How Hard Is it to Immigrate to Portugal From the USA
Are you wondering how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA? Well, it is not that hard. With the added government laws, immigration from the USA to Portugal has become even more convenient.
Why would one want to shift to Portugal? It is because Portugal offers a convenient lifestyle, a pleasant environment, and an affordable cost of living to its residents. Due to so many benefits, Portugal has grown to be an attractive and popular destination for foreigners.
If you are a resident of the USA and are planning to migrate to Portugal, then you must be aware of the whole process of immigration to Portugal from the USA. If you are willing to fulfil your desire of living in Portugal you must comply with visa requirements and other legal obligations.
Don’t worry about how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA.
In this article, we shall explore the answers to basic questions about Portuguese immigration that frequently come into your mind.
How Can a US Citizen Get a Residence Permit in Portugal?
Being a citizen of the USA, you are legally authorized not only to land into the boundaries of Portugal without a visa but also to stay there for up to three months. However, when this time limit ends, you need to come back to your home country. In case you want to stay in Portugal as a permanent citizen you will have to apply for a residence permit to legalize your citizenship.
Before you begin the immigration process, you need to know which type of visa best suits your circumstances. Portugal offers several visa options for non-EU citizens. Your choice depends on the purpose for which you are moving to Portugal. The options include:
- Portugal Golden Visa: It is the residency permit program for investors who can get their hand on Portuguese residentship under the residency-by-investment scheme for five straight years.
- D7 Visa: You can have this one if you have any source of passive income and are earning from that persistently.
- Start-up Visa: If you are immigrating to Portugal with the intention of establishing your own business there, then this visa is for you.
- Student Visa: Those who have enrolled in a university for higher studies will get this one.
- D1 Visa: You are eligible for this visa only if you have got a job in an institute or company in Portugal.
- Residential Visa: If you have plans to live and work in Portugal, this visa will be a perfect choice for you. To be eligible for it, you need to give proof that you are stable financially and have enough money to survive independently. Alternatively, you must have a job in this country. Your health insurance is also required.
- Retirement Visa: Persons aged 55 or above can get this visa if they have enough income or savings like pension or gratuity amount.
Why Are Americans Moving to Portugal?
The data from SEF, the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, reveals that the recorded immigration from the US has topped all immigration throughout the world in the year 2020. According to the record, out of 1281 immigrants from all over the world, 216 expats shifted to Portugal from the USA.
In recent days, Portugal has really been a hotspot for many Americans, and we can understand why! Here are some of the reasons that are enticing enough for Americans to leave their hometowns and settle in a new place and stop wondering how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA.
Safety
If we told you the truth, you would stop wondering how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA. One of the many reasons why Americans get a thought of leaving their country is because they do not feel safe. On the other hand, Portugal is listed as one of the safest countries throughout the globe, with unbelievably low crime rates and non-existent gun crimes. Even metropolitan cities like Lisbon and Porto are safer than most of the American states which makes Portugal an appealing place for families seeking safety.
Living Cost
Yes! You should stop scratching your head over how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA because Portugal is 37% cheaper than most parts of the USA. That’s not all; moving to Portugal can reap financial benefits because the lifestyle in Portugal is very cost-effective. For instance, the rent rates here are 53% lower than the ones in the USA.
However, there are some expenses that might be more expensive in Portugal than in the USA. For instance, the manufactured products are imported from the USA. Furthermore, driving in Portugal can be more expensive which is why you see locals strolling on the roads.
Here is a cost comparison of the USA and Portugal:
| Cost Categories | Portugal (Average) | USA (Average) |
| Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center | $800 | $1,200 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $10 | $15 |
| Monthly public transportation ticket | $40 | $75 |
| Basic utilities for 85m2 apartment | $100 | $150 |
| 1 liter of milk | $0.60 | $0.80 |
| 1 kg of local cheese | $7 | $10 |
| 1 kg of chicken breast | $5 | $7 |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $75 | $45 |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M) | $30 | $35 |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas) | $75 | $80 |
| 1 liter of gasoline | $1.60 | $0.65 |
With this comparison, you should not care about how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA and should think about ways you can immigrate to Portugal,
Quality of Life
Portugal has all the facilities you need to live a high-quality life. Name anything, and Portugal has it as its forte, from healthcare to leisure facilities like amusement parks, restaurants, etc, to education; everything is up to the mark here. Portugal offers a highly rated healthcare system serving the citizens with excellent care at affordable prices. You can choose between the public and private healthcare options.
Furthermore, it offers political stability, keeping the law above everyone. In addition to this, Portugal also offers tax benefits to expats, like the Non-Habitual Residence (NHR) program, under which you are liable to lower taxes.
Also, Portugal is a good space for entrepreneurs as the World Bank development report claims that starting a business in Portugal is easier compared to other parts of the world. With a growing entrepreneur culture, you can introduce your brand either as a sole trader or as an LLC company, which is not as difficult as it is in the USA. Thus, enjoy your entrepreneurship in Portugal with fewer restrictions.
However, if you want to feel like you are in your hometown while you are in Portugal, you may want to choose the Algarve as your new residence because it has a climate that is identical to San Diego’s. In addition to this, you can continue with your native language because English is understood in the confines of Portugal by the locals. So, stop questioning yourself about how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA and start working on the immigration process.
How Hard is it to Immigrate to Portugal From the USA
If you have given a good thought to how hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA, you should now be thinking about the process of moving. You can start with preliminary research about the place, culture, lifestyle, and living costs. You can also contact a relocation consultant while you are moving to Portugal. What should you do next?
While it can be daunting to migrate to a new country, the immigration process to Portugal from the USA is pretty straightforward. However, you must do thorough planning before you decide to settle in Portugal. Here are some of the steps involved in immigration:
- Apply for a Portuguese Visa if you don’t qualify for an EU passport and you plan to live in Portugal for more than three months. You can choose from multiple visa options like D7 Passive Income Visa, D2 Entrepreneur Visa, D8 Digital Nomad Visa, etc.
- Apply for Portuguese residentship by providing proof of your income and accommodation in Portugal.
- Get yourself a Portuguese tax number, including the income tax, VAT, and property tax. You can ship your goods or transport them by air. However, the means of transportation depends on the volume and weight of the freight.
- You should get yourself a baggage certificate from the Portuguese consulate to confirm the imported items are yours.
This straightforward procedure is an answer to your question: How hard is it to immigrate to Portugal from the USA? You should now start packing your bags and applying for a Portuguese visa because it is the best place you can ever be.
You may also want to read: What is the Pathway to Portugal Immigration with Zero Investment>>
