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.

The Best of Both Worlds: Living in Portugal Near the Spanish Border

A European Union border sign with the word "España" in the center, surrounded by yellow stars on a blue background. Graffiti at the bottom reads "OLIVENÇA É NOSSA, É PORTUGAL" in white paint. The sign is positioned in a rural area with trees and grass.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 14, 2026

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the rich cultures of both Portugal and Spain, living in a Portuguese town near the Spanish border might be the perfect choice for you. From the northern regions to the sunny Algarve, there …

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Last modified: January 14, 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 Much Savings Do You Need for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa?

A hand puts a coin into a yellow piggy bank on a table, with money and papers, suggesting saving for life or moving to Portugal.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 13, 2026

If you’re looking at Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (often called the D8), one of the first questions is always: “How much money do I need in the bank?” The short answer: at least € for an individual with an additional …

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Last modified: January 13, 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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Buying Property in Portugal: The Real Process, Not the Brochure Version

A symmetrical facade of a building covered in blue and white tiles with 15 windows in a grid pattern. Each window has a blue wrought-iron balcony railing. The design is consistent across the entire surface, creating a harmonious and repetitive visual effect.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Buying a home in Portugal is one of those ideas that feels wonderfully simple on the surface. An apartment in Lisbon. A quiet stone house in the countryside. A villa near the sea. For many people, it’s tied up with …

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Last modified: January 13, 2026. Since its creation, this page has been updated 6 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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Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

woman holding an EU flag

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 9, 2026

If you’re an EU citizen — for example, from Ireland, Germany, or France — moving to Portugal is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike non-EU citizens, you don’t need to apply for a visa before you move. You can just… come. No need …

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Last modified: January 9, 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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Moving to Portugal from South Africa

Two flags are shown overlapping: on the left, the flag of South Africa with a green, white, red, yellow, blue, and black design, and on the right, the flag of Portugal with a red background and a coat of arms featuring a shield and armillary sphere.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 9, 2026

For many South Africans, the appeal of Portugal goes far beyond beaches, pastel de nata, and postcard-ready towns. The real draw is safety, stability, and certainty — things that can feel increasingly fragile back home. Portugal consistently ranks as one …

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Last modified: January 9, 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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Portugal’s Cheapest Golden Visa Option – But Is the €200k–€250k Cultural Route Worth It?

A person in a white hoodie views black-and-white art in a gallery, possibly exploring life and culture in Portugal; gray bench in front.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 7, 2026

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa, the answer is simple on paper: donate €250,000 (or even €200,000 if you can find a qualifying low-density cultural project). No property. No €500,000 fund subscription. Just …

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Last modified: January 7, 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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11 Pros & 16 Cons of Living in Portugal

A person wearing black-rimmed glasses looks upwards, with a contemplative expression. Above their head, "CONS." and "PROS." are written, separated by a vertical and horizontal line, suggesting a comparison chart. The background is grey and plain.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 6, 2026

You’ve done your research, watched the videos, read the blog posts. Sunshine, beaches, cheap wine, €10 lunches. That sounds perfect.  A little too perfect maybe? Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to love about Portugal. And I truly think it’s …

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Last modified: January 6, 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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How to Get a NISS (Social Security) Number in Portugal

People wait on red chairs in a Segurança Social office in Portugal, with staff assisting others and flags and posters in the background.

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 5, 2026

You’ve probably already dealt with getting your NIF (tax number). Now you’re hearing about the NISS – and wondering why you need yet another number. Here’s the thing: the NISS used to be straightforward. If you worked for a Portuguese …

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Last modified: January 5, 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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What Are The Pros & Cons of Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa?

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 5, 2026

On paper, Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (often called the D8; sometimes the D9) sounds almost too simple: If you earn € per month, you can move to Portugal on your foreign income, get EU residency, maybe a passport.” If you’re …

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Last modified: January 5, 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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I Looked at 9 Pros & 7 Cons of Portugal’s Golden Visa – Here’s My Opinion

investor looking at charts and using a calculator

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Written by: | Last Updated: January 5, 2026

Portugal’s Golden Visa is in a very different place than it was a few years ago. It’s still one of the last serious residency-by-investment options in the EU, and still incredibly flexible if you don’t want to move to Portugal …

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Last modified: January 5, 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.

Talk To Us

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