Guides for Portugal

Practical guides checked against official sources. Filter by topic to find what you need next.

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ArrivalLocal guide Your first 30 days in Lisbon – a checklistA practical checklist for your first month in Lisbon: emergency numbers, NIF and NISS, transport pass, bank account, SNS user number, flat hunting, AIMA or town hall registration, and where to get help in person at Citizen Shops and AIMA offices.Spread over your first four weeks
MovingMoving to Portugal – an overview for newcomersThe big picture before you move to Portugal: which residence route applies to you, the numbers you need (NIF, NISS, SNS), money, housing, health care, language and a typical order for tackling them.About 30 minutes to read; the move itself usually takes months to plan
RegistrationGetting your NIF (tax number) and NISS (social security number) in PortugalThe two numbers almost every newcomer needs first: the NIF from the tax authority for leases, banks and contracts, and the NISS from Social Security for work and benefits. Where to apply, what to bring, tax representatives, and switching your NIF to resident status.The NIF is usually assigned on the spot at an appointment; the NISS online request takes days to weeks
Residence and visasLiving in Portugal as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (registration certificate, CRUE)EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no visa or permit to live in Portugal, but after three months they must register with their town hall and get the registration certificate (CRUE). Who needs it, what to bring, fees, permanent residence after five years and non-EU family members.One visit to the town hall; AIMA lists a minimum issuing time of one month
Residence and visasVisas and residence permits in Portugal (including D7 and digital nomad routes)How non-EU nationals move to Portugal: choosing a residence visa (work, highly qualified, study, passive income or retirement, remote work), applying at a consulate, then getting and renewing a residence permit with AIMA. Includes the October 2025 law changes.Several months from collecting documents to receiving a residence card
HousingLocal guide Finding a flat to rent in LisbonHow the Lisbon rental market works in 2026: what rents cost, where people search, what landlords ask for, temporary options while you look, the municipal affordable rent programme and Porta 65 Jovem, and how to avoid scams.Often several weeks to a few months
HousingTenant rights in Portugal – leases, deposits, rent increases and noticeThe main rules of Portuguese residential tenancy law in 2026: written leases, the one-year minimum, renewals, the two-month caps on deposit and advance rent, annual rent updates (2.24% in 2026), notice periods, and the reform being discussed in Parliament.About 20 minutes to read; longer to check your own contract
JobsLooking for a job in PortugalHow to search for work in Portugal: registering with the public employment service IEFP and using iefponline, EURES for EU job seekers, recognition of foreign degrees through DGES, what non-EU nationals need to work legally, and practical tips for applications.Ongoing; plan several weeks to months
EmploymentYour rights as an employee in PortugalThe basics of Portuguese labour law for newcomers: contracts and trial periods, the 2026 minimum wage (€920), working hours, 22 days of paid leave, holiday and Christmas pay, social security deductions, public holidays, and where to complain (ACT).About 20 minutes to read; longer to check your own contract
TaxesIncome tax in Portugal for newcomers (IRS, tax residence and IFICI)How Portuguese income tax (IRS) works when you move: when you become tax resident, withholding from salaries, the yearly return from 1 April to 30 June, deductions such as rent, registering as self-employed, and the IFICI 20% regime that replaced the non-habitual resident scheme.About an hour to understand; the yearly return takes from minutes (automatic IRS) to a few hours
BankingOpening a bank account in PortugalWhat you need to open a Portuguese current account, how the low-cost basic banking services account (serviços mínimos bancários) works and what it costs in 2026, and how to compare fees and complain through the Banco de Portugal.One branch appointment or an online application; the bank has up to 10 days to decide on a basic account
HealthcareUsing Portugal's National Health Service (SNS) and getting your user numberHow the National Health Service works for newcomers: the SNS user number (número de utente), registering at your health centre and with a family doctor, the SNS 24 line, emergencies, what you pay, and the European Health Insurance Card.One visit to the health centre to get the user number; waiting times for a family doctor vary
SchoolsMoving to Portugal with children – creches, schools and child benefitHow childcare and schooling work for newcomers in Portugal: free creche places for children under three (Creche Feliz), optional pre-school from three, compulsory schooling from 6 to 18, enrolling and getting foreign studies recognised, Portuguese support at school, and child benefit.Plan several weeks for school enrolment and equivalence; creche places can take longer
LanguageLearning Portuguese in Portugal – free PLA courses and certificatesHow newcomers learn European Portuguese: free or low-cost Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA) courses at public schools, IEFP centres and Qualifica centres, AIMA's online platform, community courses in Lisbon, and the A2 certificate needed for permanent residence and nationality.Each PLA pathway (A1+A2 or B1+B2) lasts up to 150 hours
TransportLocal guide Public transport in Lisbon – Metro, Carris, trains and the Navegante passHow to get around Lisbon: the four Metro lines, Carris buses, trams and lifts, suburban trains and ferries, the Navegante card and passes with 2026 fares (€40 metropolitan, €30 municipal), free passes for under-23s and Lisbon residents aged 65+, and single tickets.About 30 minutes to get a card and load a pass
EmergenciesEmergency and helpline numbers in PortugalThe numbers to save on your first day in Portugal: 112 for emergencies, SNS 24 for health advice, the poison centre, and free lines for social emergencies, domestic violence, victims of crime, children and emotional support.Five minutes to save the numbers