moving to portugal from uk

Moving to Portugal from UK | Your Complete Checklist

Thinking about making the switch from the UK to sunny Portugal? When you think of the seemingly never-ending sunshine, relaxed culture and lower cost of living, who can blame you! 

The only problem is that moving can be stressful, expensive and time-consuming. Luckily for you, that’s where we come in. To help you start your new life without a worry in the world, we’ve put together the ultimate checklist that will allow you to get the basics in order with ease. Take a couple of minutes to read through it, save it to your favourites, and then get in touch whenever you need us. With the experts on moves to Portugal on your side, it really is that simple to start your new life. 

Moving to Portugal from UK: Visas 

Because of the complications of Brexit the rules for travel and residency in Portugal have changed. As of January 1, 2021, you’ll be required to apply for a D7 before leaving for Portugal. This will allow you to remain in the country for up to 2 years, and give you the freedom to work and own property. You will then have to apply to renew it, so make sure you leave plenty of time so you can make alternative plans if the need arises. 

The good news for those of you who want to escape the paperwork as soon as possible is that after 5 years, you can apply for permanent right to remain. This means that as long as you abide by Portuguese law, you can stay for the rest of your life.  

Here’s the 3 key things to remember when applying for D7 visa as a UK citizen: 

  • You will have the right to work and to remain provided you adhere to the local laws and customs 
  • Applications must be made from the UK and not once you arrive Portugal
  • You will need to be able to supply a valid UK passport, 2 passport photos and sometimes you will be asked for proof of funds if you have economic dependents 

Upon Arrival to Portugal

When moving to Portugal there are a few things to upon arrival:

  • You will need to complete a passenger locator form on your flight which shows where you plan on staying. This is to help the local authorities track who is coming and going and is not something to worry about 
  • If you are asked to submit additional information upon arrival, you will find that every Portuguese airport is staffed by fluent English speakers who will guide you through the process. Stay calm, work through the paperwork step by step, and you will be at your new home before you know it! 

If possible, you will also want to hire the services of someone fluent in Portuguese and English to act as a translator when you come to set up services. Things like banks, shops and utility companies will have a lower level of English speaking knowledge, particularly as you journey further from Lisbon. 

Health insurance in Portugal

Private health insurance is the norm in Portugal, with prices starting from as little as  €20 per month per person. For those looking for a comprehensive service that covers the entire family, you can expect to pay in the region of €1,000 per year in total. These are additional expenses that you may not think of because of how the UK system is set up. Give it a little thought and find your preferred option prior to departing. Making sure you’re covered isn’t the most exciting part of starting a new life, but it’s certainly one of the most important.  

Cost of living in Portugal vs. UK

One of the really great things about Portugal is the very low cost of living compared to the UK. It’s consistently ranked as one of the cheapest places to live in Western Europe, which is good for those looking to cut back. The only potential downside is that local wages tend to be lower than you would find in the UK for comparable roles. That means if you want to make the most of the reduced cost of living, having savings to supplement you will be very helpful. And if you have the freedom to work remotely for a UK company, you’ll be able to enjoy UK wages and Portuguese prices. 

The typical cost of living for a flat in a major city centre would be in the region of  €1,200 per month. This would include all utilities, public transport use and groceries. 

Moving Around in Portugal

Public transport is popular, reliable and well-financed in terms of its infrastructure in Portugal. As with every country it works best in dense metropolitan areas where the frequency of rides is much higher. Railcards and bus cards offer discounts for repeat riders, something which is ideal for those looking to reduce the cost of the daily commute into the heart of the city. The cost of running a car is cheaper in absolute terms than the UK, but would still occupy the same proportion of your monthly income as in the UK. The longer you plan to stay in Portugal, the more useful you’ll find expressing costs as a percentage of your monthly income. This allows you to see the real picture of the state of your prospective finances because you’ll be taking into account the reduced wages, not just the reduced cost of living. 

Moving to Portugal from UK: Removals Companies

Moving to sunny Portugal from the UK? Our Portugal Removals Service can help take the hard work out of your exciting new adventure. With over 20 years of experience under our belt, we’ve seen it all and done it all when it comes to moving you and your family onto the continent. Just what you want to hear when you need the peace of mind that makes all the difference. 

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