Immigration to Portugal from the US: benefits and process
US citizens can reap many benefits from moving to Portugal, such as an affordable healthcare system and relatively low costs while maintaining a high standard of living. Also, they can enjoy life in the mountains or by the ocean.
A residence permit is required to move to Portugal, and a US citizen can obtain it in several ways. If you don’t have a significant purpose for relocation, like a job offer, the Golden Visa or the D7 visa may be the best choice.
Told about relocation to Portugal from the USA
How can a US citizen get a residence permit in Portugal?
US citizens have the right to enter Portugal without a visa and stay there for 90 days. However, for those Americans who wish to stay in Portugal longer, obtaining a residence permit is necessary.
Portugal residency visa types for Americans. There are various options for living in Portugal as an American for the long term, which are suitable for people with different purposes for moving to the country. Some of these options are:
Portugal Golden Visa for investors;
D7 visa for those who have a constant passive income;
Startup visa for foreigners who intend to open a business in the country;
Student visas for those who are enrolled in a higher education institution in Portugal;
D1 visa for individuals invited to work for a Portuguese employer.
The Golden Visa and the D7 visa are most suitable for wealthy foreigners.
Why are Americans moving to Portugal?
Americans move to Portugal in droves. According to the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF), the USA leads the top nations with approved applications for Portugal Golden Visa in 2022.
Here are some of the features that attract Americans to Portugal.
Friendliness to immigrants. Portugal was ranked 10th world’s best destination for expats in the Expat Insider 2023 survey. The rating considered many factors in four categories: quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance, and working abroad.
The locals are hospitable to new residents of the country. Currently, immigrants make up 6% of the population in Portugal.
Safety. In 2023, Portugal ranked 7th in the Global Peace Index’s top of the safest countries.
The country received such an assessment based on 23 parameters, including the number of crimes, the degree to which citizens' rights and freedoms are respected, and the availability of firearms.
Climate. Portugal has a mild subtropical climate without extreme temperature fluctuations. In the north, the maritime climate is dominated by the Gulf Stream.
Summer is dry and sunny but not hot there, and the temperature in winter ranges from +4°С to +10°С. Together with almost 300 sunny days a year, this makes Portugal one of the most comfortable countries in terms of climate.
Camilo Beach near the town of Lagos is a secluded sandy beach surrounded by high cliffs
How much money Americans need to move to Portugal and live there
Costs of moving to Portugal. There are many variables to consider while discussing moving costs. The cost of relocating to Portugal from the US will include:
flight tickets;
long-term visa fees;
renting payment or buying one;
medical insurance.
Immigrating to Portugal from the US alone will be less expensive than proceeding with a partner or children. If you’re moving to Portugal as a couple, you should be budgeting around €10,000 to cover yourself.
Costs and quality of life in Portugal. Portugal is the only European country included in the top 10 best expat destinations according to the InterNations rating. However, Portugal remains one of the cheapest countries in the EU. Consumer Prices in Portugal are, on average, 46,15% lower than in the United States.
The prices in Portugal depend on the region, like in the US. For example, prices in Lisbon are mostly higher than those in Porto.
Comparative cost of living in the US and Portugal
Educational system. Portuguese secondary education is widely recognized abroad as schools follow the IB Diploma Programme — the generally accepted secondary education program. Portugal offers both higher education at world-famous universities and a wide range of international general education schools.
Healthcare in Portugal for US expats. According to the WHO, Portugal’s healthcare system ranks 12th in overall healthcare efficiency. The high life expectancy also confirms the quality of Portuguese medicine: according to the World Population Review, Portugal’s average life expectancy is 82 years.
Portugal Golden Visa holders have full coverage insurance — this is a prerequisite for a residence permit.
Portugal’s national healthcare system, the Serviço Nacional de Saude (SNS), typically covers certain treatment costs for those legally residing and working in Portugal. This option is available for those who pay Portuguese social security (segurança social) and their dependent family members.
People who work or have worked in both the US and Portugal may also benefit from the Agreement Between the United States and Portugal that helps to avoid paying social security taxes to both countries on the same earnings.
Expats with Portugal citizenship have access to the public health system.
Tax optimization. In Portugal, a special tax regime is available for new tax residents. It helps significantly reduce the income tax rate.
Some new tax residents, for example, high-qualified specialists, pay a flat 20% income tax. Also, the NHR status holders do not need to pay tax on dividends, interest, royalties, capital gains, rental a real estate outside of Portugal, or income from employment in another country.
Favorable conditions for the retired. The special beneficial tax status of a Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) also applies to retired persons. If the NHR status holder is a pensioner who receives a pension from another country, they pay 10% tax instead of 20%.
In 2022, Portugal entered the top 5 countries for retirement according to Living magazine’s annual Global Retirement Index. The rating is based on the results of a survey of hundreds of retired immigrants across the world.
Best places for Americans to live in Portugal
Traditionally, Americans tend to choose three main destinations for living in Portugal. The community of American expats is numerous there.
Lisbon is the capital of the country and the largest city in Portugal. It may be suitable for those who do not want to give up the advantages of living in a big city, with its developed infrastructure, transport accessibility, nightlife, and faster pace of life.
However, Lisbon is not a metropolis. About half a million people live there, so the city may seem relatively small compared to New York.
Lisbon is also popular with digital nomads. It is chosen for a successful combination of conditions for work, leisure, and proximity to nature.
Lisbon is more often chosen for relocation than other Portuguese cities. It is one of the best places for digital nomads because of its warm climate and relatively low cost of living
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal which rivals Lisbon in terms of tourist attractions and entertainment. Porto is considered the center of cultural life in Portugal.
The city is located in the valley of the Douro River, where the famous Port wine originated. There you can find the best authentic wine in Portugal and a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.
The Algarve is the most southern region of Portugal. Its golden beaches attract those who move to Portugal to live by the sea. There you can find the most developed infrastructure for a beach holiday and the best marinas in Portugal.
The Algarve region has the most Blue Flag beaches. This award is given to places with the cleanest waters and the best conditions for recreation.
A beach in Sagres, Algarve. Portugal’s beaches and marinas have received 431 Blue Flags in 2022, and most of them are in the Algarve
Portugal residency by investment: the Golden Visa Program
One of the easiest ways to obtain a long-term residence permit in Portugal is to participate in its residency-by-investment program. In this case, you do not need to learn the language and confirm your education and professional qualifications, as in the cases of work and student visas.
The entire process of getting a residence permit in Portugal by investment usually takes a few months. This time is needed to prepare all the necessary documents, make the investment, apply, and pass the Due Diligence check.
The Portugal Golden Visa program provides an opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Portugal by investing in the country’s economy:
€250,000 in the culture, art, or reconstruction of the national heritage;
€500,000 in investment fund shares;
€500,000 in a business with the creation of at least five jobs;
€500,000 in research programs; or
opening a company and creating at least ten jobs in Portugal.
The most popular option is the purchase of shares of investment funds.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Portugal
How to get Portugal residency by investment
Regardless of the chosen investment option, the applicant will have to go through mandatory steps to obtain a Portuguese residency by investment. The process is rather complicated and takes 8—10 months.
1—2 days
Preliminary check
The investor gets their biography checked by a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer. The process is entirely confidential, and all that must be presented for verification is the main applicant’s passport — the specialist searches for information about the investor in international databases. Only the applicant and the lawyers assigned to their case are informed about the check results.
The investor gets their biography checked by a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer. The process is entirely confidential, and all that must be presented for verification is the main applicant’s passport — the specialist searches for information about the investor in international databases. Only the applicant and the lawyers assigned to their case are informed about the check results.
5 days to 3 weeks
Choosing the investment option
Choosing an option for investment is a very important stage, which can take several days to several months. Depending on the option chosen, the investor is helped to select an object for investment: a company, a fund, a scientific program or a cultural project.
Choosing an option for investment is a very important stage, which can take several days to several months. Depending on the option chosen, the investor is helped to select an object for investment: a company, a fund, a scientific program or a cultural project.
2—5 days
Visit to Portugal
The applicant travels to Portugal and performs some steps that may only be done in person. In two or five days, they must register their individual foreigner’s tax number, open a bank account, and draw up a power of attorney for a lawyer in Portugal to act on their behalf.
The applicant travels to Portugal and performs some steps that may only be done in person. In two or five days, they must register their individual foreigner’s tax number, open a bank account, and draw up a power of attorney for a lawyer in Portugal to act on their behalf.
1—2 months
Fulfillment of the investment condition
The procedure and time depend on the chosen investment option. For example, if the investor has decided to open a business in Portugal and create 10 jobs, then, among other things, he will need to do the following:
Open a company. It takes 3 weeks to open a company when the main applicant receives the Portuguese tax number.
If necessary, conclude a virtual address agreement or find an office or commercial space for rent.
Submit documents to open a company bank account.
Find workers and sign contracts with them. Employees moving from another country to Portugal must get a D1 visa, which usually takes 3—4 months.
The procedure and time depend on the chosen investment option. For example, if the investor has decided to open a business in Portugal and create 10 jobs, then, among other things, he will need to do the following:
Open a company. It takes 3 weeks to open a company when the main applicant receives the Portuguese tax number.
If necessary, conclude a virtual address agreement or find an office or commercial space for rent.
Submit documents to open a company bank account.
Find workers and sign contracts with them. Employees moving from another country to Portugal must get a D1 visa, which usually takes 3—4 months.
1.5—2 months
Collection of the documents and submission of the application
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers provide the investor with an individual list of documents that must be submitted. After collecting the documents, the investor gets them translated and certified.
The electronic copies of the documents are then sent to the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum of Portugal, AIMA. The time for collecting documents may increase due to the applicants’ circumstances.
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers provide the investor with an individual list of documents that must be submitted. After collecting the documents, the investor gets them translated and certified.
The electronic copies of the documents are then sent to the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum of Portugal, AIMA. The time for collecting documents may increase due to the applicants’ circumstances.
1 day to 3 weeks
Submission of biometric data in Portugal
The investors and family members included in the application must come to Portugal and submit the original documents and their biometric data.
The applicants receive a confirmation document from AIMA that allows them to live in Portugal until the residence permit cards are issued. However, they cannot enter or leave the country based on this document.
This step takes less time if all family members can submit biometrics simultaneously. It depends on the possible dates to sign up. To ensure the process is completed on time, lawyers sometimes register members of the same family to submit biometrics on the same day but in different cities.
The investors and family members included in the application must come to Portugal and submit the original documents and their biometric data.
The applicants receive a confirmation document from AIMA that allows them to live in Portugal until the residence permit cards are issued. However, they cannot enter or leave the country based on this document.
This step takes less time if all family members can submit biometrics simultaneously. It depends on the possible dates to sign up. To ensure the process is completed on time, lawyers sometimes register members of the same family to submit biometrics on the same day but in different cities.
4—6 months
Approval and receipt of residence permit cards
AIMA processes the application and checks the documents. Once the application is approved, the investor pays a fee for issuing the residence permit cards. The cards are ready within two weeks and delivered personally to the investor or lawyer.
The process must be completed on time but can be done to make it manageable. The critical aspect here is a well-prepared package of documents that does not cause AIMA to ask further questions.
However, nothing can guarantee that AIMA will not send additional requests. Any citizenship or residence by investment program reserves the right to request further clarification on any application without giving reasons.
AIMA processes the application and checks the documents. Once the application is approved, the investor pays a fee for issuing the residence permit cards. The cards are ready within two weeks and delivered personally to the investor or lawyer.
The process must be completed on time but can be done to make it manageable. The critical aspect here is a well-prepared package of documents that does not cause AIMA to ask further questions.
However, nothing can guarantee that AIMA will not send additional requests. Any citizenship or residence by investment program reserves the right to request further clarification on any application without giving reasons.
Portugal D7 visa for Americans retiring in Portugal
The D7 visa is designed for those with a permanent passive income source. The income should be at least equal to the minimum monthly wage in Portugal. In 2022, this is €760 per month. Starting January 1st, 2024, it is €820 per month.
The income must come outside of Portugal, although a residence permit then allows its holder to work in Portugal. The source of income can be almost anything if it is legal and documented: pension, dividends, interest, royalties.
The minimum required income also depends on the number of applicants that are included in the original application:
main applicant — 100% of the minimum wage;
spouse or parents of the main applicant — 50% of the minimum wage per person;
dependent children — 30% of the minimum wage per person.
In 2024, these amounts are €820, €410, and €246 per month, respectively.
Another requirement to obtain a D7 visa is that the applicant must rent or buy housing in Portugal for themselves and the family members included in the application.
Applicants get a residence permit after the D7 visa; the first permit is valid for two years, and every consequent one is issued for three years. To retain residency, one must spend 1.5 consecutive years in the first 2 years or 16 months in total over 2 years.
Individual cost calculation of the visa D7 in Portugal
How to get a Portugal residence permit: a comparison of the Golden Visa and the D7 visa
Investor’s eligibility. To participate in the Golden Visa Program and D7 programs, an applicant must be over 18 years old and have no criminal record. Also, both visa categories require medical insurance.
The difference is that to obtain a Golden Visa, the investor confirms the legality of the origin of the funds from abroad, and the applicant for the D7 visa provides evidence of passive income.
Family eligibility. The application can include spouses, children and financially dependent parents for both visas.
However, the Golden Visa offers more flexible conditions. The maximum age for adult children is 26 years, and for a D7 visa is 21. In addition, siblings of the investor under 26 years of age under the investor’s guardianship can participate in the Golden Visa program.
Obtaining time for visa D7 is shorter, usually taking 4 months, while getting a golden visa will take twice as long.
Stay requirements are also different. To maintain a Golden Visa, investors must stay in Portugal 7 days per year. To retain residency after D7, one must spend 1.5 consecutive years in the first 2 years or 16 months over 2 years.
A residence permit validity period under both programs is 2 years for the first permit and 3 years for the consequent one.
Expenses on obtaining residency are much lower under the D7 visa as it doesn’t require investments in the Portuguese economy.
Costs comparison
Portugal citizenship prospectsfor US citizens
Both the US and Portugal allow their citizens to have dual citizenship. This means that a US citizen can become a Portuguese citizen and have two citizenships at once, enjoying the full range of benefits.
After five years of legal residence in Portugal, a foreigner may apply for a permanent residence permit. Instead, they can immediately apply for Portugal citizenship by naturalization.
Obtaining Portugal citizenship typically takes 7—12 months. This timeline consists of the following steps:
Applying for citizenship. You can do it in person or by mail to the Central Registry Office.
The application is sent to the Central Registry Office by the department that has registered the application. This step takes up to 48 hours.
The Central Registry office conducts the preliminary verification of the documents. If any data is missing, the applicant gets informed and has 20 days to complete the set of documents.
The Central Registry Office requests additional information from the police and the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF).
The Central Registry Office approves the application and sends the documents to the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice makes the final decision.
The ID cards of the new citizens of Portugal are produced and issued to the applicants.
The timeline of getting Portugal citizenship after a Golden Visa
4—8 months
Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal
+1 year
The first renewal of a residence permit
+2 years
The second renewal of a residence permit
+2 years
The third renewal of a residence permit
+7—12 months
Citizenship application and obtaining the status
To qualify for Portugal citizenship, the applicant must meet five requirements:
Resident status for at least five years.
Age 18+.
Knowledge of the Portuguese language confirmed by an A2 certificate.
No criminal record.
No threat to national security.
Minor children may also get Portugal citizenship if their parents have retained residency for five years. Children under 12 do not need to take a language proficiency test.
There is also a list of documents required for applying for citizenship in Portugal:
an application form filled out in Portuguese;
two identical passport photographs;
valid passport or certified copy;
evidence of stable and regular resources sufficient for the main applicants and their relatives;
supporting documents for accommodation in Portugal
a certificate of no criminal record from the USA and other countries where the applicant has lived continuously for more than one year;
the proof of holding residency for at least five years;
the proof of Portuguese knowledge at the A2 level or higher.
How to move to Portugal from the USA: flights, shipping, customs and documents
Flight prices. According to Google Flights, the cost of airfare for one passenger from the US to Portugal varies between $465 and $1,180. The average duration of a direct flight is 7 hours.
To predict the cost of transporting things from one country to another is much more complicated: prices may vary from one to several thousand dollars.
Shipping goods. A US citizen moving to Portugal can transport their belongings from the USA to Portugal by water or air. The choice of a particular option to immigrate to Portugal from the US is always individual and heavily depends on the total weight and volume of the freight.
The average cost of transporting 100 lb cargo from the USA to Portugal is $400—600. Shipping a 20ft container of furniture by sea will cost you $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the ports of departure and arrival. The same price range applies to shipping a 550 lbs container by air.
Your baggage will be in Portugal in 1+ weeks if you send it by air and in 1—3 months if shipped by sea.
Customs. When moving from the US to Portugal, following several rules concerning bringing your belongings is essential:
Your belongings must be delivered no later than 90 days after you arrive in Portugal.
You must have a Baggage certificate (Certificado de Bagagem) issued at a Portuguese consulate; this document confirms that the imported items belong to you. The shipment must arrive within 120 days of the issuance of the Baggage certificate.
You can import duty-free households that have been in your possession for at least six months and will not be sold in Portugal after your arrival. The Baggage certificate must contain information about this.
Some items are not allowed to be brought to Portugal. These include meat and milk, protected species, and products as listed by the Washington Convention (CITES).
The import of some items may be restricted or taxed. These include alcohol, tobacco, medicines, new unpacked items, weapons, and vehicles.
You must present a set of documents: a copy of your passport and residence permit, the Baggage certificate, a copy of a Tax Сard with a Portuguese fiscal number (NIF), an inventory list, the proof of having rented or owned housing in Portugal, and a photocopy of an air ticket. Some additional documents may be needed, depending on a particular situation.
Moving pets to Portugal from the US. An American moving to Portugal can take up to five pets with them. If there are more animals to move, commercial activity laws will be applied.
Cats, dogs, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before arrival. Their owners must get an electronic ID for their pets before the trip and register them at the Town Hall (Junta da Freguesia).
Additional documents may be required for dogs if their breeds are classified as dangerous. Such breeds are, for example, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Pitbull terrier, and Tosa Inu. In this case, you may need a special permit and a signed liability term.
Birds should spend up to 30 days in quarantine or undergo vaccination for avian flu H5 and H7 at least 60 days, but no more than six months before the trip.
A health certificate issued in the US is required for every pet.
Portuguese driver’s license. After obtaining a residence permit in Portugal, you have 90 days to change your driver’s license to a Portuguese one.
It is advised that you get and notarize with an Apostille Seal an Abstract of Driving Record from your last US state of residence. This document must certify that your driver’s license is authentic and valid; it should contain information about the date of issuance, license class, and any suspensions or revocations.
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