Moving to Portugal from the US
Last updated: March 2026
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Visa Options
D7 Visa (Passive Income)
For retirees and remote workers with passive or stable income. Leads to permanent residency.
Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers employed by non-Portuguese companies. Requires 4x Portuguese minimum wage.
Golden Visa
Investment-based residency. Fund investment from $560K or business creation.
Cost of Living
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $900 | $1,400 |
| Utilities | $80 | $120 |
| Groceries | $250 | $350 |
| Transport (monthly pass) | $40 | $50 |
| Dining out (per meal) | $8 | $20 |
| Health insurance | $50 | $100 |
Tax Implications
- NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) status offers 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income for 10 years.
- US citizens must still file US taxes (FEIE can exclude up to $126,500 in 2026).
- FBAR filing required if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 combined.
- Portugal-US tax treaty helps avoid double taxation on most income types.
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Healthcare
Portugal has a public healthcare system (SNS) available to residents. Quality is good in major cities. Private health insurance recommended for faster access — costs $50-150/mo. EU Health Insurance Card available after residency.
Banking
Opening a Portuguese bank account requires NIF (tax number), passport, and proof of address. Major banks: Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, ActivoBank (digital). Most expats also keep US accounts and use Wise for transfers.
Finding Housing
Lisbon and Porto are most popular. Lisbon center: $900-1,400/mo for 1-bed. Porto: 20-30% cheaper. Algarve for beach lovers. Most leases are 1 year minimum. Idealista.pt is the main rental platform.