Moving to Portugal - Page 7

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.

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 of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare, daily life feels calm, and most people don’t live behind electric fences or plan their routines around security concerns. Add political stability, predictable institutions, and the protections that come …

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 …

A smiling couple sits at a table looking at a laptop. The man in a red shirt types on the keyboard while the woman in a white striped shirt leans on his shoulder, both appearing engaged and happy. They are in a bright, cozy kitchen environment.

Visa comparison D7 vs Digital Nomad Visa: which one are you? Portugal’s two most popular residency visas for people who actually want to live here. They look similar — and they are — but they’re built for two very different kinds of income. The short answer If your income is passive — pension, rental, dividends — you want the D7. If your income is active — a remote salary or freelance work from outside Portugal — you want the D8. …

Portugal VS Greece: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?

Living in Portugal and Greece offers a chance to immerse oneself in two distinct yet equally enchanting Southern European lifestyles. These two countries share certain commonalities, such as a delightful climate, beautiful beaches, a laid-back culture, and a strong emphasis on family bonds. However, they also possess unique attributes that make them stand out. Greece, for instance, is renowned worldwide for its illustrious historical and cultural heritage, while Portugal boasts its own captivating history and an emerging reputation as a …

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. …

An older man and a younger woman sit together on a couch in a well-lit room. The man shows the woman something on his phone while she takes notes in a notebook on the coffee table. A white piggy bank and documents are also on the table.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, the D7 visa is one of the most straightforward residency pathways. It’s designed for people who earn income from non-active sources—income that arrives regularly without requiring day-to-day work. To qualify, you must show a stable monthly income of at least per month for a single applicant in . For dependents, add: This is significantly lower than the Digital Nomad Visa, which requires per month in . What Exactly Is Passive Income? For the …

A group of professionals in business attire sitting around a table, holding and discussing documents with various charts and graphs. A laptop, cup of coffee, and more papers are on the table. Only the hands and partial torsos of the individuals are visible.

Portugal does offer residency by investment through the Portugal Golden Visa. But here’s the key thing to understand: Most people looking to live in Portugal don’t actually need it. It’s a common assumption that moving to Portugal means investing a large sum of money or buying property. In reality, investing is just one route—and for many people, not the best one. Also, another thing to note: you can no longer qualify for the Golden Visa by buying property. So while …

A close-up of a partially folded French flag, with its blue, white, and red vertical stripes, overlaying a Portuguese flag featuring a complex coat of arms with a shield and seven castles over a red and green background.

You may be considering whether to move to France or Portugal (or even Spain or Portugal, Italy or Portugal, or Greece or Portugal) and you’re wondering which one is best? Well, it depends. While you may be more familiar with France, French culture, and maybe even the French language, there are lots of reasons that Portugal has become one of the main destinations for expats to move to. In fact, a lot of French people have also moved to Portugal, …

A close-up of a ballpoint pen resting on a sheet of financial data, including a line graph with red and green lines and a numeric table of values. The pen is gold and black with a red accent, placed diagonally across the chart.

Portugal’s has one of the most popular golden visa programs in the world, and one of the ways that you can obtain this visa and obtain residency in Portugal is by investing in a qualifying fund (or funds), such as a private equity or venture capital fund. There are a number of qualifying funds, in sectors ranging from startups and technology to renewably technologies, wine, and football teams. After five years of residency, it’s possible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, …

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

Thinking about moving to Portugal but worried your minor criminal record might be a problem? Concerned about the clean criminal record requirement for visas like the D7, Digital Nomad Visa, and golden visa? You’re not alone, and this is a common question that comes up in Portugalist webinars. The good news is that Portugal might be more welcoming than you think. Let’s break down some expert advice from Lisbon-based lawyer Sandra Gomes Pinto in a way that’s easy to understand …

Moving to Portugal from South Africa

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

Portugal’s D7 VS The Digital Nomad Visa (D8): Which Is Easier, Cheaper, & Right For You

Portugal VS Greece: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?

How to Move to Portugal from Canada

What Counts as Passive Income for Portugal’s D7 Visa?

Does Portugal Offer Residency By Investment? Yes, But Do You Really Need It.

Living in Portugal VS France: Which is Better for Expats?

Investing in Funds for Portugal’s Golden Visa

Can I Move to Portugal If I Have a Criminal Record?