How to Choose the Right Visa, Find a Home, and Settle into Life in Portugal
When my husband and I decided to move abroad, we had to figure it all out for ourselves – from the visa process to logistics and everything in between. It took a lot of time to determine which country would be our new home. We researched countries around the world that we might want to live in, and chose Portugal even though we’d never visited.
Why Portugal? Good weather, delicious food, kind people, relaxed culture, safety, and a new language.
Our biggest obstacle? How much work it would take to make it happen. Between gathering documents, navigating visa applications, and finding an apartment overseas, it became a full-time job.
If you’re considering moving abroad from the U.S. to Portugal, this guide will save you hours (and probably some tears). These are the exact tools, resources, and communities that helped us — plus a few we wish we’d known about sooner.
1. Get Help Moving Abroad
Resource: Start Abroad
We moved to Portugal completely on our own. No lawyers. No consultants. Just hours of research, government websites in Portuguese, and some luck. Looking back, that was a bold (and exhausting) strategy on our part.
It was only recently that I got connected with Start Abroad.
They specialize in helping Americans move to Portugal or Costa Rica, handling everything from visa documentation to securing a lease, scheduling VFS appointments, and more. Even if you’re not sure whether you need assistance, they offer a free consultation, and it’s genuinely helpful for figuring out whether you want to DIY or delegate as well as which visa type is best suited for you.
Moving abroad is absolutely doable on your own (we’re proof of that), but it’s also a lot. Having someone who’s done it several times before and that stays up to date with changing requirements can save you months of trial and error.
👉 Book your free consultation with Start Abroad. And if you decide you’d like to use their services, you can use code RAFH for 5% off.
2. Learn European Portuguese (Before You Move!)
Resource: Portuguese with Anita
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone moving to Portugal, it’s this: start learning Portuguese before you get here.
My mom was so excited about us moving and wanted us to have the best experience upon arrival, so she actually purchased Portuguese with Anita for us before we even had our first immigration appointment.
Anita’s course is hands-down my favorite resource for learning European Portuguese (we go more into the differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese in our other blog). Her online lessons are made for English speakers and focus on the phrases and pronunciation you’ll actually use day-to-day: like how to order coffee, tell cashiers your NIF, celebrate local holidays, and make new friends.
We started her course a few months before leaving the U.S., and I wish we’d started sooner. It makes every part of living here… from buying groceries to chatting with neighbors so much easier.
👉 Check out Portuguese with Anita’s course here.
3. Join the Right Community
Resource: Americans & FriendsPT Facebook Group
If you’re moving to Portugal, this Facebook group is your new best friend.
Every single person I know who successfully moved here through a valid visa used the Americans & FriendsPT group at some point. The members are incredibly generous with advice, and the “Files” section alone is worth joining for — it’s full of example applications and checklists for each visa type. Members frequently share their first-hand experience, which will help you feel more prepared for your upcoming appointments.
That said, remember that everyone’s experience is unique. Use the group to research and connect, but always verify your information through official government sites or professional services like Start Abroad before making decisions.
4. Find a Place to Live
Resource: Idealista.pt
Idealista is the most popular site for finding apartments and houses in Portugal. It’s how we found our first rental, and it’s a great way to get a feel for what’s available in each region.
You can filter listings by city, price, and amenities, and even switch to English for easier browsing.
That said, watch out for scams. If you’re signing a lease before arriving, don’t send deposits until someone has verified the property for you. Scammers often post fake listings that look too good to be true (because they are). Idealista tends to have fewer scams than Facebook groups, but you can also join Facebook rental groups for specific regions in Portugal to see even more listings.
If you’re renting remotely, a relocation service or real estate agent with boots on the ground can review listings and confirm legitimacy before you sign anything. It’s worth the peace of mind (and is one of the services Start Abroad offers if you choose to use them). Proof of accommodation is a requirement before your VFS appointment, and is often the biggest hurdle for people moving to Portugal from the U.S.
FAQ: Moving to Portugal from the US
Below are some of the most frequent questions I get from Americans preparing to move here along with my honest answers.
1. Do my VA benefits qualify for the D7 Visa?
Yes! VA benefits can count as passive income for the D7 visa as long as they meet Portugal’s minimum income requirements. You’ll need to show consistent monthly payments and proof that they’ll continue during your stay.
2. How do I know which Portugal visa do I qualify for?
The visa you’ll use to move to Portugal depends mainly on your income type:
• D7 Visa: for passive income (retirement, rental income, Social Security, pensions, etc.)
• D8 Visa: for remote workers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals
The so-called “Golden Visa” (based on investment) has changed significantly and isn’t as accessible or attractive as it used to be. Although there are other visa options (D2, job-seeking, etc.), the D7 and D8 visas are the most common for Americans looking to move to Portugal.
3. When should I do a scouting trip if I want to move to Portugal?
Scouting trips aren’t necessary to move abroad — we moved here without ever visiting Portugal.
If you want to explore before committing, schedule your trip after you’ve chosen your visa type and reviewed requirements but before your VFS Global appointment in the U.S. It’s a great time to explore neighborhoods, test out transportation, secure accommodation, and get a feel for day-to-day life.
4. What is a scouting trip for people moving to Portugal?
“Scouting trip” refers to a short visit (like a vacation) to scope out whether or not you actually want to move from the US to Portugal. Americans often visit multiple regions of Portugal during scouting trips to help narrow down their preferred location.
5. Do I need an immigration lawyer to move to Portugal?
No, you don’t need one and many people move from the US to Portugal without one. But you do need time, patience, and organization.
We did it entirely on our own, but it took us months to research, prepare, and double-check every document. I have a background as an attorney and my husband’s background is in finance, which helped a lot.
If you’re not sure whether you’re up for handling it yourself, that’s where services like Start Abroad come in. Their free consultation can help you gauge whether you want to tackle the process solo or get support.
6. Can I leave Portugal while my visa is processing?
After your Portugal visa is approved in the U.S., you’ll get a 4-month temporary visa in your passport. Most visa types allow two entries/exits during that time.
In reality, AIMA (the immigration agency) can take longer to schedule appointments, which means you might need to stay put until your residency card is approved and received. My advice? Use that time to travel within Portugal — there’s plenty to explore close to home.
7. What is VFS Global?
VFS Global is a private company that handles visa submissions for Portugal in the U.S. You’ll book your appointment through them based on your state of residence.
They review your documents before sending them to AIMA for final approval. VFS Global does not make any final decisions regarding your visa approvals or rejections; think of them as your middle man.
8. What is AIMA?
AIMA (Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo) is the Portuguese immigration agency that makes the final decision on your visa and temporary residency status.
Once you arrive in Portugal, you’ll get an appointment at AIMA to confirm your residency. They also handle residency renewals, so you’ll get familiar with them for years to come.
9. How long does it take to move to Portugal from the US?
The length of time to move abroad to Portugal completely depends on the individual. There are several steps that need to take place before you are a legal resident of Portugal.
For us, it took about a year from the date we first booked our VFS appointment to the date we received our temporary residency cards. It’s a slow process but totally worth it once you get settled into your new home in Portugal! Now that we’re settled in, it’s already time for us to go through the renewal process, which happens 2 years after your initial AIMA appointment in Portugal.
10. How can I move my things to Portugal from the US?
Most people moving to Portugal from the US sell, donate, or store their belongings and only take with them what they can bring on an airplane.
In our case, we brought nine suitcases (two of which were our dog carriers) and left some sentimental items at Mike’s mom’s house. We had sold our house a year prior to moving and had been traveling in our van, which made it a lot easier to pare down our items.
Many Americans in Portugal choose to rent out their home furnished when moving abroad. This provides rental income that qualifies for the D7 visa and is a way to “store” some items without paying for a storage unit. Of those people that rent their home, most of them are now in the process of selling, closing their chapter on life in the US.
We recommend purchasing furniture, household items, etc. in Portugal. Homes are built differently here (outlets, size, climate, materials, etc.), and adapting to Portugal is a lot easier when you live as locals do. Importing all your belongings via shipping containers is usually not worth the cost, and you’ll likely find these items to be less functional here in Portugal.
11. How can I bring my pet with me to Portugal from the US?
The most common way to bring a dog or cat with you to Portugal is by traveling with them on a plane (in cargo or in cabin). Pets do not need to be quarantined when coming from the US, but you do need to abide by the very strict timeline of getting Vet Health Certificates, rabies, and microchip.
Other options people use to bring their pets include:
- Private charter plane like K9 Jets
- Queen Mary 2 transatlantic cruise
We’ve taken our two dogs, Ziggy and Ditto, to Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, and Portugal! Portugal actually has fewer requirements than Costa Rica, so it felt like a simple process compared to our other travels.
Check out our mini vlog on a travel day with Ziggy and Ditto to Portugal:
Once in Portugal, get an EU Pet Passport as soon as you can. This allows dogs to freely travel on public transport in Portugal and between EU countries without any vet checks (as long as you stay updated on vaccinations). This also allows you to bring your dog back to the US and return to Portugal without needing to go through the vet health checks on the US side again.
Pro tip: flying from New Jersey or New York to Portugal without any layovers is the easiest flight path to get your pet to Portugal – it’s only about 6-7 hours and our pups sleep most of the flight.
When we moved to Portugal, we booked a flight from Dallas to New Jersey, spent the night in Jersey, and then traveled from Newark to Lisbon the next day. This made it feel less stressful than doing a super long travel day all at once with two tiny bladders in tow.
12. Where can I find more information about moving to Portugal?
Check out our YouTube channel and other blog articles for more insights into life abroad in Portugal! We share favorite places to visit, good foods to try, and tips for traveling around Portugal. You can also head to our Portugal section of our blog for more.
Here’s a good one to get you excited about local events in Portugal: our first Carnival!
Moving abroad is one of the biggest — and best — decisions we’ve ever made. Portugal is welcoming, safe, and offers a peaceful life for anyone willing to navigate the process.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Start learning the language, explore housing, and connect with communities that will make you feel at home from day one.
Quick Links
• 🇵🇹 Learn European Portuguese with Anita
• ✈️ Start Abroad – Free Consultation
• 💬 Americans & FriendsPT Facebook Group
• 🏠 Idealista Apartment Search
• 📧 Subscribe to our Newsletter for more Life in Portugal Content
Disclaimer: this is not a sponsored blog. I truly use and recommend each of these resources. We collaborate on different projects with Anita and Start Abroad. This post does, however, contain affiliate links to Anita’s course and Start Abroad. That means that I receive a commission for each course you buy from this link at NO extra cost to you (in fact, the links & codes offer discounts)! I just want to be as transparent as possible!