🇵🇹 Move to Portugal

Tech Worker Relocation Guide

Median Tech Salary

$38,000

vs US Salary

32%

Quality of Life

4/5

Safety Index

8/10

🌟 Why Move to Portugal?

  • ✓ Very affordable cost of living compared to Western Europe
  • ✓ Excellent weather with 300+ days of sunshine
  • ✓ Growing tech and startup scene (Lisbon, Porto)
  • ✓ Welcoming to remote workers with Digital Nomad Visa

📄 Visa Options

D7 Passive Income Visa

Requirements: Proof of passive income (min ~760 EUR/month) + accommodation
Processing: 2-4 months
Duration: 2 years (renewable, path to PR)

Tech Visa

Requirements: Job offer from certified Portuguese tech company
Processing: 1-2 months
Duration: 1-2 years (renewable)

Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

Requirements: Remote work for non-Portuguese company + income 4x min wage (~3,040 EUR/month)
Processing: 2-3 months
Duration: 1 year (renewable)

💷 Tax Overview

Income tax 14.5-48%. NHR regime was replaced in 2024 with incentive for scientific research and innovation. Social security 11%.

Special regime: Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI): Flat 20% tax rate for 10 years for qualifying professionals moving to Portugal (replaced NHR in 2024).

📚 Practical Tips

banking

ActivoBank (no fees), Millennium BCP, or Caixa Geral. NIF (tax number) required first. Get NIF from local tax office.

housing

Idealista.pt, OLX, Imovirtual. Lisbon rents rising fast. Expect 1-2 months deposit. Short-term Airbnb while searching.

healthcare

Register at local health center (Centro de Sa\xC3\xBAde) for SNS. Public care is free/low-cost. Private insurance ~50-100 EUR/month.

phone

MEO, NOS, Vodafone. Budget options from 10-15 EUR/month. Free WiFi widely available.

🏙 City Guides

Lisbon

1BR rent: $1,200/mo