Moving to Portugal requires appropriate planning, especially if you are moving an entire household. It is recommended to start planning as soon as possible and to allow extra time, in case of delays. Here are some guidelines to help you to prepare for your move.
Deciding where to live in Portugal
Once you have decided to relocate to Portugal and taken care of all the appropriate visa arrangements, it's time to start carefully planning your move step-by-step.
Naturally, the first thing you'll need to do is decide where you'll live. Generally, most expats live in either Lisbon or Porto, regarded as the two biggest and most important cities in the country. As such, these cities are brimming with restaurants, bars, cafes, and plenty of entertainment options. On the other hand, accommodation prices are way more expensive than in other parts of the country (with the exception of the Algarve). If you prefer to move to a more rural, secluded area, rent prices will be way lighter on the wallet, although there isn't much to see or do. Lastly, district capitals between Porto and Lisbon serve as great alternatives. Although they may not be as bustling as the two aforementioned metropolises, you'll have more accommodation options at affordable prices and a better, more thriving atmosphere compared to rural areas. Plus, by choosing to live in the likes of Aveiro, Coimbra or Leiria, you'll be a short 2-hour drive away from either Porto or Lisbon (or both)!
Major online real estate sites in Portugal include, , , , or . Another place to look is the Marketplace on Facebook, which offers better prices and quicker responses. Alternatively, you may also contact multiple real estate agencies, as they can help you find a property within your budget and will be especially helpful if you are not fluent in Portuguese. However, going with an agency means you'll need to pay their hefty fees. Be that as it may, if you take the easy route and contact an agency, a real estate agent will be assigned to your case. This will obviously make things a lot simpler, as all you need to do is explain what type of accommodation you are looking for (house, apartment, co-living, etc.), and the agent will then show you the available options in your price range.
The logistical process of relocating to Portugal
After housing is settled, begin researching relocation companies to assist with your move. It is an important step not to be taken lightly. A moving consultant will eventually visit your home to assess the volume of goods you intend to transport. You will have to specify which objects require special care (fragile, etc.), and the things you will take charge of (disassembly of furniture, packing dishes, etc.). It is worth getting quotes from several companies, as prices can vary greatly between providers. If you are prepared to wait longer to receive your belongings, this may lower the overall cost.
Generally, moving companies will want to know the following information before providing a quote:
- pick-up address;
- new address in Portugal;
- volume, weight, and quantity of goods, noting fragile items;
- type of transport (air, sea, land);
- Expected delivery date.
Make a list of your belongings, as comprehensive as possible, in order to establish your value statement. The value statement is a document that allows you to set compensation in case of loss or damage to your property by declaring the total financial value of your items. You must fill it out yourself, specifying the overall value as well as the value of some assets which could exceed the contractual limit value. An estimate cannot be established without this statement.
It is most common to route your belongings directly to your new home, although some companies will ship to a centralized warehouse or distribution center instead. You will then have to move the items from there to your final destination, so confirm this before selecting a removalist.
Choosing an international mover
Now that you're aware of the logistics process of relocating internationally, it's time to choose a moving company. This is of the utmost importance, as you'll be trusting them with your personal belongings during a particularly stressful and sensitive process. The first thing to keep in mind is that experience definitely matters! Choose a mover with proven experience in international relocations, as you don't want to be a guinea pig for a business that is just getting started. Do your research, contact them, and carefully check for online reviews before making a decision. Remember that relocating to a different country comes with loads of logistic and legal issues, so it's better to move with a company that has already gone through the entire process multiple times (especially when it comes to customs).
Needless to say, the company should also be appropriately licensed for this line of work and offer insurance policies that safeguard the integrity of your belongings in case something goes wrong. This policy should cover all your goods for damage and loss. Furthermore, always double-check what services are included in your quote. Sometimes a cheaper service may not offer all the conveniences you need or expect, such as packaging, furniture assembly, door-to-door transport, or temporary storage in a secondary place. In fact, this is also an important reminder to carefully examine all the budgets before making a decision. Do not hesitate to enquire in case something is not entirely clear, and always make sure to confirm whether there are any hidden fees (related to insurance, customs, packaging, and so on) or not. Once again, a lower quote doesn't necessarily mean the whole service is going to be cheaper down the line.
Lastly, there are relocation companies that provide a full 360º package that goes way beyond moving your belongings. Depending on the scope of services, some companies may take care of your visa arrangements, help you find a place to live, find a school for your kids, and even help you or your partner find a job locally. As expected, these services typically come at a much higher cost.
Insuring your property
Damage insurance will usually be offered by the carrier. This insurance can cover non-predictable transport damage to your property according to the value you specified in your statement. The cost of this insurance will depend on the total value of your property. The removal company will give you an insurance certificate. It is important to make sure you have insurance for your belongings, especially for fragile and high-value pieces.
What to pack when moving to Portugal
Although you can certainly pay to move all your belongings to Portugal, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right choice. For certain goods, it might work out cheaper to sell them before you move, and then repurchase on arrival. As usual, that's something you need to look out for when analyzing relocation budgets, especially if some items are especially fragile and require a lot of money to either move or insure. We understand that having a familiar setting might help you adapt to a new reality, but some parts of this process may require you to let go. This may apply to kitchenware, kitchen appliances, TVs, bed linen, home electronics and vehicles, as well as any other items you have not used in a long time.
Now that we've sorted out what NOT to pack, we also need to decide what's best to be transported by the moving company and what to carry on your flight's baggage. Generally speaking, important items/objects intended to be used immediately upon arrival or in case of an emergency should be taken on your flight. Enough clothes and toiletries for a few days, medications, personal documents, phones, computers and tablets (and their respective chargers) are prime examples of items you should take on your flight (preferably inside your cabin bag). Conversely, your international mover should be responsible for shipping furniture, sporting equipment, musical instruments, decorations, books, photo albums and extra clothes.
Finally, there is a very specific category of items that may not be suitable for international relocation but that you should definitely keep a hold of. We're mainly talking about valuable art and antiques, but also some fragile items with sentimental value, such as CDs/DVDs, albums and records, glassware, porcelain and other ceramics. Conversely, things that you should definitely take with you when moving abroad include important documentation (personal, legal and financial), electronics, medicines (or important medical equipment) and clothing that is suited and appropriate to your destination.
Additional steps to take when relocating to Portugal
Once your move is just about ready, you will need to sign the consignment ticket before loading occurs, and once again on delivery. This consignment ticket includes the terms of the contract, mode of transport, volume transported, the customer's name and address, and the shipping company's details. Once you sign this letter, you have given your approval to the removal company to proceed with the removal.
Generally, you will pay the deposit before the move takes place and the balance upon delivery.
The carrier will handle administrative formalities relating to your move (customs clearance etc.). For extra security, opt for an IFIM (International Federation of International Movers) affiliated carrier.
Moving to Portugal with your pets
On a very important sidenote, it's extremely important to be aware of local rules if you're taking your pet along in your international move. Criteria will differ according to whether you're moving from another EU country or from outside the union. Nonetheless, all pets are required to be microchipped and to have current rabies vaccinations. Pets hailing from the EU can also get an EU Pet Passport from any licensed veterinarian. For non-EU residents, their pets will also need a rabies antibody titration test and a certificate from a veterinarian that includes health history and vaccination records.
Although these are the general requirements, the process of relocating your pet to Portugal is relatively more complex.
Good to know:
You are advised to check in advance with the Portuguese Customs Department to be aware of any specific restrictions or requirements regarding what can and cannot be brought into the country, as well as any quarantine periods for pets, etc.
Officially, objects not allowed through Portuguese customs include guns and other firearms, inflammable or toxic materials, substances with poison or acid, counterfeit products (like clothing, watches, bags, perfumes and others), drugs and narcotics. Restrictions are also in place for certain foods and plants. For big quantities of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, especially if they boast an alcohol content of more than 24%, you may need to fill out a customs form and pay duties. Also, if you are bringing a lot of medication into the country, chances are you'll need to submit/present a valid medical prescription. Lastly, be wise with your money, as it is technically illegal to enter the country with more than 10.000€ in cash. If that happens to you, you'll need to waste a lot of time showing local authorities where that money comes from.
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