Another great post! We've been in Portugal for a little over 2 years now. In fact, our initial residency permit cards expire this week. That's one of the downsides, the occasional bureaucratic tangles, as we wait for a chance to renew. Fortunately, the Portuguese government has extended all permits and visa until June 30, 2025, but it does limit our travel options a bit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Great recommendation for Relocate to Portugal. They helped with our visa, our residency permit, and also with the purchase of our home here in Braga. Their website has pricing for all their services, so no surprises. Anyone who hire's a lawyer for their visa work is making a massive mistake, when there are agencies like RTP who do a much better job at a much better price.
Minor point regarding the NIF. There really isn't a US equivalent; the social security number comes close, but there are some important differences. First, Portugal also issues a social security number called the NISS for accessing those benefits and, if working, to track your payments into the social security system here. So here, you have a tax ID number and a social security number, where in the US, one number pulls double-duty. Also, your NIF is safe to share and not a fraud vector like it can be in the US.
Finally, about learning the language. That's a tricky process, and any attempt to learn prior to moving, or shortly after you arrive in Portugal will almost certainly fail. Apps and online courses are great, but for most folks moving to a new country, there is so much else going on that a self-paced language course will always get derailed by all the other important & time-consuming work going on during that time. Still worth trying, as you will at least learn a few things, but don't beat yourself up for falling short. Once you've settled in, look for the Portuguese PLA language program sponsored by the Portuguese government. Free, and lasts about 6 months with in-person classes twice a week, 3 hours per class. A total of 150 hours of class time. These classes start in September, so check for local options at the beginning of the summer to sign up, as they do fill up fast. The course is broken up in 6 25-hour segments, each segment has a test. Pass all 6 tests, you earn your A1/A2 certificate which is valid for citizenship or permanent residency.
Hi Nancy. Thank you for all the guidance, suggestions, and shared experiences. I'm planning a two week trip to Portugal in January. I'm so excited! My plan is to exit the states in the first 6-8 months. I'm retired, on SS, selling house and automobile. I'm done and leaving! There is no such thing as quality of life in the states.
I was fortunate when buying my apartment in VRSA that the agency recommended a fantastic lawyer/advogado who for a modest Eu 150 a year handles all my tax and legal dealings. (He also has a fabulous Christmas party in Tavira)
I have been following your writings for several years now. You and Denise were always the ones who spoke bluntly from your personal experience. It has encouraged my husband to get on board with "our" plan to move to Portugal. We arrived to our new home (rental apt) in Porto on March 1, 2023. Like you two, we are not going back. Like you folks we find the health care and the general feeling of safety in Portugal to make living here so rational. Like you we love our quality of life over the past 21 months. And like you, we are not going back. Thank you for your guidance and information over the years. You calmed many of our nerves. If you ever find yourselves up north, would love to meet you.
Yes, I resemble your (snarky 😉) remark about searching for cranberry sauce! And indeed, I found it in the Brit store in Portimão for our little Thanksgiving get-together. As an American immigrant I ask (rhetorically anyway), "what's wrong with that?" I'd imagine that a Portuguese family celebrating in the U.S. might hit up a bakery for a box of pastéis de nada.
When it comes to incorporating immigrants into their culture, the United States calls itself a "melting pot" – expecting everybody to assimilate or blend in (of course, that's a fallacy given that these days it's next to impossible for a non-white face to "blend in"). I always much preferred Canada's approach in referring to its diversity – as being a cultural mosaic, where each cultural group retains its own identity while contributing to the nation as a whole (it's probably more of an intention than a reality, but at least the intention's there).
So embracing the latter, I'd suggest incorporating aspects of our former home country that bring us joy is an integral part of the "settling" process. To be clear, this is quite different than being the "ugly American", which is never a good look, anywhere.
I appreciate your detailed account here and the time and work you invested in rounding up all the resources for someone considering a move. I plan to write a blog for my Substack about all the congratulatory remarks Ron and I have gotten post-election (i.e.: You should never be happier to be an expat.☹️) and intend to include this post of yours! Thanks again!
I do understand the desire for familiar foods...particularly cranberry sauce. My issue is with the folks I meet who complain that the food is different. Of course it is, you are living in a different country.
Nice post Nancy. I was one of these people who followed all the rules to obtain a drivers license, paid all the costs, hired an advocate and gave up my license to the Portuguese authorities. I NEVER got it. My suggestion to anyone trying to obtain a Portuguese license is to tell your home state that you "lost" yours and obtain a duplicate. Is that legal? Probably not, but I'm still driving today - at least in the US!
Another great post! We've been in Portugal for a little over 2 years now. In fact, our initial residency permit cards expire this week. That's one of the downsides, the occasional bureaucratic tangles, as we wait for a chance to renew. Fortunately, the Portuguese government has extended all permits and visa until June 30, 2025, but it does limit our travel options a bit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Great recommendation for Relocate to Portugal. They helped with our visa, our residency permit, and also with the purchase of our home here in Braga. Their website has pricing for all their services, so no surprises. Anyone who hire's a lawyer for their visa work is making a massive mistake, when there are agencies like RTP who do a much better job at a much better price.
Minor point regarding the NIF. There really isn't a US equivalent; the social security number comes close, but there are some important differences. First, Portugal also issues a social security number called the NISS for accessing those benefits and, if working, to track your payments into the social security system here. So here, you have a tax ID number and a social security number, where in the US, one number pulls double-duty. Also, your NIF is safe to share and not a fraud vector like it can be in the US.
Finally, about learning the language. That's a tricky process, and any attempt to learn prior to moving, or shortly after you arrive in Portugal will almost certainly fail. Apps and online courses are great, but for most folks moving to a new country, there is so much else going on that a self-paced language course will always get derailed by all the other important & time-consuming work going on during that time. Still worth trying, as you will at least learn a few things, but don't beat yourself up for falling short. Once you've settled in, look for the Portuguese PLA language program sponsored by the Portuguese government. Free, and lasts about 6 months with in-person classes twice a week, 3 hours per class. A total of 150 hours of class time. These classes start in September, so check for local options at the beginning of the summer to sign up, as they do fill up fast. The course is broken up in 6 25-hour segments, each segment has a test. Pass all 6 tests, you earn your A1/A2 certificate which is valid for citizenship or permanent residency.
Hi Nancy. Thank you for all the guidance, suggestions, and shared experiences. I'm planning a two week trip to Portugal in January. I'm so excited! My plan is to exit the states in the first 6-8 months. I'm retired, on SS, selling house and automobile. I'm done and leaving! There is no such thing as quality of life in the states.
I was fortunate when buying my apartment in VRSA that the agency recommended a fantastic lawyer/advogado who for a modest Eu 150 a year handles all my tax and legal dealings. (He also has a fabulous Christmas party in Tavira)
Can you share your lawyers name?
Yes, he is called Rui Horta and the company is
Tavira Lawyers
Rua 1º de Maio, nº 9
8800-360 Tavira, Portugal
www.taviralawyers.com
We are definitely here in Portugal to stay! Thanks for the comprehensive overview.
"Quality of life – It may be hard to define, but you know it when you experience it."
Perfectly put, Nancy!
I'm coming up on two years here now and that sums things up perfectly.
Love "you'll know it when you experience it!" That's been our mantra for years and it's been even more true here. Thanks, as always, for your writing.
I have been following your writings for several years now. You and Denise were always the ones who spoke bluntly from your personal experience. It has encouraged my husband to get on board with "our" plan to move to Portugal. We arrived to our new home (rental apt) in Porto on March 1, 2023. Like you two, we are not going back. Like you folks we find the health care and the general feeling of safety in Portugal to make living here so rational. Like you we love our quality of life over the past 21 months. And like you, we are not going back. Thank you for your guidance and information over the years. You calmed many of our nerves. If you ever find yourselves up north, would love to meet you.
Odd that a campaign slogan ("Not going back") has become our life slogan.
Yes, I resemble your (snarky 😉) remark about searching for cranberry sauce! And indeed, I found it in the Brit store in Portimão for our little Thanksgiving get-together. As an American immigrant I ask (rhetorically anyway), "what's wrong with that?" I'd imagine that a Portuguese family celebrating in the U.S. might hit up a bakery for a box of pastéis de nada.
When it comes to incorporating immigrants into their culture, the United States calls itself a "melting pot" – expecting everybody to assimilate or blend in (of course, that's a fallacy given that these days it's next to impossible for a non-white face to "blend in"). I always much preferred Canada's approach in referring to its diversity – as being a cultural mosaic, where each cultural group retains its own identity while contributing to the nation as a whole (it's probably more of an intention than a reality, but at least the intention's there).
So embracing the latter, I'd suggest incorporating aspects of our former home country that bring us joy is an integral part of the "settling" process. To be clear, this is quite different than being the "ugly American", which is never a good look, anywhere.
I appreciate your detailed account here and the time and work you invested in rounding up all the resources for someone considering a move. I plan to write a blog for my Substack about all the congratulatory remarks Ron and I have gotten post-election (i.e.: You should never be happier to be an expat.☹️) and intend to include this post of yours! Thanks again!
I do understand the desire for familiar foods...particularly cranberry sauce. My issue is with the folks I meet who complain that the food is different. Of course it is, you are living in a different country.
Nice post Nancy. I was one of these people who followed all the rules to obtain a drivers license, paid all the costs, hired an advocate and gave up my license to the Portuguese authorities. I NEVER got it. My suggestion to anyone trying to obtain a Portuguese license is to tell your home state that you "lost" yours and obtain a duplicate. Is that legal? Probably not, but I'm still driving today - at least in the US!
I agree…..if possible tell a little white lie and get a second license before you come to PT.