In short
US citizens can visit Portugal visa-free for 90 days in any 180 (Schengen) but cannot work, and since June 2024 they can no longer switch to residence from a visa-free stay — you apply for a residence visa at a consulate first. Retirees and people with passive income use the D7 (at least €920 a month in 2026, plus about €11,040 in a Portuguese bank). Remote workers use the D8 (€3,680 a month). Investors can still get a golden visa, mainly through €500,000 in qualifying funds — real estate and capital transfer routes closed in 2023. The NHR tax regime is closed; its successor IFICI covers skilled jobs, not pensions. Permanent residence comes after 5 years, but citizenship now needs 10 years from the first permit (since 19 May 2026). AIMA often takes 6–12 months or more. A single person spends about €2,185 a month including central rent in Lisbon.
Moving to Portugal: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, without working# Source: Portugal Travel Advisory: US State Dept |
|---|---|
| Entering as a tourist | Since 4 June 2024 you can no longer switch from a visa-free stay to residence (manifestação de interesse abolished) — you need a residence visa from a consulate first# Source: Estrangeiros: Extintas as manifestacoes de interesse: APCMC |
| D7 passive income visa | Passive income of at least €920 a month in 2026 (+50% for a spouse, +30% per child); consulates usually expect about 12 months of that (€11,040) in a Portuguese bank# Source: What Portugal's 2026 Minimum Wage Rise Means for Visas: Portugalist · Portugalist: D7 visa requirements 2026 |
| D8 digital nomad visa | Remote income from outside Portugal of at least €3,680 a month (4 × minimum wage) plus €11,040 in savings; a temporary-stay version lasts up to 1 year# Source: A DEEP DIVE Into Portugal's D8 Requirements: Portugalist |
| Golden visa (ARI) | Five routes in 2026: €500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate funds, €500,000 research, €250,000 culture, €500,000 company capital with 5 jobs, or 10 jobs; real estate and €1.5M capital transfer closed since October 2023# Source: Lei 23/2007 consolidated text (PGD Lisboa) art. 3 · Lei 56/2023: Diário da República |
| Immigration agency | AIMA replaced SEF in October 2023; residence permit processing often takes 6–12 months or more in 2026# Source: Portugal immigration updates: Jobbatical · AIMA assegura que imigrantes estao regulares: Renascenca |
| Permanent residence | After 5 years of temporary residence, with A2 Portuguese, means of support and accommodation# Source: Lei 23/2007 art. 75 (PGD Lisboa) |
| Citizenship | Since 19 May 2026: 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking countries), counted from when the first permit is issued; applications pending before then keep the old 5-year rule# Source: Lei Organica n.o 1/2026: Diario da Republica · Portugal Citizenship Law Published: LiveinPT |
| IFICI (successor to NHR) | 20% flat tax for 10 years on income from qualifying highly skilled jobs, research and startups, with most foreign income exempt — not pensions; you must not have lived in Portugal in the previous 5 years# Source: Incentivo fiscal a investigacao cientifica e inovacao: AT leaflet · Startup Portugal: Legal Bites #03 IFICI |
| NHR regime | Closed to new applicants since 1 January 2024; existing holders keep it for their 10 years# Source: Portugal's new tax reality 2026: Portugal Resident · CMS: The end of the Portuguese NHR regime |
| US Social Security | Under the US–Portugal treaty both countries may tax it; Portugal taxes it as your country of residence and gives a credit for US tax# Source: US-Portugal Income Tax Convention: IRS |
| US Social Security agreement | In force since 1 August 1989 — self-employed people living in Portugal usually pay Portuguese social security only# Source: SSA POMS totalization agreements table · US-Portugal Social Security Agreement: SSA |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Portugal's residence routes are the same for most non-EU citizens. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Citizenship | Americans, Canadians, Australians and Brits need 10 years; citizens of EU and Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Brazil) need 7. |
|---|---|
| EU citizens | Need no visa — they register for a residence certificate after 3 months. |
| Home-country tax | US citizens remain taxable in the US on worldwide income; most other nationals who move are taxed only where they live. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
Portugal at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
Lisbon
575,739 people in the city, about 2.9 million in the metro area. See our Living in Lisbon guide.
Portuguese
Permanent residence and citizenship need A2 Portuguese.
Euro (€)
EU since 1986, Schengen since 1995, euro since 1999.
Nonstop
TAP flies to Lisbon from 8 US cities, and United and Delta add more.
SNS + private
Legal residents can use the public SNS; private hospital plans cost about €13–77 a month at age 40.
11.42 million
End of 2025 — about 14% foreign nationals.
10 years
Since 19 May 2026, counted from your first residence permit (7 years for EU and Portuguese-speaking countries).
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
US citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area but must get a residence visa from a Portuguese consulate (through VFS in the US) before moving. After arriving you complete your residence permit with AIMA.
D7 Visa
Pensions, rental or investment income of at least €920 a month in 2026 (+50% for a spouse, +30% per child), plus about €11,040 in a Portuguese bank account, accommodation and insurance.
- Min. income
- €920/month
- Permit
- 2 years, then 3
D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Income of at least €3,680 a month from work for employers or clients outside Portugal, plus €11,040 in savings. Choose a temporary stay of up to 1 year or a residence permit.
- Min. income
- €3,680/month
Golden Visa (ARI)
€500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate funds is the main route; research, culture, company and job-creation routes remain. Only 7 days a year in Portugal at first. Real estate and capital transfer routes closed in 2023.
- Funds route
- €500,000
- Min. stay
- 7 days in year 1
Startup Visa & D2
The Startup Visa needs acceptance by an IAPMEI-certified incubator; the D2 is for your own business with a plan and funds.
- Startup Visa
- Certified incubator
Work Visa & Blue Card
A job offer from a Portuguese employer. Since October 2025 the job-seeker visa is limited to qualified workers.
- Job seeker
- Qualified only
Permanent Residence & Citizenship
Permanent residence after 5 years with A2 Portuguese. Citizenship now needs 10 years from your first permit — applications already pending on 19 May 2026 keep the old 5-year rule. Dual citizenship is allowed.
- Citizenship
- 10 years
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living
What Does Life in Portugal Actually Cost?
Lisbon has become expensive relative to local salaries; Porto, the Algarve and smaller cities cost noticeably less.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, Lisbon centre | about €1,425 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Lisbon outside centre | about €1,063 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Porto centre | about €1,153 |
| Everyday costs without rent (single person, Lisbon) | about €760 |
| Utilities (85 m²) + internet | about €130–180 |
| Monthly public transport pass | about €20–40 |
| Private hospital plan (age 40) | about €13–77 |
Estimates from Numbeo (June–October 2026) and DECO. Source: Numbeo: Lisbon · Numbeo: Porto
A single person spends about €2,185 a month in Lisbon including central rent, about €1,875 in Porto and €1,440–1,570 in Coimbra, Braga or Faro. The D7 minimum of €920 a month does not cover rent in Lisbon.
Why Portugal
What Americans Love About Portugal
Beyond the visa — the real reasons expats choose Portugal.
Safety
Level 1 US travel advisory and 7th in the 2026 Global Peace Index.
Reachable Visas
The D7 starts at €920 a month of passive income — one of the lowest thresholds in Western Europe.
Easy Trips Home
TAP alone flies nonstop to Lisbon from 8 US cities.
Atlantic Lifestyle
Beaches, surf, wine regions and historic cities from Porto to the Algarve.
Dual Citizenship
Portugal allows dual nationality — though the path is now 10 years.
US Social Security Agreement
The 1989 agreement prevents double social security contributions for many workers.
Where to Live
Life in Portugal's Top Expat Locations
From the capital to the coast and the north.
Lisbon
The capital — jobs, culture and the biggest international community, at the highest rents. See our Living in Lisbon guide.
Cascais and Oeiras
Coastal towns west of Lisbon with international schools.
Porto
Portugal's second city — about €1,875 a month including central rent.
Algarve
Sunny south coast popular with retirees; Faro totals about €1,570.
Braga and Coimbra
University cities with the lowest totals, about €1,440–1,450.
How It Works
From Decision to Residence Permit
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in Portugal.
Free consultation
We assess your income, plans and family and confirm the right route — D7, D8, golden visa or work.
NIF and bank account
Get a Portuguese tax number (a lawyer can request it online) and open a bank account.
Residence visa
Apply through VFS for the consulate covering your US state; the legal decision period is 60 days.
Arrive and meet AIMA
The visa is valid 4 months; AIMA completes your residence permit — often 6–12 months or more.
Settle in
Register with the SNS, check IFICI if you work in a qualifying role, and keep your US filings.
Free Tools
Plan Your Move with Our Calculators
Built specifically for Americans considering a European move.
Golden Visa Calculator
Compare investor residence programmes across the EU — real costs and requirements, not brochure figures.
Open Calculator →Cost of Living Calculator
Enter your current US city — see your monthly budget in Lisbon and 30 other European cities.
Open Calculator →Visa Finder
Answer 7 questions about your situation. Get a personalised ranking of EU visa programmes matched to your profile.
Find My Visa →FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best visa for Americans moving to Portugal?
Retirees and people living on passive income usually choose the D7 (€920 a month in 2026). Remote workers choose the D8 (€3,680 a month). Investors can use the golden visa fund route (€500,000).
Can Americans still get a Portugal golden visa?
Yes, but not through property. Since October 2023 the real estate and €1.5 million capital transfer routes are closed; €500,000 in qualifying funds is the most common route.
Can Americans buy property in Portugal?
Yes, with no restrictions on Americans. Since 25 May 2026 (Decree-Law 97/2026) a buyer who is not tax-resident in Portugal pays a flat 7.5% IMT on a home from the first euro, plus 0.8% stamp duty — it depends on tax residence, not nationality; the extra is refunded if you become Portuguese tax-resident within 2 years, or let the home long-term at a moderate rent (about €2,300 a month) for 36 months within 5 years, claimed within 6 months.
How long does it take to become a Portuguese citizen?
Since 19 May 2026, 10 years of legal residence for Americans, counted from when your first permit is issued. Applications pending before that date keep the old 5-year rule.
How long does it take to get Portuguese residency?
The consulate decides the visa in about 60 days; AIMA then often takes 6–12 months or more to issue the residence card.
Is NHR still available?
No — it closed to new applicants on 1 January 2024. IFICI offers 20% flat tax on qualifying skilled jobs for 10 years, but not on pensions.
Side by side
Compare before you decide
Portugal
Everything about moving to Portugal
Across Europe
Compare all 29 countries by topic
Ready to Make the Move?
Tell us about your situation and we'll get back within 2 business days with a clear assessment of your best route. The first consultation is free.