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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Best Places to Live in the Algarve Without a Car

A small train station with two rail tracks and platforms. The station building is white with a red-tiled roof. There are electric lines above the tracks and a signal light. The sky is mostly clear with a few clouds, and trees are visible in the background.

Living in the Algarve without a car is possible, but some towns make it much easier than others. Many people assume public transportation in Portugal is excellent everywhere just because it is Europe. The reality in the Algarve is a little different: public transportation is okay, towns are often walkable, and you can get by without a car in the right place, but you need to choose carefully. For most people, being car-free in the Algarve means four things matter …

If you’re trying to decide whether to get your Portuguese NIF in person or online, the answer mostly comes down to where you live now. For some people, getting it in Portugal makes perfect sense. For most, particularly Americans, Brits, and Canadians, it is usually a waste of time, money, or both. The short answer You should usually get your NIF: Tip: Get your NIF through Portugalist for just €64. If you live outside the EU/EEA, getting Your NIF in …

person calculating costs with calculator

For the D7 visa in 2026, you need € per month in passive income. You also need at least one year’s worth of savings, which is roughly around €. Then there are the government fees, but they’re minimal. The D visa fee is about €110 per person. The VFS fee is about €41 per person. The initial AIMA residence permit fee is usually around €150 to €170 per person. Total fees: a little over €300. So, is that it? Not …

A smiling couple and their young son are looking at a laptop together. The woman is wearing a yellow top, and the man is in a blue denim shirt. The boy, who is seated, is focused on the screen. They appear to be enjoying their time together.

If you’re moving to Portugal with children, one of your biggest questions is probably: how do we help them learn Portuguese? It’s true that children often pick up languages faster than adults. But that does not mean you want to throw them straight into the deep end and hope for the best. Most parents would prefer to give their kids a gentler start, with time to hear the language, recognize common words, and build confidence before school or day-to-day life …

A narrow cobblestone street lined with whitewashed buildings in varying states of disrepair. The buildings have shuttered windows, and one at the end of the street features a blue door. A bright blue sky is visible overhead.

Portugal is an incredibly hilly country (Lisbon, like Rome, is said to be built on seven hills, for example) with lots of narrow, cobbled streets. While this can be charming to look at, it’s not particularly appealing for those who are older or who have mobility issues. Thankfully, there are a few places that are a little flatter and more suited to those that want to avoid the hills. You can also live in Lisbon and Porto if you choose …

A group of fresh broad beans, some in their pods and some removed, displayed on a dark textured surface. One pod is open, revealing three light green beans next to it. The beans and pods have a natural, slightly uneven shape.

Portugal can be a fantastic place to live as a vegan or vegetarian. But you have to do your research. On one hand, somewhere like Lisbon has some of the best vegan and vegetarian food you will find anywhere in Europe. You can find vegan pastéis de nata, vegan versions of Portuguese dishes like alheira, arroz de pato, bitoque, and even arroz de polvo, along with plant-based bakeries, brunch spots, specialty shops, and cafés where oat milk or soy milk …

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.

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. (Note: we say most people because, like many things, the situation isn’t black and white and there are exceptions to every rule). However, it is possible to convert a lump sum of savings into something that generates passive income such as an annuity, rental property, investment, etc. …

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.

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 differ from consulate to consulate. Until recently, most applicants did the following: However, things have changed. Some Consulates/VFS Offices Now Require 12 Months of Travel Insurance Several consulates and VFS offices—especially VFS San Francisco—are now requesting travel medical insurance valid …

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

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 saying the same thing: I want to move to Portugal, but I don’t want to feel chained to somewhere. Note: the information below applies to most visas (e.g. the D7 visa and the Digital Nomad Visa) but some visas (like …

Person writing their notes by hand and drinking a cup of coffee

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 job of explaining who you are, why you want to move, and why your application makes sense. Thankfully, it isn’t the single most important part of your visa file, but it can help strengthen your case, especially if you need …

James Cave

Best Places to Live in the Algarve Without a Car

Should You Get Your NIF in Portugal or Online?

How Much Does Portugal’s D7 Visa REALLY Cost?

European Portuguese Resources for Kids

9 of the Flattest and Most Wheelchair Accessible Places in Portugal

The Best Places to Live in Portugal as a Vegan or Vegetarian

Can You Apply for the D7 Visa With JUST Savings?

What Insurance Do I Need for the D7 Visa?

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

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