Partially located in the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, while also occupying the archipelagos of Azores and Madeira, the Republic of Portugal is the westernmost front of Europe. Spain is the only country that shares a land border with Portugal; having the Atlantic Ocean at the southern and western borders.
Moving to this beautiful country can be an adventure, full of colors, history, cuisine, customs, and festivities. Portuguese as a nation are very friendly and warm; having a relaxed laid-back attitude. Life moves at a gentle pace rather than zooming by at tremendous speed. Moving to a new country requires lots of research and preparation, here are a few things aspirants must consider before adopting Portugal as their new home.
Visa and permits
Portugal is a member of the EU and EEA since 1986. Citizens of any EU state can move to Portugal without a visa under the Freedom-of-Movement agreement. Third-country citizens are obligated to acquire a visa before entering Portugal and the type of visa needed depends on the duration and purpose of the visit; while the requirements for the visa depend on the applicant’s nationality.
A regular visit visa allows the bearer to stay in the country for 90 days continuously, whereas a long-term visa is valid for one year. The long-term visa may be extended provided the conditions are met; however, a visit visa can’t, it may be converted to long-term visa subject to conditions.
Be it a visit or on long-term visa the holder is not permitted to engage in employment or other financial activity such as self-employment, business, etc. To be able to work in Portugal a work visa is required.
Choosing where to live in Portugal
Proof of accommodation is one of the key requirements for visa application. Hotel reservations in case of a visit visa may suffice, but for a long-term or work visa application, a permanent address must be provided. The city and town in case of employment are determined by where the job is located, in other cases, the applicant must choose the place to live before moving in.
Preference of the applicant may vary between city centers such as Lisbon, or a luxury apartment in Algarve, to the mountainous family home facing the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on how much one wants to spend, Portugal offers lots of versatile living areas to match the expectations of the dwellers.
Health insurance
The state-sponsored healthcare program SNS is akin to UK’s NHS. Healthcare facilities under SNS provide free treatment and medication to all the citizens including expats. Some expats also opt for private health insurance plans from companies such as Allianz and Cigna Global, nonetheless having health insurance is another key requirement for visa application.
Finding a job
Jobs to third-country citizens are only possible when the employer establishes beyond doubt that the position cannot be filled by a Portuguese or EU citizen. Vacancies can be looked for on the internet, in local newspapers, or by contacting the local placement agents. In all cases, the employer initiates the application for a work visa, and only upon success the incumbent can apply for a work visa.
Culture and language
Portuguese is the official language of the country, which is basically the corrupted form of Latin. Though English is spoken and understood it is advised that a basic understanding of the language must be acquired before moving to Portugal. Portuguese love socialism and nationalism is its product, hence knowing their culture, cuisines, traditions, festivals, and traditions will help a great deal to assimilate into the new country.
Portugal was the first ever global empire which is evident in its rich vibrant architecture and cuisine. At one time in history, Portugal’s borders covered the land as far as Macau, which is part of China now (given back by Portugal in 1999). Brazil, parts of Asia and Africa, Goa (India), Angola, Mozambique, East Timor, and many other cities and countries were all part of the Portuguese kingdom.
