???? How to Move from the USA to Portugal ????
I've spent several years helping Americans move to Portugal, and I keep seeing the same pattern:
And you know what? Portugal delivers on all fronts.
Look, it's not secret: Portugal is in vogue right now. But let me break down why this tiny country on the edge of Europe is becoming a magnet for Americans (and Canadians, Brits, and anyone else living outside the EU).
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The "Why Portugal" Reality Check:
Can you move to Portugal?
Here's the big question: would you actually qualify for a residency visa?
Let's talk visas (2024 numbers).
The Digital Nomad Visa
As most people on Linkedin are still working, this should be one of your first considerations.
You'll need €3,280/month income, which sounds like a lot until you realize you can keep your US salary. That's right, this visa is aimed at freelancers and remote workers.
?? Bringing a spouse or partner, add 50%.
?? For each dependent child, add 30% per kiddo.
?? You'll also need a year's worth of savings (for an individual, that's €820*12; or €1230*12 for a couple).
No need to invest money, start a business, or anything else. So, what's the downside to taking that US salary and moving to a country where a coffee costs less than a dollar?
Firstly, there are a few hoops to jump through. Like needing to rent or buy a property in Portugal before you move here. Yep! It's one of the requirements. But, even though that's a pain, it's doable. Come to Portugal on a scouting trip or pay a company to find you a rental. You'll also need a Portuguese bank account and a tax number (known as a NIF) but you know what, there are companies (ahem, Portugalist) that can help you with all of this.
I would say the biggest challenge is making sure your company is cool with you working remotely. You see some are fine with you working in another state or even taking a vacation for a few weeks. But permanently moving? That's a whole other thing. You may need to find another job or become a contractor. Not ideal, but it is what it is.
All that aside, if you're a remote worker or freelancer, this could be your ticket to a new life in Europe.
The D7 (Passive Income Visa)
This one's fascinating because it only requires €820/month income (as of 2024). But that income has to come from passive sources. This is income you're not actively working for.
Now, most people that move on this move on social security or a pension. But that's not the only option. Dividends, rental income, investments - it all counts. If you have a rental property, this could be a way to qualify.
?? Bringing a spouse or partner, add 50%.
?? For each dependent child, add 30% per kiddo.
?? You'll also need a year's worth of savings (for an individual, that's €820*12; or €1230*12 for a couple).
Again, this one has similar hoops as the D8. Like needing to rent or buy a property in Portugal before you move here. You'll also need a Portuguese bank account and a tax number (known as a NIF).
Again, these are things you can get remotely (or you can come to Portugal to get them).
If you qualify, this is one of the most attainable European residency visas right now.
The Golden Visa
The Portuguese Golden Visa keeps coming up, and for good reason. Firstly, it has a catchy name. Secondly, you don't actually have to move to Portugal.
Yes, you read that right.
The Golden Visa is different from other residency options:
Basically, this visa works as a "just in case" option. If you're unsure of where the US is heading culturally, but you want to keep living and working here, you can maintain residency in Portugal by visiting it for just one week a year. And if you do ever want to move fully, you can just hop on a plane.
If you're not using it as a "just in case" option, it also works if you don't qualify for one of the other visas.
Don't have passive income for the D7 or a remote job for the D8? Have significant savings? Consider applying for the golden visa.
This visa requires an investment of €500k (typical investment amount) or a donation of €250k and, these days, that's typically into a qualifying fund (e.g. venture capital fund). Yes, it's a lot more investment in terms of capital but less in terms of time spent away from the US (should you want to continue living here).
The D2 (Entrepreneur Visa)
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Here's what's interesting about the D2 - there's no official minimum investment required. Sounds too good to be true? Well, kind of. This doesn't really mean the requirements are easy; it's more than they're vague.
While you don't need to show huge capital, your business plan needs to be SOLID. Without some startup capital, at least enough to get your business off the ground, this is likely to be rejected.
This visa is all about the business plan. You need to show serious numbers on how this is going to work. That's the first thing the authorities want to see: that you won't go broke and have to rely on the Portuguese state. And they're (rightly) assuming that many businesses go bust, and yours might too, so they want to take the least amount of risk while also bringing in businesses that'll be the most beneficial.
The second thing: they want to see that you can not only support yourself BUT ALSO contribute to Portugal's economy and society.
Given all of this, you won't be surprised to hear that many lawyers discourage people from applying from the D2 visa, especially if they already qualify for another visa like the D7 or D8. Why? Because the authorities are given a lot more discretionary powers when reviewing an application (and that means a lot more discretionary power to reject an application).
As with the D7 and D8, you'll need a year's worth of savings. You'll also need an address in Portugal before you move here as well as a bank account and NIF number.
HQA Visa
Here's something interesting most people don't know about: There's a way to get Portuguese residency through academic research and development. It's called the HQA (Highly Qualified Activity) visa.
Quick facts:
Here's what makes it unique:
Think of it as a startup incubator meets visa program.
You bring:
They provide:
The Real Talk Part:
This isn't for everyone. If you've got a business ready to launch, look at the D2 or Startup visa instead. Even the golden visa has entrepreneurial sections.
This is for professionals who:
The Benefits:
Who's This Perfect For?
Important Note: This is a specialized program run through specific channels - not a standard government visa. But for the right person? It's a fascinating mix of business development and immigration strategy.
It's often marketed as a cheaper version of the golden visa, but that's not really accurate. Yes, the investment amounts are lower, but with the golden visa you're typically investing in funds and expecting a return - if not just your capital back. With academic research, you're hoping to develop IP or a business idea but there's no guarantee that'll equate to €175,000 or more.
Also, with the golden visa, the 7 days per year stay requirements are written in stone. This visa is just a little more flexible, and it's expected that you can go abroad if you have other business interests, but that's the same with the D2.
Startup Visa
I've been watching Portugal's startup scene explode, especially since Web Summit made Lisbon its home. Here's what you need to know about their startup visa program.
The TL;DR:
Here's what makes it interesting:
Your Startup Needs to:
What You Get:
The Real Talk Part:
The Good:
The Challenges:
Who's This Perfect For?
Conclusion
Looking at these visa options, one thing becomes clear: Portugal has created multiple paths for Americans seeking a European lifestyle. Whether you're:
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Talk to Portugalist . We'll analyze your unique circumstances and help you choose the right path to Portuguese residency.