11 Reasons to Move to Portugal from USA
https://digitalemigre.com/relocation/move-to-portugal-from-usa/

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/impressos/
https://immigrantinvest.com/portugal-d7-visa-en/
https://immigrantinvest.com/factsheet/portugal-d7-visa-en/

2. Affordable state healthcare 
Europe has long been known for its state healthcare, and Portugal’s no exception.
When you move to Portugal from USA and become a resident, you’ll be eligible to access good quality healthcare anywhere in the country – free or low cost (depending on the treatment).
All you need to do is get an SNS number to join the Portuguese healthcare system.
If you still prefer to go private (to get faster treatment), then health insurance in Portugal is very affordable compared to the US.  
Also, health issues don’t get as politicized as they do in the US.
For example, Portugal legalized abortion in 2007.
The country held a referendum on the issue in February 2007. 59% voted in favor of legalization.
Now women are much safer, as the number of deaths from abortion complications has reduced to zero.  
Then there’s the drug issue. In 2001, Portugal became the first country in the world to decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. 
Since then, it has seen dramatic drops in drug overdoses, HIV, and drug-related crime.   

4. Safer food
Thanks to EU regulations, Portugal has significantly stricter sanitary and animal welfare standards than the US.  
For example, the US uses chemical washes such as chlorine, growth hormones in animal feed, genetically modified foods that aren’t labeled and pesticides that are banned in the EU. That means no chlorinated chicken or high fructose corn syrup.  
In some regions, such as Madeira, locally grown produce (such as bananas and avocados) is plentiful and low-cost. Produce that doesn’t grow in Portugal is often brought in from nearby Spain, reducing environmental costs in terms of transportation. 
5. Easy residency visa pathways  
For starters, all US citizens can enter Portugal visa-free as tourists and stay for up to 90 days.
During that period, you can use your 90-day allowance to travel freely across other countries in the Schengen zone.  
There are also plenty of options available if you want to stay in Portugal for the long term. Let’s take a look at what each one involves. 
Lisbon rooftops

The D7 Passive Income Visa  
The first is the D7 visa, a popular choice for those retiring in Portugal. It’s often known as the ‘passive income’ or ‘retiree’ visa. You can use this flexible residency pathway with income from pensions, rentals, dividends, investments, or royalties.
if you’re a salaried remote worker wishing to move to Portugal, you should use the Portugal digital nomad visa instead of the D7.
The most important factor in getting either of these visas is showing proof of income. Depending on the embassy, you’ll also be asked to show proof of having enough savings in the bank to support yourself and any dependents for a period of one year.
Income levels are based on the equivalent of the Portuguese minimum wage, which at €740 per month is one of the lowest in the EU.  
(NB, the digital nomad visa requires proof of a salary at four times the Portuguese minimum wage)
The Portuguese government wants to know that D7 applicants can support themselves in Portugal without needing to ask for state funds. If you can do that, and don’t have a criminal record, then the D7 visa is easy to get. 
The initial D7 residency is valid for two years. After that, you’ll need to renew your status again for a further three years, which means showing evidence of sufficient income and savings.
Once you hit the five-year residency mark, you’ll become eligible to apply for permanent residency in Portugal or Portuguese citizenship.  

It’s important to note that getting residency with the D7 visa means that Portugal should be your main home.
You’ll need to become a Portugal tax resident and declare your worldwide income to Portugal every year, although you won’t necessarily have to pay tax on it. 
The Portugal Golden Visa  
The second immigration pathway is via Portugal’s residency by investment program, known as the Portugal Golden Visa.
This gives you temporary residency for five years, which brings you to the point when you can apply for either permanent residency or citizenship.  
In return, the government of Portugal wants you to make an investment in the country.
Real estate is the most common route, but you can also get residency by investing in private equity or venture capital funds.


Please note – Lisbon, Porto, and some of the Algarve region are no longer eligible for Golden Visa investment in 2023.
Perhaps you want to move to Portugal from USA with the Golden Visa, but can’t manage it until later this year or beyond.
In that case, the funds route is one of the quickest ways to secure a foothold in Portugal – and start your timeline to citizenship – without having to relocate.
But if traditional real estate investment is the route for you, then you might want to consider investing in Madeira for your residency.
This up-and-coming island makes an interesting alternative to Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve – which are no longer included in the Golden Visa program.
Check out our full article about first-hand experience of living in Madeira.
The Portugal HQA Visa
Another investment-based route to residency is the Portugal HQA Visa (‘Highly Qualified Activity’).
This program was introduced in 2019 and is designed for entrepreneurial investors who wish to undertake a research project in Portugal.
The HQA visa program combines two key components:
Setting up a business in PortugalMaking an investment in high-value research and development activities at one of Portugal’s universities.
The HQA visa offers a number of key benefits over the Golden Visa:
Faster processing timeline. Applications are normally approved in around 30 days. This means you’ll get your residence permit in hand faster and start the clock ticking to citizenship more quickly.Lower overall cost. The HQA visa requires an investment of just €175,000. That’s significantly cheaper than the lowest threshold for the Golden Visa.No-risk refund policy. If your HQA Visa application fails, your entire investment will be refunded in full. That means there’s no risk whatsoever!Build a flourishing start-up and establish an EU business presence. Depending on the success of your business idea, you could generate intellectual property which could be patented and become a valuable asset. Your business could make great returns for you in the future.

To discuss the HQA Visa in more detail, please contact our team.
6. Generous tax breaks  
Let’s now look at wha’s on offer in terms of tax benefits when moving from Portugal to USA.
Portugal isn’t a tax haven or even a low tax country. It uses a progressive income tax scheme with a top threshold of 48%. 
But one of the main attractions for foreigners who move to Portugal from USA is the non habitual residency (NHR) tax scheme. This name is misleading, because it’s full-time tax residents of Portugal who typically use the NHR scheme.
So, what exactly is Portugal’s NHR scheme and what does it offer? 
The NHR grants preferential tax treatment for a period of 10 years to individuals (foreigners or citizens) who haven’t been taxed as a Portuguese tax residents during the preceding five years.  
You can apply for NHR status from the moment you register as a tax resident of Portugal.
Benefits include tax exemptions from non-Portuguese sourced income in most categories, including foreign dividends, salary, real estate income and capital gains on property. 
NHR status also gives you a flat rate of 20% tax on most Portuguese-sourced income, if it comes from one of the eligible professions. 
NHR is extremely beneficial for those moving to Portugal from USA with EU citizenship as their end goal.
The NHR timeline extends far beyond the citizenship timeline, allowing you to work towards Portuguese citizenship while still benefiting from preferential tax treatment. 
It’s important to note that US citizens must file taxes with the IRS every year no matter where they live.
The US has a citizenship-based taxation scheme, but, thanks to the double tax treaty, you won’t be taxed twice in both the United States and Portugal.  
What’s more, the IRS has certain exclusions designed to help those who live overseas, such as foreign tax credits and exclusions from income.  

‘Peacefulness’ is made up of several factors, including the following:
Number of violent deathsImpact of terrorismNuclear capabilityConditions of peaceSocial securityInternal conflictsInternational relations
In contrast, the USA ranks in position 126.
8. Five years to full EU citizenship 
Here at Digital Émigré, our number one goal is helping people to get EU citizenship. We’re firm believers in the many benefits of dual citizenship, which go beyond those of mere permanent residency. 

So how does Portugal measure up when it comes to getting citizenship? The answer: extremely well.  
In fact, Portugal has one of the fastest citizenship by naturalization pathways in the whole EU.
Five years is as quick as you’re going to get without having family ties to an EU country. 
What’s more, Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you’ll get to keep your US passport. Language skills are a requirement for citizenship, but Portugal’s required level is one of the lowest in the EU. 
A massive benefit of having a Portuguese passport is full freedom of movement across the EU countries, with the right to live freely, travel, access study at EU-level tuition rates, and retire anywhere you want in Europe.
Portugal’s passport is also one of the strongest in the world in terms of visa-free travel, even ranking higher than the US.
Fancy spending your golden years in Greece or Italy instead of Portugal? That’s easy to do, once you’re an EU citizen. 
What’s more, if you get into trouble while travelling abroad, as a Portuguese-US dual national you’d be entitled to consular assistance from the embassy of any EU country (if Portugal isn’t represented), as well as from the United States embassy.  
FASTEST Portugal residency routes
You can apply for Portuguese citizenship after just five years of residency. That’s one of the fastest timelines in the EU.
But when exactly are those five years counted from? Well, the clock starts when you receive your residency permit.
That’s why it makes sense to get to that point as quickly as possible, avoiding any unnecessary hold-ups or complications.
Here are the fastest Portuguese residency routes.
Residency route
Basic requirements
Timeline to residency permit (estimated)
Minimum physical stay requirement
Portugal Golden Visa (Investment Funds)
Minimum of €500,000 invested into an eligible Portuguese fund.
6 to 8 months from time of investing and submitting application at SEF.
7 days per year
Portugal Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) Visa
Minimum of €175,000 investment, plus company setup in Portugal. Can all be done via a concierge-style incubator service.
1 to 2 months from submitting application at SEF.
7 days per year
Portugal D7 ‘Passive Income’ Visa
Minimum of €740 per month in passive income, plus 12 months of savings (for one person).
4 months from time of submitting application at embassy.
183 days per year
Portugal Digital Nomad (D8) Visa
Minimum of €2,828 per month in remote work salary, plus 12 months of savings (for one person).
4 months from time of submitting application at embassy.
183 days per year
9. Access the entire Schengen zone 
Remember that 90 days in 180 limit on travel across Europe?
Well, as a resident of Portugal, you’ll be able to reset it by going back to Portugal (instead of leaving the Schengen area altogether). 
But once you’re a Portuguese citizen, the limit gets removed completely. You can travel across Europe for as many days as you like. 
You can also move freely to any other EU country if you decide that Portugal is no longer the right fit.
Ocean and mountainside views in Madeira
10. Diverse choice of destinations 
Portugal has some stunning places to live in. Whether you’re a fan of year-round sunshine, or prefer a cooler climate, Portugal has it all.  
Madeira is a great place to opt out of winter permanently with the fabulous Madeira beaches, while Porto offers a similar climate to San Francisco.  
The Algarve region is loaded with golden sand beaches and boasts a lively international community, while cosmopolitan Lisbon has everything a world capital should offer.  
Central Portugal has countless historical towns, such as the old university city of Coimbra. It also offers affordable real estate investments with plenty of mileage for the Golden Visa in 2023 and beyond. 
 
That’s a good recipe for a peaceful life.
FAQs: Move to Portugal from USA
Can a US citizen move to Portugal?

Yes, a US citizen can move to Portugal quite easily. First, you’ll need to decide what sort of residency visa to go for. You can use the D7 Visa if you have passive income, for example from pensions, rentals, dividends, or remote work. Alternatively, if you want to make an investment in Portugal, such as real estate or investment funds, then you can go for the Portugal Golden Visa.
Can US citizens retire in Portugal?

Yes, US citizens can definitely retire in Portugal, and many do. As before, you’ll need some sort of residency visa, usually either the D7 passive income visa (which you’ll be eligible for via your US pension income), or the Portugal Golden Visa (if you want to invest in Portuguese real estate or investment funds).
Where do most American expats live in Portugal?

American expats can be found scattered all over Portugal, with the biggest expat communities located in the Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto. There are also growing numbers of US expats living in Madeira and the Azores.
Can US citizens buy property in Portugal?

Yes, US citizens can easily buy property in Portugal. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property. Before making your purchase, you’ll need to apply for a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and appoint a fiscal representative. It’s also useful to open a Portuguese bank account. If you want to live full time in Portugal in your new property, you will need a residency visa, such as the D7 Visa or Golden Visa.
How long can you stay in Portugal as a US citizen?

US citizens can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days in every 180 days as tourists, without needing any visa. After that, you’ll need to leave the Schengen area for another 90 days, before you can re-enter. If you want to stay in Portugal for longer than 90 days, you will need a Portugal residency visa.
How long can you stay in Portugal if you own a property?

If you own a property in Portugal, it’s possible to become eligible for the Golden Visa (depending on the value of the property). The Portugal Golden Visa allows you to maintain residency rights in Portugal, without needing to actually live there (unless you want to). You only need to spend a minimum of seven days per year physically in Portugal.
Is Portugal a safe place to live?

Yes, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world to live in. It was ranked fourth most peaceful country in the world on the Global Peace Index 2021, and third in the World Population Review’s Most Peaceful Countries 2022.

How many US citizens live in Portugal?

According to the latest data from the Portuguese border agency (SEF), there were over 7,000 US citizens living in Portugal at the end of 2021. That’s the highest number of Americans living in Portugal over the last 10 years.
Why are so many Americans moving to Portugal?

Common reasons for many Americans to move to Portugal include more affordable cost of living compared to the US, access to state healthcare, lack of gun crime, better overall safety, and an excellent climate.

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