Moving to Portugal from The UK

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom to Portugal, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Portugal Facts:

Population: 10.33 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: Portuguese (de facto) is spoken by 95.6% of the population, and English at 14.87%
GDP Per Capita: $24,567 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Portugal is known as the oldest country in Europe, and is home to the world’s oldest bookshop in Lisbon
Currency: Euro (€). As of late 2023, £1 = €1.15, $1 = €0.92, $1 CAD = €0.67, $1 AUD = €0.60

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Portugal from The UK

Here are some sample moving costs to various cities in Portugal from various cities in the UK. To get a more accurate quote please use the quote form above.

	London	Manchester	Birmingham	Liverpool
From / To
Lisbon	£1280.00	£1400.00	£1336.00	£1360.00
Porto	£1320.00	£1440.00	£1376.00	£1400.00
Faro	£1264.00	£1384.00	£1320.00	£1344.00
Coimbra	£1240.00	£1360.00	£1296.00	£1320.00

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Portugal from the United Kingdom?

As Portugal isn’t too far away from the United Kingdom, the travel time in the air will be akin to an in-land UK journey. Let’s take a look at some common flight paths and their associated time frames:

London Heathrow to Lisbon – 2 hours, 24 minutes – £160
London Gatwick to Lisbon – 2 hours, 22 minutes – £105
Edinburgh to Lisbon – 2 hours, 53 minutes – £140

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Portugal from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

Your passport must be valid at the time of travel, and be issued less than 10 years before your date of entry to Portugal. It must have at least 3 months left on the expiry date, and it may be stamped at border control.

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area – an area that allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls, encompassing most EU countries – for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you are planning to stay longer – to work, for instance – you will need a visa to do so.

Customs rules are in force, and you must ensure that you do not bring anything into the country that isn’t permissible. Take a look at Aeroportos de Portugal for the most up-to-date information.

There are currently no COVID-19 travel restrictions, but it’s advised that you keep up-to-date on any developments to ensure you are abiding by the most recent information at the time of travel. Currently in Madeira and Porto Santo, the health authorities advise the use of face masks in medical facilities, including care homes, if you have been diagnosed with a respiratory illness.

4. Visa Requirements to Portugal from the UK

Alongside a valid UK passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into Portugal if you are planning on working in the country. If you are simply travelling through, you can enter without a visa as detailed in our previous section concerning the Schengen area.

To gain a work visa, you need to apply for one. According to the Immigration Advice Service, the following conditions apply when applying for a work visa:

You must have a work permit
You must have no criminal convictions
You must have worked for the organisation in your current country for at least 12 months (if you are transferring)
Earn a salary that will sustain you in Portugal (above minimum wage)

The two main types are short-term and long-term work visas. As the names suggest, the former is applicable for short-term employment for less than a year in Portugal, while the latter is for four months with the view to you applying for a residence permit in that time.

Short-term visas are necessary for seasonal work, performing arts or show business, while for long-term employment in a Portuguese company, research trips or self-employment purposes, you’ll likely need a long-term work visa.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Portugal

While this article is covering Portugal as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Portugal is 40.9% lower than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 57.1% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in Portugal:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €1,110+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €790+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €2,000+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,370+

Portugal Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €4,400+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: €2,400+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Portugal

You will need to pay income tax in Portugal, with brackets ranging from 14.5% to 48% – these are subject to change, so it’s best to keep up-to-date with the latest changes. Residents of Portugal will be charged on their worldwide income, while non-residents of Portugal will only be taxed on their Portuguese income.

There is a standard VAT of 23% applied to most services, with reduced rates of 6% and 13% for some goods and services. There is property tax in Portugal, and these vary based on the property in question and the owner’s status.

Corporate income tax (IRC) is in place at a rate of 21% and 25% depending on the exact profit.

It’s a good idea to keep up to date with the latest developments as rates can change over time.

7. Working Rules in Portugal

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a useful page outlining the different types of visas you can have while working in Portugal, ranging from short-term to long-term, as well as temporary types which can support you while you’re job-seeking.

If you work remotely, you can apply for a temporary stay visa to allow you to carry out that work in Portugal as a ‘digital nomad’. Similarly, if you have independent work, or are visiting for a highly qualified activity – such as scientific research or higher education professorial activities – you can use this visa to do so.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Portugal

The state healthcare in Portugal isn’t free like it is in the UK via the NHS. Instead, you will need to pay standard user fees, or ‘taxas moderadoras’, and register yourself as a resident of Portugal to access state healthcare services.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) and UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) can be used for those visiting temporarily.

Gov.uk advises that if you register as a resident of Portugal, you should then register with the Portuguese National Health Service – known as SNS – to enable you to have the same healthcare benefits as a Portuguese citizen.

To register for healthcare, you’ll need:

Your Portuguese residence certificate
Valid UK passport
Tax identification number (NIF)
Social Security Number (NISS)

You may have private medical insurance, but this is not a substitute for registering for the state’s healthcare service.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Portugal

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Portugal with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

Gov.uk says that you must ensure that your pet – including cat, dog and ferret – has:

A microchip
Valid rabies vaccination
Animal health certificate or pet passport

Your pet must be deemed fit and healthy to travel at least 10 days before your trip to ensure the safety of them during the journey.

10. Similar Cities

Comparing Portugal to another location couldn’t be easier – Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula, giving both countries a similar climate and culture.

Both have a Mediterranean climate, giving hot, dry summers – the further north you travel in Spain, the more temperate the climate will become. Both have a rich cultural heritage with many historic sites to visit and enjoy, with diverse regional traditions.

Spain and Portugal both offer the Golden Visa program, offering non-EU citizens residency for favoured investments. The economy in both locations is strong concerning tourism especially, as well as in agriculture.

If you want a vibrant social atmosphere, both locations are great picks.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Portugal from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to Portugal, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Portugal	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Portugal
Mild Climate: Portugal enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers, offering pleasant weather year-round	Language Barrier: While many Portuguese people speak English, a language barrier may exist in some areas, especially in rural communities
Cost of Living: Portugal generally has a lower cost of living compared to the UK, including housing, groceries, and entertainment	Job Market Competition: The job market may be competitive, especially in certain industries, and networking may be crucial for finding opportunities
Scenic Beauty: Portugal boasts beautiful landscapes, historic cities, and picturesque coastal areas, providing a high quality of life	Bureaucratic Processes: Dealing with administrative processes and bureaucracy in Portugal may be challenging and time-consuming for newcomers
Golden Visa Program: Portugal offers a Golden Visa program, allowing non-EU citizens to obtain residency by making qualifying investments in the country	Healthcare System: While Portugal has a public healthcare system, access to services may vary, and private healthcare may be necessary for certain needs

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to visit Gov.uk for all the information you need.