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Moving to Portugal (2026)

By Jules de Bruin, Market ResearcherUpdated August 17 2026 | Found helpful by 4 others

Updated August 2026. Portugal has no blocked-account requirement. You prove funds with Portuguese bank statements, an employment contract, a scholarship letter or a Termo de Responsabilidade from a resident sponsor. The first document to get is your NIF, followed by your residence permit appointment at AIMA for non-EU citizens or a CRUE at the Câmara for EU citizens. The 2026 minimum wage is EUR 920 per month and D7 applicants must show at least that amount.

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What Should You Do in Your First Week in Portugal?

The order matters. Start with documents that unlock everything else, then set up daily services.

  1. 1

    Get a NIF

    Visit a Finanças office or use a fiscal representative if you are a non-EU non-resident.

  2. 2

    Open a Portuguese bank account

    A Portuguese IBAN strengthens visa files and lets you receive salary or pay rent.

  3. 3

    Buy a Portuguese SIM or eSIM

    WOO, UZO and DIGI offer EUR 5 monthly plans with a real Portuguese number.

  4. 4

    Arrange accommodation

    Use Idealista, Imovirtual or a mid-term platform such as Uniplaces or Spotahome.

  5. 5

    Register your address or attend AIMA

    EU citizens apply for a CRUE; non-EU citizens attend their AIMA appointment before the visa expires.

  6. 6

    Get your NISS and SNS utente number

    Register for social security and public healthcare once you have residence or a work contract.

Which Visa or Permit Do You Need?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa. After three months they should request a CRUE at the Câmara Municipal of their residence area.

Non-EU citizens normally apply for a national (D) visa at a Portuguese consulate before travelling, then attend AIMA in Portugal to collect their residence permit. Common routes include:

  • D7: for retirees and people with regular passive income.
  • D1: for workers with a Portuguese job offer.
  • D3: for highly qualified activity.
  • Student visa: for admitted students at a Portuguese institution.
Illustration of a passport, an entry stamp, and a document, for Portuguese visa and residence permit applications.
Passport, stamp, permit: your Portuguese immigration path.

How Do You Prove You Can Afford to Move?

Portugal does not use a blocked account. The strongest evidence is a consistent balance in a Portuguese bank account over 6 to 12 months. Other accepted documents include an employment contract, a scholarship letter that states a monthly amount, or a notarised Termo de Responsabilidade signed by a Portuguese-resident sponsor.

As of 2026, the D7 route requires income at least equal to the guaranteed monthly minimum wage of EUR 920, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% for each child.

How Do You Register With the Portuguese Authorities?

The three numbers every resident needs are:

  • NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal): issued by Finanças. Free and usually same day in person.
  • NISS (Número de Identificação da Segurança Social): issued by Segurança Social, often automatically at AIMA appointments since mid-2026.
  • Número de Utente do SNS: registers you with the public health service at your local Centro de Saúde.

How Do You Find Housing in Portugal?

Long-term rentals are listed on Idealista and Imovirtual. Landlords often ask for a fiador (guarantor), several months rent in advance, or proof of income. Mid-term furnished options such as Uniplaces, Spotahome and Flatio let you book before arrival without a fiador.

How Do You Find Work in Portugal?

LinkedIn and Landing.Jobs are the best channels for English-speaking professionals, especially in Lisbon and Porto. Indeed Portugal offers quick apply and salary filters, while Turijobs covers hospitality and seasonal roles.

What Are the Best Universities in Portugal?

Public universities charge EU students around EUR 697 per year in 2025/26. Non-EU fees vary from roughly EUR 3,000 to EUR 7,000 per year depending on the faculty. The University of Porto, University of Lisbon and NOVA University Lisbon are the largest and most internationally ranked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing to do when moving to Portugal?

Get a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal). It is free, often issued the same day at a Finanças office, and you need it for every contract, bank account and service.

Do EU citizens need a visa for Portugal?

No. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter and stay freely. After three months they should request a CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) at their local Câmara Municipal.

How much money do you need to show for a Portuguese visa?

For the D7 passive-income route the main applicant must show at least the guaranteed monthly minimum wage, EUR 920 per month in 2026, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per child. Students must show they can cover living costs, often evidenced by a Portuguese bank balance and scholarship or income documents.

How do you register an address in Portugal?

EU citizens register with the Câmara Municipal for a CRUE. Non-EU citizens prove their address as part of the AIMA residence-permit process and update it through Portal das Finanças after moving.