Relocating to Portugal

My sister and brother in law did just that and retired in Lisbon last March. The bureaucratic process was not too exacting and took a few months before they received the visa about a year ago (once you receive the visa you have 90 days to move there). The procedure is handled by a specialized private firm contracted by the Portuguese Consulate in SF (actually that company was handling visa application procedures for multiple countries, not just Portugal. The procedure entailed being interviewed separately and on different days. One thing they had to do is secure a lease in Lisbon, as having a lease is one of the requirements, along as proof of income and health insurance.. They did so in the summer of 2023 so basically they had to pay rent 7 months while still living in California. The rental costs are lower than the Bay Area but probably more than Phoenix. They pay (for the same apartment they got in June 2023) 1,600€ a month for a furnished 1bd/1bath apartment of a little over 600sqft. Costs are lower outside of Lisbon, but by living in Lisbon they can afford to live without a car and they also have plenty of great healthcare facilities nearby. My brother in law is originally from Brazil and my sister in law, from California, also speaks perfect fluent Portuguese having been together for decades (she is also a Spanish native speaker and former teacher of Spanish), so they have that advantage. Her neighbors in the same apartment building are also expats (from France, Mexico, US, and other places) but they are all fluent in Portuguese, although not as perfect as my in laws. If you are not fluent in Portuguese you will not have an easy time outside of Lisbon. Unfortunately for you, the deal Portugal had to forgo income taxes for 10 years, ended for visas issued after January 1, 2024, therefore you will be hit by the whopping income tax rates of Portugal, which, as you can see below, will require you to pay tens of thousand of $$ extra compared to what you pay Stateside in Arizona.
https://www.blevinsfranks.com/tax-in-portugal-2024/

Thanks Roberto,
If i understand, what you are describing would be the process for applying here in the US. I assume we contact SF Consulate and they will refer us to the appropriate company for processing. I understand we need a lease in Portugal. I was wondering if we had our proof of income, and health insurance, also whatever is needed for a Police/Criminal background report, could we make application in Portugal? We travel there on a tourist Visa, lease an apartment, hire an immigration attorney, and make application for the D7. This assumes we could complete the process in the 90 days we have as tourists. Otherwise, we return to the US and wait. I feel pretty certain as a disabled Veteran my pension wont be taxed in Portugal under the reciprocal tax agreement we have with them, but will seek a legal opinion on that. As a former Dept. of State person, I have no problem with language. We will learn, although I have heard that due to the close relations over the years between Portugal and the UK, English is widely spoken there.
We do have sufficient monthly income and after we sell our home here, we should be fine financially. Not sure yet if we are city folks, but have heard we wont need a car in Lisbon. We feel like we are more Algarve types, but will see once we can visit. Thanks again, we appreciate any tips from Expats living in Portugal. J&L

Although I've never applied for a long-stay visa myself (the apparently universal requirement for a one-year lease pinning the traveler down in a single place is a deal-breaker for me), it's my understanding the usual procedure (not just for Portugal) is to apply in your home country. That may be just about the first thing you need to check on, though you obviously need to spend some time in Portugal to decide on your future home city and identify potential lodgings.

Not sure if you ever go on Facebook, but there are numerous expat groups there. One particular group that I follow deals with relocating to Portugal, not just for US citizens, but for others around the globe. The FB group is called: Americans & Friends PT and it has invaluable information on its page. Check it out

You cannot apply while in Portugal. You must do so in your country of residence at the Consulate General of Portugal with jurisdiction over the State of Arizona. I don’t know if the office in Phoenix will do, as that is probably an Honorary Vice Consulate and Vice Consulates perform a limited scope of services. Your application is with the consulate, the contracted private firm deals with the successive procedure steps, like the interviews. the process will take longer than 90 days, that is for sure. I don’t remember when my relatives applied but it was definitely longer than 3 months. You will need a one year executed lease, and that is part of the required documentation along with proof of income, health insurance, clean criminal record. I don’t know what the bilateral tax treaty the US has with Portugal says. I know what the one with Italy says, so it might be similar. Basically fon a non citizen like you, your government pension (like Social Security), continues to be taxed by the US, while everything else (private pensions, 401k, deferred compensation, investment income, etc.) will be taxed by your host country. Italy also has a wealth tax on assets held overseas (like foreign bank accounts, investment accounts, and real estate property) I don’t know if Portugal has the same. I presume it is possible to get by with just English in places like Lisbon with a large international expat community, however when I was there in smaller towns I also had to rely on my Portuguese. I speak Spanish and Italian so I could get by with my not so fluent Portuguese, however when you live in a place, rather than just being a tourist, you will have to deal with day to day activities interacting with doctors, government bureaucrats, etc. I don’t think I would be able to survive well in Italy if I weren’t fluent. I presume the same is true for Portugal. I have properties in Italy so I have to deal with contracts, utilities, house workers, government tax authorities, banks, national health service (for my parents when they were alive) and other stuff we all have to deal with as part of living in a place, and I have to do so in Italian, and do not expect that the English fluency those individuals speak at banks, government offices, even lawyers, is so great. If you don’t speak the language then you have to pay someone to do the interpreting for you or constantly rely on a bilingual professional to help you. Living in a place full time is not the same as being a tourist at an AirBnB for a month or two. So I suggest you start learning Portuguese.

Actually they rented the apartment in June 2023, not 2022. They had everything else ready and applied for the visa in June 2023. The interviews were in September and the visa arrived at the end of November or early December. The did the move in early March.

Getting the first-year visa via the consulate is pretty straight forward for someone who doesn’t plan to work. An attorney isn’t needed.

However, you will want to read the income and inheritance tax treaties and consult with an accountant specializing in US and Portuguese taxation. The FaceBook groups should be able to give more information.

When we moved back to France we had online appointments with a specialist who is not only a CPA but a member of both the Paris bar and New York State bar. You can do this before moving to be sure there are no financial surprises. These specialists are expensive, so we did research first and had a list of questions ready.

During your apartment scouting trip, you might want to hire a relocation specialist or company. These people have excellent connections to landlords and and other services. But start with the private Fb groups for a window into this world.

Me and my wife are also exploring retiring to Portugal. She is 3 yrs from SSI. we are going there 5/1/25 to explore. Expats moving to Portugal FB group has some wonderful information. Jose Madeira Pinto; Immigration Lawyer. Valerie Casal, she says she has full service firm in Portugal. www.portugalize.com lawyers who can help. Portugal the Place offers customized packages, I think, based on how much you want them to do. You can DIY, but its a maze, pay the money and be done with it and enjoy your retirement in Portugal !

I moved to Portugal from the U.S. nine years ago and love living here. It was much easier then. Now you need a one year lease and bank account to obtain your Schengen visa. You get this visa from the states then get your first temporary residence card after you arrive. The system is very backed up right now for that temporary residence card but people seem to be getting their Schengen visa’s much the same as it has always been. Unfortunately, they move then it takes many months to get that first card. The only issue with that is not being able to travel out of the Schengen with no residence card. Mine is expired right now so I can only travel within the Schengen or direct to the U.S.

Someone earlier mentioned the Facebook group Americans and Friends in Portugal. It’s the gold standard for information and guidance. They have excellent files with everything you need to know. There has been a rash of small businesses spring up helping people get their Schengen visas but you still have to do most of it yourself. It’s still very doable on your own.

A couple of women I know have reputable companies for education on making the move, if you want/need more than AFIP. Expacity and Deborah Dehab on Facebook have great info. Sorry but I can’t remember the name of Deborah’s page.

If you have some specific questions, feel free to send me a private message and I’ll try to help.

You always apply for a visa to live in another country from your home country (in your case, the U.S.).

Not in the country you want to move to.

Google Consulate of Portugal in the U.S. and then find their page for visa applicants. It will tell you the process, which physical consulate or embassy you may need to go to, where to send your documents, etc.

Thanks All, lots to check out, and we have reached out to the Portugalize folks. We do prefer to pay a pro if only to lessen the stress and answer all legal questions we may have. Hopefully we will be able to visit after our cruise returns to Rome in early May, but if not, we will visit after we sell our home in Nevada. J&L

Once you arrive you will have to apply for the resident’s card, and while you wait for it you cannot travel outside Portugal. My brother and sister in law applied in March 2024 and received it in about 3 months, just in time to come with us to Italy.

We immigrated to Portugal from Idaho two years ago, and have never looked back. We love it here. You're being given a lot of great advice here, especially re: taking advantage of all the info at your fingertips at AFIP (Americans & Friends In Portugal) Facebook page. (The files are substantial, but, a word of warning: since there is such demand and interest for this info, some people don't take the time to read the files, and the Admins get a little testy if your questions are too general and have answers that are readily answered and easily accessible in the files... the Admins are quick to refer you to the files. We've all been scolded, so don't take it personally. )
Getting your D7 will take longer than you expect, in fact, count on everything taking longer than you expect. ;) But, it will be worth it, at least it has been for us. You will apply from the country you are a resident of, and you'll make an appointment with VFS in San Francisco (with your completed applications) in hand.) Having reached this milestone alone will be cause for celebration!!!!....