Moving to Portugal

Living in Portugal VS the UK: What’s Different & What’s the Same?

A bright red British-style telephone box stands on a cobblestone street corner, with a large historic white building featuring arched windows and unique chimneys in the background. The sky above is clear with a hint of clouds.

Every year, thousands of people move from the UK to Portugal, especially to the coastal Algarve region in the south. It’s easy to see why: Portugal has great weather, an interesting culture and history, English is widely spoken, and there’s already a large British expat community. Oh, and let’s not forget the affordable wine as well. Although most people do a lot of research about Portugal before moving here, and many will have spent a lot of time here on …

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One of the biggest challenges of moving to Portugal is not getting a residency visa, learning the basics of the Portuguese language, or shipping your belongings. Not, it’s bringing your furry friends here – if you’re a pet owner, anyway. While some airlines allow pets to come in the cabin, many only allow pets to go in the hold, if they allow them on the plane at all. Putting your pet into the hold is something many pet owners are …

If you’re from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you have the right to move to Portugal under EU freedom of movement rules. There’s no visa, no sponsorship, and no embassy process. You can simply move to Portugal and begin living here. However, once you decide to live here (rather than just visit), you need to register that residence and obtain the CRUE: Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (EU Citizen Registration Certificate) This is the document that formally recognises your residency …

A bright and clear day view of a sprawling cityscape in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring numerous tightly packed buildings with red-tiled roofs. The city is set against a backdrop of rolling hills, with many clusters of buildings extending into the distance under a clear blue sky.

Are you dreaming of moving to Portugal but struggling to find suitable accommodation? Don’t worry: you’re not alone! For most residency visas (D7, Digital Nomad Visa, D2, D1, and D3), you’ll need proof of accommodation before you can even apply. Sounds a bit backwards, right? Well, that’s just how it works. But don’t fret – thousands of people do this every year. What Counts as “Suitable Accommodation”? Don’t worry, we’re here to help make the process a breeze! How to …

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The Startup Visa is a program run by IAPMEI in Portugal, designed for entrepreneurs from outside the EU/EEA/Swiss region. It’s an initiative to draw investment, talent, and innovation into Portugal’s growing startup scene. As well as dependent family members, up to five partners can be included on the application. With this residency visa, entrepreneurs not only get the chance to live in Portugal but also gain access to the wide array of supports and incentives offered by the StartUP Portugal …

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While many companies and government departments will accept a utility bill or rental contract as proof of address, that’s not enough for some and they make ask for an Atestado De Residência. It may also be required if you don’t have a rental contract or if the contract isn’t in your name. An Atestado De Residência is a document that confirms you live where you say you do. Although you will typically need a document like a rental contract to …

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, …

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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 …

A close-up image of two flags side by side. The flag on the left is the Canadian flag, featuring a red maple leaf on a white background with red borders. The flag on the right is the Portuguese flag, showcasing a complex coat of arms on a red and green background.

If you’re a Canadian looking for a warmer climate, better quality of life, or simply a change of pace, Portugal is increasingly on the shortlist. The country offers a mild climate, a slower and more communal pace of life, stunning coastlines, and generally lower day-to-day expenses compared to many parts of Canada—especially major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. According to the Relatório de Migrações e Asilo 2024, there were 2,876 Canadian citizens residing in Portugal as of 31 December 2024. …

A person wearing a plaid shirt is sealing a cardboard box with packing tape using a tape dispenser. The scene appears to be indoors, with other boxes and a small potted plant blurred in the background.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you’ll get different advice on what to bring. Most people will tell you to come with as little as possible and avoid the challenges and costs of shipping your stuff. However, re-buying everything is expensive, particularly in Portugal, so there’s definitely an argument for at least thinking about shipping your stuff. There are some things you probably shouldn’t bring, particularly if you’re coming from outside Europe. This includes electronics that won’t work here …

Living in Portugal VS the UK: What’s Different & What’s the Same?

Chartering A Flight to Bring Your Pets to Portugal

How to Get Your CRUE as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen

What Are My Accommodation Options for the D7 Visa?

Portugal’s Startup Visa: A Golden Ticket for Global Entrepreneurs

What’s an Atestado De Residência?

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

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

How to Move to Portugal from Canada

What To Bring When Moving to Portugal