🇵🇹📋 Guide

Moving to Portugal: Complete Guide for Americans (2025)

RQ
Relocation Quest
December 8, 20255 min read

Your guide to relocating to Portugal. D7 visa, digital nomad visa, cost of living in Lisbon and Porto, and why Portugal tops expat destination lists.

Why Move to Portugal?

Portugal consistently ranks as the best country for expats. With 300 days of sunshine, affordable living, excellent healthcare, and welcoming locals, it offers an exceptional quality of life. English is widely spoken, making the transition easier.

Visa Options

The D7 Passive Income Visa is popular for retirees and remote workers with non-Portuguese income. Portugal also offers a Digital Nomad Visa and the famous Golden Visa (though requirements have changed). NHR tax regime offers benefits for 10 years.

Cost of Living

Portugal remains affordable for Western Europe. Lisbon has become more expensive but still offers value at $2,000-2,500/month. Porto and smaller cities like Braga or Coimbra cost $1,500-2,000.

Healthcare

Portuguese healthcare ranks highly. Public system (SNS) is available to residents. Private insurance costs $50-150/month and offers excellent coverage. Many doctors speak English.

Best Places to Live

Lisbon offers cosmopolitan life and startup scene. Porto combines history with affordability. The Algarve suits beach lovers. Cascais and Sintra offer coastal charm near Lisbon. Madeira attracts digital nomads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the D7 Visa?
The D7 allows residence based on passive income (pension, investments, remote work). Requires around 760 euros/month minimum income.
Is Portugal good for digital nomads?
Excellent! Lisbon has a thriving startup scene, great coworking spaces, fast internet, and the new Digital Nomad Visa makes it official.
What is NHR tax status?
Non-Habitual Resident status offers tax benefits for 10 years, including potential exemption on foreign income and flat 20% rate on Portuguese employment.