Portugal

Disclaimer

The information on this page has been compiled and written by JD, an agender, queer, neurodivergent, and disabled American immigrant who has been living with their trans wife-to-be in Portugal for two years. They have done their best to source the latest and most accurate information, but they are not an immigration expert. Some of the information is their personal opinion based on their own experience as an immigrant in Portugal.

JD is in the process of forming a partnership with a well-known and reputable Portuguese immigration law firm (the firm they have relied on for the last two years) and are accepting consultation appointments by request. They can help answer questions you have when deciding if Portugal is right for you, and if desired, offer a variety of services to help you get settled in Portugal as quickly and painlessly as possible, including helping to find suitable housing and getting it move-in ready. Contact JD at: transporto.atypical271@passinbox.com

That said, please:

Verify all information below against other sources (as you should always do).
Be mindful that the situation in Portugal, and the global situation more broadly, is fluid. Things can rapidly change. Even "official" sources may be out of date or misleading.*
Please report any inaccuracies you see.

*I (JD) have personally experienced the frustration of encountering out-of-date/inaccurate information from "official" sources, including on Portuguese government sites. If you can possibly afford to do so, I strongly encourage using the services of a competent immigration attorney. Ours has spared us many headaches and from throwing money down the drain.

Overview of Portugal

Why Portugal?

Portugal is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to LGBTQ+ legal protections and inclusive community, further detailed in the LGBTQ+ Overview section below.

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.

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.

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

American immigrants are notorious here for having unrealistic expectations and 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 really is 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.

What is the political landscape like?

Finally, to address the "elephant in the room" since many are keenly interested in understanding the political landscape of any country they are considering emigrating to—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 neurodivergent person who heavily counts politics among my "special 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.

LGBTQ+ Overview

Here are 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 over the age of 15 can change their legal name and gender marker through self-determination.
Anti-discrimination laws: LGBTQ individuals are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, education, military service, public services, adoption, and blood donation.

Public healthcare coverage: Gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some surgeries, is covered by Portugal’s national health service (SNS). More about healthcare in the section below.
LGBTQ+ community: Many cities in Portugal have vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes, especially the two largest cities—Lisbon and Porto, as well as the more tourist-oriented cities in the Algarve—which play host to many Pride events throughout the year and have dedicated queer spaces. 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 are banned.

*A few words and personal observations about being an agender person in Portugal: while nonbinary is not yet a legally recognized gender in Portugal, there are associations advocating for change. I have found that 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 quite difficult since Portuguese is a gendered language.

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 or obtain additional care, you will just need to get an appointment with a sexologist and they will continue your 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 family doctor will refer you to the sexologist.

To address two of the primary trans healthcare questions you might have, here is what I can tell you 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 (though at first they gave her birth control pills because I think they didn't understand what she needed, so ask specifically for Zumenon tablets).

Testosterone: What I know about obtaining T in Portugal comes from what my son has told me about his own experience. He is also using the SNS and got referred for care by a sexologist via his family doctor. He learned that they do not allow self-injections here (and he said the medical professionals seemed horrified that people are expected to inject themselves in the U.S.!). To his delight, they have a kind of injection that he only has to get every three months though.

What this means, in practice, for someone coming here, however, is that this could be trickier for you to maintain a weekly dose of injected T while you wait to get enrolled in the SNS and then get a referral to a sexologist, so this is something you'll want to try to plan for, or possibly switch to gel before moving. If you obtain private insurance, I imagine the whole process will be faster for you.

Immigration

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

The most common visa types in Portugal are the D7 and D8, so I will provide the most detail on these, but I will also list and provide very basic info for some of the less common visa types, as well.

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

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

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.

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. (Note: I did not include the D5 visa 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.

Additional Resources

Official government sites

Content related to moving to and living in Portugal

Essays

The American Diaspora - An essay JD wrote in 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 - JD's 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 - JD's observations on Portuguese humor, cultural misunderstandings, and the complexities of national identity, explored through personal experiences and interactions as an immigrant in Portugal
Yearning for the post-collapse future - JD's reflections on finding hope through a "magical" forest festival and 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 JD was interviewed about their experience as an agender, queer, and neurodivergent person who fled the U.S. for Portugal
A stream of our own - A podcast episode in which JD interviews a fellow nonbinary, queer, neurodivergent immigrant in Portugal who is an amazing musical performer and the director of Porto's queer choir

Videos

Expats Everywhere - This is a YouTube channel by a very normie cishet couple (and it shows), 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!