The Best Relocation Resources for Moving to Portugal in 2026

Written By Expats Everywhere

Moving to Portugal is exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Between visas, taxes, housing, healthcare, and logistics, there are a lot of moving parts. Most people just want one thing: to make the move easier and avoid costly mistakes.

After helping countless expats relocate and going through the process ourselves, we’ve put together a list of our top relocation resources for moving to Portugal in 2026.

To keep things simple, we’ve organized everything into six major categories that anyone planning a move should consider. Some of these services overlap and help in multiple areas, think of it like a relocation “Swiss Army knife.”

Let’s start with the first step.

Scouting where to live

1. Scouting Portugal: Deciding If It’s Right for You

Before committing to a move, most people visit Portugal to explore potential cities and neighborhoods. Even if you're just visiting as a tourist, it’s helpful to have someone knowledgeable show you around.

If you’re planning a trip, one of our favorite tour guides is Last Parcel Tours, run by Carlos, a driver based in Gaia near Porto. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, and offers comfortable private tours across northern Portugal, including the famous Douro Valley. It’s perfect if you want to explore the vineyards without worrying about driving.

Carlos even offers 10% off for ExpatsEverywhere viewers if you mention the channel.

For those who want something more focused on relocation, such as neighborhoods where expats actually live, two companies stand out:

Both specialize in scouting tours for expats, helping you understand what daily life might look like in different regions.

Taxes

2. Understanding Taxes and Finances

Before you move, it’s crucial to understand how your finances will change.

If you're coming from the U.S., you’ll likely need guidance from three types of professionals:

  • A Portuguese tax advisor



  • A U.S. expat tax advisor



  • A financial advisor familiar with both countries.



For Portuguese taxes, two good options are:

For U.S. tax filing abroad, many expats work with TieTax, which specializes in helping Americans file while living overseas. You can email Kalie for an introduction. 

When it comes to managing investments and cross-border planning, Green Ocean Global is another option to explore (https://calendly.com/johnoceansgreen). Choose the ExpatsEverywhere intro call and you'll get a free 30 minute call with him to see if you would like to work with them.

The key thing to understand is that the U.S. and Portugal have a double taxation treaty, but that doesn’t mean you stop filing U.S. taxes. Knowing how these systems interact can save you a significant amount of money.

Healthcare

3. Healthcare in Portugal

Portugal’s healthcare system is one of the reasons many expats move here. Costs are much lower than in countries like the United States, but it’s still important to understand how the system works.

Portugal has both public and private healthcare, and residents can access the public system through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde, commonly called the SNS.

However, many expats choose to supplement public healthcare with private insurance to reduce wait times and access English-speaking specialists.

For navigating the healthcare system, Serenity Portugal (https://serenity-portugal.com/) helps newcomers understand everything from registering for the SNS to finding doctors and specialists. As far as health insurance goes, we would highly recommend SafetyWing (https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26048090&utm_source=26048090&utm_medium=Ambassador), as it caters specifically to nomads and expats. 

For dental care, many people recommend MALO CLINIC, which has offices across the country and is known for its advanced dental technology and international patient support.

Passport Stamps

4. Visas, Documents, and Legal Steps

Once you decide to move, the next big hurdle is the visa process.

Many expats choose between visas like the D7 (for passive income) or the D8 (for remote workers). Some investors consider the Portugal Golden Visa. We recommend booking a call with Sam from CBI (https://calendly.com/sam-worldcbi/60min). 

If you want hands-on help with the relocation process, Kalie runs a full-service relocation business called Slate & Key (https://slateandkey.com/), which helps simplify the visa and moving process.

One of the first steps is obtaining a Portuguese tax number, known as the NIF. Many people use Bordr (https://bordr.com/?via=expatseverywhere - you get $10 off with our link!), which handles the process online and offers reliable customer support.

You’ll also need to apostille many of your documents. Apostilles certify documents for international use and often require coordination between notaries and government agencies. Services like Global Docs can help with this. 

U.S. Dollar and Euros

5. Banking, Housing, and Moving Money

Opening a Portuguese bank account is another important step, especially for visa applications.

If you need to move money internationally, many expats use:

When it comes to housing, relocation-focused real estate agencies such as Savvy Cat Realty can help both renters and buyers find homes throughout the country.

Mortgage brokers like Rafael (a trusted recommendation in the expat community) can also assist those looking to purchase property. You can email Kalie for an introduction. 

6. Logistics: Shipping, Pets, and Getting Around

Once your visa is approved, it’s time to deal with the logistics of actually moving.

If you plan to ship belongings overseas, companies like Global International Relocation can handle everything from household goods to vehicles. You can email Kalie at info@expatseverywhere.com for an introduction. 

Some expats also use UPakWeShip (https://www.upack.com/) for smaller shipments.

If you’re bringing pets, the process is manageable but requires preparation. Pets must have up-to-date health records and a USDA-certified health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. You can read more about it here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel. You can also watch this step-by-step guide on how to move with your pets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wGb25F6g7w.  

For getting around Portugal once you arrive, buses from FlixBus (https://global.flixbus.com/) and trains operated by Comboios de Portugal make it easy to travel around the country.

Settling Into Life in Portugal

Once you’ve arrived, a few practical things will help you settle in quickly.

For phone and internet service, two reliable providers are:

  • Vodafone





  • MEO





If you want mobile service immediately upon landing, international eSIM providers like Airalo can keep you connected until you set up a local plan.

Learning Portuguese will also make daily life much easier. Some popular online language schools include:

For those who want an intensive course leading to the A2 certificate required for residency, Ciple Master (https://ciplemaster.com/) is another option. They have offered our viewers 15% off if you use the code: ExpatsEverywhere

Finally, once you’re settled, joining local Facebook groups or WhatsApp communities is one of the fastest ways to meet people and build a social circle.

Final Thoughts

Relocating to Portugal can feel complicated, but with the right guidance and trusted professionals, the process becomes much smoother.

From scouting trips and tax planning, to visas, housing, healthcare, and shipping your belongings, having reliable resources makes a huge difference.

And one last tip: always work with people who come recommended by others who have already gone through the process.

The right support can turn a stressful move into an exciting new chapter.

Now the only question left is: when are you making the move?

Don’t forget to check out our Youtube video with a more expansive list of different services we recommend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBGzuGPhxew. 


If you’ve already moved to Portugal, but maybe you know someone that is still in the process of planning their move, make sure to share this blog with them!

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