We Moved to Portugal & We’re Sharing Our Entire Journey (Intro)

Is it just me or does everyone and their mom seem to be moving to Portugal? Based on social media the last few years, it sure seems that way. We were no different! 😀

We visited Portugal for the first time in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the genuinely kind people, the incredible food scene, the vibrant culture – and, frankly, the sense of safety; at times, the latter felt elusive in the U.S. where every. single. day. was a constant parade of head-shaking news. 

We knew that we eventually wanted to make Portugal our future home and for a variety of reasons (you can read about here), we decided 2023 would be the year we’d make it happen; so, we relocated that summer after completing the visa application process. All-in-all getting our Portuguese residency visa and permit was fairly simple albeit confusing and time-intensive at times. If you’ve been thinking about relocating to this coastal paradise, then buckle up for a recount of our own journey, which you might find helpful as you embark on your own! 

This will be a 3-part series:

1. First, we’ll cover the Portuguese Residency Visa process (this one is loooong, but hope you find it helpful)
2. Next, we’ll move onto getting our Portuguese Residency Permit
3. Finally, we wrap up the series by highlighting how we adjusted to our new home

Important note: This series is only meant to be a frame of reference; by no means should it be interpreted as legal/immigration advice. Additionally, the content is specifically geared to Americans as this post reflects the U.S.-specific procedures we followed. Different countries may have their own set of rules and regulations pertaining to the Portuguese visa process so be sure to do your due diligence!

Happy reading!