Travel To Portugal: What Americans Need To Know

Americans can travel to Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if they plan to stay longer, they will need to obtain a residence permit or an appropriate visa. The Portuguese government offers different types of visas, such as residence visas, work visas, and family reunification visas. The cost of living in Portugal is relatively low compared to the US, making it an attractive destination for retirees and those seeking a higher quality of life. The country also boasts a strong job market, especially in the tech sector, and a vibrant culture that welcomes foreigners.

Visa options for Americans travelling to Portugal

Americans do not need a visa to travel to Portugal for a short stay. If you are a US citizen, you can enter Portugal without a visa and stay for up to 90 days, as long as you have a valid US passport that remains valid for a minimum of three months beyond the length of your stay.

However, if you plan to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days, you will need to obtain a temporary residence permit through various visa options. Here are some of the most common visa options for Americans seeking to stay in Portugal for longer than 90 days:

• D7 Visa: This is also known as the Retirement Visa. It is ideal for retirees and entrepreneurs who want to relocate to Portugal without significant investment. The D7 Visa does not require active investment or business involvement in Portugal. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a monthly passive income of at least the Portuguese minimum wage, derived from pensions, real estate, or investments. The application process is relatively fast, and the visa allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. After obtaining the temporary D7 Visa, you can apply for a two-year residence permit, renewable for three additional years. After five years of residency, you may qualify for permanent residency and citizenship.
• D2 Visa: The D2 Visa is a residency program for individuals who wish to start a new business, expand an existing venture, or invest in entrepreneurial projects within Portugal. It is tailored for non-EU nationals looking to establish themselves in an EU country. The D2 Visa allows family reunification and provides visa-free access to the Schengen Area. To qualify, applicants must be non-EU nationals with a clean criminal record, and they must acquire or invest in a Portuguese company.
• D8 Visa: The D8 Visa is a residency program designed for remote workers who want to live and work in Portugal. This visa is suitable for anyone with a stable, regular income, providing a pathway for non-EU nationals to establish their presence in the country. The D8 Visa allows family reunification and provides visa-free access to the Schengen Area. To qualify, applicants must be non-EU nationals with a clean criminal record, earning at least four times the national minimum wage (approximately €3,480 per month) and demonstrating a stable income source to support living in Portugal. After five years of residence, D8 Visa holders can apply for permanent residency and citizenship.
• Portugal Golden Visa: The Golden Visa, or Residence Permit Program, is a five-year residency-by-investment initiative for non-EU nationals. Launched in 2012, it aims to attract foreign investors to Portugal by allowing them and their direct family members to live and work in the country. To qualify, individuals must contribute a minimum of €500,000 to a qualified investment fund, donate at least €250,000 for arts or national heritage projects, invest at least €500,000 in science or technology research, create and maintain ten jobs, or invest €500,000 to establish or increase share capital in a company with job creation requirements. After five years, participants can apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship.

Cost of living in Portugal

Americans can travel to Portugal, and many are choosing to make the move. In fact, between 2017 and 2022, the number of Americans residing in Portugal grew by 239%, reaching nearly 10,000 individuals.

Portugal offers the lowest cost of living in Western Europe. The cost of living in Portugal is, on average, 36.4% lower than in the United States. A couple can live nicely on $2,500 to $3,000 a month outside of the major cities. In the major cities, such as Lisbon and Porto, the cost of living is higher, but still significantly cheaper than in the US.

Housing

Housing is the largest expense, whether renting or paying a mortgage. In Lisbon, it is possible to find a furnished one-bedroom apartment for under $1,000 close to amenities and public transport. In Porto, a one-bedroom, compact apartment in the city centre can be found for around $850, or a detached home outside the city centre for $1,300. In smaller towns and villages, rents can be as low as $400-$450 for a furnished, two-bedroom home.

Food

Food costs are significantly lower in Portugal, as much of its produce is grown locally, and fish is caught fresh from its extensive coastline. Delicious wines can be bought for just a few euros per bottle. A meal in a mid-range restaurant costs around $12, while it is possible to find meals for as little as $5 in the villages.

Utilities

Utilities for a mid-size apartment cost around €150 per month. This includes electricity, heating, water, and garbage collection.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Portugal is some of the best in the world, ranked #12 by the World Health Organization. Private health insurance policies start at around $50 per person, but increase with age, pre-existing conditions, and the type of policy chosen.

Transport

Public transport in Portugal is much cheaper than in the US. The monthly cost of a local public transportation pass is €44 in Portugal and €80 in the United States.

Education

Basic education in Portugal's public school system is free. However, many expats choose to send their children to international schools, which cost upwards of €6,000 per year.

Leisure

Leisure activities in Portugal are generally affordable. A movie ticket costs around €8, and a monthly gym membership is usually between €40-50.

Portugal is an attractive option for Americans due to its low cost of living, high quality of life, and excellent healthcare. The cost of living varies depending on location, with the major cities being more expensive than smaller towns and villages. Overall, Portugal offers a high standard of living at a fraction of the cost of living in the United States.

Healthcare in Portugal

The National Health Service (SNS)

The National Health Service is the system by which the State assures the right to health protection in the terms established by the Portuguese Constitution. It was created in 1979 and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The SNS is national, universal, general, and free. It is national as it should be provided nationwide, although it currently only covers mainland Portugal. It is universal as all Portuguese citizens and foreign residents can access it. It is general as it encompasses healthcare, including health surveillance, promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients, and social and medical rehabilitation. It is free, as the system is publicly funded, with health services being free of charge for users. However, some fees are charged to moderate unnecessary access to services.

Health subsystems

The health subsystems are the special schemes responsible for providing healthcare to members of certain professions or organizations. Adhesion to them is mandatory for these groups, with financing made by the beneficiaries or their employers. There are public and private subsystems, with the first type responsible for providing healthcare to public servants and the second to members of private organizations.

Voluntary private health insurance

The health insurances complement both the SNS and the health subsystems, with adherence usually voluntary. The insurance healthcare services are provided to the insured persons through either direct or free schemes. In the direct scheme, the services are provided by medical establishments that have a previous convention with the insurance network. In the free scheme, the insured person advances the payment and is then reimbursed by the insurance.

Registering for healthcare in Portugal

To register for public healthcare in Portugal, you first need to sign up with social security (seguranca social) to get your número de indentificação fiscal (NIF – tax identification number). Once your social security arrangements are in place, you can register for an SNS user number (número de utente do SNS) at your local Portuguese health centre (centros de saúde).

Costs of healthcare in Portugal

Quality of healthcare in Portugal

Portugal has a high standard of healthcare services, with a large population of doctors and a strong emphasis on preventative treatment, such as cancer screenings. However, compared to other countries, Portugal's healthcare ranking is not very high. It dropped from 17th in 2021 to 22nd in 2022 out of 32 countries on FREOPP's World Index of Healthcare Innovation. Portugal scored very high in healthcare quality but extremely low in affordability and technological advancements.

Education in Portugal

Pre-Primary Education

Children from four months old until they are three years old may attend a nursery (creche). The majority of nurseries are private, while others are run by the Portuguese Social Security and are partly financed by the state. In these nurseries, parents pay according to their income.

Pre-primary education is optional from the ages of three to five and is provided in both state-run and private kindergartens. State-run kindergartens are free of charge.

Basic Education

Basic Education (Ensino Básico) is compulsory and lasts for nine years, divided into three stages of four, two, and three years respectively. Children are required to take exams in Portuguese and Maths at the end of the third stage.

The first cycle (primeiro ciclo or 1º ciclo) covers grades 1 to 4.

The second cycle (segundo ciclo or 2º ciclo) covers grades 5 to 6.

The third cycle (terceiro ciclo or 3º ciclo) covers grades 7 to 9.

Secondary Education

Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário) is compulsory and consists of a three-year cycle after basic education. It is provided in public, private, or cooperative schools. Access to Secondary Education is through the Certificate of Basic Education. There are three types of programmes: general, professional, and artistic, providing instruction in technical, technological, professional fields, and the Portuguese language and culture.

Higher Education

Higher education in Portugal is divided into two main subsystems: university and polytechnic. Degrees in some fields such as medicine, law, natural sciences, economics, and psychology are only offered in the university system. Nursing, preschool education, accounting technician, or healthcare technician degrees are only offered in the polytechnic system. The polytechnic system is intended to provide a more practical qualification and is profession-oriented.

The oldest university in Portugal is the University of Coimbra, founded in 1290. The biggest university by the number of enrolled students is the University of Porto, with about 28,000 students.

International Schools

There are several international schools in Portugal, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve region. These areas have a large number of settled foreign families from high-income countries.

Examples of international schools in Portugal include:

• Carlucci American International School
• International Christian School of Cascais
• Lisbon International School
• Oeiras International School
• British School of Lisbon

Job opportunities for Americans in Portugal

Americans can find a diverse range of job opportunities in Portugal, especially in the tech sector. The country's strong and growing job market offers positions in various fields, including software engineering, hospitality, tourism, and healthcare.

Job Opportunities in Portugal for Americans

Tourism and Hospitality

Portugal's thriving tourism industry offers numerous job opportunities for Americans, especially in popular destinations like Lisbon, Algarve, and Porto. Customer service and hospitality jobs are widely available, with call centers regularly hiring English speakers and expats.

Software and Tech

The tech and IT sectors in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon, are growing rapidly and attracting many foreigners. Lisbon has become home to numerous tech start-ups and hosts the Web Summit, one of Europe's largest technology conferences. This provides excellent job prospects for Americans in software engineering and other tech-related fields.

Sales and Customer Support

Sales representatives and customer support agents are in demand in Portugal, especially those who are fluent in English and other languages. These roles often involve providing assistance to clients, troubleshooting, and upselling products or services.

Health Professionals

Healthcare jobs are also available for Americans in Portugal, including nurses and other health professionals. However, these positions may require fluency in Portuguese, and expats may face competition from locals for the highest-paying roles.

Teaching and Translation

English language teachers, tour guides, and translators or interpreters are also sought-after in Portugal. Teaching roles are available in educational institutions, while translation and interpretation services are needed across various industries.

Work Visas and Requirements

To work in Portugal, Americans will need to obtain the appropriate work visa. The type of visa depends on the specific job and skills required. Options include skilled worker visas, highly skilled worker visas, teaching visas, self-employment visas, and "tech" visas for those in innovative technology roles.

The process typically involves finding employment first and then having the employer file a work permit application. Once the work permit is approved, Americans can apply for the work visa at their local Portuguese embassy.

Cost of Living

Living and working in Portugal is made more attractive by the country's relatively low cost of living. On average, expenses are 47% cheaper in Portugal than in the USA, including rent, eating out, groceries, and childcare.

Culture

Portugal's culture is closely tied to family values, and the people are generally easygoing, tolerant, and religious. They value manners and avoiding conflict in conversations.

Networking Opportunities

Americans seeking job opportunities in Portugal can benefit from networking in places like Second Home Lisboa and Heden. Additionally, online communities and platforms, such as the Expats in Portugal Facebook group and Internations, offer a space to connect with other expats and gain guidance on various aspects of living and working in the country.

Frequently asked questions