EU · Lisbon

🇵🇹 Portugal

Practical relocation guide for Portugal — visas, housing, banking, healthcare, education and integration in one place.

Capital
Lisbon
Currency
EUR
Language
Portuguese
Cost index
60/100
Pathways

Visa & residency options

D7 Passive Income Visa

For retirees and passive-income earners. Min income €920/mo (2026). Processing 60–90 days. Visa valid 4 months; then 2-year residence permit at AIMA.

D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Remote workers and freelancers. Min income €3,680/mo (4× minimum wage). Processing 60–90 days.

Startup / Entrepreneur Visa

Founders launching in Portugal with a viable business plan approved by IAPMEI or a certified incubator.

Residency: Permanent residence after 5 years; citizenship after 5 years plus A2 Portuguese language test.

Money

Tax & cost of living

Taxation

NHR 2.0 (IFICI) regime since 2024 — available to high-value professions (tech, science, arts). Standard income tax 14.5–48% progressive. No wealth tax. No inheritance tax for direct family.

Monthly essentials
  • Rent (1BR city): €1,200–€1,800
  • Meal out: €12–€18
  • Transport pass: €40/mo Navegante Lisboa
Money 2

Banking & business setup

Banking

Open NIF (tax number) first — required for all accounts. Recommended: Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, Activobank, Revolut Portugal. Tenaryia partners facilitate pre-arrival NIF and account setup.

Business setup

Lda. (Portuguese LLC) requires €1 minimum capital, single founder, ~€360 registration. Empresa na Hora 60-minute online setup.

Lifestyle

Living in country

Housing

Lisbon (Príncipe Real, Alfama) and Porto premium; Algarve, Coimbra, Braga value picks. NIF + lease required.

Healthcare

SNS universal (small co-pay) + private (Médis, Multicare) for fast appointments.

Education

Free Portuguese public; international schools (Carlucci, St Julian's, CLIP) in Lisbon, Porto, Cascais.

Employment

Tech (Web Summit ecosystem), tourism, renewables. Web Summit attracts 70k+ to Lisbon yearly.

Ready to move to Portugal?