Moving to Portugal

What Happens At My AIMA Visa Renewal?

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 …

A cracked concrete surface displays the juxtaposition of the Union Jack flag on the left and the flag of the European Union with yellow stars on a blue background on the right, symbolizing the divide between the UK and the EU.

Thinking about swapping drizzle for sunshine? You’re not alone. According to the Relatório de Migrações e Asilo 2024 report (AIMA, published October 2025), more than 48,000 British citizens now call Portugal home — a number that continues to grow every year, despite Brexit, bureaucracy, and the occasional cold, damp house. Portugal’s appeal is easy to understand: reliable sunshine, beautiful beaches, safe cities, and a slower, more sociable pace of life. It’s not perfect — no country is — but it’s …

A person wearing a safari hat and khaki clothing stands in front of a jungle-like backdrop, gazing intently at the camera. They have a serious expression, with a determined look on their face. The background is lush and green, giving a sense of exploration.

Planning a scouting trip to Portugal takes serious preparation. This isn’t just a vacation—you’re on a reconnaissance mission to figure out if Portugal is right for you, where you want to live, and potentially even secure a property. This comprehensive guide will help you make the most of every precious moment of your time in Portugal. The Three Critical Questions Your Scouting Trip Must Answer When you arrive in Portugal, you’re here to determine three fundamental things: 1. Do I …

A person wearing a green plaid shirt is crouched down, sealing a cardboard box with clear packing tape using a tape dispenser. Several other cardboard boxes are visible in the blurred background, indicating a moving or packing activity.

One of the big costs of moving to Portugal – both financially but also emotionally and mentally – is the cost of moving all your stuff here. The cost will depend on how much you want to ship, and where you’re located. Naturally, someone located in Spain, for example, would pay a lot less than someone located in the US. As the US is a big place, there are often differences in prices depending on where you’re located. So, prices …

A small American flag on a stick is planted in the sand on a beach, with a blue sky and ocean waves visible in the background.

Thinking about trading the Stars and Stripes for the Portuguese flag? You’re not alone. More and more Americans are eyeing Portugal as their next home sweet home. So, why Portugal? Picture this: over 300 days of sunshine a year, breathtaking beaches, and cities steeped in history. Sounds like a vacation, right? But you could get that in Italy, Mexico, Panama, or many other places around the world. So why Portugal? Here are just a few reasons: safety, cost of living, …

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 to rent a property in advance. No waiting months for a visa to be approved. No navigating the D7, D2, or Golden Visa paperwork. You simply need to show you can support yourself in Portugal (we’ll cover how in a …

A person lounging on a beach chair, wearing a large sun hat and white clothing, is reading a book. In the background, gentle waves are visible under a bright blue sky. The sun is shining, creating a serene and relaxed atmosphere.

There are lots of great blogs and YouTube channels that have great information about moving to Portugal, but there’s something nice about just picking up a book and reading it through. Surprisingly, there are very few books about moving to Portugal (so far). There isn’t really a Portuguese equivalent of Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence or Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun, at least in terms of popularity, but there are a few self-published accounts that give some insights …

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.

EU Citizens Moving to Portugal Bringing Non-EU Family to Portugal (Article 15) If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen moving to Portugal, your non-EU spouse, partner or children don’t need a standard immigration visa. Here’s how the Article 15 process works — and when a visa might make more sense. 🇪🇺 EU/EEA/Swiss citizens 💍 Spouses & partners 👨‍👩‍👧 Dependent children No visa required The big picture How Article 15 works EU law gives EU citizens the right to have …

One of the main requirements for visas like the D7 or the digital nomad visa is that you have a Portuguese bank account, and this bank account usually needs to be funded with your savings or means of sustenance. People are always surprised that they can’t just go online and open a bank account with Millennium or Novo Banku themselves, but the reality is the same is true for every country. I wouldn’t be able to open a bank account …

A person stamps a passport at a wooden desk. Several stamps and ink pads are scattered on the desk, along with a few documents. The person is wearing a white shirt and a blue tie.

Find your visa Can you move to Portugal? Portugal has multiple residency routes — for retirees, remote workers, investors, students and families. Answer a few questions and we’ll show you which ones fit your situation. First things first Do you even need a visa? 🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss No visa needed. Move freely; register at your câmara municipal after 90 days. Non-EU family can qualify via Article 15. How EU citizens move → 🗓️ 90 days or less …

What Happens At My AIMA Visa Renewal?

Moving to Portugal from the UK: Everything That’s Changed Since Brexit

How to Plan a Portugal Scouting Trip That Actually Tells You What You Need to Know

Removals to Portugal: How to Ship Your Stuff to Your New Home

How To Move to Portugal From the USA

Moving to Portugal as an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen: No Visa Needed — Here’s the Process

7 Books About Moving to Portugal

Moving to Portugal with a Non-EU Spouse or Family Member (Article 15)

Here’s How I’d Open a Bank Account in Portugal As A Non-Resident

Portugal Visas: How to Obtain Residency & Move to Portugal