Portugal constitutes a notable pole of attraction for the French and European citizens as a whole. The profile of those who wish to move to Portugal is very varied: retired people for the most part (80%), freelancers and entrepreneurs, executives etc… If the steps to move to Portugal are quite simple for European citizens, they must however follow a well-organized plan in order not to miss any important step during the process of moving to their final home. We will help you to summarize everything.
Who can move to Portugal?
Any European citizen can come and live in Portugal. However, they must comply with local laws and those of their country of origin. Thus, to move to Portugal, you can benefit from the status of non-habitual resident (RNH).
To obtain this status, there are certain indispensable conditions:
– not to have been resident in Portugal for the previous 5 years
– be retired
– or to work in a “high value added” profession (architect, engineer, artist, doctor, teacher, freelancer, accountant, etc.)
If you settle in Portugal without RNH status, you must obtain a compulsory residence permit with a registration certificate valid for five years and renewable. You will not be able to claim the advantageous tax regime of RNH. You will be taxed on your income like the Portuguese, at rates between 14% and 48%.
What are the formalities for moving to Portugal?
You must first obtain your tax number (NIF) to open a bank account. This NIF is systematically required for certain administrative procedures, so you must carry it with you at all times like a passport.
To obtain your NIF, you must go to the “Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira” with :
– an identity card or a passport
– a proof of French residence.
For your health coverage, you will benefit from the basic social security insurance in France thanks to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) available at your health insurance office.
Before moving to Portugal, ask for the E121/S1 document entitled “Inscription en vue de bénéficier de la couverture de l’assurance maladie” from your health insurance company and inform them of your move.
The administrative procedure for a move summarized
1- Apply for a NIF for non-resident foreigners with a valid passport and proof of address.
2- Open a bank account in a Portuguese bank with your income tax notice of the past year, your identity card or passport and the NIF.
3- Go to the City Hall with a rental contract to request the “Certificado de Registo” of your new residence.
4- Go to the Finance Department or “Loja de Cidadão” with the “Certificado de Registo” to ask for the update of your address and your NIF as resident status.
5- Ask for the status of RNH on the internet for example.
How to register your car?
You must register your car in Portugal within one year of obtaining your residency certificate. To avoid import taxes you have to pay attention to the two deadlines:
- 6 months of ownership BEFORE the residence certificate
- one year to complete the formalities AFTER the residence certificate.
Importing a vehicle in Portugal is done in 6 steps:
1- present the vehicle registration document, purchase invoice, certificate of conformity…
2- contact the Instituto de Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMTT) to obtain the Modelo 9 IMTT form.
3- contact the inspection center, Centros de Inspeção Técnica de Veículos (CITV), to obtain the Modelo 112 form and perform a technical control
4- contact the customs with the above mentioned forms to make the declaration of the vehicle (Declaração Aduaneira do Veiculo – DAV). On this occasion you will pay the vehicle tax (ISV).
5- apply to the IMTT for a registration certificate by presenting your DAV and a copy of the original car booklet
6- and finally, you must present it to a Conservatoria do Registo Automovel to register your vehicle.
Price of a move in Portugal
Depending on the conditions, prices can vary considerably. Count on 170 to 210 euros per m3 for Paris-Lisbon (“end-to-end” price: packing-transport-home delivery-unpacking).
Cities House 3 bedrooms T2, one bedroom
Paris/Lisbon 3800 to 5100€ 2300 to 3100
Paris/Porto 3400 to 4800€ 2100 to 3000€
Bordeaux/Lisbon 2700 to 3800€ 1700 to 2400
Marseille/Porto €2700 to €3800 €2100 to €2900
Lyon/Lisbon 3700 to 5000€ 2100 to 3100€
Precautions to take during your move
The French diplomacy website specifies that Portugal, being a member state of the European Union, does not impose any special customs formalities during your actual move.
For an international move, it is important to have as many guarantees as possible by using a professional mover with official certifications (NF Service, ISO 9002, etc.).
In which region should I move?
There are different regions in Portugal, very different in fact. As the country is all in length on a north-south axis, the variations of climate and landscapes are multiple and invigorating. As you read on, you will understand that we preferred the center of Portugal, secret and protected but connected to the big cities and with a moderate climate. However, each region has its own particularity, depending on your temperament.
Moving to the Algarve
The Algarve has a large part of the cultural and historical heritage of Portugal. Its beautiful coastline makes it a world-renowned region for tourism. The climate is welcoming and millions of tourists come here every year to enjoy it. Everything you could wish for is simply in the Algarve.
The Algarve has an international airport that allows you to reach not only other cities in the country but also the major European hubs. The road network is dense. The health care system is also very well developed, with both public and private institutions of high quality.
All this comes at a cost, however, and real estate prices per square meter are among the most expensive in Portugal, between 2000 and 3000€ depending on the area.
Moving to Lisbon
Each neighborhood in this city has a special atmosphere and tells a piece of history, starting with the Terreiro do Paço square, which is the largest and most emblematic square in the city. If Lisbon alone is worth a visit, its surroundings are not to be outdone. The coastal area of the Sintra-Caiscais Natural Park confirms this.
Lisbon’s road network radiates to all regions of Portugal. The highways are well maintained. The same is true of the rail network. The region has an international airport that allows you to travel anywhere in the world without any difficulty. The medical system is also at the cutting edge of medicine with highly rated private institutes and quality public institutions.
It is easy to find real estate in the Lisbon area. Prices can range from €1,500 to €3,500 per square meter, but the average is still slightly below that of real estate in the Algarve.
Moving to Porto
If the north of Portugal seems to be a less known region than its neighbors in terms of destination, it is a place that definitely deserves to be visited. The capital of the northern region of Portugal is simply Porto, a city not to be missed.
The vineyards of the Douro Valley, which are used to make the famous Port wine, play a central role in the economy of the region, which has been awarded the DOC designation, the equivalent of the PDO in France. Tourism is a rapidly growing activity and wine tourism has been increasing in recent years.
Porto has an airport, useful for national and international travel, often at very low cost. In a city like Porto, it is necessary to count around 900 euros per m2 and 4 euros per m2 of rent per month which is very cheap compared to 10 euros per month and per m2 for a medium-sized French city.
