People Ask Me: 5 Questions About Moving to Portugal

barely the tip of the iceberg...

As you likely know by now, I live in a little western European country called Portugal.

No, it’s not in Spain. Yes, I have been asked that. I’ll save those kinds of questions for another time. 

I moved to Portugal in October 2018 from San Diego, CA. I can’t believe I’m going on year two in this lovely, mostly off-the-beaten-path country in my nearly off-the-beaten-path town.

Those who know me know I’m a dedicated researcher. Before my move, I left nary a stone unturned in preparation. Since that time, I have become a semi-expert on the steps to the migration process, how to exchange a U.S. driver license for a Portuguese one, the Portuguese-United States tax treaty and how it affects Americans abroad, and more exciting topics too numerous to mention. 

A Bright Idea

About a year ago, I was brainstorming ideas with two friends in Lisbon, and I don’t really know how it all happened, but one friend suggested that I take this knowledge and use it to create a side hustle (is that how it went, Tom?). These friends and others would say, with incredulity, “How do you know all this stuff?!” My research geekery makes itself known regularly (useless facts, anyone?).

So, sometime later and lots of copywriting and program creation (plus web design—thanks, Sophia), I came up with my So, You Want to Move to Portugal sessions.

If you’re not familiar, I provide hour-long personalized Skype/Zoom sessions to those who want to move to Portugal from the U.S. (primarily). I focus less on how to do it (although as I mentioned I’ve had to learn those details) and more on how it feels and what it’s like to be a stranger in a strange land.

I’m happy to say that this little program has been successful—and it’s a lot of fun, too. I meet the coolest people of all ages and life stages and interests, but all with the shared interest of living abroad. 

Although everyone has their own reasons for moving and are searching for answers to questions that are meaningful to them, there are many similarities with all my clients.

Without further delay, here are five questions people ask me about moving to Portugal and my general answers. 

1. When can we travel to Portugal to decide if it’s where we want to live?

1. A: That’s the million-dollar question. The best place to check for travel updates is the IATA Travel Map (click on the country, Portugal, or any other, for detailed information). If you have a visa (step 1 in a two-step process to get your residency card), or are a citizen or citizen of an EU country, or have official business, you can travel, with caveats—but not as a tourist at this writing. The U.S. needs to get its COVID-19 situation under control before Portugal will open the doors to casual travelers. 

   2.     How do Portuguese people feel about Americans/foreigners/migrants moving to their country? 

   A: The Portuguese people, in general, are kind, modest, gracious, and welcoming. Of course, much of it depends on how you, as an American, act. Please learn some basic phrases—thank you, and please wins the day every time. Portuguese people will take you by the hand and show you how to get to the place you are looking for (I’ve had it happen twice). Portuguese people will become one of the main reasons you’ll want to live here. 

   3.     What’s healthcare like in Portugal? 

   A: Healthcare is a prime motivator to many for leaving the U.S. Here in Portugal we have comprehensive care, both in the public and private systems, which often work in tandem—with top doctors and facilities offering everything from state-of-the-art dental procedures, cosmetic surgery, cardiology, and cancer care. 

   Portugal’s healthcare system is ranked #12 in the world. In contrast, the U.S. sits at #37. As a migrant, you are required to carry private health insurance. This policy will cost about 1/5 of what a U.S. policy will. However, you can use the public system for some things, once you are a bona fide resident, but you still need to maintain private insurance until/unless you become a citizen (permanent resident?)—and I’d recommend that, anyway. 

   4.     What about my stuff? How do I ship all my furniture, personal items, etc.? 

   A: My answer, typically, is don’t! That doesn’t work for everyone, so to avoid astronomical customs duties—yes, even for your smelly old sneakers—you must wait until you are an official resident. Then you request a certificado de bagagem, or baggage certificate, from the consulate you were assigned to for your visa process. Once you have it, you have one year from that time to get your stuff over here. Otherwise, unless you have unlimited funds in your bank account, you’re likely out of luck. 

   5.     How do I get my dog or cat to Portugal? Is there a quarantine period? 

   A: No quarantine, thankfully, and although this piece of the puzzle can be the most anxiety-producing, it’s very straightforward—and it’s been streamlined since we moved in 2018. Follow the exact steps per APHIS/USDA website, and you’ll have no problem getting your best friend legally into Portugal. Just know that once your paperwork is signed by the vet, you’ll have 10 days to get into the country. That’s the stressful part. 

   Now, as far as the flight(s) goes, if you have a dog or cat that will fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, you’ll likely have less stress than someone who needs to ship their Dalmatian in the hold (don’t worry, they are climate-controlled), but big dogs migrate to Portugal, too.  

If you’re not interested in moving to Portugal, thanks for making it this far. I’ll write Portugal-specific posts on occasion, so if this is your thing, please reply or leave a comment and let me know! 

My Move to Portugal program is on vacation for August, but I will be opening the doors again in September, so check it out if you’re curious. 

LINKS

• A comprehensive guide to the sabotage of the United States Postal Service

• How the Pandemic Defeated America via The Atlantic (available as audio, too).

• Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa helps rescue two women in trouble at sea (he’s 71 & swims in the Atlantic daily—no security detail. Ah, life in a peaceful and safe country…)

• VIDEO: Copenhagen: healthy city growth (Kolonihave gets a big YES from me!)

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