PORTUGOALS
MOVE, INTEGRATE, THRIVE IN PORTUGAL
THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE 'GET YOUR VISA' SITE.
WE'RE HERE TO CONNECT AND HELP YOU IN THE LONG TERM.
UNDERSTAND EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY WHAT IT TAKES
LEARN THE CULTURE AND QUIRKS
NETWORK WITH OTHER EXPATS
BUILD A COMMUNITY IN YOUR NEW HOME
Understand how you fit, how you can shift, and what life could look like.
Your Path to Portugal:
What We Help You Understand
Moving to Portugal: Does it fit?
Deciding to move to Portugal. Does it make sense? Does it fit?
Tax implications
Research Regions, Cities
Reality of the move/culture
Planning your leaving state
envisioning 30-60-90 day after the move
Step 0: Getting Started to Apply for Visa: Pre-submission work
There is a lot to do to get ready to submit paperwork for your visa approval.
Setting up Visa appointment
Where to setup
What to bring
What to expect
Location - where to live?
Scouting neighborhoods
Apartment/home finding
Finance
Setting up a bank account
Getting a NIF
Health
Temporary medical insurance
Detach or bring?
Getting rid of household/car
What to bring, and what not to bring
What's available here to build a household
Step 1: Visa Submission
Understanding what to prepare for at VFS, and what to expect is essential to success.
Role of VFS
Finalizing paperwork
Letter of intent
Day before & day of at VFS
Step 2: Waiting for Approval
Waiting for Approval of your Visa, there's a lot to do. Your timeline can vary, so being ready to tackle tying up the loose end of life in the United States take organization and time.
Phone setup/use in Portugal
Selling house/car
Connecting with friends/family
Pet logistics
Starting and/or finalizing packing
Step 3: Moving
Your visa is approved and you are ready to go. You need to understand how to get from the United States to Portugal and start your first days, weeks, into your first month there.
Baggage handling and details at airport
Initial house/apartment setup: utilities, quirks
Buying furniture and household goods
Getting around your new area
First medical appointments
Veterinarians for your pets
Paying bills in Portugal (MB Way) and quirks
Step 4: Finding a New Normal
Finding a new normal in Portugal can take a while. The very best thing to do is to keep some habits from the United States, and infuse some new ones when you arrive. Everyday will probably feel like a bit of a dream, it can take a long time for things to start to feel 'normal'. It depends on the consistencies and traditions you set to mark time, keep healthy, and learn.
Personal integration:
Learning the language
Medical appointments into your year
Habit forming
Festivals/holidays and their history
Making friends
Celebrating American holidays
Time zone math to keep connected