Moving to Portugal

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the Portuguese visa and residence process largely depends on your nationality. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you benefit from freedom of movement and generally do not require a visa to enter or reside in Portugal. However, for stays longer than three months, you will need to register your residency with the local authorities.

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, a visa is typically required to enter Portugal, and a subsequent residence permit is necessary for longer stays. Common routes for obtaining a residence permit include:

• Work Visa/Permit: For individuals who have secured employment in Portugal.
• Family Reunification Visa/Permit: For those joining family members who are already legally residing in Portugal.
• Study Visa/Permit: For students enrolled in recognized educational institutions.
• Retirement/Passive Income Visa (D7 Visa): For individuals with sufficient passive income to support themselves without working.
• Entrepreneur/Investor Visas: For those looking to start a business or make significant investments in Portugal.

It is crucial to verify the most current requirements and application procedures directly with official Portuguese consular services in your home country or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) once in Portugal, as regulations can change.

Housing & Rental

Finding suitable housing in Portugal can be an exciting part of your relocation. Most people start their search online using popular Portuguese property portals. Real estate agents are also widely used, especially for those unfamiliar with the local market or language.

The typical rental process involves several steps:

• Viewing Properties: Arrange visits to potential homes.
• Offer and Negotiation: Once you find a property you like, you'll make an offer, and some negotiation on rent or terms might occur.
• Rental Contract (Contrato de Arrendamento): A written contract outlining the terms, duration, rent, and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. Ensure you understand all clauses, ideally with the help of a translator or legal advisor if your Portuguese isn't fluent.
• Deposit (Caução): It is standard practice to pay a security deposit, usually equivalent to one or two months' rent, which is returned at the end of the tenancy, provided the property is left in good condition.
• First Month's Rent: You will typically pay the first month's rent upfront.

Consider securing temporary accommodation (e.g., Airbnb, short-term rental apartments) for your initial weeks in Portugal. This allows you to explore different neighborhoods and conduct in-person viewings before committing to a long-term lease. Long-term rental contracts are usually for a minimum of one year, often renewable.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of your relocation to Portugal is influenced by several key factors. Understanding these can help you budget effectively:

• Volume of Goods: The more items you move, the higher the cost. Decluttering significantly before your move can reduce expenses.
• Distance: The origin country's distance from Portugal will directly impact shipping costs.
• Season: Peak moving seasons (e.g., summer months) can sometimes have higher demand and slightly increased prices.
• Access at Origin and Destination: Difficult access, such as narrow streets, lack of elevators, or long carries, may require specialized equipment or additional labor, increasing costs.
• Extra Services: Services like professional packing and unpacking, specialized crating for fragile items, storage solutions, or customs clearance assistance will add to the overall cost.

For an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, it's always best to request a free, no-obligation quote.

Timeline & Packing Tips

4-8 Week Checklist

• 8 Weeks Out:
  • Research visa/residence requirements and begin applications.
  • Start decluttering and deciding what to keep, sell, donate, or discard.
  • Obtain multiple quotes from relocation companies.
  • Gather important documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic records, medical records).
• 6 Weeks Out:
  • Confirm your relocation company and services.
  • Notify your landlord (if renting) or begin preparing your home for sale.
  • Arrange for pet relocation if applicable.
  • Start using up perishable food items.
• 4 Weeks Out:
  • Begin packing non-essential items.
  • Notify utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) of your move-out date.
  • Arrange for mail redirection.
  • Book temporary accommodation in Portugal.
• 2 Weeks Out:
  • Pack essential items and a "first-night" box with toiletries, basic clothing, and important documents.
  • Confirm travel arrangements to Portugal.
  • Withdraw necessary cash for immediate expenses upon arrival.
• 1 Week Out:
  • Disconnect utilities.
  • Clean your current residence.
  • Confirm final arrangements with your relocation company.

Packing Tips:

• Declutter Ruthlessly: The less you move, the less it costs and the easier it is to unpack.
• Label Boxes Clearly: Indicate contents and the room they belong in. Numbering boxes and creating an inventory list can also be helpful.
• Pack a "First Night" Box: Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, important documents, chargers, and snacks.
• Protect Valuables: Consider hand-carrying very important documents, jewelry, and small irreplaceable items.
• Take Photos: Document the condition of electronics and furniture before packing, especially for insurance purposes.

Ready to make your move? Request a free quote today on relocation123.com to get started.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Portugal: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to Portugal is an exciting adventure, and understanding customs regulations is key to a smooth transition. This guide simplifies the process for importing your personal belongings and special items.

If you're relocating as a new resident from a non-EU country

If you are moving your primary residence to Portugal from outside the European Economic Community (EEC), your household goods are generally exempt from duties and taxes. This exemption typically applies to a single shipment from one origin country. However, under special circumstances and with prior approval from the General Customs Board, it's possible to import your belongings in two or more shipments. In such cases, a comprehensive inventory for all shipments is mandatory with the first consignment.

What you'll need

• Baggage Certificate: Obtained from a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin. This document is crucial for duty and tax exemption. It must state you resided in the origin country for over 12 months, confirm you are transferring your main residence to Portugal (and not a secondary one), and include your date of transfer.
• Residence Certificate: Acquired from the 'Junta de Freguesia' (local parish council) nearest your Portuguese residence. It must show your arrival date in Portugal (no more than 6 months prior to the certificate date) and match the address linked to your fiscal number.
• Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF): Known as 'Número de Contribuinte' or 'NIF', obtained at a 'Serviço de Finanças'. Your NIF cannot be associated with a legal representative if you are now a resident, and the address must match your Residence Certificate.
• European Citizen Registry Certificate: Issued by your local Town Hall in Portugal (for EU citizens).
• Passport
• VISA Permit / Work Permit: Required for non-Portuguese and non-EU citizens. A temporary visa is insufficient; final residence approval by SEF is necessary.
• Declarations: To be provided by your agent in Portugal and signed at their office.

Good to know

• Your agent will handle customs declarations at destination.
• While normal removal goods are duty-free, customs broker fees, port handling, and warehouse charges apply. Request quotations for these potentially significant costs.
• If any required documents are missing, duties and taxes will be levied based on the declared value of your goods.
• All necessary documents must be submitted to your agent before your goods arrive in Portugal to ensure timely customs clearance.

If you're establishing a secondary residence from a non-EU country

When importing goods for a secondary residence from outside the EEC, duties and taxes are applicable.

What you'll need

• Copy of your Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF)
• Copy of your Passport
• Declarations: To be provided by your agent in Portugal and signed at their office.

Good to know

• Duties and taxes will be 23% plus additional duties depending on the item, calculated on the declared value and transport costs.

If you're a diplomat or consular official

Diplomats and accredited international mission officials benefit from duty-free entry for their removals.

What you'll need

• Diplomatic franchise: Must be obtained by your Embassy through the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 15 days before your shipment arrives.

Good to know

• You must be in Portugal at least one week before your removal arrives.
• Without the diplomatic franchise, customs clearance cannot proceed, and your shipment will incur significant storage charges under customs supervision.
• For diplomatic moves from EEC countries, only an inventory list of goods is required.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in diplomatic shipments.

If you've inherited belongings

Inherited items can generally enter Portugal duty-free.

What you'll need

• Luggage Certificate ('Certificado de bagagem'): Issued by the nearest Portuguese Consulate, stating the items belong to the deceased and were inherited by you, with an attached list.
• Testament: Along with an authenticated Portuguese translation.
• Declaration: Confirming the death of the testator.
• Consignee's Passport.

Good to know

• You, as the consignee, must be in Portugal when the goods arrive.

Bringing special items

Vehicles (Motorcars and Motorcycles)

You may temporarily import a vehicle duty-free for 12 months, during which definitive legalization must occur. Duty-free entry for permanent import is possible under specific conditions.

What you'll need

• Full vehicle documentation: Registration certificate and title of property.
• International driving license.
• Insurance document.
• Declaration from the Portuguese Embassy: Stating you lived abroad for more than 12 months (for duty-free permanent import).

Good to know

• For duty-free permanent import, the vehicle must have belonged to you for at least 12 months prior to your arrival in Portugal.
• Detailed vehicle information (Brand, Model, VIN, Engine Specifications) must be provided in advance.
• Costs for duties and taxes for permanent import depend on the vehicle's value in Portugal.
• You will need to obtain a Portuguese plate number and handle duty/tax payments directly with a customs broker or the A.C.P.
• If definitive importation is not performed within 12 months, the vehicle must leave the country.

Caravans

Caravans are subject to duties similar to motorcars.

What you'll need

• Invoice: Showing the lowest possible price.
• Registration certificate.
• Title of property.

Boats

Definitive importation of boats is generally very difficult and usually not allowed unless under special circumstances. Temporary import is duty-free.

What you'll need

• Registration certificate.
• Import license (for definitive import).

Good to know

• For temporary import for exhibition or contest purposes, special permission from the Customs Main Office is required, stating the purpose and duration.

Pets

Pets can enter duty-free but require specific health and identification documents.

What you'll need

• Certificate of vaccination.
• Microchip.
• Official Health Certificate (issued by the Government).

Good to know

• All pets must undergo a medical examination before customs clearance.

Horses

Horses are subject to customs approval and require specific documentation.

What you'll need

• Certificate of foal registration.
• Veterinary certificate.
• Import license.

Good to know

• Do not send horses without prior customs approval.

Plants

Plants can enter duty-free as long as they are part of your removal goods.

What you'll need

• No specific documents are mentioned if part of removal goods.

Antiques

Antiques included in your household removal are duty-free. If imported separately, they are subject to duties.

What you'll need

• No specific documents if part of a removal.
• Import license and invoice (if imported separately).

Good to know

• It's advisable to declare antiques to Customs upon entry to avoid issues if you eventually export them.
• Only commercial companies can apply for import licenses for separately imported antiques.

Fine Arts, Exhibition Goods

Special regulations apply for fine arts and exhibition goods, often involving temporary import licenses or ATA carnets.

What you'll need

• Document from the owning Gallery/Museum stating the purpose and duration of the exhibition.
• Commercial invoice.
• EUR 1 certificate.
• Title of ownership.
• Identification/catalogue or ATA carnet.

Good to know

• If imported under an ATA carnet, no duties, taxes, or deposits are required.
• Without an ATA carnet, customs duties must be guaranteed by a deposit or bank guarantee.
• The receiving Museum/Gallery must apply for a special temporary import license (maximum 6 months) to the Customs Main Office.
• Import duties depend on the nature of the goods. Regulations can change, so always verify with your local agent.

Presents, Gifts, Souvenirs

Gifts carried as accompanied luggage usually incur no duties. Unaccompanied gifts have value and weight limits.

Good to know

• If sent as unaccompanied luggage, the value cannot exceed 75.00 EURO or 20 kg per shipment.

Restricted & Prohibited Items

Certain items are restricted or completely prohibited from import into Portugal.

Restricted items include:

• Pornographic objects
• Systems for copying Portuguese mail stamps
• Essences for regional wine counterfeit
• Firearms, cut and thrust weapons, any war instrument without specific application
• Roulette or any other game of hazard
• Gold in bars
• Apes and monkeys
• Anything that might be an object of negotiation

Prohibited items include:

• Alcoholic beverages (in diplomatic shipments)
• Narcotics, drugs
• Foodstuff

Frequently asked questions

What is a Baggage Certificate and why is it important?
It's a document from a Portuguese Embassy/Consulate in your origin country that grants you exemption from duties and taxes on your household goods when moving your primary residence to Portugal.

Can I import my household goods in multiple shipments?
Normally, removals should be in one shipment. However, with prior approval from the General Customs Board and a detailed explanation, it's possible to import in two or more shipments. A full inventory for all goods must accompany the first consignment.

What happens if my documents are not ready when my goods arrive?
If all required documents are not available, customs clearance cannot be performed in time, leading to significant storage charges and potential duties/taxes on the declared value of your goods.

Do I need a Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF) before my goods arrive?
Yes, a Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF) is essential for customs clearance and must be obtained at a 'Serviço de Finanças' in Portugal. The address associated with it must match your Residence Certificate.

Are there any specific items I cannot bring into Portugal?
Yes, prohibited items include narcotics, drugs, and foodstuff. Alcoholic beverages are also prohibited in diplomatic shipments. Several other items are restricted.

Are customs broker fees included in the duty-free status for new residents?
No, while normal removal goods are duty-free, customs broker fees, port handling charges, and warehouse fees are separate costs that you should factor into your budget.

For personalized assistance with your move to Portugal and detailed customs advice, please contact relocation123.com.

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