Best Portuguese Travel Blogs
This list of the 10 best Travel blogs when visiting Portugal will provide a wealth of information and ensure that your trip is a truly unforgettable one!
Oct 11, 2022
14 min read
Portugal is becoming a top destination amongst retirees, and for good reasons. Retirees can benefit from the low cost of living, high-quality health system, the NHR tax regime, and much more. However, the process to retire to Portugal might seem tedious if you don’t know what to do. Therefore, we will walk you through an in-depth guide to ensure you can retire to Portugal and enjoy everything it offers.
You can now save over 30 hours and use Atlys to apply for a Portugal Retirement Visa. Download the Atlys app, and let it handle everything for you - from application preparation to background checks.
The app provides tools you can use to make the application process even faster. These tools include a passport photo tool, hotel itinerary tool, and a flight itinerary tool
Yes, you can! However, you need to apply for a visa to retire in Portugal. You can choose between two types of visas (Portuguese Golden Visa and D7 Visa).
I'll discuss both of these visas in depth.
If you are not an EU citizen, you'll have to apply for a visa to retire in Portugal. Two of the most popular visa routes that allow you to live in Portugal as a retiree are:
I'll discuss each of these visas in depth.
The Golden Visa Program is a popular option, but it requires some capital catering to wealthier retirees. There is a minimum investment required to qualify for the Golden visa. Investment categories include the transfer of capital, company formation, donations, real estate, etc.
It offers many benefits, and the minimum stay requirements are not as strict as the Retirement visa (below). After 5 years, applicants can apply for a permanent residency which can lead to citizenship.
It is currently one of the most popular programs in all of Europe and stands out above similar programs from other European countries like Spain and Greece.
To apply for a Golden Visa, you need to make one of the following investments:
When applying for the Portugal Retirement Visa, you're actually applying for the Portugal's National D7 Visa. The Portugal Retirement Visa is just a fancy name that refers to the Residency permit for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Portugal.
At first glance, the process might seem complicated, but anyone can apply, and it is relatively cheap. This makes it an attractive option for most applicants.
Also, the Retirement Visa offers many benefits and can be converted to permanent residency, eventually leading to citizenship. Because of Brexit, this visa is now also available to citizens of the United Kingdom.
Take note that the Retirement Visa is only a temporary visa used to obtain permanent residence in Portugal. Once in Portugal, you need to apply at SEF to start the application process for your Residence Permit.
In this article, we will be focusing on everything you need to know about the Retirement Visa.
If you settle in a smaller town, you can comfortably live in Portugal with €1,500 per month; you would have a little more luxury and freedom if your income is at €2,000 or more. Naturally, busy cities such as Lisbon, Cascais, or Porto come with a higher cost of living, but you’d still be quite comfortable with a budget of €2,000 – €2,500 per month.
Maybe even less than that if you don’t mind cutting some corners and luxuries.
Portugal is one of the least expensive countries to retire in Europe. However, the money you need to live there depends on where you plan to settle and your preferred lifestyle.
Anyone can apply for a Retirement visa, provided that they meet the minimum requirements and are eligible.
You are eligible if you:
Before I list the required documents for the Portugal Retirement Visa, I want to remind you that you're actually be applying for the Portugal D7 Visa.
To ensure that your application is processed quickly, you must obtain certain travel documents before applying. Collecting these documents can be confusing and tiresome at times. If you're looking for an easy way to get your Retirement Visa, you can apply through Atlys.
Here's a list of the required documents for the Portugal Retirement Visa:
If you forget to submit one of these documents, it could extend the processing time, or in extreme cases, officials can deny your visa.
At first glance, these document requirements might seem intimidating; if you are unsure about any of these above documents, take a look at our guide. In the guide, you'll find an in-depth explanation of each required document and how you can obtain it.
Before you start your Retirement Visa, I recommend creating a document checklist. A document checklist enables you to keep track of the documents you've already required and those that you still need to get.
Ensure that all documents obtained are legalized and are either in English or Portuguese. You should have them translated by a certified translator if they are not.
Now that you know everything you need to do before applying, we can jump into the application process. The application process can be tedious. However, if you follow this step-by-step guide, you'll get your visa in no time.
Before you start, ensure that you have all the necessary documents. Be sure to make copies of all your documents, as you will need to submit them again when applying for your residence permit in Portugal (at SEF). Alternatively, you can start your application online through Atlys. Atlys will ensure that you collect all the required documents quickly and easily. Furthermore, you can get most of the required documents (like a Portuguese bank account and NIF number), directly from the app.
Contact your nearest Portugal Embassy or Consulate to find out where you can obtain and submit the visa application form. Also, you need to make an appointment to submit your application.
When you arrive at the Embassy or Consulate, you must pay your application fee. You can expect to pay the following amount at the Portuguese Embassy:
Most of the costs will be for flight tickets, relocation, health insurance, accommodation, etc. Also, remember that the above amounts are subject to change at any time.
On the date of your appointment, submit all the required documents you have obtained. Once you have submitted your documents, wait for your application to be processed. The process might take longer if the documents are incorrect or not submitted.
Successful applicants will receive a retirement visa. Your visa will be attached to your passport by Embassy/Consulate staff and can be used to travel to Portugal. Your Residency visa will only be valid for 4 months. You are expected to travel to Portugal within that time frame.
After you have arrived in Portugal, you will need to apply for your residency permit. But first, schedule an appointment with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).
You must submit your supporting documents once more (check that you have up-to-date police clearance, as it might have expired during the application process).
The Golden Visa for Portugal has a few benefits. Once you have this visa, you can enjoy any or all of them. The benefits are:
Just like the Golden visa, the Portugal D7 Visa also has benefits you can enjoy. These benefits include:
Now that you know everything about getting your visa to retire in Portugal, there are a few other things you need to know about:
Retirees can expect a high healthcare standard in Portugal, making it a more attractive retirement destination.
The National Health Service in Portugal provides free health services to Portuguese citizens. Unfortunately, non-EU/US citizens do not share the same privileges. Non-EU/US citizens are required to live in Portugal for 5 years and obtain permanent residency before they are eligible for free health care services.
As mentioned earlier, you need to provide proof of health insurance before you can relocate to Portugal. Once you arrive in Portugal and have settled in, you can change to Portuguese private health insurance. The cost related to private health insurance in Portugal is relatively cheaper than health insurance in the US.
A Permanent Resident can take advantage of the health services in Portugal, and they'll find them to be of high quality. The hospitals are modern and well-equipped, and the health system covers basic health needs, accidents, and illnesses. Even more, many public and private healthcare doctors speak and understand English.
Regarding costs, private insurance can be as low as €4 per month. Note that these rates only apply to people younger than 55 years. These companies do not cater to people above the age of 55 years. Three companies sell insurance plans to retirees up to the age of 75. These are Fidelidade/Multicare, Tranquilidade and Millennium Bank/Médis.
As of 2020, the retirement age in Portugal for men and women is 66 years and 5 months.
Non-EU/US citizens who wish to transfer their state pension to a Portuguese bank should check the terms and conditions of their country regarding pension transfers abroad. To make things easier for people migrating abroad, Portugal has tax and social security agreements with several non-EU nations (including the US).
Note that all residents of Portugal are taxed on their worldwide income, meaning your pension transferred from abroad could be liable to Portuguese tax. Although this might be the case, retirees can apply for NHR (Non-Habitual Resident, a program that offers ex-pats reduced tax) to completely or significantly avoid taxation.
In 2009, the Portuguese government implemented new tax laws, making Portugal a more attractive destination for foreign retirees. Non-EU/US citizens can now apply for the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. The NHR regime allows substantial tax savings for those who qualify.
Benefits of NHR include:
The NHR status is available to anybody who has not been a tax resident for the past 5 years. If you stay in Portugal for more than 183 days in a tax year, you are considered a tax resident. Once your application for NHR is successful, your NHR status is valid for 10 years.
NHR status is available for 10 years. However, anyone who has been a tax resident of Portugal within the last five years is ineligible for NHR status.
Under the Portuguese Civic Code, the Portuguese inheritance law states that the deceased's home country should govern any inheritance process. Therefore, implying that, unless otherwise stated in a will, the deceased estate will be managed and taxed under the inheritance law of their home country.
Take note that Portugal uses a forced heir system, meaning that if your estate falls under the Portuguese inheritance law, it will be divided amongst certain relatives, such as spouses and children. This is done regardless of what is stated in your will.
The Portuguese inheritance tax only applies to assets within Portugal and not assets held abroad. Legitimate heirs are exempted from paying inheritance tax in Portugal. Although, this does not apply to what is stated in the inheritance law of the deceased home country.
Portugal has no inheritance property tax. However, there is a stamp duty at a flat rate of 10%. Legitimate heirs are exempted from this payment. Additionally, there are some administration fees payable for the inheritance process.
We recommend that if you are planning to retire in Portugal, you have separate wills in both Portugal and your country of origin. Employ trustworthy professionals to help you put detailed and legally reviewed wills in place before relocating.
Life in Portugal is not as fast-paced as in other countries in the world. Residents enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle rather than rushing it, making it the perfect destination for retirees who wish to relax and enjoy everything Portugal has to offer.
Most people in Portugal are outgoing, friendly, and hospitable. It is in their nature to be helpful and kind, so there is no need to fret when a stranger approaches you mid-way through your grocery shopping.
City transportation is reliable and cheap. Between busses and the metro system, hardly any part of major cities are unreachable. However, if you plan to live outside major cities, you might need a car.
Portugal offers a variety of entertainment. From movies and clubbing to golfing and hiking, Portugal has activities for all sorts of retirees to enjoy. Also, the crime rate is relatively low, making it one of the safest countries to live in.
This is just an outline of what life is like in Portugal and does not begin to cover all the extraordinary things you can do and experience.
I hope you found everything you were looking for in this post. If not, you can check out our other blogs about Portugal and check out the FAQ section of this post.
The easiest way would be to apply for a residence permit in Portugal. First, you must apply for a Retirement visa within your country. Afterward, you are allowed to travel to Portugal to convert your temporary visa (retirement visa) to a Residence permit. To apply for your Residence permit, schedule an appointment at SEF and start your process (remember to have all documents needed with you).
No, the cost of living in Portugal is relatively low compared to other EU countries and the US.
Portuguese residents enjoy the benefits of free healthcare. Foreigners, however, will need sufficient medical cover (either private or at a local company in Portugal) for their first 5 years in Portugal. After the initial 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Once successful, you are permitted to enjoy the same healthcare benefits as Portuguese citizens.
The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) is a security service within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). For this article, the SEF is responsible for all activities related to migratory movements. If you wish to apply for a Residence visa in Portugal, you must schedule an appointment with SEF.
SEF has a pre-booking system that allows you to schedule appointments either by telephone or online. However, you have to attend your interview (the appointment scheduled) in person. Remember that you are starting a new application for a Residence permit. Therefore, you will need to have all the required documents before your interview.
Although it is possible to reschedule your appointment, we advise that you plan ahead of time so that it is not needed.
During the application process, you need to pay the required fees. Ask your local Embassy or Consulate about the related costs, as we will only provide a guideline (may be subject to change).
Yes, Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates, making it one of the best locations for retirees.
The cost of living can range depending on where you wish to stay in Portugal and how comfortable you want to live. However, typically you could expect to pay as much as 1750 - 2000 EURO per month in cities like Lisbon, while other places like Algarve could cost you between 1100 - 1500 EURO per month.
Yes, without it, your application for your Retirement visa will be unsuccessful.
As of 2020, the retirement age in Portugal for men and women is 66 years and 5 months.
While a Portugal Schengen Visa is perfectly suited for travel within the Schengen Area, the 90 days allotted limit will prove insufficient to complete all of the required steps. On the other hand, a Portuguese D7 Visa is perfect for this purpose.
The best time to visit Portugal depends largely on what you'll want to experience while you are there. For more information, you can check out our Best Time To Visit Portugal.
For more Portugal travel tips, you can also read our guide on The Best Places To Visit While In Portugal