I know when I was planning to move back to Europe a few years ago, I considered several countries other than just Portugal. I decided on Portugal for a list of reasons. Now it looks like the time you have to be a legal resident before you can apply for citizenship is going to increase to 10 years from 5 years. That was not the only reason I chose Portugal, but I do remember putting Portugal ahead of Spain because of Spain's 10 years before you can apply for citizenship. Thankfully there are many other things I love about Portugal, and now I am learning the language, so I'm invested in sticking around. How about you? What other countries are you considering or did you consider? What are your top considerations?

Of course visas, documents, finding housing and schools are all very important and folks ask for help with those all the time. The thing that I see stopping people from even starting the process is not knowing how they could possibly support themselves. They believe it is not even possible for them. I decided to take this on as a problem worth solving. I created a course that explores absolutely every possible way that folks are supporting themselves. I intend to update and continue to develop this already-robust course as I get feedback and do additional interviews and research. I put it in as available at level 3, which means you need 20 points to access it. You get points by posting and people liking your posts. I look forward to your feedback.

Olá! 👋 Moving to Portugal is exciting, overwhelming, and full of "wait... how does that work?" moments. This is your go-to thread for getting real answers from someone who's been through it. I'm Liesa, and I've navigated the maze of Portuguese bureaucracy, figured out the healthcare system, and learned which documents you actually need (spoiler: more than you think, but less than they tell you). Drop your questions about: 🛂 Visas & residency permits (D7, Golden Visa, Digital Nomad, you name it) 🏘️ Where to live — Porto vs Lisbon vs the Algarve vs hidden gems 🏡 Rent vs buy — and what the numbers really look like for both 💰 Closing costs & hidden fees — what buying actually costs beyond the price tag 🏦 NIF, bank accounts, and why everything requires "uma declaração" 🏥 SNS, private insurance, and what "centro de saúde" really means🗣️ Portuguese language — survival phrases to fluency paths 🧾 Taxes, AIMA appointments, and dealing with finanças ☕ Daily life — from cafe culture to understanding "saudade" Here's the deal: The more specific you are, the better I can help. Share things like: - Where you're moving from - What brings you to Portugal (work, retirement, lifestyle, etc.) - Your timeline or where you are in the process Then I'll give you the straight answer — no sugarcoating the bureaucracy, but also no scaremongering. Just honest guidance from someone who gets it. So... what's the one thing about moving to Portugal that's keeping you up at night? 👇 Drop it below and let's figure it out together.

Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here!You’ve just joined a supportive community created to help you plan your move, find your home, and start living happily in Portugal — with guidance from people who’ve already made the leap. I started this group because I know how overwhelming it can feel to figure out visas, housing, and daily life in a new country. After living in Portugal myself and helping many others make the move, I wanted to create a space where you can get honest answers, encouragement, and clarity — all in one place. Whether you’re still dreaming, deep in planning mode, or already settling in, you’re in the right place. Here you’ll find: ✨ Reliable, up-to-date information about moving to Portugal 🏡 Real experiences and lessons from people living here 🤝 A friendly community ready to share advice and support