In recent years, the US has become politically more polarized than ever, with many feeling it is an unstable and even hostile environment. More Americans than ever before are looking to move overseas, within Europe being the preferred location due to its relative safety, prosperity, high quality of life and rich cultural diversity. But many US citizens view it as a dream that would require marrying a local, having existing family or being a high net-worth individual. Fortunately, the reality is that it is possible to immigrate to Portugal with relatively modest income and no existing friends or family there. This is true both for retirees and workers/entrepreneurs.

Pension, Investment or Real Estate Income

Portugal's D7 visa is intended for retirees and those with passive income through pensions, business dividends or real estate rental income.

To apply for a D7 visa, the process must start from the US. You apply for the visa from the Portuguese consulate that handles applications from your part of the US. I can help you with the preparations for this.

You get issued with an entry permit and can then come to Portugal and finish the process.

Once you have your residence permit, immediate family members may join you and we can apply for residence permits based on the "family reunification" rules.

Applicants for retirement need to prove their receipt of a pension or other income, that the funds are sufficient to support them and that they have suitable private health insurance in place. Private health insurance is far more affordable in Europe, with a retired couple paying less than €2000 per year. And residents are also able to use the SNS, the Portuguese national health service, for both emergency and non-emergency care.

I can advise on the exact requirements for your situation, help you prepare the necessary documents and attend appointments with you once you are in Portugal. I can also assist with associated tasks such as obtaining a taxpayer ID number (NIF), opening a local bank account and buying a property.

The income requirement for a D7 visa is 820€ per month, though this rises in line with the minimum wage each January, so I would generally advise a minimum income of at least €1000 to be safe. For additional family members add 50% for spouse and 30% for each child.

This enables the holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, which will initially be issued for a 2 year temporary residency permit. After this, the holder may renew for 3 years. At the end of this 5 year period, the holder can apply for permanent residence.

Once you are a permanent resident, you can also apply for nationality and obtain a Portugese passport. This makes you an EU citizen, and you are then entitled to live and work in any of the 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

You do not have to give up your US citizenship or passport, and so are free to vote, travel and live in the US at any point in the future if you ever change your mind.

Retirement in Europe can ease a lot of the stresses of worrying about crime and healthcare in the US, as well as the unstable and hostile political situation in the country. Please contact me to arrange a consulation and get the process started.

 

Work / Entrepreneur

For those of working age, the possibility of moving to Europe may seem even harder. But there are two good options available. It is difficult to find work in Portugal, especially if you don't speak Portuguese, but for those who have jobs or businesses where they work remotely, things are much easier.

For entrepreneurs, there is the D2 visa. I can help you set up a local company in Portugal with a bank account and complete the visa process.

You apply for the visa from the Portuguese consulate that handles applications from your part of the US and then travel to Portugal to complete the process.

Once you have your residence permit, immediate family members may join you and we can apply for residence permits based on the "family reunification" rules.

Applicants for a D2 entrepreneur visa need to prove their income and that the funds are sufficient to support themselves and their family. You need to have suitable private health insurance in place but this is far more affordable in Europe, with a couple paying less than €2000 per year. And residents are also able to use the SNS, the Portuguese national health service, for both emergency and non-emergency care.

I can advise on the exact requirements for your situation, help you prepare the necessary documents and attend appointments with you once you are in Portugal. I can also assist with associated tasks such as obtaining a taxpayer ID number (NIF), opening a local bank account and buying a property.

The income requirement for a D2 visa is 820€ per month, though this rises in line with the minimum wage each January, so I would generally advise a minimum income of at least €1000 to be safe. For additional family members add 50% for spouse and 30% for each child.

For remote workers, there is also the option of a D8 visa. The income requirement is higher (4x that of the D2 visa), but this allows you to work remotely for a US employer or your own US company.

These visas enable the holder to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, which will initially be issued for a 2 year temporary residency permit. After this, the holder may renew for 3 years. At the end of this 5 year period, the holder can apply for permanent residence.

Once you are a permanent resident, you can also apply for nationality and obtain a Portugese passport. This makes you an EU citizen, and you are then entitled to live and work in any of the 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

You do not have to give up your US citizenship or passport, and so are free to vote, travel and live in the US at any point in the future if you ever change your mind.

For many US citizens, the possibility of a life in Europe doesn't have to be an impossible dream. If you wish to discuss your options further, please conntact me and you could be just a few months away from a new life.