Portugal
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Italy
Greece
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Hungary Guest Investor
Key Takeaways
- Multiple visa routes: Golden Visa (€250K-500K investment), D7 (passive income), D8 (digital nomads), and startup visas
- Minimal presence: Golden Visa requires only 7 days in year one, then 14 days per subsequent 2-year period
- EU citizenship: Currently 5 years to citizenship (pending legislation may extend to 10 years for most nationalities)
- Schengen access: EU residency grants travel, work, and study rights across 27 Schengen countries
- Processing times: AIMA handles immigration — expect 2-4 months for D7/D8, 18-24+ months for Golden Visa
Last updated: February 2026 · Sources: AIMA/SEF, Portuguese Immigration Law, Global Citizen Solutions
01 — Residency Options
Summary: Portugal offers 7 main visa routes. Golden Visa (€500K investment, 7 days/year stay), D7 (passive income, full-time residency), and D8 (digital nomads) are most popular. All lead to citizenship after 5 years.
| Visa Type | Min. Investment/Income | Stay Requirement | Processing Time | Gov Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | €250K-500K | 7 days yr1, 14 days/2yrs | 18-24+ months | ~€6,800 | Investors, global citizens |
| D7 | €920/month passive | 183+ days/year | 2-4 months | ~€450 | Retirees, remote investors |
| D8 | €3,680/month + savings | 183+ days/year | 2-4 months | ~€450 | Digital nomads |
| Startup | Business plan | Full-time resident | 3-6 months | ~€450 | Tech founders |
| Tech Visa | Job offer | Full-time resident | 1-2 months | ~€200 | Tech professionals |
Golden Visa
Investment from €500K, minimal stay requirement
D7 Passive Income
For retirees and passive income earners
D8 Digital Nomad
For remote workers with foreign income
Startup Visa
For founders building innovative businesses
Tech Visa
Fast-track for tech professionals
HQA Visa
Highly Qualified Activity visa
If you want flexibility and don't plan to live in Portugal full-time, choose the Golden Visa. If you want to relocate permanently with lower costs, the D7 is your best option.
Compare all Portugal visa types
Visa Comparisons
- D7 vs Golden Visa — Which is right for you?
- D8 vs D2 Visa — Remote work vs entrepreneur
02 — Guides by Nationality
Summary: UK, USA, and Brazil are the top nationalities moving to Portugal. Each country has specific requirements — US citizens should consider dual citizenship options and 401(k)/IRA investment routes for Golden Visa.
Top 5 nationalities for Portugal Golden Visa (2024): USA (567), China (306), UK (234), Brazil (219), India (199). Americans are now the largest group of new applicants.
For US Citizens
US citizens can use retirement funds (IRA/401k) to invest in Portugal Golden Visa funds through a self-directed IRA structure. This lets you build EU residency while keeping your retirement savings working.
Myths vs Reality
You need to speak Portuguese to move there.
English is widely spoken in Lisbon, Porto, and tourist areas. Portuguese only required for citizenship (A2 level).
The Golden Visa program is ending.
Real estate routes ended in 2023, but fund investments, cultural donations, and job creation routes remain open.
Portugal is expensive because of all the expats.
Lisbon rents have risen, but Portugal remains 30-40% cheaper than UK/USA. Porto and smaller cities are very affordable.
03 — Cost of Living
Summary: Portugal is 30-40% cheaper than the UK, USA, or Western Europe. A couple can live comfortably on €2,000-2,500/month in Lisbon, and €1,500-2,000/month in smaller cities like Porto or the Algarve.
| Expense | Lisbon | Porto | Algarve |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city center) | €1,200-1,800 | €800-1,200 | €700-1,100 |
| Groceries (monthly) | €250-350 | €200-300 | €200-300 |
| Eating out (per meal) | €12-20 | €10-15 | €10-18 |
| Public transport (monthly) | €40 | €40 | Car needed |
| Utilities (monthly) | €100-150 | €80-120 | €80-120 |
| Health insurance (monthly) | €50-100 | €50-100 | €50-100 |
Cost comparison: Portugal is 35% cheaper than the UK, 40% cheaper than the USA, and 25% cheaper than France for everyday living expenses.
Monthly Budget by Lifestyle
| Lifestyle | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (smaller city) | €1,200-1,500 | €1,800-2,200 | €2,500-3,000 |
| Comfortable (Lisbon/Porto) | €1,800-2,200 | €2,500-3,000 | €3,500-4,500 |
| Premium (Cascais/Lisbon center) | €2,500-3,500 | €4,000-5,000 | €6,000-8,000 |
- Cost of Living in Portugal — Complete breakdown with real prices
- Portugal vs USA, UK, Canada, Australia Cost Comparison
04 — Setting Up Life
Summary: Get your NIF (tax number) first — you need it for everything. Then open a bank account (Millennium BCP and ActivoBank are expat-friendly). Healthcare is excellent and accessible to residents.
First 30 Days Checklist
- Get your NIF — Tax ID needed for everything (bank, rental, utilities)
- Open a bank account — Millennium BCP or ActivoBank for English service
- Register at local Financas — Tax office registration
- Get health insurance — Required for visa, optional after SNS registration
- Register at local health center — Access public healthcare (SNS)
Money and Admin
- Bank Accounts in Portugal — Best banks for expats
- How to Get a Portuguese NIF — Tax ID guide
- Taxes in Portugal — Income tax, capital gains and expat guide
You can get a NIF remotely before arriving in Portugal through a fiscal representative. This lets you open a bank account and start your visa process faster.
Tax Rates Comparison
| Tax Type | Portugal | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 48% | 45% | 37% |
| Capital gains (residents) | 28% | 20% | 20% |
| Corporate tax | 19% | 25% | 21% |
| VAT/Sales tax | 23% | 20% | 0-10% |
| Pension income | 14.5-48%* | 20-45% | 10-37% |
Tax note: The NHR regime ended for new applicants in 2024. The replacement (IFICI) only applies to highly qualified professionals, not pension income. Existing NHR holders retain their benefits until expiry.
Property
Buying property in Portugal involves notary fees, stamp duty (IMT), and legal costs totaling 7-10% of purchase price. Most banks offer mortgages up to 70-80% LTV for non-residents.
| Cost Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IMT (transfer tax) | 0-8% | Progressive rate based on price |
| Stamp Duty | 0.8% | Fixed rate |
| Notary/Registry | €1,000-2,000 | Fixed costs |
| Legal Fees | 1-2% | Lawyer recommended |
| Annual Property Tax (IMI) | 0.3-0.45% | Based on rateable value |
Rent before you buy. Portuguese property transactions are slow (3-6 months) and contracts favor sellers. Spend at least 6 months in an area before committing.
Buying Property
Complete guide to purchasing real estate
Mortgages and Lenders
Rates, LTV, bank requirements, and best lenders
Daily Life
Portugal has excellent infrastructure: fast fiber internet (100-1000 Mbps widely available), reliable public transport in cities, and EU-quality roads. Amazon Spain delivers in 1-3 days, and most global brands are available.
| Service | Cost | Top Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Internet (fiber) | €30-50/month | NOS, MEO, Vodafone |
| Mobile | €15-30/month | NOS, MEO, Vodafone |
| Car Insurance | €200-500/year | Fidelidade, Allianz |
| Health Insurance | €50-150/month | Medis, Multicare, Allianz |
Internet
Fiber providers, speeds, pricing
Buying a Car
New vs used, import rules, registration
Healthcare
Public SNS vs private insurance
Business
Starting a company in Portugal takes 1-3 days through the Empresa na Hora (company in an hour) system. Corporate tax is 21%, with reduced rates for SMEs. Portugal offers tech visas and startup incentives.
| Business Type | Setup Time | Min. Capital | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader (ENI) | 1 day | None | 14.5-48% (personal) |
| LDA (private limited) | 1-3 days | €1 | 19% (15% first €50K for SMEs) |
| SA (public limited) | 5-10 days | €50,000 | 21% |
- Starting a Company in Portugal — Full setup guide
05 — Cities and Regions
Summary: Lisbon for cosmopolitan urban living, Porto for affordability and culture, Algarve for sun and beaches, Cascais for family-friendly coastal life. Most expats choose Lisbon or the Algarve.
Lisbon
Porto
Algarve
| City | Best For | 1-Bed Rent | Climate | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Young professionals, startups | €1,200-1,800 | Mild, 260 sunny days | Cosmopolitan, busy |
| Porto | Budget-conscious, culture lovers | €800-1,200 | Wetter, cooler winters | Authentic, creative |
| Cascais | Families, beach lovers | €1,000-1,500 | Coastal breeze, mild | Upscale coastal |
| Algarve | Retirees, sun seekers | €700-1,100 | 300+ sunny days | Relaxed, touristy |
| Madeira | Digital nomads, nature | €600-900 | Eternal spring, 20-25C | Island paradise |
Lisbon Porto Cascais Algarve Lagos Madeira Sintra Braga Coimbra Evora Comporta
Rent before you buy. Spend at least 3-6 months in an area before committing to property. Many expats discover their "perfect city" was different from what they expected.
Weather by Region
| Region | Summer Avg | Winter Avg | Rainy Days/Year | Sunny Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 28C / 82F | 12C / 54F | 60-70 | 260+ |
| Porto | 25C / 77F | 10C / 50F | 100-120 | 200+ |
| Algarve | 30C / 86F | 15C / 59F | 40-50 | 300+ |
| Madeira | 24C / 75F | 17C / 63F | 70-80 | 250+ |
06 — Portugal vs Other Countries
Summary: Portugal beats Spain on safety and tax benefits, beats Italy on bureaucracy and processing times, and offers better weather than Germany/Netherlands/UK. It is one of the most affordable Western European countries with Golden Visa options.
| Factor | Portugal | Spain | Italy | Greece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa Min. | €250K-500K | Ended Apr 2025 | €250K-500K | €250K-800K |
| Safety Rank (GPI) | #7 | #32 | #34 | #48 |
| English Spoken | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| GV Processing | 18-24+ mo | N/A | 3-4 mo | 3-12 mo |
| Citizenship | 5 years | 10 years | 10 years | 7 years |
| Min Stay (GV) | 7d yr1, 14d/2yr | N/A | None | None |
Why Portugal wins: Fastest path to EU citizenship (5 years vs 10 in Spain/Italy), highest safety ranking among GV countries, best English proficiency, and most established Golden Visa program (since 2012).
- Portugal vs Spain — Which is cheaper, safer and better?
- Portugal vs Italy
- Portugal vs France
- Portugal vs Germany
- Portugal vs Greece
- Portugal vs Netherlands
- Portugal vs UK
- Portugal vs Canada
- Portugal vs Australia
- Portugal vs Brazil
07 — Life in Portugal
Summary: Portugal is family-friendly with excellent international schools, LGBT-welcoming (#1 in Europe for LGBT rights), and one of the safest countries in the world. Retirees particularly love the Algarve.
Portugal rankings: #7 safest country globally (Global Peace Index), top 10 in Europe for LGBT rights (ILGA Rainbow Index), 300+ days of sunshine per year in the Algarve.
Living in Portugal by Life Stage
| Life Stage | Best Location | Key Benefits | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Professionals | Lisbon, Porto | Tech scene, coworking, nightlife | Higher rents, competitive job market |
| Families | Cascais, Estoril, Algarve | International schools, beaches, safe | €15-25K/year school fees |
| Retirees | Algarve, Madeira, Silver Coast | Sunshine, golf, healthcare, low cost | 10% tax on pensions (NHR) |
| Digital Nomads | Lisbon, Madeira, Ericeira | Fast internet, coworking, surf | D8 visa requires €3,680/month |
Healthcare System
Portugal has a dual healthcare system: the public SNS (Servico Nacional de Saude) available to all residents, plus private healthcare. Public healthcare is free or low-cost for residents, while private insurance costs €50-150/month and offers faster access and English-speaking doctors.
| Healthcare Type | Cost | Wait Times | English Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public (SNS) | Free-€10/visit | Weeks-months for specialists | Limited |
| Private Insurance | €50-150/month | Days-weeks | Good |
| Private Pay | €50-100/consultation | Same day-week | Good |
Register at your local health center (Centro de Saude) within 30 days of getting your residence permit. This gives you access to the public SNS system. Keep private insurance for faster specialist access.
Education Options
| School Type | Annual Cost | Language | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | Free | Portuguese | Long-term residents, integration |
| International Schools | €15,000-25,000 | English/Other | Expat families, IB curriculum |
| Private Portuguese | €5,000-12,000 | Portuguese | Better facilities, smaller classes |
Retirees
Pension taxes, healthcare, best locations
LGBT Expats
#1 in Europe for LGBT rights
International Schools
IB, British, American curricula
Healthcare
SNS, private options, insurance
Safety
#7 safest country globally
- Education System in Portugal — Full guide to schools
- Moving with Pets — EU pet passport, quarantine rules
08 — Beyond Residency
Summary: Portuguese citizenship requires 5 years of legal residency plus A2-level Portuguese. Parliament voted October 2025 to extend this to 10 years, but the President vetoed after the Constitutional Court ruled parts unconstitutional. The 5-year rule remains in effect. Dual citizenship is allowed.
Path to Citizenship Timeline
- Year 1: Obtain residence permit (Golden Visa, D7, etc.)
- Years 1-5: Maintain residency, meet stay requirements
- Year 4-5: Pass A2 Portuguese language test (CIPLE exam)
- Year 5: Apply for citizenship or permanent residence
- Year 6+: Receive Portuguese passport, maintain dual citizenship
Start learning Portuguese from day one. The A2 test is not difficult, but it requires consistent practice. Apps like Duolingo plus a weekly tutor will get you there in 12-18 months.
Citizenship Comparison
| Country | Years Required | Language Level | Dual Allowed | Citizenship Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 5 years | A2 Portuguese | Yes | No |
| Spain | 10 years | A2 Spanish | Limited | Yes (CCSE) |
| Italy | 10 years | B1 Italian | Yes | No |
| Germany | 5 years | B1 German | Limited | Yes |
| France | 5 years | B1 French | Yes | Yes |
09 — Golden Visa Resources
Summary: The Golden Visa requires €500K investment (funds, not real estate) or €250K cultural donation. Real estate routes closed in 2023. Processing takes 12-18 months. Family members included at no extra investment.
| Route | Min. Investment | Capital Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Fund | €500,000 | Yes (at maturity) | Most popular, CMVM-regulated funds, 6-8 year lock-in |
| Cultural Donation | €250,000 (€200K low-density) | No | Lowest entry point, supports arts/heritage |
| Scientific Research | €500,000 (€350K low-density) | No | Support R&D in Portugal |
| Job Creation | 10 jobs (8 in low-density) | N/A | No investment minimum, must maintain jobs 5 years |
Golden Visa stats: ~12,700 main applicants approved since 2012 (plus ~20,400 family members), over €7B total investment attracted. Americans are now the largest applicant group.
Fund investments let you recover capital after the 5-year holding period. Cultural donations do not — but they are €250K cheaper upfront. Choose based on whether you need the capital back.
- Portugal Golden Visa Guide — Complete 2026 guide
- Golden Visa Costs — Full fee breakdown
- Golden Visa Investment Funds
- Golden Visa Bank Accounts
- Best Golden Visa Law Firms
10 — Find an Expert
Summary: Use a specialist immigration lawyer, not a generalist. Golden Visa, D7, and D8 each have dedicated law firms. Budget €5,000-15,000 for legal fees depending on visa type and complexity.
Always verify your lawyer is registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados). Ask for references from previous clients in your visa category.
Typical Legal Fees
| Visa Type | Legal Fees | Government Fees | Total Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa | €8,000-15,000 | €6,798 | €15,000-22,000 |
| D7 Visa | €2,000-5,000 | €90-180 | €2,500-5,500 |
| D8 Visa | €2,000-5,000 | €90-180 | €2,500-5,500 |
| Citizenship | €1,500-3,000 | €250 | €2,000-3,500 |
Local Life
Summary: Portuguese culture centers around family, food, and the outdoors. Lunch is the main meal (1-3pm), shops close for siesta in smaller towns, and weekends are for beaches, markets, and long meals with friends.
Cultural Calendar
| Month | Event | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| February | Carnival | Parades, costumes, especially in Torres Vedras |
| April | Easter Week | Processions, religious celebrations, 4-day holiday |
| June | Santos Populares | Street parties, sardines, Lisbon and Porto |
| August | Festival Season | Music festivals, beach culture, everyone on holiday |
| December | Christmas/New Year | Family gatherings, bacalhau, fireworks in Madeira |
Public holidays: Portugal has 13 national holidays plus local municipal holidays. August is effectively a shutdown month — many businesses close and locals head to the beach.
Shopping and Services
| Category | Top Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | Continente, Pingo Doce, Lidl, Aldi | Continente largest; Lidl best value |
| Online Shopping | Amazon.es, Worten, FNAC | Amazon Prime delivers 1-3 days from Spain |
| Markets | LX Factory, Feira da Ladra, Time Out | Sunday markets best for antiques, food |
| Gyms | Fitness Hut, Holmes Place, Solinca | €25-80/month depending on chain |
Famous Expats
Portugal has attracted high-profile expats including Madonna (who lived in Lisbon 2017-2023), Monica Bellucci, Michael Fassbender, Eric Cantona, and tech entrepreneurs. The combination of safety, tax benefits, and lifestyle draws celebrities and business leaders alike.
The Portuguese generally respect privacy. Celebrity sightings are common in Lisbon and Comporta, but locals tend not to make a fuss — part of what makes Portugal appealing to high-profile residents.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The D7 visa allows residency with passive income (pension, rental income, investments). You need approximately €920/month minimum plus savings. No employment required.The Golden Visa requires only 7 days in the first year, then 14 days every two years. It is designed for investors who do not plan to live full-time in Portugal. You can stay longer if you wish.5 years of legal residency. Parliament voted to extend this to 10 years in October 2025, but the President vetoed after the Constitutional Court ruled parts unconstitutional — the 5-year rule remains in effect. You must pass a basic Portuguese language test (A2 level). Dual citizenship is allowed.Yes. Despite being called a "passive income" visa, D7 holders can work as employees or self-employed after receiving their residence permit. The visa simply requires you to have passive income to qualify.Yes, but real estate routes are closed since October 2023. Qualifying investments now include venture capital funds (€500K), cultural donations (€250K), scientific research, or job creation.Not initially. English is widely spoken in Lisbon, Porto, and tourist areas. However, A2-level Portuguese is required for citizenship. Most expats find daily life manageable with English.Portugal is 30-40% cheaper than the UK or USA. A couple can live comfortably on €2,000-2,500/month in Lisbon, or €1,500-2,000/month in Porto or the Algarve. Rent is the biggest expense.Yes. Portugal ranks #7 globally on the Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare. Petty theft exists in tourist areas but is manageable with basic precautions.
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