- Blog Post
- Immigration, Live in Portugal
Moving to Portugal as a Non-EU Citizen: Your Complete Checklist
Moving to Portugal from outside the European Union is an exciting adventure — but it takes more planning than for EU citizens. Since the 2025 immigration reform, you need the right visa before you move, and the order in which you do things matters. This checklist takes you step by step, from choosing your visa to settling into life in Portugal.
🧭 6 to 12 Months Before: Plan Your Move
- Choose the right visa for your situation — D7 (passive income), D8 (remote work), D1/D3 (job in Portugal), D2 (business), D4 (study), family reunification or Golden Visa.
- Check the income requirements for you and your family.
- Think about taxes — moving to Portugal usually makes you a tax resident here. Get advice before you move.
- Decide if your family will apply with you — applying together avoids the two-year waiting period for family reunification.
- Start learning Portuguese — it helps with daily life and will be required later for permanent residence and citizenship.
📄 3 to 6 Months Before: Prepare Your Documents
- Check your passport — valid for well beyond your planned stay, with blank pages.
- Get your NIF (Portuguese tax number) — usually through a representative, since you’re still abroad.
- Open a Portuguese bank account — required or strongly recommended for most visas.
- Find accommodation — ideally a 12-month rental contract.
- Request your criminal record certificates — from your country of nationality and countries where you’ve lived (check their validity, usually three months).
- Apostille and translate your documents — birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, criminal records.
- Buy travel/health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.
- Gather proof of income and savings — bank statements, pension statements, contracts.
- Write your motivation letter.
🏛️ 2 to 3 Months Before: Apply for Your Visa
- Book your appointment at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre.
- Submit your application and pay the fee.
- Wait for the decision — usually up to 60 days.
- Collect your visa — valid for four months, with two entries.
- Check your AIMA appointment date — often scheduled when the visa is issued.
📦 Before You Fly: Organise Your Move
- Ship your belongings — personal belongings can enter free of customs duties and VAT when you transfer your residence, if you meet the conditions. Prepare an inventory.
- Plan your pet’s travel — microchip, rabies vaccination, blood test (titre test) for many non-EU countries, and health certificate.
- Bringing your car? Check the rules for importing it and the possible ISV exemption for transfer of residence.
- Bring your children’s school records and vaccination records.
- Get an international driving permit, if needed, and check the rules for exchanging your licence.
✈️ Your First Weeks in Portugal
- Update your NIF address to your Portuguese address.
- Get a Portuguese phone number.
- Set up utilities — electricity, water, gas, internet.
- Attend your AIMA appointment with all original documents — keep your receipt.
- Get your NISS (social security number), if you’ll be working.
- Register at your local health centre to get your SNS user number.
- Request your Chave Móvel Digital to access online public services.
- Activate MB WAY once you have your Portuguese bank account.
🪪 Your First Months
- Receive your residence permit card by post — check that all details are correct.
- Exchange your driving licence, if required, within the legal deadlines.
- Enrol your children in school — check the enrolment periods.
- Register your pet with a local vet.
- Keep proof of everything — you’ll need it for your renewal.
🔄 Looking Ahead
- File your Portuguese tax return every year, between April and June.
- Renew your residence permit before it expires — after two years, then every three years.
- Respect the limits on absences from Portugal.
- Get your A2 Portuguese certificate in time for permanent residence after five years.
⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid
- Coming as a tourist and planning to regularise later — this route no longer exists.
- Letting documents expire before the consulate appointment.
- Leaving Portugal with only the AIMA receipt — it’s generally not a travel document.
- Ignoring tax residence — it affects your worldwide income.
🚀 Final Considerations
Moving to Portugal from outside the EU is very achievable with good planning. Follow the steps in the right order — visa first, then move, then AIMA — and you’ll avoid most of the stress newcomers face.
📢 Expert Advice: Work backwards from your consulate appointment date. Most delays come from documents that expire or take longer than expected to legalise.
Planning your move from outside the EU? Step Inside Portugal can handle your visa, NIF, bank account and first steps in Portugal — find out more about our immigration services here. ✨
This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. It reflects the rules as of October 2026; requirements can change, so confirm the details that apply to your situation.
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