Moving to Portugal – move to Portugal
Moving to Portugal: Has it always been your dream to move to Portugal someday? Or are you moving from Portugal to Switzerland? Then I might be your man to organise your move professionally. With more than 35 years of experience with relocations, I am happy to assist you with advice and action on your move to Portugal.
Portugal is fast becoming one of the most popular expat destinations, not just in Europe but around the world. That’s not just because of the warm weather and sandy beaches, or the hospitable locals and delicious cuisine, but also because of the favourable laws for start-up companies, crypto traders, and retirees. Expats flock to Portugal to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, large expat communities and rural areas. Portugal was recently ranked the fourth best country for retirement according to the Annual Global Retirement Index. If you want to join these people in sunny southern Europe, consider moving to Portugal with an experienced, friendly and efficient team of removals specialists like that at Altaventura.
Moving to Portugal can be incredibly stressful and time-consuming, but there is an easier way: let me and my team take care of all the tedious and bureaucratic tasks related to your Portugal move. We take care of the packing and wrapping, transportation, visa and customs formalities, unpacking and all other aspects related to the move. I have spent almost all of my professional career as a manager in the moving industry and during this time I have built up a worldwide network of partners. I can say with a clear conscience that I know all the hurdles of a move very well. Relocate with me as your move manager. I take care of everything in a highly professional manner while you can focus on getting yourself and your family into your new home in Portugal.
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Why move to Portugal?
Portugal is a popular destination for expats for many reasons, not just the moderate cost of living, warm climate, sandy beaches and better work-life balance. Portugal is not only an ideal country for retirees, but also for talented individuals and families. The predominantly Roman Catholic country places great emphasis on family values and offers free health care, education and social benefits, making it an ideal place to start a family. Additionally, Portugal is very business-friendly and has recently been pushing for those looking to start a business or be involved in crypto to relocate to the country.
Portugal has a large community of expats, mainly from northern European countries such as Scandinavia, the UK and Germany. Many people cite the weather, the beaches, the culture and the opportunities the country offers as reasons for moving to Portugal. There are stunning beaches along the coast, excellent wines in one of the many wineries and fascinating museums and theaters in the “Cities of Culture” such as Lisbon, Porto and Guimaraes. The three international airports include Lisbon, Faro and Porto.
Living expenses in Portugal
Portugal is one of the cheapest places to live in Europe with almost half the cost of living compared to countries such as the UK, Switzerland and Norway. This is especially true for everyday expenses such as grocery shopping, household bills and leisure activities. Lisbon and Porto tend to be more expensive than other parts of the country. It is said that the further you get from Lisbon, the cheaper it gets, with Porto renting as much as 40% cheaper. Of course, the amount you spend on living depends to a large extent on your lifestyle. However, it is possible to have a comfortable life in Portugal on a relatively small budget.
Moving services for your move to Portugal
- One mover to manage your move
- Evaluation of the items and an inventory
- Professional packers and movers
- Transportation and shipping of your goods by land, sea or air
- Delivery, unloading and unpacking in Portugal
- Commercial or private moves to Portugal
- Customs clearance procedures
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Move to Portugal – more services
- Insurance: We offer you comprehensive insurance for your move to Portugal, which will be taken into account in your quote
- Dedicated Agent: A dedicated moving professional will personally manage your move and answer any questions you may have
- Full service/Door-to-door service: I offer a full service where your entire move to Portugal is organised and carried out door to door
- Warehousing: I can offer you extensive warehousing in Portugal and worldwide
- Pets: I also have experience with bringing pets to Portugal. Special permits may be required for certain animals and breeds
- After-move support: I am also there for you after your arrival in Portugal and can give you local information on accommodation, schools, insurance, expat groups etc.
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Shipping options for your move to Portugal
Altaventura offers a range of moving services, from moving individual items to entire homes and commercial moves. We transport everything from pianos and furniture to vehicles and pets, from apartments and houses to schools and government buildings. We offer a full door-to-door service, where I organise and handle the entire move, from point of departure to point of destination.
You have the option of loading your goods as general cargo on a truck that has other shipments to Portugal, which is ideal for individual items or smaller moves. Then, of course, there is also the variant in which complete vehicles are made available for you, where only your personal belongings are transported to Portugal. This would be ideal for complete house and business moves.
How does the moving process work?
An experienced and friendly team will come to you and take stock of all items to be relocated. You can either have your items professionally packed by my team or you can do this yourself. If necessary, I can provide you with packaging material. This can range from cardboard boxes for everyday items to bespoke packaging and wooden crates for your fragile or valuable items. If you wish, your furniture can be disassembled for transport and reassembled at the destination.
Your goods are then transported to Portugal by truck. I will take care of customs clearance and help you fill out all the necessary paperwork. Your goods will then arrive safely at your new place of residence or location in Portugal.
Cost of moving to Portugal
The cost of moving to Portugal depends on a few factors such as distance, volume and services chosen. Because Portugal is in the EU, moving from another EU country is cheaper and less complicated. If you are traveling from a non-EU country, certain customs and visa regulations must be observed. I have the experience and know-how to make everything run smoothly.
When moving to Portugal I offer a range of services such as door-to-door service, packing service, storage, cleaning, handyman services, etc. Ask me without obligation if you need other services. The services you choose will contribute to the final cost of the move. This allows you to customise your move to suit your budget and needs.
If you choose to move to Portugal with Altaventura, I will make an inventory of your belongings and provide you with a free and personalised quote for your Portugal move.
Customs and regulations in Portugal
When moving to a new country, there are certain customs and administrative requirements to be aware of, and Portugal is no exception. However, if you are moving from another EU country, the open borders policy makes the process relatively easy. If you are moving from outside the EU, you will need a Certificado de Bagagem (baggage receipt) and a complete inventory of all your belongings. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of the inventory and documentation for you. If you are from another EU country, there are no such requirements and all you have to do is register in the country after three months.
If you are moving to Portugal, there are a few things you should take care of as soon as you arrive, e.g. B. Open a local bank account and register your car. You should also apply for social security to access health care and apply for a tax identification number (Numero de Indentificacao Fiscal, NIF) to possibly find a job.
Popular expat locations in Portugal
Expat communities in Portugal
Portugal is a popular expat destination in Europe and there are ever-growing expat communities across the country. You will find people from all over the world.
The foreign residents of Portugal make up about 6.4% of the population. In regions like the Algarve, it is even up to 23%. The places that are particularly popular with expats extend not only to the big cities of Lisbon and Porto but also to areas such as Madeira, the Algarve, Cascais, Coimbra, etc.
Both the expats and the local population are known to be extremely friendly and open to newcomers, and there are numerous clubs and societies where you can make new friends. Here are some expat and local groups you can join:
Visas and work permits
When moving to another country, the most important aspect is obtaining the right visas and work permits for you and your family, so that you can reside in the country legally. If you are moving to Portugal from another EU country, you do not need to do anything for the first three months of your stay. After three months, you must register as a European citizen living in the country. If you are coming from outside the EU, there are a number of visas that will allow you to stay.
Golden Visa
The golden visa allows residency in Portugal by investing in the country’s economy, with the possibility of acquiring citizenship after 5 years. Investments are mainly in real estate, but also in capital transfers and job creation. The Golden Visa is initially valid for 2 years with the possibility of an extension for a further 3 years. This visa also allows you to include your spouse, children and parents in the same application.
D7 visa
The D7 visa gives non-EU citizens the opportunity to settle in Portugal, provided they can show that they can fund their stay in the country. Proof of income equal to the country’s minimum wage is required. This visa is valid for 4 months, after which you must apply for a D7 residence permit, which is valid for 2 years with the possibility of a 3-year extension. This visa is ideal for retirees, digital entrepreneurs, and crypto investors, just to name a few.
(as of December 2021)
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