If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal from UK, you might be wondering how Brexit will affect your plans or if you can take the family pet with you.
Whether you’re thinking about finances, driving or finding a place to rent or buy, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to get the ball rolling. Read on to find out how to move to Portugal from UK.
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1. Apply for a visa
Post-Brexit, free movement between the UK and the EU is no longer permitted. That means if you visit Portugal without a visa, you’ll only be allowed to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For longer stays, you’ll need a temporary stay visa or residency visa from the Consulate General of Portugal, located in London or Manchester.
The temporary stay visa is suitable for short stays of up to one year. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need a residency visa, which is valid for four months. Once it’s granted, you’ll have to book an appointment with Immigration and Border Services (SEF) or the local town hall to apply for a residency permit and collect a registration certificate.
Residency permits are usually granted for one year. However, they can be extended twice for two years each time. After living in Portugal for five years, you can apply for a permanent residency permit or citizenship.
If you’re planning to make a local investment of at least €250,000, consider the Golden Visa Program. This allows Brits to enjoy flexible residency rights in Europe’s Schengen Area. To apply, you must have no criminal records and commit to spending at least 7 days in Portugal during the first year of the visa, followed by at least 14 days per year in the next two years.
You can bring your spouse or legal partner, as well as any financial dependents. The Portuguese Golden visa costs around €533 for the main applicant, plus a further €533 for each family member. Once your application is approved, you’ll need to pay an issue fee of €5325 per applicant. At each renewal, you will need to pay an issue fee of €2663 per applicant.
If you intend to make an investment in property, stamp duty (imposto de selo) must be paid at a rate of 0.8% of the transaction fee. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of the property transfer tax, which is linked to the value of the property.
For retirees and entrepreneurs, the D7 Visa is a popular choice. To apply, you will need to submit a D7 visa application at the Portuguese embassy. This visa is valid for four months, during which time you must book an appointment with the Immigration & Borders Service to apply for a D7 residence permit.
To be eligible, you must have no criminal records and meet the following financial requirements:
An income of €7200 for the first adult
An income of €3600 for the second and any subsequent adults
An income of €2160 for each child
The D7 residence permit is valid for one year, after which it can be renewed twice for a two-year period each time. After spending five years in Portugal on this visa, you will be eligible to apply for a residency permit or citizenship.
2. Find your perfect home
From stunning coastlines and idyllic beach towns to busy cities and charming fishing villages, Portugal is a popular choice for expats. Finding your dream home in Portugal will depend on your lifestyle, needs and personal preferences.
For beautiful beaches, you might choose the Algarve or an island like the Azores or Madeira. If you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, you could go for Coimbra, Lisbon or Porto. And if you want to enjoy an authentic Portuguese lifestyle, take a look at charming Aveiro.
Many people speak English in Portugal, but if you want to maximise opportunities for employment, you should make learning Portuguese a priority - so put it at the top of your moving to Portugal checklist! Aside from improving your chances of finding a job, learning the language will allow you to build friendships with the locals and feel part of the community.
4. Search for job opportunities
You can search for jobs online using websites like Indeed, the Portuguese Public Employment Service and Net Empregos. In most cases, you can only get a work permit if you are in receipt of a job offer.
Once you’ve secured employment, your employer will apply for a work permit via the Portuguese Labour Authorities. You must also have the appropriate visa or residence permit.
Highly skilled migrants, including scientific researchers, qualified professional workers and academic teachers can apply for a highly skilled migrant residence permit. This is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to five years, after which an application for permanent residence can be made.
Key industries include automotive, construction, electronics, hospitality and tourism. Due to high unemployment in recent years, jobs in Portugal have to be advertised to Portuguese and EU/EFTA citizens for 30 days before they can be offered to non-EU citizens.
If you’re self-employed or a freelance worker and have the right to work in Portugal, you can set up as a sole trader or unlimited company.
If you already have kids or you’re considering starting a family, you’ll want to think about schools and universities in Portugal.
Children who are resident in Portugal are entitled to attend school and pay the same university fees as people who were born in Portugal.
If private education is important to you, you might want to consider living in a major city like Lisbon or Porto.
6. Get your finances in order
Post-Brexit, Brits with tax or financial affairs in Portugal must appoint a fiscal representative - or face a fine of up to €7,500. Any resident of Portugal can act as your fiscal representative, but if you don’t have anyone to ask then you can use a lawyer.
You can expect to pay in the region of €200 for your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) - this is the identification number you will need to use when paying for goods and services in Portugal. After that, you will need to pay an annual fee which could vary between €50 and €1,000. As the fees are so variable, it’s wise to shop around to get the best deal.
Opening a bank account in Portugal is not an essential legal requirement. But it will probably make life easier if you receive a salary, need to pay regular bills or are planning to apply for a mortgage. If you want to set up an account before you move, you will need to set up a non-resident account. Once you move, you can transfer this over to a full resident account. Otherwise, you can set up an international bank account with branches in Portugal, or set up a mobile bank account.
Most banks in Portugal are part of the Portuguese Banking Association. You will normally need to visit a local branch in Portugal, although there are a few banks that will accept online applications. In most cases, you’ll need to provide evidence of your ID, address, employment and your Portuguese NIF number.
. Consider your tax obligations
If you spend longer than 183 days in Portugal, you will be classed as a tax resident. This means you will be expected to file a tax return and pay taxes in Portugal. To become registered as a tax resident, you’ll need to head to the local town hall and show your financial and social security information. After that, you’ll visit the tax office to register.
Income tax in Portugal is progressive - in most cases, the more you earn, the more tax you will have to pay. If you’re retired, you will pay a flat rate of 10% during your first ten years in Portugal. You can also pay a lower income tax rate of 20% if you work in a ‘high value’ role like software engineering.
8. Prepare your pet
Pets are part of the family, so if you’re moving to Portugal from UK, you won’t want to leave them behind. Whether you want to bring your prized pooch or feline friend to Portugal, your pet must have:
A microchip linked to their pet passport
A Rabies/Health Certificate signed by a vet. This confirms the pet is fully vaccinated and fit to travel. Once issued, the certificate is valid for 10 days from date of issue until entry into Portugal
In some cases, dogs may also be required to undergo a blood test.
Your pet will need to be at least 12 weeks old before they can have the rabies vaccination, and you’ll then need to wait a minimum of 21 days before taking them to Portugal.
You can either drive to Portugal with your pets in the car, bring them with you on the plane (depending on the airline) or use a specialist pet transport service.
It is important that you arrive within five days of your pet, and they must arrive through Faro, Funchal, Lisbon, Oporto, Ponta Delgada or Terceira Island.
Portugal has an excellent, tax-funded public healthcare service - Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). The service is similar to the UK’s NHS and although it’s well equipped, it’s understaffed and overburdened. This means long waiting lists, even for basic treatment.
To access SNS services as an expat, you’ll need a GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) or EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This entitles you to access essential medical services free of charge during the first 90 days of your stay. After that, you’ll need to be registered as an official legal resident if you want to continue accessing SNS services. In addition to the EHIC or GHIC, you must arrange travel insurance, including healthcare cover.
The place you choose to live will have a bearing on the types of health services available to you. In urban areas, you’re more likely to have access to high quality services. In rural areas, you’ll probably have fewer choices, and you may find it difficult to find English-speaking healthcare practitioners.
If you can afford to pay for private health insurance, you may prefer to access private health services. To do so, you’ll need to apply for international private health insurance before moving to Portugal.
10. Decide whether to take your car
After relocating to Portugal from UK, you’ll need to exchange your driving licence for a Portuguese one within 90 days of becoming a resident. If you don’t, you’ll have to take a Portuguese practical driving test. Upon exchanging your licence, IMT will provide you with a temporary permit (guia) which you can use until your permanent licence arrives.
Buying a car in Portugal is expensive, so it’s worth considering bringing your existing vehicle if you’re going to be a permanent resident in Portugal. However, that does mean you will need to import it. This includes having the steering wheel moved to the left-hand side and arranging Portuguese car insurance.
Most roads in Portugal are well maintained, especially those in major towns and cities. Portuguese drivers can be aggressive and unpredictable, so it’s sensible to drive with caution.
11. Choose a removals company
If you’re making a permanent move to Portugal, you’ll need to arrange to transport your belongings to your new home. There are a number of specialist removals companies, but it’s worth getting several quotes to find the best price and service.
Think carefully about what you want to take and don’t be fooled into thinking it will be cheaper to buy new stuff when you get there. Electronics, appliances and furniture are expensive in Portugal, so it might be more cost-effective to ship your existing belongings.
Summary
Moving to Portugal from UK marks the beginning of an exciting new adventure. Follow our tips and you’ll be all set to make the move and start enjoying your life as an expat in Portugal.
Need more help to plan your move? Contact Kyero today for expert guides and access to the biggest selection of properties and agents in Portugal.
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