Portugalist - The Moving to Portugal Podcast

Where should you actually live in Portugal? It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a move, and it’s also one of the main reasons people get stuck. With so many towns, cities, and opinions out there, it’s easy to go round in circles and never feel confident enough to choose. A lot of people start by comparing individual places, but that’s usually not the best way to do it. Befo...

The EU Long-Term Residency Permit allows you to live and work in most EU countries after just 5 years of residency in Portugal, without needing Portuguese citizenship. For many people, this completely reshapes the long-term plan of moving to Portugal. 🔥 Why this matters Most newcomers assume the path is simple: temporary residency → Portuguese permanent residency → Portuguese citizenship. But the...

Portugal has just doubled its citizenship residency requirement—from 5 years to 10. So what does this actually mean for you? And is Portugal still worth considering as a place to live, retire, or base yourself in Europe? In October 2025, Portugal’s parliament approved an increase in the residency requirement for citizenship: 10 years for most applicants, and 7 years for those from Portuguese-speak...

Your Portugal scouting trip could be the most important trip you take this year—so let's make sure you do it right. In this comprehensive episode, James Cave from Portugalist.com breaks down exactly how to plan a successful scouting trip to Portugal. This isn't tourist advice—this is a strategic reconnaissance mission for aspiring expats who want to figure out if Portugal is right for th...

What’s it really like to live in Silves — a medieval Algarve town with cobblestone streets, citrus groves, and a red sandstone castle overlooking it all? In this episode, Portugalist takes you on a virtual scouting trip to Silves, Portugal — a place where history meets sunshine, and expats are finding their dream lifestyle. You’ll hear about the pros and cons of life in Silves, the cost of housing...

Thinking about Portugal for your remote-work base? In this episode, we go beyond the Instagram reels to break down the real day-to-day—rents that bite, houses without heating, slow-moving bureaucracy, integration hurdles, language realities, taxes, and mixed local attitudes—alongside the reasons so many nomads still choose Portugal: lifestyle, safety, community, beaches, and a clear residency path...

Thinking about moving to Portugal? In this episode of the Portugalist Virtual Scouting Trip series, James (creator of Portugalist.com and author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple ) takes you on an in-depth tour of Armação de Pêra , a small but lively coastal town in Portugal’s Algarve region. You'll discover: What day-to-day life feels like in Armação de Pêra Why it’s more affordable (and mor...

🇵🇹 Thinking about moving to Portugal and following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle? Choosing the right city can make a big difference. We explore some of the most plant-based-friendly places in the country — from major cities to coastal towns — where it's easier to find vegan and vegetarian options in restaurants, shops, and everyday life. Here are the top locations for vegans and vegetarians...

→ Free Moving to Portugal Consultation: https://www.portugalist.com/chat 💰 No Passive Income? You Can Still Move to Portugal on the D7 Visa! 🇵🇹 In this episode, we uncover the truth about using savings (instead of passive income) for your D7 visa application — and what your options are if you don’t qualify . 🔥 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The real likelihood of approval using only savings — with real-w...

🌍 Planning a move to Portugal? You’ll need a Portuguese tax number (otherwise known as a NIF)! 🇵🇹  👉 Let me save you some time...here's a list of all the different companies, how much they charge, and their delivery timeframes: https://www.portugalist.com/compare/nif-numbers/ If you’re thinking of living, working, opening a bank account, or renting a home in Portugal, your first step is get...

👉 Start your journey: https://www.portugalist.com/chat Thinking about moving to Portugal? Whether you're looking to leave the US, UK, or anywhere else — this is your go-to resource. This comprehensive guide covers every legal route to living in Portugal, tailored for retirees, digital nomads, students, EU citizens, and entrepreneurs alike. Get expert insights from top Portugal-based immigrat...

In this exciting episode of the Portugalist podcast, we speak to Kathleen Lo of Bordr.io, a company that can help you get a NIF number and open a Portuguese bank account. Kathleen discusses a little bit about how she ended up in Portugal as well as answers your burning questions about the NIF. If you'd like more info about the NIF, you may also like this article on Portugalist: 4 Ways to Get...