Nancy, thanks so much for your shout-out about my Wine is Cheaper Than Water story! Personally, I began reading your insightful blog last year as we readied ourselves for our move from Florida – taking in your keen perspectives on the challenges and delights of our new home and its culture.
This was short, concise, packed with great and helpful information. I really appreciated this as it hadn't been relayed in any of the information I've read (the visa to look for work). The young people wanting information on working in Portugal especially need to know this.
Thanks for posting this - and also for pointing out the AFIP Facebook group. Thanks to the group, we did not have to hire anyone for help - and we were alerted in advance to potential problems to avoid.
That's a great summary of the major visa options. We took the "do it yourself" route for a D7 visa and agree with your assessment - you can do it. It takes a bit (no, a lot) of patience, but you need to build up those patience muscles for when you get to Portugal and have the fun of dealing with the bureaucracy - government and business. However, the ready availability of excellent, inexpensive wine and the great weather more than make up for the paperwork hassles!
Our 2 year anniversary of living here is this week. I poke my husband in the arm every day when we walk out on to the terrace of our mountain house in the Algarve look at out the stunning views and say in disbelief, awe and wonderment "Do we really live here?"
When I read this sentence Nancy in your post this morning it resonated so much "At first, you might feel overwhelmed by the process, but relocation companies can’t do everything for you." When we moved from the USA and did all the preparation of selling up there (during covid), the Portuguese paperwork, were unable to travel to Portugal, bought a house remotely, not able to get a meeting with the Consulate or accept a visa application it was so daunting but we did it. When we finally got into the Consulate for submitting our application, I had driven an hour from my house to a Portuguese bakery the day before and bought them a dozen Pastels de Natas which helped sweeten everything!
The sense of achievement every time we checked a box was so gratifying on the road to our new life. We didn't have many sources of information a few years ago but stumbling upon Nancy's blog Expat in Portugal very early in the game and remembering our first Zoom call with Nanc and Denise and hearing the story of their moving here negated any doubts and we pushed on to the next hurdle. You don't need a relocation company, you can do it and there are so many people, groups out there to help you. I am now one of those helping my fellow American friends doing what we did. Thanks for the encouragement and help Nanc and Denise! ❤️ Eu Amo Portugal 🇵🇹
Ótimo Nancy! Mais uma vez, apreciando seu compromisso em ajudar os outros.
We were D7 "do it ourselves". Took only 5 months from first visit to Poruguese consulate to the 2-year residency permit in hand. And as it is Portugal, two weeks ago a friend had SEF interview, lasted 15 minutes, and housing contract never mentioned! Pass the wine😊.
We all seem to have different experiences with the SEF residency meeting. Mine was short and sweet...Denise's took 45 minutes. A friend recently was asked for all sorts of documentation that I was not asked for. Lastly, would you prefer tinto or branco?
Nancy, thanks so much for your shout-out about my Wine is Cheaper Than Water story! Personally, I began reading your insightful blog last year as we readied ourselves for our move from Florida – taking in your keen perspectives on the challenges and delights of our new home and its culture.
With gratitude, Becca Williams
Really interesting and helpful. Thank you!
This was short, concise, packed with great and helpful information. I really appreciated this as it hadn't been relayed in any of the information I've read (the visa to look for work). The young people wanting information on working in Portugal especially need to know this.
Thanks for posting this - and also for pointing out the AFIP Facebook group. Thanks to the group, we did not have to hire anyone for help - and we were alerted in advance to potential problems to avoid.
Hi Nancy,
That's a great summary of the major visa options. We took the "do it yourself" route for a D7 visa and agree with your assessment - you can do it. It takes a bit (no, a lot) of patience, but you need to build up those patience muscles for when you get to Portugal and have the fun of dealing with the bureaucracy - government and business. However, the ready availability of excellent, inexpensive wine and the great weather more than make up for the paperwork hassles!
Our 2 year anniversary of living here is this week. I poke my husband in the arm every day when we walk out on to the terrace of our mountain house in the Algarve look at out the stunning views and say in disbelief, awe and wonderment "Do we really live here?"
When I read this sentence Nancy in your post this morning it resonated so much "At first, you might feel overwhelmed by the process, but relocation companies can’t do everything for you." When we moved from the USA and did all the preparation of selling up there (during covid), the Portuguese paperwork, were unable to travel to Portugal, bought a house remotely, not able to get a meeting with the Consulate or accept a visa application it was so daunting but we did it. When we finally got into the Consulate for submitting our application, I had driven an hour from my house to a Portuguese bakery the day before and bought them a dozen Pastels de Natas which helped sweeten everything!
The sense of achievement every time we checked a box was so gratifying on the road to our new life. We didn't have many sources of information a few years ago but stumbling upon Nancy's blog Expat in Portugal very early in the game and remembering our first Zoom call with Nanc and Denise and hearing the story of their moving here negated any doubts and we pushed on to the next hurdle. You don't need a relocation company, you can do it and there are so many people, groups out there to help you. I am now one of those helping my fellow American friends doing what we did. Thanks for the encouragement and help Nanc and Denise! ❤️ Eu Amo Portugal 🇵🇹
We love you too!
Tinto por favor🙏🏽😉
Ótimo Nancy! Mais uma vez, apreciando seu compromisso em ajudar os outros.
We were D7 "do it ourselves". Took only 5 months from first visit to Poruguese consulate to the 2-year residency permit in hand. And as it is Portugal, two weeks ago a friend had SEF interview, lasted 15 minutes, and housing contract never mentioned! Pass the wine😊.
We all seem to have different experiences with the SEF residency meeting. Mine was short and sweet...Denise's took 45 minutes. A friend recently was asked for all sorts of documentation that I was not asked for. Lastly, would you prefer tinto or branco?