Immigrate to Portugal. Things you should know before moving to Portugal
THE BASICS
What to know about living in Portugal?
Lisbon
UTC +1
Euro (EUR)
10 million
Portuguese
+351
112
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BEFORE MOVING
The cost of moving to Portugal. International removals to Portugal with Eurosender
When you are looking for international removals to Portugal, Eurosender saves you both time and money by offering a vast range of logistics services:
Visa regulations when moving to Portugal
When moving to Portugal from other EU countries or Switzerland, you do not need a visa. If you are immigrating to Portugal from India, the USA or other non-European countries, you need to obtain a visa and work permit for Portugal.
The long-stay visa allows you to stay for up to 4 months in Portugal. It can be granted if you are moving to Portugal for medical treatment, internship, short-term employment contract, or conducting scientific research.
Residence visa of type D allows requesting a residence permit in Portugal upon your arrival. It is granted to those who plan to study, work and live in Portugal for a long time. For instance, you can claim for a residence visa when you have enrolled in one of the Portuguese universities, signed a job contract with an employer that is based in Portugal, plan a family reunion, or want to immigrate to Portugal as a retiree.
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Property in Portugal. Long-term rentals in Portugal
The cost to rent an apartment in Portugal depends on the city, distance from the city centre and on whether the apartment is furnished or not. As a rule, expats prefer long term rentals in Portugal than buying property. If you are moving to Portugal alone or as a student, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre for €450 per month. The cost of renting the same apartment in Lisbon is higher – around €650 per month. A three-bedroom apartment will cost you around €1500 per month in Lisbon or Cascais, and less than €1000 if you are relocating to a smaller Portuguese city.
If you plan to buy a house in Portugal, be aware that the price is around €1600-2600 per square metre, but it’s much higher in Lisbon, Cascais and Lagos.
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LIVING IN PORTUGAL
The cost of living in Portugal
The average salary in Portugal is about €910, which is lower than in neighbouring Spain. However, the cost of living in Portugal is much lower than in other European countries, so many people from India, Ukraine, Brazil and Moldova are immigrating to Portugal for work. The basic monthly expenses of expats are €100 for the utility bills, €32 for the Internet, €30 for a meal for two people in a restaurant.
Do you need to send urgent documents to Portugal to secure a place to stay before moving?
Eurosender offers fast envelope delivery with our Express delivery service.
The job market in Portugal
Most jobs in Portugal for English speakers are available in the service sector, while agriculture and forestry still remain a driving force in the country. The most in-demand jobs in Portugal are in the sectors of tourism (hotels, caterers, restaurants, etc.), communication (call centres), IT jobs, and healthcare (especially doctors).
If you are immigrating to Portugal to work, you need to sign a contract with an employer, based in Portugal. In case you are moving to Portugal as a self-employment person, then you will have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself while living in Portugal.
Schools and education in Portugal
Public schools in Portugal are free but the classes and conducted in the national language. Some expats prefer private or international schools in Portugal for their children.
Upon graduation from secondary school, many students decide to enrol at the university. Some of the Portuguese universities participate in student projects and initiatives such as Erasmus, which means that international students are welcome to apply for particular courses or programmes in Portuguese universities.
Age: 3-5
Compulsory: No
Age: 6-14
Compulsory: Yes
Age: 15-17
Compulsory: Yes
Healthcare system in Portugal
National Healthcare Service, the SNS, is the public healthcare system in Portugal that covers primary healthcare services, maternity care, preventive care, and some dental services. Legal residents and nationals still have to pay about 40% per cent of the total cost of medical services. That is why expats opt to obtain additional private healthcare insurance when living in Portugal.
The EU nationals and Swiss citizens can access public healthcare services for free with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Driving in Portugal. Should I get a Portuguese driving licence?
If your driving licence was issued in Switzerland, an EU or EEA country, you can drive without a Portuguese driving licence, but you need to register with Portugal’s traffic authority.
You can use a foreign driving licence issued outside the EU and EEA countries to drive in Portugal for 185 days after arrival. After this period, you have to obtain a Portuguese driving licence.
You may also need to get an International driving permit in Portugal if your local driving licence is not in English or Portuguese.
What to expect when living in Portugal as an expat
- Expats who immigrate to Portugal also report that local people are very friendly and happy.
- As Portugal is one of the oldest European countries, it has many museums, castles, and other historical sites protected by UNESCO.
- Those who are moving to Portugal to set up a business are more than welcome. The newly established businesses are not supposed to pay taxes during the first year of commercial activities.
- Portugal is recovering from the crisis, but its economy is not that stable yet. That is why expats who relocated to Portugal find it challenging to find job opportunities in the country.
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MOVING DESTINATIONS
See the most popular countries from where people relocate to Portugal
Moving to Portugal from Brazil
When expats are planning a move, they usually wonder about the average moving costs to Portugal. In case you want to relocate to Portugal from Brazil, Eurosender is the best choice for organising international removals. With our door-to-door courier services, you can easily ship all your furniture, clothes and even a bike to Lisbon, Lagos or any other Portuguese city. Our experts are always ready to estimate the average moving costs to Portugal for you.
Moving to Portugal from the USA
Many Americans are wondering what it is like to immigrate to Portugal from overseas and it doesn’t need to be as scary and challenging as you might imagine. Trust Eurosender to get the cheapest way to move furniture to Portugal when booking shipping services. Moving to Portugal from the US will be smooth and stress-free as our logistics experts will make sure that your personal belongings are transported to your new home safely.
Moving to Portugal from the United Kingdom
Many British citizens are moving to Portugal from the United Kingdom as they decide to set up a business or spend their retirement in Portugal. Eurosender offers lower than the average cost removals to transport your personal belongings, household appliances, musical instruments, and excess baggage overseas. With our international removal services to Portugal, you get the most affordable cost of moving house by booking freight shipping services and requesting an individual offer.