Commonly, certain people from any part of the world do not feel comfortable in the country in which they are. As a result of this, they decide to move to other countries. For instance, people in the United States are attracted to Portugal or another country in Europe. Thinking about this, we thought of creating a complete guide on everything you should know if you want to moving to Portugal from the USA.
In this article, we will give you all the information you need so you can move to Portugal from the USA. The first thing will be to show you how to move to Portugal from the USA, that is, you will see everything you need to be able to make the move. The second thing will be that you see all the details about the visas that you can obtain. Also, we will show you some interesting facts about Portugal.
- What is the process an American must go through to move to Portugal?
- How to move to Portugal from the US?
- How can an American become a Portuguese citizen?
- What should you know about houses in Portugal?
- What does Portugal have to offer US citizens?
- Contact Connect Freelance so you can become freelance and work from your country
1. What is the process an American must go through moving to Portugal from USA?
The Government of Portugal welcomes those who want a Moving to Portugal from the USA. In general, this move is very simple. However, before starting with the details of a visa, there are things about Portuguese law that you should know when it comes to foreigners entering the country.
1.1 Customs
If a few simple rules are followed, going through customs in Portugal can be very easy. If you live in the United States, you will need to go to the Portuguese consulate in the USA and request a Bagagem certificate. This can be achieved by submitting an inventory of all your possessions and household items. These should be the things you want to take with you to Portugal.
1.2 Shipment of goods
Sending the belongings of the moving to Portugal from the US is very easy thanks to the advantageous geographical position of Portugal. There are several options, such as air freight and sea freight since it is impossible to buy land from the United States. Ocean freight is affordable but a little slow while air freight is faster but higher cost.
1.3 Vaccines
People who decide to moving to Portugal from USA should know that there are no official laws for vaccinations. However, it is recommended that you have an appointment with a local doctor before visiting new places.
2. How to move to Portugal from the US?
In essence, US citizens do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Anyone holding a US passport will be able to enter the country for up to three months. All this is for tourist purposes or in the case of business. However, if you want to move to Portugal from the USA you have to obtain the appropriate residence permit.
The Portuguese government provides you with different types of visas. Among them, we can find residence visas, work visas, and family reunification visas. Americans must get a residence permit if they plan to stay for more than three months. If you reside in Portugal with a residence permit for five years, you can apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
2.1 What is the visa process?
If an American moves to Portugal, they have different options to acquire the necessary visa or residence permit. With this, you will be able to move to Portugal long-term if you wish. Below are the different options by which an American can move to Portugal:
- The golden visa of Portugal.
- The D7 visa.
- Student visa.
- The technological visa.
- The D2.
- Start
The most frequent options to acquire the initial temporary residence permit are the golden visa and the D7 visa. The visa application process is carried out by the immigration and border service Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) in Portugal. The Portuguese government allows applications to be made online and from 2020 they are automatically renewed.
2.2 Portugal’s golden visa
This Golden visa program in Portugal allows applicants to invest in the country and obtain their residence cards. Having a golden visa will allow you to live, work, and study in Portugal. In addition, you will be able to travel freely through the Schengen space.
2.3 The Portuguese D7 visa
This residence visa is for retirees and those income holders who want to move to Portugal. This visa is very popular for Americans retiring in Portuguese territory. If you wish to apply for this visa, you will need to submit documents proving your income.
2.4 The necessary documents
If you want the Portuguese visa you must present, the following documents:
- Firstly, you must have a passport valid for at least three months longer than you will stay in the country.
- You must have two passport-size photos.
- You must have a visa application form.
- In addition, you must have a valid travel insurance contract.
- You must demonstrate that you have the financial ability to support yourself financially during your stay. Also, a Portuguese citizen or a resident may sign a term of responsibility on your behalf.
The SEF will allow documents to be a minimum of three months old. In addition, these must be fully translated into Portuguese.
3. How can an American become a Portuguese citizen?
If an American immigrates to Portugal from us, they can obtain their temporary residence by following the necessary process. After obtaining this temporary residence and keeping it renewed for a period of five years, you can apply for your permanent residence. In addition, you can also apply for Portuguese citizenship.
Obtaining Portuguese permanent residence will cost $240 and the SEF will request the following documents:
- A passport.
- The standard application form.
- You must submit two photographs that are recent and identical in color on a white background.
- You must have your valid temporary residence.
- Be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient means of subsistence.
- You must provide evidence that you have adequate accommodation.
- Permission from the SEF so that you can check your criminal record in Portugal.
Must have confirmation of basic command of the Portuguese language. This document has different alternatives:
- Have a certificate from an educational establishment that is officially recognized.
- Completion of elementary studies in Portuguese. These must be issued by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).
- Have an essential Portuguese teaching certificate as Teaching Portuguese as a Foreign Language. This must be recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science.
3.1 The benefits of having permanent residence in Portugal
Those people who Immigrate to Portugal from the US and obtain their permanent residence have many benefits. One of these benefits is that you will have access to social security and medical care. In addition, you will be able to count on education in the standards of the European region.
Having social security is extremely important for American retirees residing in Portugal. People who have permanent residence will be able to travel freely throughout the Schengen area. Being a permanent resident, you can also apply for family reunification and thus be able to bring your family to Portugal.
4. What should you know about houses in Portugal?
The first thing to consider in this case is to decide if you want to rent or buy a house when you move to Portugal. You should keep in mind that each one will have its pros and cons. Renting will give you flexibility and will allow you to adapt to the countryside, the neighborhoods, and life in Portugal in general.
Likewise, you can rely on your landlord to take care of maintenance fees, repairs, and upgrades. In Portugal, owners are responsible for paying the maintenance and condominium fees for their units. This is unlike the United States where it is the tenants who pay for this.
If you want to buy the property it can save you and even earn more money in the long run. However, you will be the one responsible for all problems that arise on your property. In addition, you will have to pay all maintenance, fees, and taxes that are related to the property. It is important that you keep up with these expenses to avoid problems.
In Portugal, it is allowed to take a mortgage with competitive conditions. In this way, the process of acquiring a home in the territory can be facilitated. You must be aware of all the conditions that it establishes so as not to have problems in the future.
5. What does Portugal have to offer US citizens?
Decide to move to Portugal from the USA and to be clear about this, you have to ask yourself a key question. This is what this new country you want to move to has to offer me compared to the one you live in. Thinking about this, in this section, you will see all the great ones that moving to Portugal from the USA has.
5.1 Cost of living in Portugal
Portugal is a very attractive country because of the high comforts it has at a very low cost. In Lisbon, which is the capital of the country, a couple can live comfortably with a monthly amount of $2,500. There is also another option which is to live in smaller cities, the cost is minimized by $500. Compared to living in cities in the United States like New York, it is much cheaper.
5.2 Real estate
The cost of housing in Portugal is quite affordable compared to the USA. For instance, if you want to rent a two or one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon, the cost can vary between $750 – $1,500 per month. Also, if you go to smaller cities like Porto, the prices are much lower; you can afford $500 a month. If, on the other hand, you want to buy a property, they put a few restrictions on you.
5.3 Drink and food
The location of Portugal gives many advantages to food, especially seafood. In addition, there is an abundance of cheeses and meats, therefore, low costs. Generally, to buy food and survive for a full month, it costs you at least $200. And if you are a person who likes to eat and drink luxurious things, you can find good bottles of wine for $4. This is good for people that want to move to Portugal from the USA.
5.4 Minimum salary
In Portugal, you can find different types of salary depending on the experience and abilities of the worker. The minimum salary in this country per month is $752 and it is important to note that there are not many people who earn that salary. Generally, people’s salary is between $1,200 and $2,000 per month.
6. Contact Connect Freelance so you can become freelance and work from your country
Many times people want to migrate because they do not get opportunities in their country of origin. But, the truth is that you can usually get opportunities without leaving your nation. And the best thing is that you avoid all the processes of going to the Portugal consulate USA or any other consulate that you are interested in. An option that exists that people are opting for, is to work as a freelance.
With our company, you can also obtain the following insurances:
- Car insurance
- Maternity insurance
- Term life insurance
- Accident insurance
- Property insurance
- Fire insurance
- Travel insurance
If you are interested in working as a freelance in the UAE, the best option that exists is to opt for a freelance in the UAE visa. For that, you will surely need advisors and experts to guide you during the process. The best possible option is to enter Connect Freelance; we are the authorized agents to issue Freelance Visa Dubai. In addition, we have the possibility of helping you find a job as a freelance. You can write to us at contact@connectfreelance.ae or call us at +971 433 16 688. We can help you with more than just your move to Portugal from the USA! Contact us now!
If, on the other hand, you are looking for on-site work in the UAE, we have a solution for that too. You must enter thetalentpoint.com, this is a web portal that allows you to get the job you want in the UAE. Also, if you have not arranged your resume or do not have interview experience, you can find the information you need on our page. Also, if you wish you can send us your CV to contact@thetalentpoint.com.