the leap and secured residency through AIMA (previously known as SEF), the time will inevitably come to renew your visa. Previously, this would take place after just one year of residency in Portugal but, these days, it more commonly takes place after two years. According to Sandra Gomes Pinto, a Lisbon-based lawyer and seasoned immigration expert, this process is significantly more straightforward than the initial application for a residence permit. The AIMA Visa Renewal Process: A …

Portugal’s Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) ruled that several norms in the recently approved amendments to the Nationality Law are unconstitutional, according to RTP, preventing the diploma from being promulgated in its current form. This development preserves the current legal regime while the legislature considers how to respond. The decision comes from a preventive constitutional review requested by the Socialist Party (PS) and represents a major development for foreign residents and nationality applicants, since it ensures legal certainty under the existing …

If you’ve spent any time looking for Portuguese-learning resources, you’ve probably already discovered one of the big frustrations: most of what’s out there is for Brazilian Portuguese, not European Portuguese. That’s exactly the gap that Mia Esmeriz has been filling since 2017. Through her website, YouTube channel, and a complete set of courses from A1 to B2, she’s helped thousands of students learn real, everyday European Portuguese—from pronunciation and listening skills to grammar and natural conversation. In this interview, Mia …

James Cave

Portuguese Music: 12 Singers & Bands Worth Listening to

How to Stay in Portugal For More Than 90 Days (as a non-EU citizen)

A Guide to Living in the Eastern Algarve

A Guide to Living in the Central Algarve

A Guide to Lisbon’s Best Neighbourhoods

Living in Portugal VS Spain: Which Country Is Right For You?

Moving to Portugal with Non-EU Family Members: A Complete Guide

What Happens At My AIMA Visa Renewal?

Constitutional Court Declares Key Parts of Nationality Law Unconstitutional

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months