# Moving to Portugal (2026) > A step-by-step guide to moving to Portugal in 2026: visas, proof of funds, address registration, tax number, housing, jobs and universities. By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-portugal.com/moving 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. ## 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. - 1Get a NIF Visit a Finanças office or use a fiscal representative if you are a non-EU non-resident. - 2Open a Portuguese bank account A Portuguese IBAN strengthens visa files and lets you receive salary or pay rent. - 3Buy a Portuguese SIM or eSIM WOO, UZO and DIGI offer EUR 5 monthly plans with a real Portuguese number. - 4Arrange accommodation Use Idealista, Imovirtual or a mid-term platform such as Uniplaces or Spotahome. - 5Register your address or attend AIMA EU citizens apply for a CRUE; non-EU citizens attend their AIMA appointment before the visa expires. - 6Get 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. ## Related Guides [### Proof of Funds How much you need and what documents Portuguese consulates accept.](/moving/proof-of-funds)[### Student Visa From admission to AIMA appointment for international students.](/moving/student-visa)[### Work Permit Routes D1, D3 and other routes for non-EU workers.](/moving/work-permit-routes)[### Address Registration CRUE for EU citizens and address proof for non-EU residents.](/moving/address-registration)[### NIF, NISS and SNS Get your tax, social security and public health numbers.](/moving/tax-number-social-security-health-card)[### Housing How to rent a flat, avoid scams and understand the lease.](/moving/housing)[### Job Platforms The best platforms for English-speaking professionals.](/moving/job-platforms)[### Universities Top public and private universities and tuition fees.](/moving/universities-in-portugal) ## 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. --- Source: https://www.how-to-portugal.com/moving Last updated: n/a Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.