Moving to Portugal: 14 Questions We Get Asked Most

Many people consider Portugal when dreaming of living abroad. Sunshine, fresh seafood, and a friendly atmosphere are usually what draw people to this coastal nation. There are usually one or two questions that keep them from making the jump.

We are an American family that now lives in Porto, Portugal. We have gone through the process of applying for visas, finding an apartment, enrolling our kids in school, and navigating everyday life in Portugal.

In this post, we’ll answer many of the frequently asked questions we get asked about moving to Portugal. Of course, our answers are personal, and others may disagree.

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FAQ: Moving to Portugal

There are so many factors to consider when planning to move abroad. These are some of the concerns that come up often in our discussions with people contemplating moving abroad.

Don’t miss our step-by-step guide to moving to Portugal, and our FAQ about everyday life in Portugal.

We also share what we wish we knew before moving, and talk to the kids about their perspective.

1. Why did you choose Portugal?

Choosing a country involves a combination of analytical and emotional decisions. “What do apartments cost?” is just as valid a question as “Will I feel comfortable in the neighborhood”?

For us, some of the logical reasons we choose Portugal include finding affordable international schools for our children, a low cost of living, and a strong healthcare system.

We also prioritized a time zone relatively close to family in the United States. When spending a year in Asia, we quickly realized that maintaining relationships over a 10+ hour time difference is difficult. With elderly family in the U.S., we need to be able to get to the U.S. in a day if needed.

We also wanted a place where we could get citizenship- our children will spend most of their childhood here, far longer than they lived in the United States. We want them to call this place “home” and always be able to leave and return if they wish, regardless of where their careers take them.

Then there are the cultural elements that are harder to define. Portugal is a casual country- on the weekend, if we wander out to the beach, most people will be wearing sneakers or flip-flops.

There is an appreciation for color and graphic design in Portugal that speaks to our artistic backgrounds. The downtown is filled with beautiful, colorful buildings, and the North has many beautifully gilded and tiled churches.

There are the grocery stores filled with delicious 2€ wine, and so many variations of cheese to go with it. Cafes are on every corner, where you can order a beer or a 2€ espresso. Meals here are slow, and always taken sitting down. If you see a “to-go” cup, it’s generally for tourists.

The pace of life is slow, and the neighbors are friendly. The kids can walk around town and take public transportation on their own. People watch out for each other, holding the bus if they see you running to catch it.

All these things go into the decision to choose a new home- the logical and emotional both have to agree that this is the right place for you.

3. Wouldn’t Spain be easier? I took Spanish in High School…

Many people choose Spain over Portugal because they have a background in Spanish and worry about the stress of learning a new language. However, the countries are very different.

Spain is approx. 5 times bigger than Portugal, and much of Portugal’s identity comes from its small size.

Spain has also had a booming tourist industry much longer than Portugal, which suffered under a brutal dictatorship until the mid-1970s.

Portugal’s tourist industry has grown exponentially over the last few years, creating pressure on infrastructure. In 2024, Tourism represented 21% of Portugal’s GDP; in the same year, Spain hit 8%.

However, while there have been protests in Spain against over-tourism, the Portuguese are well aware of how important tourism is to their economy, and welcome tourists.

Spain does not accept dual citizenship, while Portugal does, so you’ll need to consider whether that matters to you.

2. Do I need to learn Portuguese?

While you should try to learn Portuguese to assimilate into the culture and get outside of the “expat bubble”, you are not required to learn Portuguese to have or renew a temporary residence visa.

If you decide to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, you need to show a certificate of at least A2 level Portuguese. You can get this certificate either by taking a 150-hour government-sponsored class (free), a private class, or taking the 3-hour-long CIPLE exam.

A2 is not a high level of language- we have both completed the class requirement (it’s a great way to get to know other people in your neighborhood). We can get through daily interactions in Portuguese, but still struggle to converse or understand spoken Portuguese without a lot of context.

4. Will I still have to pay U.S. taxes?

Yes, U.S. citizens are required to pay U.S. federal taxes, regardless of their country of residence. If you move to Portugal, you will have to file taxes in both Portugal and the United States. The two countries do have a tax treaty to avoid double taxation, so (in very simple terms) you’ll deduct what you pay in Portugal from what you would owe in the U.S.

5. Can I bring my dog?

Of course! Portuguese love their pets, and most apartments do not have rules against having pets. We asked a realtor if we need to ask permission if we choose to get a dog after moving into an apartment. He looked at us, raised his eyebrows, and said, “Would you ask your landlord if you can have a baby? They are family!”

There are some logistical hurdles to bringing a dog or cat to Portugal, including vaccinations and paperwork, but there are groups dedicated to helping you navigate this process. No quarantine is required when coming from the U.S.

It can be expensive to bring larger dogs, as there is a limit to the crate size most airlines accept, as well as regulations about required head height within the crate. Some people charter planes specifically to bring larger dogs here, avoiding putting them in cargo, and splitting the cost with others using the flight.

6. Will I be able to transfer my medical prescriptions?

Once you arrive in Portugal, you can immediately start using the private health care system. Private insurance often comes with a 30-60 day waiting time for pre-existing conditions, so consider getting insurance before you arrive.

Appointments with primary care doctors (medicina geral e familiar) are easy to get with just a few days’ notice at private hospitals like CUF and Luísiadas.

Both have their own apps, so once you are registered, you can book appointments and see all your healthcare data on your phone.

Once you have an appointment with a doctor, you can explain your medication, and they will write prescriptions for the same or similar drugs that can be filled in any pharmacy in Portugal.

If you have more complicated medical needs, there are companies like Serenity that will help you navigate the system, setting up appointments for you and recommending specialists.

Once you have a residency card, you can register for the public health service as well.

7. How long will it take me to move to Portugal?

While timing may vary, expect approximately the following:

-2 months to get a visa appointment in the U.S.
-2 months wait for scheduled appointment
-3 months post-appointment waiting for approval
-Travel to Portugal in the next 90 days

Once you actively start pursuing a visa and residency permit, expect 7-9 months until you arrive in Portugal with your visa in hand.

In 2024, our personal timeline was:

April: Book VFS Appointment
June: Attend VFS Appointment
July: Fly to Portugal while awaiting decision*
October: Return to the U.S. to pick up approved visas

*In 2026, you must leave your passport while awaiting your visa, so you can only fly to Portugal in advance if you get a second passport.

Total: 7 months from successfully booking an appointment to arrival with a visa. It then took us 12 additional months for all our family to have residence permits in hand.

8. Should I plan a scouting trip?

Probably! Do you want to move to a country without seeing it firsthand? Some people move sight unseen and are quite happy. Others need spreadsheets, facts, and on-the-ground research.

The majority of people who move do research to narrow their search to a few areas that they might like, and then plan a scouting trip where they visit those areas not just as tourists, but with the intention of understanding what it would be like to live there.

A scouting trip might include visiting grocery stores, trying out public transportation, and seeing what restaurants are within walking distance of your local.

You can also use a scouting trip to do things like open a local bank account, get your NIF tax number, and meet with a realtor.

9. How did you decide which city to live in?

You should first narrow down your search based on these factors, then visit in person to make a decision.

Once you have decided on a city or town, work with a real estate professional to narrow down neighborhoods. Join expat groups and ask questions about each neighborhood and why people chose them.

Which climate do you prefer?

The Algarve is very hot, Lisbon is moderately warm all year round, and Porto and the north are warm in the summer and cool and rainy during the winter.

Do you need an International School?

International schools are primarily in Lisbon and in Porto, with one or two in Braga, and at least one in the Algarve.

Do you need proximity to a good hospital?

Hospitals are where you see routine doctors as well as emergency services, surgeries, etc. There are good hospitals in larger cities, but that may rule out rural villages.

Do you want to own a car?

If not, you’ll need a neighborhood with good public transportation, or near a train line, with access to airports. This means Lisbon, Porto, or Braga. Very few people successfully live in the Algarve without a car.

Porto is a “car culture”, and most locals drive, but many expats have successfully built a life without owning a car. We do not own a car in Porto, but often take Ubers to outlying areas, and rent a car to explore on weekends.

Make sure you understand the laws and the road signs before you head out on a day trip or longer adventure!

We initially planned to live in Lisbon, but were waitlisted at schools, so we pivoted to Porto. We love living here- the pace is slower than Lisbon, we have access to a major airport that offers budget flights to multiple destinations across Europe, a great metro system, and the cost of living is less than in Lisbon.

10. Can I get an apartment with A/C?

Yes, you can; it’s up to you whether that is a requirement. Apartments in Lisbon and the South often don’t have central heating, and may or may not have air conditioning.

Apartments in northern Portugal typically have heating, but not air conditioning. We do not have air conditioning in our apartment, and we don’t miss it.

Throughout Portugal, expect to open windows and doors regularly to air out the rooms and prevent mold, as the climate can be quite humid.

11. What should I bring with me?

As little as possible! You can bring multiple bags with you on the airplane for immediate use (we like these lightweight bags; double them for heavy loads).

In addition, you can ship a palette or partial palette by boat, which will arrive about 3 months after you ship it. Popular services for this are UpakWeShip (West Coast) or Portugalia (East Coast). This is best for artwork, rugs, books, etc., as you are charged by volume, not weight.

Personal Items to Bring

Bring clothes, sentimental items, and things you need to give yourself time to find replacements. We recommend a selection of cough and cold medicines you prefer. There are alternatives, but you’ll need time to try them, and we are not at our most flexible when sick!

Most things can be replaced in Portugal for less than the cost of bringing them over. The exceptions are cell phones, laptops (you’ll want that English keyboard), and toys. English language books are available, but not with the same selection.

Check what kind of stovetop your new accommodations will have, as many newer apartments have induction cooktops.

If you bake, you’ll want to bring U.S.-sized baking pans such as pie plates, loaf pans, and a flat griddle. Also, U.S. measuring cups, spoons, etc. We have found that cake pans are easy to replace, but American-style pies are not baked here, and griddles have lines for meats, rather than a flat style for pancakes or French toast.

European baking powder is single-acting; most U.S. recipes call for double-acting baking powder. This can be ordered, but not bought in stores. This is especially important for items where the batter sits before baking, such as pancakes or waffles. Chocolate chips are available, but not in as many different varieties as you may be used to.

Items Not to Bring

Do not bring electronics that were not designed for 220V electricity. Other than laptops and cell phones, that means anything that plugs in should not come! This includes mixers, blenders, fans, vacuums, irons, hair dryers, curlers, lamps, digital clocks, makeup mirrors, etc.

If you have an electronic item that you are really attached to (Kitchenaid, rice cooker, etc), you can buy a voltage converter to use it in Portugal, but people have had mixed success with these over time.

Beds are a different size in Europe (200 cm long), so do not bring sheets.

12. How Long Until You Feel Settled and “at Home”?

We have talked to retirees who felt completely at home after six months and are content to do most of their daily life in English as they work on language skills.

We have been here a year and a half, and while we feel “more” settled, I’m not sure we’re there yet. We are still working on legal documents (like living wills) and waiting for registration at the local health clinic. It doesn’t feel like we have finished the bureaucracy of settling here.

We have talked to other expats who say it takes 3 years to truly feel comfortable and settled.

13. Why do people end up returning to the U.S.?

This article does a great job describing why a specific group (single women over 55) returns, but I think a lot of the same pressures apply across all age groups.

Lots of people either don’t move in the first place or end up returning to be near family in the U.S., such as grandkids or aging parents.

In general, isolation is a problem, building a community takes time, and constantly functioning in a language you don’t speak well is draining.

Every interaction you have involves learning a new system- whether it’s taxes, vaccines, orthodontics, or car repair. You have to learn cultural norms and expectations from scratch.

If you have someone to help you navigate that, it’s much easier. We meet lots of couples where one partner is Portuguese, and they can smooth these transitions for the other partner.

14. What do you miss most from the U.S.?

The longer we are here, the smaller our list becomes of things that we miss. Maple syrup. Grits. Biscuits. Target runs. Baseball. Hot sauce and Mexican food. Everyone has their own list!

There You Have It

These are some of the most common questions and concerns we hear about moving to Portugal and navigating the process to get here and get settled.

Did we miss something? Let us know!

Read next: Basic step-by-step guide to moving to Portugal. For more cultural questions, check out our FAQ about everyday life in Portugal.

One a more personal note, here are some of the things we wish we knew before moving. We also asked the kids to reflect on life in Portugal.