A Beginner’s Guide on Moving to Portugal

Jump right in:

• The guide to visa types and work permit requirements
• All you need to know about relocating your household goods and pets
• Everything you need to know about finding a new home
• Health insurance and the healthcare system of Portugal explained

The guide to visa types and work permit requirements

Find out how to get a Portuguese visa and work permit as a foreign citizen. If you’re an EU citizen, you’re in luck — you can enter Portugal freely and only need to register in the country after three months.

The Portuguese visa application process takes place in your current country of residence, at the Portuguese embassy, diplomatic mission, or consular post. Visa procedures may vary depending on your location and consulate, and it is not uncommon for additional documents to be requested even after receiving an official checklist. It’s advisable to research thoroughly and contact the Portuguese embassy or consulate by phone or email in advance if you have any doubts about the requirements.

There are different Portuguese visa types — which one you get will depend on your purpose for being in the country. You can ask for a visa for work, investment, study, or family reunion, among others. Most Portuguese residence visas cost between 90 and 110 EUR (approx.105–123 USD). The residence card has an additional fee of around 75 EUR (88 USD), and there may be extra charges if you apply through third-party services like VFS Global.

The total cost for an investment visa (Golden Visa) is approximately 5,500 EUR (approx. 6,000 USD) for the application, and about 5,000 EUR (approx. 6,000 USD) for the residence card. Additional processing fees of around 500 EUR (approx. 600 USD) per family member may apply, along with renewal fees of approximately 2,500 EUR (approx. 3,000 USD) per person.

Read our complete guide on visas & work permits in Portugal

All you need to know about relocating your household goods and pets

The process of relocating to Portugal is relatively easy if you follow the country’s customs rules, especially when coming from outside of Europe. You’ll need a Certificado de Bagagem (luggage certificate) from the Portuguese consulate or diplomatic mission, which proves that the goods are personal belongings used for at least six months in your previous residence and that they are intended for use in your new home in Portugal.

You must also present a detailed inventory of your items, including descriptions, quantities, brands, models, and serial numbers when applicable. You have up to 12 months from the date you establish residence in Portugal to bring your personal goods tax-free, as long as they are for personal use and not for commercial purposes. The request for the Certificado de Bagagem is made by post and must include:

• proof of residence abroad • a detailed list of items you’re bringing • a valid ID or passport • proof of your new address in Portugal • a declaration stating the dates of your move

Given the country’s geographic location, you may have a full range of options for shipping your household goods to Portugal — air freight, road, or sea. Choosing which one best suits you depends on your needs. Air freight is fast but expensive. Sea freight is slow but affordable. Road freight is right there in between, relatively fast and relatively cheap.

Storing your household goods in Portugal may take some preparation. Several companies such as OrangeSpace, Stokarea, and Control Space offer self-storage services in major areas including Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Some companies offer 24/7 access, while others operate only during business hours or require scheduled access. Many allow you to check prices, request quotes, and book units directly through their websites.

If you’re relocating with pets, you must comply with EU and Portuguese regulations. Your pet must be microchipped according to ISO standards, vaccinated against rabies after the microchip is implanted, and accompanied by a valid EU Pet Passport or International Veterinary Certificate issued by the veterinary authority in the country of origin. Additional documentation may be required depending on the country of origin, especially if it’s classified as high-risk for rabies.

As for your own health requirements, no specific vaccinations are required for Portugal. However, it’s recommended that you have your routine vaccines up to date and consult your doctor before traveling.

Read our complete guide on relocating to Portugal

Everything you need to know about finding a new home

Finding accommodation in Portugal will not be an easy task, especially in the busy cities of Lisbon and Porto. In this section, we explain how to rent a house or apartment in this small European country. Unfortunately, average rent is around 16.5 EUR (approx. 19.5 USD) per square meter, and in Lisbon it can go as high as 20.5 EUR (approx. 24 USD) per m².

The average monthly salary in Portugal is 1,500 EUR gross and around 1,000 EUR net, which forces both locals and expats to share accommodation. That also means the most affordable apartments — especially in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and the island of Madeira — disappear fast. Even if you earn a good salary, you should expect rent to take up a significant part of your expenses.

In this section, we also cover everything you will need to know on how to buy a house in Portugal as a foreigner. We show you what housing in Portugal is like, from the different types of houses you can find to average house prices. As with most countries, prices will vary significantly if you wish to live in a big city or surrounding areas, or in the countryside.

Setting up utilities in Portugal should be relatively easy. You can contact most utility companies online, and have them set up within a few days to a week. Some electricity companies have apps available, so you can send the exact count on your meter and not have to pay a cent extra.

Read our complete guide on housing in Portugal

Health insurance and the healthcare system of Portugal explained

Find out how the healthcare system and health insurance in Portugal works. The Portuguese public healthcare system is free for resident taxpayers. It’s high quality too, just not very speedy. Expect waiting times for just about everything: registering to see family doctors, seeing specialists, elective surgery, and so on.

Between visiting your family doctor, getting a request for a medical exam, receiving the results, and taking it back to your family doctor or specialist, you could wait several months to years, depending on the specialty. For that reason, many people choose to take out private health insurance in Portugal, which is relatively affordable.

Read on to know what to expect when giving birth in Portugal and how to find a doctor in the country, in both the public and private healthcare systems. For private doctors, a quick online search for hospitals and clinics should suffice — just make sure the doctor or center is part of your insurer’s network of partners. For public healthcare, you will have to register with the city hall before going to the local health center, and for the busiest ones, you may be placed on a waiting list.

Read our complete guide on insurance & healthcare in Portugal