Live and Invest Overseas
Portugal: The Worlds #1 Retirement Haven FREE Report

PORTUGAL: WORLDS #1 RETIREMENT HAVEN






    We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
    • Home
    • Countries

      Top Destinations:

      Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • Colombia
      • Cyprus
      • Mexico
      • France
      • Montenegro
      • Browse All Countries

      Best For:

      • The Best Places To Retire
      • Health Care Abroad
      • Cost Of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Establishing Residency
      • Gun Laws In The World
      • English-Speaking Countries
      • Safest Places For Retirement
      • Best Places In Latin America
    • Budgets

      How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

      The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

      Super Cheap

      • Chitré, Panama
      • Santa Marta, Colombia
      • Phuket, Thailand
      • Dumaguete, The Philippines

      Cheap

      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Kyrenia, Cyprus
      • Hua Hin, Thailand
      • The Algarve, Portugal

      Affordable

      • Valencia, Spain
      • Cascais, Portugal
      • Las Terrenas, The DR
      • Pisa, Italy
      • La Rochelle, France
      • Mazatlán, Mexico

      Luxury

      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Kotor, Montenegro
      • The Panama City Beaches
      • Paris, France
    • Resources

      Global Living

      • Living & Retiring Overseas
      • Raising A Family Abroad
      • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
      • Offshore & Diversification

      Making Money

      • International Real Estate
      • Banking
      • Employment
      • Investing

      Follow Us:

      • Meet Our Experts
    • Real Estate

      Join our Weekly Newsletter
      Overseas Property Alert

      Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive expert insights on the best international real estate investment opportunities.






        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

        Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

        • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

        Explore Our Latest Posts

        • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

        Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

        • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
      • Conferences

        Upcoming Events

        • Explore Our Events Site

        International Property Summit

        Caribbean Virtual Conference

        Live and Invest In Spain Conference

        PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

        June 18-20, 2025

        VIRTUAL

        July 17-19, 2025

        Valencia, Spain

        Sep. 17-19, 2025

        LEARN MORE
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        • MORE EVENTS

        Contact Our Events Team

        Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
        1 (888) 627 8834
        From Outside North America:
        1 (443) 599 1221
        Working Hours
        Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

        Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

      • Store

        Unlock The World

        • Access Your Library

        Overseas Havens Reports

        • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

        Conference Kits

        • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

        Lahardan Books

        • Titles on living and investing around the world
        • Explore Our Store
        Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

        Services

        overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
        The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
        Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

        Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

      • My Library
      Live and Invest Overseas
      • Home
      • Countries

        Top Destinations:

        Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

        • Spain
        • Portugal
        • Panama
        • Belize
        • Colombia
        • Cyprus
        • Mexico
        • France
        • Montenegro
        • Browse All Countries

        Best For:

        • The Best Places To Retire
        • Health Care Abroad
        • Cost Of Living
        • Investing in Real Estate
        • Establishing Residency
        • Gun Laws In The World
        • English-Speaking Countries
        • Safest Places For Retirement
        • Best Places In Latin America
      • Budgets

        How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

        The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

        Super Cheap

        • Chitré, Panama
        • Santa Marta, Colombia
        • Phuket, Thailand
        • Dumaguete, The Philippines

        Cheap

        • Medellin, Colombia
        • Boquete, Panama
        • Kyrenia, Cyprus
        • Hua Hin, Thailand
        • The Algarve, Portugal

        Affordable

        • Valencia, Spain
        • Cascais, Portugal
        • Las Terrenas, The DR
        • Pisa, Italy
        • La Rochelle, France
        • Mazatlán, Mexico

        Luxury

        • Ambergris Caye, Belize
        • Kotor, Montenegro
        • The Panama City Beaches
        • Paris, France
      • Resources

        Global Living

        • Living & Retiring Overseas
        • Raising A Family Abroad
        • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
        • Offshore & Diversification

        Making Money

        • International Real Estate
        • Banking
        • Employment
        • Investing

        Follow Us:

        • Meet Our Experts
      • Real Estate

        Join our Weekly Newsletter
        Overseas Property Alert

        Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive expert insights on the best international real estate investment opportunities.






          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

          Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

          • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

          Explore Our Latest Posts

          • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

          Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

          • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
        • Conferences

          Upcoming Events

          • Explore Our Events Site

          International Property Summit

          Caribbean Virtual Conference

          Live and Invest In Spain Conference

          PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

          June 18-20, 2025

          VIRTUAL

          July 17-19, 2025

          Valencia, Spain

          Sep. 17-19, 2025

          LEARN MORE
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          • MORE EVENTS

          Contact Our Events Team

          Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
          1 (888) 627 8834
          From Outside North America:
          1 (443) 599 1221
          Working Hours
          Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

          Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

        • Store

          Unlock The World

          • Access Your Library

          Overseas Havens Reports

          • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

          Conference Kits

          • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

          Lahardan Books

          • Titles on living and investing around the world
          • Explore Our Store
          Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

          Services

          overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
          The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
          Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

          Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

        • My Library
        Live and Invest Overseas
         Free Portugal Guide
        LIVE AND INVEST IN PORTUGAL
        View of a bridge in Portugal
        WORLD’S #1 RETIREMENT HAVEN
        Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter plus our In Focus: Europe newsletter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE






          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

          Home Lifestyle

          Our Most Popular FAQs On Moving Abroad: Portugal Edition

          How To Retire To Portugal

          by Kathleen Peddicord
          Apr 01, 2022
          in Lifestyle, Portugal, Retirement
          0 0

          We’re enjoying three days together this week with a sold-out crowd here in Carvoeiro on Portugal’s Algarve coast collectively oohing and awing over Mother Nature’s handiwork in this part of the world.

          The views here must be seen to be believed…

          Sandy beach between cliffs and white architecture in Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal
          Adobe Stock/eunikas

          We’re also arming everyone in the room with us with everything they need to know to launch their own adventures in this country we’ve named the world’s best place to live or retire overseas for nine years running…

          And we’re answering their questions…

          Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

          Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

            Q: Can I bring my pet with me?

            A person walks past passengers waiting in line with a dog at the airport
            Alamy/dpa picture alliance

            A: Yes. Bringing your dog or cat to Portugal is straightforward. The pet will need a microchip and a health certificate, and dogs require a rabies vaccine. If you meet these requirements, no quarantine period will be imposed. Exotic pets might require a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate.

            Q: Should I ship my car?

            A: If you’re moving from an EU country, maybe yes. If not, then it is probably better to buy a car in Portugal. A non-EU vehicle might not conform with EU emissions requirements. Plus, you could have trouble sourcing parts for repairing and maintaining a non-EU model vehicle.

            Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

            Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






              We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

              Q: How do I get a driver’s license?

              A: After you’ve established residency, you can continue to drive on your current driver’s license for up to 185 days. After that you’ll need a Portuguese driver’s license. In most cases, you’ll be able to exchange your current driver’s license for a local one. To do this, visit the nearest IMT-IP office. Check the website here for locations.

              Q: Can I own a gun?

              Weapons in the shooting range
              Alamy/Dzmitry Ryshchuk

              A: For sporting purposes, yes; otherwise, it is possible but not easy or guaranteed that you’d be issued a license. It’s difficult to get permission to own a gun in this country other than for hunting and target practice.

              Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

              Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






                We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                Q: How do I ship my household goods and personal belongings?

                A: Use a full-service shipping company. I recommend you opt for door-to-door service. To find a shipping company willing and able to deliver your goods from wherever they are to wherever you want them to be, visit this online brokerage site for international shippers.

                You can import personal belongings duty-free within your first year of residency. Consult with a shipping company or Portuguese attorney for specific restrictions.

                Q: Is the country disabled-friendly?

                A: Many resorts and rental properties are set up to accommodate people using wheelchairs, and many beaches in the Algarve are wheelchair-friendly, even offering rental chairs that can go over the sand and into the water.

                The centers of Lisbon and other towns and cities across the country, however, with their steep hills, cobblestoned streets, and few ramps, are generally not wheelchair- or disabled-friendly.

                Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

                Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






                  We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                  Q: What about banking?

                  Euro banknotes and coins in front of the national flag of PortugalA: Banking in Portugal is sophisticated and easy. Most transactions can be taken care of online, meaning no need ever to enter a branch other than to open an account. Note, though, that bank websites are often in Portuguese.

                  You’ll need a Portugal tax ID to open a bank account. You can apply for this yourself at the local Loja do Cidadão (Citizens Shop), or you can engage your attorney to apply for the number for you. The bank will also ask for a reference letter from a bank where you currently hold an account.

                  Deposits are guaranteed up to 100,000 euros under European law.

                  Portugal was one of the first countries to implement a shared banking platform linking all banks and allowing free access to withdrawals, payments, statements, and in some cases deposits via ATMs (which are easy to find across the Algarve).

                  Your foreign debit and credit cards should work at ATMs in Portugal. These transactions are subject to the usual fees charged by the issuing bank. Note that Schwab charges no fee when you use your Schwab card to access a foreign ATM.

                  All major credit cards are accepted across Portugal, and foreign exchange is easy.

                  Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

                  Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






                    We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                    Q: Is the LGBT population welcome?

                    A: Yes. Some resorts and beaches along the country’s coast cater to the LGBT community.

                    Q: What taxes might I be liable for in Portugal?

                    A: Portugal is not a no-tax or even a low-tax jurisdiction, but it does offer options for reducing your tax burden, including the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program.

                    Under the NHR, you are exempt from taxes on most if not all income from outside Portugal for 10 years. You should seek local tax advice to understand how this would play out given your personal circumstances before applying. As Portugal taxes residents on worldwide income, the NHR tax exemption can be an important advantage if you qualify.

                    The value-added tax (VAT, or sales tax) rate in Portugal is 23% with discounted rates of 13% and 6% for some food and wine items.

                    Q: Living in Portugal, would I lose my original citizenship?

                    A: No, your residency status abroad has no effect on your citizenship.

                    Residency and citizenship are two different things. If you’re a U.S. citizen, the only way to lose your U.S. citizenship is to renounce it formally. This is a serious step that you can’t take accidentally.

                    Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

                    Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






                      We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                      Q: Do I need to let my home government know that I’m leaving the country?

                      A: No. If you’re an American, you can register your presence in your new country with the local U.S. Embassy if you like, but you are not obligated to do so. In my experience, most overseas residents don’t register.

                      Q: Can I still receive my U.S. Social Security payments?

                      A: Yes. If you’re eligible for U.S. Social Security, you can even have your monthly check direct-deposited into your Portugal bank account.

                      Q: How will my friends and family be able to stay in touch with me?

                      A senior man making a phone call
                      Image Source: iStock/vadimguzhva

                      A: Email, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, etc. The Internet Age has made it possible to move overseas and stay in real-time touch with family and friends back home.

                      Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

                      Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven...






                        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                        Q: How much does it cost to make the move?

                        A: You can keep this very low-key.

                        Pack up a couple of suitcases and head out the door to your rental in the Portuguese city, village, or beach town that has captured your imagination.

                        In this case, your Capital Moving Budget amounts to the price of your plane ticket and the cost of the rental— typically a security deposit and the first and last months’ rent.

                        If you intend to stick around beyond the time allowed a tourist and therefore need to establish formal residency, add those expenses to your Capital Moving Budget (and remember to start the residency process before leaving home). The government fees for this country’s D-7 visa amount to about 600 euros.

                        Q: What’s the first step for making a move to Portugal?

                        Portuguese beach villa in Carvoeiro classic fishing boats
                        Adobe Stock/sergojpg

                        A: Buy a plane ticket.

                        You want to see a country before committing to it.

                        Short of that, I recommend you join us for this week’s sold-out Live And Invest In Portugal Conference.

                        Nowhere on Earth is perfect, but Portugal’s Algarve checks every box we can think of, from great weather, beautiful beaches, and one of the lowest costs of living and of real estate in Europe to history, culture, healthy food, excellent dining options, English-speaking community, international-standard health care, and all conveniences and comforts of developed 21st-century living. If you’re not cut out for life in the developing world, I’d put Portugal at the top of your list.

                        Sincerely,
                        Kathleen Peddicord signature
                        Kathleen Peddicord
                        Founding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter

                        Tags: 'residency''retirement'golden visalive in Portugalmove to PortugalPortugalResidency In PortugalRetire In PortugalThe Algarve
                        Share159Tweet86
                        Kathleen Peddicord

                        Kathleen Peddicord

                        Kathleen Peddicord has reported on opportunities for Americans to live, retire, and do business overseas for 40 years. She has traveled to more than 75 countries, invested in real estate in 24, established businesses in 7, renovated and built properties in 6, and educated her children in 5.

                        Kathleen has moved children, staff, enterprises, household goods, and pets from the east coast of the United States to Waterford, Ireland, then to Paris, France, and finally to Panama City, Panama, where she has based her Live And Invest Overseas business. Peddicord and her husband, Lief Simon, now divide their time between Panama and Paris.

                        Peddicord was a partner with Agora Publishing’s International Living group for 23 years. She opened, staffed, and operated International Living publishing and real estate marketing offices in Waterford, Ireland; Panama City, Panama; Granada, Nicaragua; Roatan, Honduras; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; and Paris, France. Peddicord launched Live And Invest Overseas group in 2008 and has built it into a successful multimillion-dollar business. Today, she shares her firsthand experience of expat life with more than 500,000 readers of her publications, including Overseas Opportunity Letter and Overseas Living Letter.

                        Kathleen has been featured often in The New York Times, MSNBC, AARP, CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, and more and writes monthly about expat matters, international real estate, and offshore diversification for Forbes and U.S. News.

                        Kathleen has written several books including the memoirs “At Home In Ireland” and “At Home At Los Islotes” and her latest title “At Home Abroad,” all published by Lahardan Books. Her best-selling "How To Retire Overseas: Everything You Need To Know To Live Well (For Less) Abroad” was published by Penguin Random House in 2018 and her “Buying Real Estate Overseas For Cash Flow (And A Better Life)” was published by Wiley in August 2020.

                        Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!
                        Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven.

                        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
                        Our Expertise Unlocks The World

                        quick links

                        • Best Places To Live
                        • Best Places To Retire
                        • Finding A Job Overseas
                        • Real Estate

                        LIOS Resources

                        • New To LIOS
                        • Ask An Expert
                        • Media Center
                        • Contact Us
                        • FAQs
                        the 10 best places to retire in 2025
                        Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2025






                          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                          As seen in

                          US Media Logos

                          © 2008 – Live and Invest Overseas™ – All Rights Reserved.

                          About Us / Contact Us / Privacy Policy / Terms / Unsubscribe
                          Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Linkedin-in Instagram

                          Welcome Back!

                          Login to your account below

                          Forgotten Password?

                          Retrieve your password

                          Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

                          Log In

                          Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…

                          BEST PLACES TO RETIRE 

                          FREE REPORT:






                            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                            Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.

                            RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY






                              We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
                              HOME

                              Top Countries

                              • Spain
                              • Portugal
                              • Panama
                              • Belize
                              • Colombia
                              • Cyprus
                              • Mexico
                              • France
                              • Montenegro

                              Best For:

                              • Health Care Abroad
                              • Retirement Living
                              • Cost Of Living
                              • Investing in Real Estate
                              • Establishing Residency
                              • Gun Ownership
                              • English Speakers
                              • Safety
                              BROWSE ALL COUNTRIES

                              Budgets

                              How Much Will It Cost
                              To Live Overseas?

                              Super Cheap

                              • Chitré, Panama
                              • Santa Marta, Colombia
                              • Phuket, Thailand
                              • Dumaguete, The Philippines

                              Cheap

                              • Medellin, Colombia
                              • Boquete, Panama
                              • Kyrenia, Cyprus
                              • Hua Hin, Thailand
                              • The Algarve, Portugal

                              Affordable

                              • Valencia, Spain
                              • Cascais, Portugal
                              • Las Terrenas, The DR
                              • Pisa, Italy
                              • La Rochelle, France
                              • Mazatlán, Mexico

                              Luxury

                              • Ambergris Caye, Belize
                              • Kotor, Montenegro
                              • The Panama City Beaches
                              • Paris, France

                              Resources

                              Global Living

                              • Living & Retiring Overseas
                              • Raising A Family Abroad
                              • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
                              • Offshore & Diversification

                              Making Money

                              • International Real Estate
                              • Banking
                              • Employment
                              • Investing
                              Meet Our Experts

                              Real Estate

                              Overseas Property Alert 

                               

                              How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams

                              VISIT SITE

                              Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

                               

                              Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

                              READ MORE

                              Explore Our Latest Posts

                               

                              Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

                              EXPLORE

                              Conferences

                              INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY SUMMIT

                              PANAMA CITY, PANAMA June 18-20, 2025
                              LEARN MORE

                              CARIBBEAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

                              VIRTUAL July 17-19, 2025
                              LEARN MORE
                              PRE-REGISTER

                              Live and Invest In Spain Conference

                              Valencia, Spain Sep. 17-19, 2025
                              LEARN MORE
                              PRE-REGISTER
                              MORE EVENTS

                              Contact Our Events Team:

                              Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
                              1 (888) 627 8834

                              From Outside North America:
                              1 (443) 599 1221

                              Working Hours
                              Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

                              Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

                              Store

                              Overseas Havens Reports

                              • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

                              Conference Kits

                              • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

                              Lahardan Books

                              • Titles on living and investing around the world

                              Services

                              • Overseas Living Letter: Affordable Retirement Guidance
                              • The Simon Letter: Wealth Protection Insights
                              • Global Property Advisor: Global Investment Opportunitites
                              VISIT OUR STORE

                              Free Report

                              THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025

                              FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To retire in 2025

                              Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…






                                We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                                LIBRARY

                                Follow Us:

                                © 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.