Portugal has gone from being a “hidden gem” to the top of many Americans’ wish lists for places to move. It could be the promise of year-round sunlight, the romantic appeal of tiled streets and ocean panoramas, or just the chance to slow down from the fast pace of life in the U.S. Whatever the reason, more and more people in the U.S. are looking at this small Iberian country as their next home.
The appeal is clear: the cost of living is inexpensive compared to most U.S. cities, the healthcare is great, the safety scores are better than most of the world, and the culture is a mix of old and new. The Algarve appears like the perfect place for endless vacations, while Lisbon and Porto are full with creative energy. The rest of Europe is almost next door, too.
It isn’t as easy as booking a plane ticket to trade New York bagels or Texas barbecues for pastéis de nata and bacalhau. You need to fill out forms, make plans, and be ready to change when you go abroad. Think of how hard it is to have your driver’s license renewed at the DMV, but in Portuguese. But thousands of Americans do it every year, and you can too if you get ready.
For a more detailed explanation of moving from the USA to Portugal, you can read this article: https://firstlegal.group/blog/how-to-move-to-portugal-from-the-usa-a-quick-guide-for-a-comfortable-migration1
Why Portugal Keeps Winning People Over
Contents
- Why Portugal Keeps Winning People Over
- There are a lot of benefits to living here that add up quickly:
- The Visa Puzzle
- The Steps to Apply
- Things that matter with money
- Where to Put Down Roots
- The truth about housing
- A Nice Surprise in Healthcare
- Language and Way of Life
- Family, pets, and things that belong to you
- The Long Game: Getting a Green Card and Citizenship
- The Problems No One Talks About
- Last Thoughts
People don’t just end up in Portugal by chance; they want to go there. Some are retirees looking for cheap health care and sunny weather. Some people are digital nomads who found out about Lisbon’s startup scene. Then there are families that like the slower pace of life in coastal communities, where kids walk to school and weekends are all about long meals.
There are a lot of benefits to living here that add up quickly:
Cost of living: Portugal has gotten more expensive over the past ten years, but it’s still a good deal compared to places like San Francisco or Boston in the U.S. Rent, food, and eating out are still cheaper.
Healthcare: The public system is great, private treatment is easy to get and not too expensive, and expats generally find that their medical expenditures go down a lot once they migrate.
Safety: Portugal is often ranked as one of the safest places in the world.
The weather is nice in the winter and long in the summer. Even the rain is nice when you’re drinking espresso in a tiled café.
Community: Expats have made social connections in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, which makes it simpler to settle in without feeling alone.
That being said, Portugal isn’t a fairy tale. Housing in Lisbon is hard to find, the government is slow, and it takes time to learn Portuguese. But the trade-offs—warm evenings on the plaza, weekend travels to ancient towns, and the freedom that comes with living in the EU—often make up for the problems.
The Visa Puzzle
This is where the hope meets reality: Americans can only stay in Portugal (or anywhere else in the Schengen Zone) for 90 days without a visa. You need residency privileges to make a serious move. Thank goodness there are a lot of methods to get to Portugal.
The D7 visa is the best choice for retirees or people who live on solid passive income, like pensions or rental properties. You must have a steady salary that is legally tied to the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €820 per month in 2025), but if you’re bringing family, you should have more.
The Digital Nomad visa has made it easier for people who work from home. You need to show that you work outside of Portugal and make nearly four times the national minimum salary, which is about €3,280 per month. If you’re already Zooming into meetings from your U.S. living room, why not do it from a balcony in Lisbon?
Then there’s the Golden Visa, which used to mean buying property in Portugal. Recent changes moved the program away from real estate, but it is still an option for investors who want to live in the country by making big contributions to the economy.
The D2 visa is for people who want to start a business in Portugal. You need a solid business plan and money to support it.
Of course, anyone who wants to go to a Portuguese university can get a student visa. A lot of students go on to live in the country for a longer time.
The paperwork may seem overwhelming, but if you take your time and maybe drink a strong cup of coffee or two, you’ll be able to get through it.
The Steps to Apply
You can apply for a visa in the U.S. at the Portuguese consulate that covers your state. Requirements differ a little, but they usually include: a valid passport, proof of income, health insurance, an FBI background check, documentation of where you would be staying in Portugal (a lease, deed, or even an invitation letter), and passport-sized images.
Once you get permission, you can enter Portugal on a temporary visa. Then, you can apply for a residence permit with SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras). This is where American expats get their first true taste of how the Portuguese government works. It can be hard to get an appointment, documentation have to be in perfect order, and officials don’t always work as quickly as Americans do. A lot of foreigners say that “SEF teaches you patience, whether you asked for it or not.”
Things that matter with money
Taking care of your money before you move will save you trouble afterward.
For visa applications, it is generally necessary to open a Portuguese bank account. Some of the big brands are Caixa Geral, Millennium BCP, and Novo Banco. Many Americans also utilize internet services like Wise or Revolut to move money across borders without paying too much in fees.
Taxes can be hard. People who live in the U.S. have to file taxes every year, and people who live in Portugal do too. The good news is that Portugal’s Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program gives you a lot of tax breaks for the first ten years, although the criteria change a lot. Every euro spent on a cross-border tax specialist is worth it.
Where to Put Down Roots
Portugal isn’t the same for everyone, and where you live affects your experience.
Lisbon is full of history, nightlife, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It’s cosmopolitan, creative, and getting more expensive, but it’s still a good deal compared to New York or San Francisco. Porto has cobbled alleys, vistas of the river, and port wine cellars that make it a charming place. It feels a little less crazy, but it’s just as culturally rich.
The Algarve is a popular place for people who want to be in the sun. There are beaches, golf resorts, and large expat communities there. The Silver Coast has similar coastal splendor but at a slower pace if that feels too crowded. Then there are a lot of little towns and villages where life moves more slowly, English isn’t as widespread, and you can’t help but get immersed in Portuguese culture—in the nicest way.
The truth about housing
One of the hardest things for new entrants is finding a place to live. A lot of people start with short-term rentals through Airbnb or furnished apartments before signing long-term contracts. Idealista and Imovirtual are the most popular rental sites, however there is a lot of competition in Lisbon and Porto.
Foreigners can easily buy property, but the price hikes in popular areas have raised concerns. A lot of Americans are surprised to learn that some landlords want proof of income or several months’ rent up front. It’s very important to read contracts properly, and it would be best if someone who speaks Portuguese did it.
A Nice Surprise in Healthcare
If you’re used to the way healthcare works in the U.S., Portugal will seem like a dream come true. You can use the public system (SNS) at local health centers after you have residency. Costs are reasonable by U.S. standards, and the quality is outstanding. Many expats also have private insurance, which lets them see experts and go to private hospitals faster, but it costs a lot less than it does in the US.
When you apply for a visa, you need to present proof of health insurance. Once you get there, you can choose to use public care, private coverage, or a combination of the two.
Language and Way of Life
You don’t have to speak a lot of Portuguese to live in Portugal, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. But life gets better when you try. Even simple statements make people grin, and English fades away quickly outside of big cities. Apps like Duolingo are a good place to start, but local language schools help you learn faster.
Life here is different every day. Bureaucracy moves at its own pace. Meals last a long time and are social. Stores close earlier than they do in the U.S., and Sundays still feel like Sundays. It’s not simply a catchphrase; it’s part of who you are.
Driving may be an experience, especially in Lisbon’s tight streets. The highways, on the other hand, are contemporary and well-kept. You can count on and afford public transit including metros, trains, and trams.
Family, pets, and things that belong to you
It’s feasible to move with loved ones, but each one has its own set of logistics. Family reunification visas enable your spouse and dependents join you. Pets can come along too, but they need to have microchips, vaccinations, and the necessary papers.
Many expats find it cheaper to sell much of their U.S. furnishings and buy new things in Portugal. It’s not cheap to ship things over the Atlantic, and many Portuguese apartments come with furniture.
The Long Game: Getting a Green Card and Citizenship
The first visa may only be good for a year, but you can get a second one to remain longer. You can seek for permanent residency or citizenship after living in the country legally for five years. To become a citizen, you have to pass a simple Portuguese language test. The prize is a passport that lets you travel to all 27 EU nations.
The Problems No One Talks About
Portugal is beautiful, but living here isn’t easy. People say that bureaucracy is very slow. People in Lisbon and Porto are fighting over houses. Banking, taxes, and even paying bills are all part of the financial system, which can be hard to understand. People from the US typically come because life is slower here, but it can be frustrating at initially.
The key is to accept the trade-offs. Yes, you’ll have to wait in line at the government more than you want to. But you’ll also be drinking vinho verde on a Tuesday night and wondering why you didn’t move sooner.
Last Thoughts
Moving from the U.S. to Portugal isn’t a silly getaway; it’s a big decision that needs a lot of thought, time, and willingness to change. But for those who are brave enough to make the leap, the benefits are real: cheaper living costs, a better work-life balance, access to great healthcare, and a daily existence molded by sunshine and community.
Portugal has a mix of modern convenience and old-world elegance that is hard to find anywhere else. This makes it a great place to retire, work from home, or raise a family. It takes time, the paperwork isn’t fun, and making changes to fit in with the culture is real. But when you walk down a tiled street in Lisbon at golden hour or watch waves break on the Algarve coast, all the work seems worth it.
Moving here isn’t only about changing nations for a lot of Americans; it’s also about altering how they live. Portugal doesn’t just give you a new place to live; it also changes how you live.