Relocation guide
Moving from Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες to Πορτογαλία
Americans moving to Portugal mostly use the D7 for retirement or passive income and the D8 for remote work. What is different from the US: you apply through the Portuguese consulate (and its visa centre) that covers your state, the FBI check needs a federal apostille, and the US keeps taxing you as a citizen. The old NHR tax regime is closed to new arrivals.
Updated 1 Οκτωβρίου 2026
Quick answer
US citizens can move to Portugal on the D7 (passive income from €920 a month) or the D8 digital nomad visa (€3,680 a month from remote work). Apply at the Portuguese consulate covering your state, with an apostilled FBI background check, a Portuguese tax number and usually a Portuguese bank account. The US–Portugal tax treaty and totalization agreement apply.
As of 1 Οκτωβρίου 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short visits | No visa needed for visits of up to 90 days in 180 (ETIAS will apply once it launches)Source · checked 2 Οκτωβρίου 2026 |
| Visa appointments | We confirm this for your case |
| Documents | Apostille accepted: your country is in the Hague Apostille ConventionSource · checked 2 Οκτωβρίου 2026 |
| Double tax treaty | A comprehensive income tax treaty is in forceSource · checked 2 Οκτωβρίου 2026 |
| Dual citizenship | We confirm this for your case |
| Minimum | €920 a month (100% of the 2026 minimum wage); +50% for a spouse, +30% per childSource |
What is different from Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες
NIF and bank account first
Applicants usually need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and often a Portuguese bank account before the visa appointment, and accommodation evidence in Portugal. Allow time for these if you are not yet in Portugal.
FBI check with a federal apostille
The criminal record certificate is an FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the US Department of State.
US taxes and Portuguese residence
The US taxes citizens wherever they live; Portugal taxes residents on worldwide income. The NHR regime has closed to new residents; its replacement (IFICI) is limited to specific professions, so most retirees no longer get a special rate. Take cross-border tax advice.
Routes open to you
Figures are statutory minimums from official sources. Official fees are estimates and change; our own fees are quoted for your case.
D7 passive income visa
Retirees and people with regular passive income (pension, rent, dividends).
- Minimum
- €920 a month (100% of the 2026 minimum wage); +50% for a spouse, +30% per child
- Official fees
- Consular visa fee: €90
- Path
- Citizenship after 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking CPLP nationals) under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026
D8 digital nomad visa
Remote workers and freelancers with clients or employers outside Portugal.
- Minimum
- €3,680 a month (4× the 2026 minimum wage)
- Official fees
- Consular visa fee: €90
- Path
- Citizenship after 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026
Not sure which route fits?
An adviser checks your eligibility from Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες and replies within one working day.
Step by step from Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες
Choose D7 or D8
D7 for pensions, rental income or dividends; D8 for remote employment or freelance work for non-Portuguese clients.
Get a NIF and bank account
Obtain a Portuguese tax number and open a bank account; show accommodation in Portugal.
Prepare US documents
FBI check with federal apostille, income evidence and travel or health insurance.
Apply at your consulate
Submit at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre for your state.
AIMA appointment
Enter Portugal on the visa and attend the AIMA appointment for your residence permit.
Documents and legalisation
Get public documents (birth and marriage certificates, police certificate, degrees) apostilled in Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες, then have them translated by a sworn translator where the destination asks for it.
You will usually need a police certificate from Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες and from every other country you have lived in recently.
Where to apply
Apply for the national (D) visa at the Portuguese consulate or its visa centre in your country of legal residence, then complete the residence permit with AIMA in Portugal.
Tax: what to check before you move
Double tax treaty: A comprehensive income tax treaty is in force Listed in AT CDT table 2023
General information, not tax advice. Tax points on this page are awaiting review by a tax specialist.
Sources and review
Last updated 1 Οκτωβρίου 2026
- Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs: national visas
- AIMA (Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
- FBI: Identity History Summary checks
- US Department of State: authentications (apostilles for federal documents)
- IRS: US citizens and resident aliens abroad
- US Social Security: international agreements
- Portuguese Tax Authority: double taxation conventions
Parts of this page are awaiting review by our legal team; we confirm every point for your case before you apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Which visa is better for Americans, D7 or D8?
D7 if your income is passive (pension, rent, dividends); D8 if you work remotely. The D8 needs a higher income, €3,680 a month in 2026.
Can I still get NHR in Portugal?
No. NHR is closed to new residents. The IFICI regime applies only to certain qualifying professions and activities.
Do I need to file US taxes from Portugal?
Yes. US citizens file every year regardless of residence; the treaty and foreign tax credits reduce double taxation.
How long until Portuguese citizenship?
Under the nationality law in force since 19 May 2026, citizenship needs 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking CPLP nationals). We confirm how your residence periods count.
Which route suits me best?
It depends on your goal: living in the country, a second passport, tax planning or a base for your family. The routes on this page are ranked by fit for people moving from your country.
How long does it take to move?
Timelines depend on the route, the completeness of your file and government processing. Each programme page shows its published processing range.
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