An international move can bring an exciting adventure, and if you’re heading to Portugal, you’re in for endless beauty, culture, and fun. How can you plan a successful, streamlined move to this stunning country? No worries—you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about relocating to Portugal. Follow these steps for a simplified moving experience.
Interested in heading to Portugal in 2025? Discover how you can plan your move like a pro with this comprehensive guide.
Before you take any other steps for your Portugal move, complete thorough research into the country and the region you would like to move to. Portugal is home to many gorgeous cities and smaller towns, allowing expats to choose the perfect location that suits their unique needs. Whether you’re seeking an urban center or a quiet town, you can find the right place for you in Portugal. Take time to understand your options and determine which destination caters to your goals and requirements.
Next on your to-do list, you should look into your visa options as an expat moving to Portugal. If you’re planning on completing a relocation to Portugal, you probably want to consider the long stay visa options. These visa options are as follows:
International moves require an investment to ensure success even for the most frugal expats. As you embark on your overseas moving journey, create a savings plan and budget accordingly to ensure your finances are in order. Creating a budget at the start of your moving preparations will serve as a roadmap for your expenses. Try to set aside extra funds in case of any unforeseen expenses that occur.
If you’re planning on moving to Portugal with a study or work visa, finding a school or employment will be at the top of your to-do list. Carefully assess your options in the region you’re planning on moving to, and ensure your attendance or employment is secured before moving along with the visa process. This will prevent any unexpected obstacles along the way.
Additionally, once you’ve determined where you want to live, it’s time to find your new home in Portugal. Whether you’re opting to rent or buy, take time to find the appropriate housing to suit your needs and budget. You may find the process easier by working with a real estate agent, so consider this option as you tackle the home search.
Once you figure out the overarching details of your move mentioned in the previous steps, it’s time to make an in-depth plan for your Portugal relocation. Create a comprehensive timeline, including all of the tasks you need to complete before moving day. This will allow you to stay on track as you tackle your relocation and will decrease the chance of missing any important deadlines. The more detailed your plan is, the more organized your moving process will be.
Before you start the packing process, take time to declutter your home first. Sort your belongings into categories—donate, sell, trash, and keep. Try to eliminate as many items as possible, ensuring any belongings you no longer want or need are decluttered from your home to reduce packing times and moving costs. Reducing large items like furniture can also be a helpful part of international moving. Consider selling any items in good condition to earn extra money towards your relocation. Alternatively, for items you want to keep but don’t want to bring abroad, you can consider storage options.
Although taking a DIY approach to your international move is possible, international movers can significantly improve and streamline your relocation experience. Find a trusted international relocation company to help you with the process. Many of these movers can also guide you through the necessary paperwork and documentation involved with overseas moving.
As you tackle your international move to Portugal, it’s crucial to ensure you have all the necessary documentation readily available. You will need a passport, evidence of funds, evidence of accommodation, evidence of medical insurance, a tax history document, your Social Security card, and your visa. These documents will allow you to enter the country without any hiccups.
Although knowledge of the Portuguese language isn’t a requirement when moving to Portugal, it certainly will make the process easier. The more Portuguese you understand and speak, the better. Invest time in self-studying Portuguese or enrolling in lessons to make your transition to the country simpler.
Packing is an incredibly important part of an international move, as the long distances traveled require extra care and protection to ensure your items don’t sustain damage in transit. Fill your boxes sufficiently without overfilling, placing bubble wrap or soft fabrics in any empty spaces. Consider specialty boxes for items like electronics or glassware, and take care to organize everything as comprehensively as possible.
As an expat, it’s important to obtain health insurance when you move to Portugal. The country has universal healthcare through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). Your access to the healthcare system will depend on the type of visa you obtain and your own circumstances, so ensure you understand the system and your options before you embark on your relocation.
Ahead of any move, notifying the necessary parties about your relocation and change of address is a crucial step. Inform your bank, insurance provider, the postal service, doctors, subscription services, and other important parties to avoid any missed correspondence.
A week or so before it’s time to head abroad, take time to double (and triple!) check all bookings and accommodations. Confirm your moving services, flights, accommodations, and any other bookings related to your move.
With all of these steps completed, the most exciting part is here: it’s time to head to Portugal! Safe travels to you, and enjoy exploring the beautiful country you will now call home.
By following along with this guide, your international move to Portugal can feel like a breeze. Looking for a trusted moving company to help you get there? Count on Allied International, the top provider of international moving solutions for over 136 years.
Our team of experienced professional movers can tackle all of your international moving, packing, and storage needs, allowing you to enjoy a streamlined relocation to your new home.
Request a free quote online or call us today to speak to one of our agents!
We carefully and methodically pack and crate your items, ensuring their safe and secure arrival. We take pride in the expert packing, crating, and handling of your possessions.
Our aim is to have your belongings safely and quickly transported to your new location, with a focus on customer service and your utmost satisfaction.
We provide you with a personal moving coordinator. You can check in any time you wish, connecting to the same person who will be very familiar with your particular custom moving plan.
