Portugal

Portugal is an LGBTQ+-friendly country located in Europe, with many legal protections for trans people.

Why Portugal?

Portugal is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to LGBTQ+ legal protections and inclusive community. Some of the things you're probably most interested to know about as a queer and/or trans person, including the most common trans- and nonbinary-specific questions answered:

• Marriage equality: Same-sex marriage has been legal in Portugal since 2010. Regardless of what happens in the U.S. to the legal status of married same-sex couples, your marriage will be recognized as valid here. You can also get married in Portugal as a legal resident.
• Legal gender recognition: Binary transgender citizens from the age of 16 can change their legal name and gender marker through self-determination. Younger children can choose the social name they want to be called in schools, regardless of their civil name on official documents. While nonbinary is not yet a legally recognized gender in Portugal, there are associations advocating for change. Many businesses and institutions voluntarily offer gender expansive options in online and physical paper forms. There have been uplifting and affirming PSAs on TV here educating people about nonbinary identities, and there are ongoing efforts to make space for gender-neutral language, though this is more challenging since Portuguese is a gendered language.
• Anti-discrimination laws: LGBTQ individuals are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, education, military service, public services, adoption, and blood donation.

• Public healthcare: Gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some surgeries, is covered by Portugal’s national health service (SNS). More details about gender-affirming healthcare in the Access to Trans Healthcare section below.
• LGBTQ+ community: The main cities of Lisbon and Porto have the most vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes, with many Pride events throughout the year and dedicated queer spaces. Some of the more tourist-oriented towns in the Algarve region are popular destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers, especially sought out for their gay-friendly nude beaches and bars. Smaller cities and regions—such as Aveiro, Leiria, Coimbra, Braga, Évora, and Madeira—have more discreet queer communities.
• Other: Conversion therapy and medically unnecessary, nonconsensual surgery on intersex infants/children are banned.

Portugal is one of the more affordable countries in Europe to live in, was ranked 7th safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index in 2023, and is known for having a high quality of life.

View of the city of Porto from the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River (photo taken by TanzPortugal)

Portugal features a diverse and relatively temperate climate, and is known for its delicious, fresh food (especially great for seafood lovers!), vibrant culture and rich history, and beautiful landscapes and architecture.

It's reasonably easy to get by as an English speaker in the larger cities while you learn the language, as most people under the age of around 50 speak at least some English. More on learning the language below.

Cities like Porto and Lisbon have especially robust public transportation infrastructure, making it easy to live car-free, and the country is well-connected via a modern network of trains and buses, and of course, air transportation.

Portugal has a world-class national healthcare system (the SNS) that legal residents can enroll in, as well as a relatively affordable private insurance system for those who choose to opt into it.

The Portuguese economy has been experiencing steady growth since 2014, especially in certain sectors like tourism, services, and tech. Portugal is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly countries, placing 18th on the 2023 Green Future Index. With many ongoing solar, wind, hydropower (and geothermal in the Açores) projects, Portugal aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Why not Portugal?

As an American immigrant who absolutely loves living in Portugal, this is more difficult for me to write, but I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into when deciding to come here, and I feel I pretty much got what I wanted out of the move. But the things that I sought out and appreciate about the country, like a slower pace of life, might not be everyone's idea of "the good life." And there are some things that even I have to admit have been challenging to adapt to, but were by no means deal-breakers *cough* bureaucracy *cough*

So, here are some of the things I am aware others have found less desirable:

• Bureaucracy
• Slow-paced culture
• Lack of a "customer service culture"
• Low wages
• Rising housing costs
• Housing quality
• Learning the Portuguese language
• Making Portuguese friends

Keep in mind that no place is perfect, because perfection doesn't exist. As for the bureaucracy, I will just point out that American immigrants are notorious here for having unrealistic expectations and making demands that are simply baffling to the Portuguese people. (I have some really funny stories on this front!) My recommendation is to keep an open mind about what is truly important in life and whenever you are confronting something challenging, like the bureaucracy, try to remain calm. "Calma, calma!" is a phrase that has been said to me so many times when I'm on the brink of having a meltdown, and I have definitely chilled out over time. No doubt my own nervous system thanks me! Yours will, too.

If you would like to know more about the pros and cons of living in Portugal, connect with TanzPortugal via the TransWorldExpress Signal group.

Political Situation for Trans People

It is important to understand the political landscape of any country you are considering immigrating to—doubly so if you are a trans and/or queer person seeking to flee danger. As with many other countries across Europe and around the world, it's true that Portugal has been experiencing an uptick in Far Right political gains, which is worth paying attention to. However, I remain realistically hopeful that Portugal is still one of the best places one can live in 2025 on Planet Earth.

The Far Right party that has gained a foothold in parliament, Chega, is still very much a minority party that the established parties have generally refused to form coalitions with or to give any semblance of respectability to. It is my opinion—after living in Portugal for the last two years as a person with "Sentinel Intelligence" who heavily counts politics among my obsessive interests—that the memory of brutal oppression under Salazar's fascist dictatorship remains very fresh in the minds of people still living today, and the socioeconomic scars left by the Estado Novo regime remain visible reminders nearly 51 years after the Carnation Revolution that ended the dictatorship.

My personal observations include that whenever there are demonstrations from the Far Right here, they have been dwarfed by the size and energy of counter-demonstrations. The Portuguese people say "25th of April, always! Fascism, never again!" and they mean it. Having been raised in a country where merely entertaining the idea that anything outside of the capitalist system was inherently so evil we shouldn't even dare consider learning about it, I remain consistently delighted to live in a country now where having an official Communist Party that throws a large and well-attended annual festival is a totally normal thing. It will never not make me crack a smile to pass a sign, flag, or street art with the hammer and sickle symbol. Some young Portuguese people I have spoken with even tell me the Communist Party isn't progressive enough for them! Personally, I think the Portuguese people are very well-suited to weather the coming storms.

For more information about the Carnation Revolution that ended 42 years of dictatorship on April 24, 1974 and the shifting political landscape today, I recommend this long read in Al Jazeera.

Access to Trans Healthcare

The Trans Health Map European Union can answer many of the trans-specific healthcare questions you may have about any of the countries in Europe (last updated in 2024). Note that in Portugal, while the map indicates you must receive a diagnosis of dysphoria to access transgender healthcare services, if you've already transitioned (or have such a diagnosis) and just need to maintain HRT, most GPs will be able to prescribe that for you, at least initially, but they may also refer you to a sexologist for longer term care, especially if you want to pursue surgery or other, more comprehensive gender-affirming care.

The process for getting the appointment and how long it takes will be different depending on whether you are using the public (SNS) or private health system. For example, if using the SNS, your assigned GP will first need to refer you to a sexologist who will then coordinate your gender-affirming healthcare moving forward, and this can take some time, especially if you live further away from one of the major metropolitan areas. In fact, if you live in a more rural region, you may be required to travel into one of the larger cities for some types of care.

Minor children can medically transition from age 16 with parental permission. Apart from needing parental authorization, the rest of the process is the same as for adults.

To address two of the biggest trans healthcare questions you might have, here is what I can tell you about obtaining HRT based on the experiences of my own family members:

Estrogen

In my fiancée's experience, while she waited a couple of months to get her sexologist appointment after enrolling on the SNS (the public system), she was able to get her estrogen filled at the local pharmacy right way by simply showing them her existing prescription bottle from the U.S. (though at first they gave her regular birth control pills because they didn't understand what she needed, so you might want to ask specifically for Zumenon tablets).

I can't tell you anything from personal experience about obtaining testosterone-blocking medications as this wasn't a need for any of us, but I think as long as you show a prescription bottle or bring a paper prescription, you should be able to easily and cheaply obtain these medications from any Portuguese pharmacy* since these are not controlled substances. Unless you obtain private insurance coverage, you'll need to pay for the prescription out of pocket at first or wait until you are enrolled in the public (SNS) system. More on that below.

Testosterone

What I know about obtaining T in Portugal comes from what my son and his boyfriend have told me about their own experiences. Both of them receive their care here now via the SNS (the public system) and were referred for care from a sexologist via their family doctor. I will explain more about that below.

In practice, for anyone immigrating to Portugal who needs T (whether the injectable** or gel forms), the process will be a bit trickier than for obtaining feminizing HRT, so you'll want to try to prepare in advance as best as possible. The most important thing you can do before leaving the U.S. is obtain a paper prescription from your medical provider for your testosterone, whether injections or gel. More on that below, also.

If you are only able to go the SNS (public) route, prepare for the process to take a bit of time after arriving here compared to having private insurance or paying for out-of-pocket medical visits (which are thankfully cheaper here than in the U.S.) This is because enrollment in the SNS happens after you receive your residence permit, so realistically, it could take a few months from the time you arrive to the time you finally get the residence permit, get enrolled in the SNS, get your first family doctor appointment and sexologist referral, and then get an actual sexologist appointment.

You can obtain your T (injectable or gel) more quickly if you either purchase private insurance or pay out of pocket to see a private-sector doctor. You can get private-sector appointments reasonably quickly and relatively affordably. It will be even faster and cheaper for you if you bring the paper prescription from your U.S. provider. The pharmacies here cannot accept a paper prescription from the U.S. for testosterone since it is a controlled substance, but if you bring your existing script to a Portuguese doctor, it is likely they will just go ahead and write you a Portuguese script without wanting to refer you to a specialist (sexologist). You can also go the private route at first until you get into the SNS and then switch your gender-affirming care to the public system to save yourself money long-term.

*We found that with any of our medications, so long as they aren't a controlled substance here, it was as simple as going to the pharmacy and showing our existing prescription bottles. They do want you to eventually get an official prescription from a Portuguese doctor, but they happily obliged us in the first couple of months, providing us with everything from asthma inhalers to blood-pressure meds. And even though we were paying out of pocket with no insurance, they were shockingly affordable at full cost, even for name brand medications.

**Important note about T injections: my son learned that they do not allow self-injections of testosterone in Portugal (and he said the medical professionals seemed horrified that people are expected to inject themselves in the U.S.!). To his delight, however, they have a kind of injection that he only has to go in to get every three months. (To be clear, I do not have any knowledge about whether this also applies to other medications people may be used to self-injecting, such as for control of diabetes.)

Immigration Policy

US citizens will need need a visa if they intend to stay in Portugal for longer than 90 days. The most common visa types in Portugal are the D7 and D8, so the main focus will be on these, but basic info for some of the less common visa types is provided, as well.

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with some basic terminology that may be helpful as you explore immigrating to Portugal (or other European countries). See Differences between EU, EEA, EFTA, and Schengen countries.

Visa Types

D7 Visa - Retirement/Passive Income Earners

• The D7 is for non-EU citizens with passive income*, including retirement, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), VA pension, rental income, dividends, etc.
• Income and savings requirements:
  • Income equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage (currently €870 per month) needed for the main applicant, plus the equivalent of 12 months (€10,440) in savings held in a Portuguese bank account
  • If bringing a spouse or dependents, additional income and savings will be needed (50% for a spouse and 30% for each child)
    • Monthly income: €410 for a spouse and €246 for each child
    • Savings: €5,220 for a spouse and €3,132 for each child
• Must show proof of housing accommodation for 12 months (either a lease or property purchase)
• Must show proof of 12 months of travel insurance coverage per individual (but once you obtain your residence permit, you can enroll in the SNS and/or enroll in private health insurance coverage if you choose)
• Grants a 2-year residence permit, renewable for another 3 years
• Gain visa-free travel throughout the European Schengen Area
• Eligible for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years
• Family reunification visa allowed for legally married spouses, children (including unmarried, dependent children up to age 21, or disabled children of any age), and dependent parents

*Some freelancers and remote workers with income from outside of Portugal may prefer, and still be eligible, to obtain the D7 (I obtained the D7 even though the D8 was available). If you decide to hire an immigration attorney, they will be able to advise you which is best at this time for your situation.

D8 Visa - Portugal Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal is ranked the 6th best country for digital nomads, according to the Digital Nomad Visa Index. Portugal features high Internet speeds, affordability, and an extensive expat/digital nomad community.

• The D8 visa is issued to non-EU and non-EEA freelancers, remote workers*, and their families
• Requires an active income from employment or freelance work
• Income and savings** requirements:
  • Income required is much higher than the D7 at €3,480 per month (4x the Portuguese minimum wage), but does not increase regardless of spouse or number of dependents applying with the main applicant
  • Savings required are equivalent to at least 12 months of minimum wages, which is currently €10,440; if applying with family, the main applicant must show additional savings of 50% (or €5,220) for a spouse and each parent and 30% (€3,132) for each child
• Must buy or rent property in Portugal (lease up to 12 months for temporary stay visa, minimum one year if residency permit)
• Two types of D8 visa available:
  • Short stay (temporary stay visa): 4-12 months
  • Long stay (residency permit, similar to the D7): granted for 2 years, renewable for another 3 years
• Gain visa-free travel throughout the European Schengen Area
• Eligible for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years
• Family reunification visa allowed for legally married spouses, children (unmarried, dependent, up to age 30), and dependent parents

*Some freelancers and remote workers with income from outside of Portugal may prefer, and still be eligible, to obtain the D7 (I obtained the D7 even though the D8 was available). If you decide to hire an immigration attorney, they will be able to advise you which is best at this time for your situation.

**When submitting an application to a consulate, the digital nomad applicant can show savings in any bank included in SEPA. When applying for a residence permit in AIMA at a later date, the applicant must then show they have transferred their savings to an account in a Portuguese bank.

Golden Visa - Investors

Unlike many other visa options, the Golden Visa has a minimal stay requirement (14 days per year) while still offering a path to permanent residency and citizenship after 5 years and access to the Schengen Zone. Important note: the Golden Visa is no longer available via real estate investment. Remaining investment options include:

• €200,000 donation to arts, culture, or social projects
• €500,000 investment in Portuguese companies or research projects
• Job creation: establish a business that creates at least 10 jobs

D1 Visa - Employment

The D1 requires a job offer to work for a Portuguese company. Just keep in mind that wages tend to be much lower than U.S. workers (and those from other Western countries) are accustomed to.

D2 Visa - Entrepreneurs

The D2 is an option for those looking to start a business in Portugal, allowing entrepreneurs to obtain residency while contributing to the local economy. Requirements include:

• A solid business plan approved by Portuguese authorities
• Proof of clients or business activities in Portugal
• A bank account and adequate capital investment

D3 Visa - Highly Qualified Professionals

Highly qualified professionals generally include:

• Management
• Experts in intellectual and scientific activities: this would include positions such as engineer, scientist, teacher, health professional, business professional, information and communication technology specialist, cultural professional, and legal expert

To qualify for the D3, you will need either an employment contract or a promise of employment contract and to meet various other requirements. It is strongly recommended that you consult with an immigration professional to be sure this is the best visa option for you.

D4 - Students, Interns, and Volunteers

The D4 is for higher education (undergraduate and graduate) students, exchange students, professional interns, or volunteers. To be eligible, projects or studies must last more than one year.

D5 - Not Applicable

The D5 visa is not included in this list as it applies specifically to EU students already in an educational program.

D6 Visa - Family Reunification

If you have a family member already living as a resident in Portugal, the D6 might be an option for you.

• Legally married spouses
• Dependent children under 18 and dependent parents age 60+

Note: for EU citizens with non-EU spouses, a simpler process is available by exercising EU free movement rights.

In limbo: “Manifestação de interesse” (manifestation of interest or expression of interest)

The manifestation of interest route to legal residence came to an end in June 2024. However, it was recently reintroduced into parliament in early 2025, so it's possible this could become an option again. My understanding of it was that it was always a less desirable, last-ditch-effort way of obtaining legal resident status for non-EU citizens already living in Portugal without legal status.

With the heavy caveat that it is my personal opinion and not in any way intended as advice, I will say that this is legislation worth paying attention to as a restoration of the manifestation of interest could become a meaningful mechanism for obtaining legal status for those who take their chances and arrive in Portugal without following official visa approval processes.

Taxation

The United States and Portugal have a tax treaty in place to help U.S. citizens living in Portugal avoid double taxation. You may have also heard of the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax program, but that program came to an end as of December 31, 2024. In its place, Portugal introduced a simplified tax program called IFIC Plus. Under this tax scheme, eligible professionals (such as executives, scientists, engineers, doctors, and Information Technology specialists) can benefit from a flat 20% tax rate. If you’re planning to relocate, consult a specialist knowledgeable in tax issues for expats/immigrants to understand how living and working in Portugal may affect you. Some immigration services provide tax assistance as part of, or in addition to, their legal and relocation packages.

Medical Inadmissibility

Portugal does NOT have immigration laws that would find people with disabilities or health challenges inadmissible to emigrate.

On a personal note, I and all of the family members that immigrated here with me are disabled to varying degrees and at no point were we asked questions about our health or disability apart from showing that we had proof of the required travel health insurance coverage.

Permanent Residency or Citizenship Pathway

Generally, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship (or both simultaneously) after living in Portugal with a temporary residence permit for at least 5 consecutive years. You can also gain citizenship via having Portuguese parents or grandparents or marrying a Portuguese person. Passing the language proficiency test, CIPLE (Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira), at the A2 level is required for gaining citizenship; however, passing certain official language courses may substitute for taking this test.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

What are potentially good places to live in?

• Lisbon
• Porto
• Smaller towns—such as Aveiro, Leiria, Coimbra, Braga, Évora—are generally safe, but expect the queer people living there to be more discreet.
• Tavira, Lagos, Albufeira, Portimão, Faro, and Lagos in the Algarve, and the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Açores, are wonderful, safe places to vacation, but LGBTQ+ folks may find themselves feeling isolated if they live in these areas year round.

Top Trans-Friendly Cities

• Lisbon
• Porto
• If you need gender-affirming healthcare, plan to travel to Lisbon or Porto if you live anywhere outside of these major cities.

Community & Support Resources, Events, Etc.

National/International

• The ILGA Portugal Association is the oldest association working on the promotion and defence of human rights for LGBTQIA+ people and their families in Portugal. It's a community-based association with a political and social intervention that provides specialised services to the community.
• Misterb&b - site and app to book travel accommodations, caters specifically to LGBTQ+ travelers (along the lines of Airbnb and Booking.com)
• Queer Lisboa & Queer Porto - International Queer Film Festival

Lisbon

• Coming soon...

Porto

• Porto Pride - the oldest Pride event in the north of Portugal, held since 2001! Website, Instagram
• Queer at Heart - choir for LGBTQIA+ folk and allies. Beginners welcome!
• Drag Brunch Porto - Shows, drag queens, delicious food, and Mimosas!
• Aurora - irregularly hosted queer party
• Douro Bats - LGBTQAE+ Sports Association in Porto. Indoor football and volleyball sports team. Website Instagram Email: dourobats@gmail.com​​
• Amplos - Association of Mothers and Fathers for Freedom of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Website Instagram
• Visibilidade Trans - Coalition for Trans Visibility in Porto.
• Coletivo a Traça - Trans Resistance: Activism, Community & Art . Collective of binary and non-binary trans people from Porto.​
• Rede ex Aequo - Youth group in Porto for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans, intersex, and supporters between the ages of 16 and 30. Website Email: porto@rea.pt
• Gay Expats Porto - Group to connect to the GAY expat community in Porto.
• PortoInclusive - LGBTI+ community and mobilisation in Porto! WhatsApp: +351932711447 Email: portoinclusive@gmail.com
• Porto PALS - LGBTQ+ social and community support group. Meets in person and has topic-specific Signal and WhatsApp chats. The group consists of a mix of immigrants from around the world and Portuguese people. You must already be living in Porto to join these chats. Contact TanzPortugal for more information via the TransWorldExpress Signal group.
• LGBTQ+ Connect - LGBTQ+ WhatsApp chat that has social gatherings for those already living in Porto. Contact TanzPortugal for more information via the TransWorldExpress Signal group.
• Caution: there is a Meetup group called LGBTripeiros, but don't be fooled by the T in their name. It should be read as LGB Tripeiros, as the leader of the group is not inclusive of transgender people or even bisexual people in straight-passing relationships. I do not recommend!

Cost of Living

• The cost of living in Portugal varies widely depending on whether you live in one of the larger cities like Lisbon (most expensive) or Porto (less expensive than Lisbon) or in a smaller community. (But the further out you go from these major cities, the further you will be from LGBTQ+ community support and resources.) In general, even living in a city like Porto is more affordable than living anywhere in the U.S., especially if you have a source of income from the U.S. or a wealthier Western nation. When you factor in the things you won't pay for in Portugal—like expensive health insurance, deductibles, and copays—you just might discover that your income stretches much further. Also, in the cities, it's much easier to live car-free, unlike much of the U.S., and even if you do choose to have a car here, the cost of insurance is much lower. If you drive, be prepared to pay more for gas and tolls than you may be used to, however. We have also found that the cost of utilities, Internet, and mobile phone are significantly less expensive than anything available in the U.S.
• Rent is rising, but still generally more affordable than the U.S. and still among the lowest in the EU.
• Public transport is robust and affordable.
• Healthcare is free on the national health system (SNS). Private insurance is dramatically less expensive compared to the U.S., as is paying for care out of pocket with no coverage.
• Grocery prices are generally much lower than in the U.S. and among the lowest in the EU, though locals will tell you prices are rising (which is true).
• Education is... more to come!

Housing Access & Cost

• Navigating the rental and real estate market here without getting taken advantage of can be tricky. There are pitfalls you can avoid by talking to someone who has been through both the rental and purchase processes (contact TanzPortugal via the Signal group to schedule a consultation). That said, legal protections generally favor the renter over the landlord here. But expectations are very different from what renters are used to in the U.S. Especially if purchasing a property, I cannot stress enough that you need to have a good Portuguese attorney to help protect you and beware of some of the Realtors, even ones from big name real estate agencies. Try to use an agent recommended to you by someone with experience using their services. I don't want to say more than that on this public page, but you can reach out to me for a private discussion on what our experience was with a local Realtor and how we narrowly avoided financial catastrophe.
• Housing costs vary widely, so I will just share a general range for a one-bedroom (T1) apartment in and around the city of Porto, based on the most popular rental and real estate website, Idealista.pt. Currently the prices in a very desirable neighborhood of Porto (Ceidofeita) range from €750–1400. If you go a bit further out from the city center, across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia, a one-bedroom apartment in the popular Mafamude neighborhood will range from €750–1050. A bit further out still, but still accessible via the train/Metro, you can get a one-bedroom in Valadares for €650–950. Expect to pay significantly more to rent in Lisbon.
• Another thing to be aware of is that the monthly rent amount is often negotiable here, something we aren't so accustomed to in the U.S. Negotiating for a lower monthly rent can help to keep prices down overall, which the locals being priced out of their own communities will thank you for. You may especially be able to get more favorable lease terms if you have the means to pay for more months (or even a full year) up front (any locals competing with you for the same place will probably NOT thank you for this, however). This also gives the landlord assurance that you aren't going to turn into a bad debt, which can help when you are a foreigner they may be less willing to take a risk on.

Law Enforcement ("How bad are the cops?")

• As a queer, gender nonconforming, neurodivergent, but lily white American in the Porto area, I feel much less threatened by cops here than I did in the U.S., but that doesn't mean that there haven't been problems. In Lisbon, cops recently shot and killed a brown immigrant (ACAB!), and there were days of riots and heavy national news coverage as a result. But it's still rare here compared to the U.S. and really shocks the people's conscience when it does happen (as it should!). But what's noticeable to me is how much less noticeable their presence is. They don't lie in wait in unmarked vehicles on the highway waiting to trap you, for example. I also expect that people in Lisbon will have a different view of the police than in Porto or other cities/regions. Hopefully others will share their opinions on LE here, because as a white American with relative privilege, I feel pretty unqualified to address this.

Censorship & Digital Privacy

Portugal is much stronger on individual protections and freedoms when it comes to censorship and digital privacy than the U.S.

• In 2024, Portugal was ranked 7th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, with a score of 85.9 - Reporters Without Borders - Portugal
• Report finds that Portugal is low risk in the four major areas analyzed for media pluralism and media freedom - Media Pluralism Monitor 2024
• Portugal: Press freedom remains robust even as media face resource strains
• According to a 2021 European Cybersecurity Index report, Portugal Crowned Europe’s Most Cyber-Safe Country (Note: this needs further research/better source from someone who understands their way around this topic better... a more reputable source for cybersecurity info is European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, but I can't find any specific rankings from an official source to back up this claim about Portugal being the best in Europe.)

Ease of Travel to Other Countries

• It's easy and affordable to fly out of Portugal to many other nearby countries with several budget airline options available, especially if you are located in Lisbon or Porto, which have international airports. I once flew from Porto to London for €19 each way!
• It's a bit harder, but not impossible, to connect to the rest of Europe via rail, for now, but there are major infrastructure projects underway seeking to improve on this. It is possible to get to Spain by train from Portugal, but it will take a few changes and many hours depending on where you start from. I think Lisbon to Madrid currently takes at least 3 changes and about 10 hours. The planned high-speed train will reduce travel time from Lisbon to Madrid to about 3 hours. Once you get to Madrid, it's much easier to connect with the rest of Europe.
• If you want to avoid flying, for the time being your best option for getting between Portugal and Spain (and then on to the rest of the European continent) is by bus. The bus lines are very comfortable and modern and extremely cheap. I just randomly plugged in a date within the next month and found Flixbus tickets from Lisbon to Madrid for under €15 that will get you there in about 7.5 hours.

Animal Policies

• Portugal is very pet-friendly. They boast a higher rate of dog ownership than the U.S. If you are walking your dog, it is very likely that many people you pass will want to stop and love on it. We've actually made friends this way! Don't be too surprised to see dogs wandering free here, especially in the more rural areas. Watch out for the poop though! Some people (like us) pick up after our dogs, but many do not.
• Feral cats are a regular sight here, but they are generally well cared for by the community. It is common to see make-shift cat shelters throughout neighborhoods, and people regularly contribute food to these.
• When looking at rental housing listings, unless it specifically mentions no pets, it's probably safe to assume that pets are allowed, but it's still always a good idea to ask the potential landlord. Be prepared to pay for any damage your furbabies do, however.
• To bring a pet to Portugal takes some advance planning, but compared to many other countries we considered, we found it was among the easiest to meet requirements. I recommend using a local vet experienced with preparing pets to meet international travel requirements, and check the latest information at the official U.S. government site: Pet Travel From the United States to Portugal as well as the official EU site: Travelling with pets and other animals in the EU (there is a drop-down menu to select the country you are traveling from, such as the U.S., for specific info).

Language

While many Portuguese people do speak at least some English, especially in the larger cities, you should make an effort to learn the local language (and you will need to learn it well enough to pass an exam if you want to become a citizen one day). In our experience, the Portuguese people are very appreciative of people trying to learn their language, which they realize is a difficult one! European Portuguese is different enough that we recommend trying to learn it rather than Brazilian Portuguese. Unfortunately, many popular language learning apps like DuoLingo only offer Brazilian Portuguese at this time. It is better than nothing though. Check back as this section will have more suggestions soon for where and how to learn European Portuguese.

Additional Resources

Official government sites

• Portugal's official government website
• U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Portugal

Content related to moving to and living in Portugal

Essays

• The American Diaspora - An essay from 2023 documenting the growing exodus of Americans, including their own escape to Portugal, as people flee the U.S. due to political and social concerns
• Naysayers Gonna Naysay - A personal essay about confronting "naysayers" while emigrating from the U.S. to Portugal, emphasizing that international moves aren't just for the wealthy and are sometimes necessary for survival
• Laughing in Portuguese - An immigrant's personal observations on Portuguese humor, cultural misunderstandings, and the complexities of national identity
• Yearning for the post-collapse future - Reflections from a Portuguese immigrant on finding hope through a "magical" forest festival and witnessing a touching Pride parade moment where an elderly Portuguese man traded his national flag for a Pride flag

Podcasts

• Escaping Abroad - A podcast in which an immigrant shares their experience as an agender, queer, and neurodivergent person who fled the U.S. for Portugal
• A stream of our own - A podcast interview of Pussy LeBouton, a nonbinary, queer, and "neurospicy" musical performer and immigrant in Portugal who directs the Porto queer choir

Videos

• Expats Everywhere - YouTube channel by a very normie cishet couple, but they do offer a lot of useful personal insights about life as "expats" in Portugal, including tours and information about different cities and neighborhoods within cities, etc. Worth looking into if you're Portugal curious!

Contributor note

Some of the above information is their personal opinion based on TanzPortugal's own experiences living as an immigrant in Portugal.

Additional relocation support

TanzPortugal is in the process of forming a partnership with a well-known and reputable Portuguese immigration law firm, with whom they have experience working with. They are accepting consultation appointments by request and can help answer questions you have when deciding if Portugal is right for you, including support to help you get settled in Portugal as quickly and painlessly as possible, by helping to find suitable housing and getting it move-in ready.

Contact TanzPortugal for more information via the TransWorldExpress Signal group.