Relocation Guide
Moving From Verenigd Koninkrijk To Portugal
British citizens now need a visa to live in Portugal. The D7 suits retirees and people with rental or pension income, and the D8 suits remote workers. What is different from the UK: ACRO police certificates with FCDO apostilles, the S1 route for state pensioners, and the closure of the NHR tax regime that drew many earlier British movers.
Updated 1 oktober 2026
Quick answer
British citizens can move to Portugal on the D7 (passive income from €920 a month) or the D8 (€3,680 a month from remote work), applying at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre in the UK. Get an ACRO police certificate apostilled by the FCDO. The NHR regime is closed to new residents, so check how Portugal will tax your pension under the UK–Portugal treaty.
As of 1 oktober 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short visits | We confirm this for your case |
| Visa appointments | We confirm this for your case |
| Documents | Apostille accepted: your country is in the Hague Apostille ConventionSource · checked 2 oktober 2026 |
| Double tax treaty | A comprehensive income tax treaty is in forceSource · checked 2 oktober 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 Verenigd Koninkrijk
After Brexit
UK citizens can visit for 90 days in 180 but need a residence visa to live in Portugal, unless they were resident before 2021 under the Withdrawal Agreement.
ACRO and FCDO
Order an ACRO police certificate and have it, with civil documents, apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office, then translated where required.
Pensions without NHR
With NHR closed, UK private pensions are generally taxed in Portugal at normal rates under the treaty, while UK government pensions stay taxable in the UK. Model this before you move.
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 Verenigd Koninkrijk and replies within one working day.
Step by step from Verenigd Koninkrijk
Choose D7 or D8
D7 for pension, rental or investment income; D8 for remote work.
Documents
ACRO certificate, civil documents, FCDO apostilles, translations.
NIF, bank and accommodation
Portuguese tax number, bank account and a lease or property.
Apply in the UK
Submit the national visa at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre.
AIMA and healthcare
Attend AIMA in Portugal; state pensioners register their S1.
Documents and legalisation
Get public documents (birth and marriage certificates, police certificate, degrees) apostilled in Verenigd Koninkrijk, then have them translated by a sworn translator where the destination asks for it.
You will usually need a police certificate from Verenigd Koninkrijk 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.
Advisers who speak your language
Speak to someone who knows the process from Verenigd Koninkrijk.
- Marcus LeungHead of Asia PacificMandarin, English, Cantonese
- William HarringtonHead of Middle East & GCCArabic, English, French
Sources and review
Last updated 1 oktober 2026
- Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs: national visas
- AIMA (Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
- ACRO Criminal Records Office: police certificates
- GOV.UK: get a document legalised (apostille)
- GOV.UK: tax treaties
- 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.
Speak to a senior adviser
Not Sure Which Programme to Choose?
Book a one to one video consultation. We look at your goals, family and budget, then set out which programmes fit you, with the costs, timelines and next steps.
- Confidential, covered by an NDA
- Led by a senior adviser
- Final price shown before you book
Programme Review
You review your booking and pay securely on the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get NHR as a British retiree?
No. NHR is closed to new residents, and its replacement does not cover pensions.
Can I use the NHS once I live in Portugal?
No. State pensioners can register an S1 in Portugal; others need private insurance at first, then join the Portuguese health service as residents.
Can I exchange my UK driving licence?
Yes, resident UK licence holders can exchange their licence in Portugal; check the current deadline after you register.
How much income do I need for the D7?
At least €920 a month in 2026 for the main applicant, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% for each child.
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.
Explore further
Programmes, guides, insights and tools related to this page.