How to move to Portugal from the USA

Relocating to Portugal from US has recently been gaining popularity among US citizens and residents. The reasons are different for everyone - some people are looking for a country with lower prices that will allow them to live comfortably with the same level of income, for others a safe environment is more important, some are attracted by the mild climate, free healthcare, education for children, the opportunity to do business with European partners, rich cultural and culinary traditions, and vibrant cultural life.

This step-by-step guide will help you understand the keys aspects of moving from the US to Portugal. Our recommendations include information on the necessary documents, choosing a place of residence and housing, among other things.

 

We recommend that you start preparing your visa application at least 3-4 months before the date of your planned move (this includes time to prepare the documents for submission and time to wait for the visa decision).

We also recommend that you consult a Portuguese immigration lawyer beforehand. Such a consultation will help you decide on the type of visa that best suits your capabilities and needs, taking into account the needs of your family at the same time. The lawyers in Portugal will help you prepare for the application and eliminate visa options that are not suitable for you for certain reasons. Also, during the consultation, you can get some general advice regarding the purchase or sale of property, taxation, replacement of documents, and other related, but no less important, events.

2. Documents required to apply for a visa.

As already mentioned, the final list of documents depends on the type of visa, but we can mention the documents that are required in the vast majority of cases.

If you live in the United States, you will usually be required to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport (with a validity period of at least 8 months from the date of application);
• Documents confirming your income (its origin and amount) and sufficient savings;
• International health insurance that meets the requirements of the consulate;
• Proof of housing in Portugal (lease agreement, contract of accomodation, property documents, confirmation of housing provision by the employer or educational institution etc.);
• Apostilled police clearance certificate;
• Portuguese NIF tax number (which can be obtained remotely);
• Immediately before submitting, you will also need to prepare a completed application form and current passport-size photos.

Please note that most documents must be translated into Portuguese and some of them must be apostilled.

If you are moving to Portugal from the US with your family, you will also need documentation confirming your family ties, as well as proof of sufficient financial recources. It is important to note that the requirement of sufficient financial support is usually linked to the minimum wage in Portugal. This value changes every year, so the minimum amount of income that you will be required to prove will change accordingly.

It is important to know that if you are a U.S. citizen legally residing in another country and applying for a visa in that country, you will be subject to the documentary requirements for residents of that country.

3. How to choose a place to live in Portugal

Your move to Portugal will be more successful if you choose a place to live that best suits your expectations, your lifestyle and your budget.

Here are some options that we can recommend to foreigners:

• Lisbon, the capital of the country, is a well-developed city with excellent infrastructure and a large expat community. It offers more opportunities, but is also the most expensive place to live in Portugal. 
• Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, lies in the north and is known fir it’s milder, more familiar climate, equally welcoming to foreigners, and tends to offer more affordable housing options. 
• The south of the country (Algarve) is the most popular destination for retirees and beach lovers, known for its warm climate throughout the year.
• Coimbra - perfect for students and families with children.
• You can also consider other options if you value peace and comfort, such as Braga, Aveiro, Leiria.

Of course, chosing a place for long-term staying based solely on online advice can be challenging. That’s why we encourage everyone to travel around the country, or at least visit the chosen place to live for a preliminary review before making a decision. Special attention should be paid to your own needs as well as those of your family members.

Therefore, we advise you to pay attention to the availability and accessibility of business hubs, international schools or schools that offer education in English or your native language, high-quality medical facilities, modern buildings, and natural and climatic features of the area.

We suggest entrusting the search for housing in your chosen region to an experienced agent, providing them with all the desired features of your future home.

And remember, changing your place of residence will not affect the process of considering your visa or residence application.

4. How to find and rent housing

The most convenient way to find housing is by working with a reliable agent or using online platformes.

The most popular websites for finding real estate in Portugal are:

• Idealista
• Imovirtual
• Casa Sapo

You can also use Facebook groups to search for housing or expat groups.

We advise you to take your housing search seriously and start it in advance, as you will already need to provide proof of housing when applying for a visa. Therefore, a popular solution is to rent the most attainable accommodation for 6-12 months, and upon arrival in the country, look for accommodation according to your own preferences.

What you need to know about concluding rental agreements in Portugal:

• Usually, you will need a NIF number (Portuguese tax number) to enter into a lease agreement;
• If the tenant is a foreigner, it is common practice for a Portuguese landlords to ask for a guarantor or to pay several months in advance (usually 4-6 months)
• Properties listed on the website may already be reserved, which happens with most attractive options. Working with an agent will give you access to the most current options.
• Do not accept cheap offers to sign an unofficial contract, as the relevant authorities can easily check whether the contract you provide is in the official database of rental agreements.

If you would like to find a quality accommodation at a good price in a popular region, or in a region with a low supply, start your search in advance, as it may take longer than you expect.

So, to summarize:

Moving from the United States to Portugal is a worthy and quite achievable goal if you are properly prepared. Choose the right type of visa that you can easily justify and maintain in the future. Take the preparation of your documents seriously, choose qualified and trusted consultants, and start looking for accommodation in advance.

We recommend contacting the immigration lawyers and attorneys of the law firm in Portugal “First Legal Portugal” for assistance in collecting and preparing all the necessary documents for a legal relocation to Portugal.

A balanced approach to relocation preparation will allow you to go through all the formalities relatively easily, and in the years to come, enjoy all the delights of such a wonderful country as Portugal.