More and more people are interested in moving to Portugal - one of the sunniest, most pleasant to live in and affordable countries of the European Union. The state, located on the ocean coast, is characterized by economic and political stability, membership in a number of major world associations, as well as a loyal migration policy. It is possible to move here through the opening of residence permits, for example, for startup entrepreneurs, large investors, highly qualified professionals or family members of local residents.

Emigration from your home country to Portugal is suitable for those who have a reason to open residency. You can approve a residence permit in case of law-abiding behavior, availability of a place to live in the state, sufficient financial security, registration of medical insurance and absence of criminal records. The Portuguese Republic is a member of the European Union, so with an immigration-type residence permit there are chances to get a permanent residence and EU citizenship.

The easiest way to move to Portugal is for those who have a passport from any other EU country. You also have a good chance of obtaining EU citizenship under a simplified procedure, which takes from 4 to 12 months with the help of Immigrantinlaw lawyers. You can find out the details during a free consultation.

Pros and cons of living in Portugal

According to the reviews of immigrants on thematic forums, moving to Portugal for permanent residence - in general, an excellent decision. The Republic is among the top 30 most comfortable countries in the world for living, according to Numbeo, with an individual rating of 169 points out of 200 possible. The high score is explained by a sufficient index of purchasing power of the population, developed health care system, low crime rate, excellent climatic conditions. Foreigners like the following:

• Reasonable prices.
  On average, one person needs about 650 EUR per month to live in Portugal. This amount includes the purchase of groceries, a transportation pass, clothes and shoes, as well as payment for utilities, communications and internet. For comparison, in France you need about 1000 EUR for a month, in Spain - 850 EUR, in Italy - 900 EUR.
• Developed infrastructure.
  You can go even to a small town in Portugal and not feel difficulties with public transportation or availability of pharmacies, stores, restaurants. Since the Republic is one of the world centers of international tourism, everything necessary for a comfortable life is available everywhere.
• Good medicine.
  In the world health index by Numbeo, Portugal ranks 21st out of almost one hundred countries studied. Medicine is well developed here, and you can get services in clinics at the expense of an EU insurance policy or conditionally free of charge, if you make obligatory contributions to the Social Insurance Fund.
• Social guarantees.
  Portugal is a member of the European Union, so the country implements the norms of the relevant EU laws and directives. For example, discrimination on any grounds, including nationality, is prohibited. The state provides comprehensive assistance to residents, including status benefits and subsidies.
• Good location.
  Portugal, the westernmost country in Europe, is located on the Atlantic coast in the Mediterranean climate zone. It enjoys comfortable temperatures all year round, with no severe frosts in winter and long, warm summers. The absence of abundant heavy industry is excellent for the environment.
• Personal and public safety.
  Portugal is near the bottom of the world crime index, ranking 115th out of 146 possible places. The republic has well-developed judicial and law enforcement systems, so one can safely rely on the assistance of authorized bodies. Serious crimes here are the rare exception rather than the rule, especially in small towns.
• General feelings about the country.
  According to immigrants, the Portuguese live cheerfully and peacefully, and treat foreigners well. The Republic is famous for its delicious cuisine, interesting culture, and plenty of historical places to visit. Families with children will enjoy living here: adults treat each child with respect, and local gardens, schools and universities provide quality education.

The main disadvantage of immigration in Portugal is low salaries. The average income in the country is 1600 EUR, the minimum income is 820 EUR. Residents pay from 13 to 48% of their salary in taxes, depending on its size (the rate is calculated on a progressive scale). For example, from the income of 20 000 EUR per year it is necessary to pay 25% to the state treasury. In addition, the country has a rather high unemployment rate - 6.1%.

When calculating how much money you need to move to Portugal, you should pay special attention to the housing issue. Renting an apartment on average starts from 700-900 EUR for a one-bedroom apartment. The price per square meter when buying real estate is 2500-3500 EUR. Here you can most often see financially secure emigrants who work remotely, receive dividends from business or have alternative sources of income, without employment in the republic.

Ways of immigration to Portugal

Compared to other EU countries, the Portuguese Republic has a quite loyal migration policy and allows foreigners to move on a number of different grounds. Below we tell you about the most popular of them.

Employment

A viable relocation scheme includes getting a long-term job with a Portuguese company. As in other EU countries, you can only find employment in the Republic if the vacancy is not occupied by EU citizens. Immigration is also possible for:

• digital nomads who earn from 400% of the minimum monthly income in the republic (3280 EUR in 2025);
• foreign employees of international corporations who are transferred to work in the local branch;
• those who start professional tasks at the invitation of a local research institute;
• employees of international companies seconded to the Portuguese office.

Investments

Popular ways to migrate to Portugal include investing in its economy. A minimum of 250,000 EUR will be needed, which should be given to maintain/restore the country's cultural heritage. It is possible to invest half a million EUR in:

• purchase/registration of a company with the creation of 5 jobs or more;
• purchase of securities of licensed investor companies;
• support of research and development organizations.

Without being tied to the amount, the investment visa is granted if you create ten or more new full-time Portuguese jobs. This residence permit has its advantages, for example you can come to the country for only 7 days during the year (e.g., on vacation) so it will not be revoked.

Getting an education

It is possible to immigrate to Portugal through studying at a local university. The same right is available to participants in international student exchange programs. You can also move if you are already studying in one of the universities of the European Union and enjoy the right of mobility within the association. It is important to pay the tuition fees before opening a residence permit. For students who are under eighteen years of age, parental permission to immigrate is required.

Commercial activity

Business immigration to Portugal is possible if you open a company in the Republic or if you will be self-employed. If your profession is one of the regulated professions in the country (e.g., you are a doctor), you will need to obtain a separate work permit. For businessmen, the size of the initial investment in the company or the scope of employment is not regulated by law.

Portugal also supports startup entrepreneurs, including foreigners. You can submit your business idea to the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation. If the relevant organization approves your plan, you also request financial support from special organizations such as venture capital funds and business angels, and then you can get a residence permit.

Self-Sufficiency Relocation

Popular immigration programs in Portugal include financial independence. The move is relevant if you have a stable income, which you receive outside the republic, for example, as an IT freelancer in a foreign company or the owner of real estate for rent. Sufficient security starts from 820 EUR per month (minimum wage in the country). You will not be able to work with this type of residence permit in the Republic.

Family circumstances

You can move to Portugal to reunite with your family. You may be invited to join your husband or wife, a minor child or a parent who needs your care. The program is relevant for close relatives of holders of residence permit, residence permit or passport of the Republic. The inviting party must accommodate you in their own or rented apartment and have enough finances to live together (the calculation is based on the minimum wage).

EU Blue Card

The EU now actively supports the relocation of highly qualified foreigners whose activities can bring economic benefits to the association. You will obtain residency in Portugal if you sign a contract with a local company for at least 6 months and will earn from 1.2-1.5 average income for the relevant profession in the state. You need to prove your high qualification by means of a diploma, as well as confirm your work experience in the chosen industry.

Humanitarian reasons

You can immigrate to Portugal under refugee status, which is granted under the Geneva Convention of July 28, 1951. You can be granted asylum if you can prove that you are persecuted and threatened in your home country, e.g., because of your race, nationality, LGBT status. The migration service also considers other situations, for example if there is a war in the immigrant's country or if the immigrant has been sentenced to death. Those who have suffered from human trafficking or other types of violence may be approved to move.

Citizens of the European Union have the right to reside in Portugal without additional requirements and time restrictions. You will not have to look for a reason to open a residence permit, and you can immigrate as a family. Immigrantinlaw's specialized lawyers can help you find the best way to quickly obtain a second passport to the EU without living in a country with a residence permit, passing an integration test and demonstrating your income level.

How to move to Portugal: stages of relocation

If you are planning to move to Portugal, you will need:

1. Find a legitimate reason for obtaining a visa and residency.
   It is necessary to compare the reasons available to you to open a residence permit in terms of advantages and disadvantages, check whether you meet the conditions of immigration, and then collect the necessary documents.
2. Obtain a national visa category D.
   You need to visit the consulate/embassy by appointment, submit the file for entry permit on the same basis on which the resident card will be requested later. After that you get a passport with visa and move to Portugal.
3. Obtain a residence permit.
   Upon arrival in the Republic, you should obtain personal numbers from the tax and social services, register a place of residency, and then make an appointment at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (hereinafter - the Agency). You have four months from the issuance of the visa to leave your home country, reach Portugal and request a residence permit.
4. Renew your residence permit within five years.
   Usually, the temporary residence card is granted for a maximum of 12 months, in certain cases (e.g., for investors and skilled employees) for 2 years. Before the expiry of the residence permit, you must request an extension if you retain a reason to stay in Portugal. The request can be submitted online on the Agency's website or by contacting the nearest representative office.
5. Apply for permanent residence.
   Permanent residency status is granted if you have five years of continuous residence in the country with a residence permit. You must pass a Portuguese language test, provide information on tax and social security contributions and a certificate of income (at least the minimum wage). You must also apply in person to the Agency to obtain a residence permit.
6. Obtain Portuguese citizenship.
   The period of residence in the republic with a residence card for naturalization is 5 years. You must prove language level, financial security, law-abidingness, integration into the society and availability of health insurance. The request is submitted through the civil registry office or at the Agency's offices.

You can reduce the duration of the process of immigration to Portugal with the help of Immigrantinlaw migration lawyers. Specialists will offer the shortest and easiest way to move to the EU country.

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The best cities to live in Portugal

In the top of the best cities to live in Portugal, Lisbon is traditionally the leader. More than half a million residents live in the capital, so the infrastructure is well developed here. There are many promising vacancies in the labor market. The average salary is 1300 EUR per month. You can develop business in the sphere of services and tourism, shipping and shipbuilding industry, areas related to the activity of the largest port of the country. One person in Lisbon needs about 750 EUR to live per month, and separately from 900-1000 EUR is necessary to rent an apartment.

Porto is the second largest Portuguese city by area and number of inhabitants, located in the northern region. It is regularly included in the list of Globalization and World Cities, i.e., the most developed and promising cities of the planet, as it plays an important role in the republican economy. Salaries and prices of living here are the same as in Lisbon, and real estate is slightly cheaper. The financial, banking and IT sectors are actively developing in Porto, and there are interesting job offers in light industry (including winemaking) and marketing.

The rest of Portugal's cities are small, with up to 100,000-150,000 inhabitants. If you want to move to a quiet province with clean ecology and beautiful natural views, you can consider Funchal, Braga or Vila Nova di Gaia. Real estate rent here is inexpensive - on average from 600-700 EUR for a one-bedroom apartment. However, employment can be difficult: unemployment is growing in the regions. It is better to live here for freelancers, businessmen, those who have passive income (for example, wealthy pensioners).

Moving to Portugal can be a step towards a successful life in a developed EU country with new personal and financial prospects. Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists will help you choose the best immigration program without long waiting time and large investments. A specialized lawyer will accompany you step-by-step up to the receipt of European documents, which guarantees a positive result. You can start acting today by making an appointment for a free consultation.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.