How to move from Australia to Portugal: A step-by-step guide

Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Prince

One thing is for sure – you won’t miss Australia’s friendly and easygoing people because the Portuguese are exactly like that! People move from Australia to Portugal for all kinds of reasons, and one major draw is the incredible lifestyle at an affordable cost.

Moving countries isn’t difficult; it’s knowing what to do, when, and how to get it done. This complete guide will walk you through how an expat can move miles away but still find a place that feels like home. 

This article will discuss the legal requirements, Visas, job opportunities, housing, and much more! Let’s get ready to make all your relocation dreams come true! 

How to move from Australia to Portugal

Anyone who wishes to move from Australia to Portugal must first complete a regular visa application process (unless you have EU citizenship). You can then make plans to travel to the country and find a place to rent or buy once this is completed.

Families are welcome to visit Portugal together, and a special visa, the family reunification visa, is available.

Moving to Europe used to be way more complicated in the old days, but that does not mean that you won’t have to deal with bureaucracy.

How can I apply for a Portugal Residence Visa from Australia?

The first step of the relocation process is to get your residence visa on your passport.

For Aussies seeking to enter the territories of Portugal, you can simply apply by visiting the Portuguese Consulate in Sydney in person, or visit the official website to fill out a visitor visa online. 

This will permit you to enter Portugal and obtain your national ID card – a residence permit.

What are the types of Portugal Residence Visa that Australians may apply for?

Australians who want to create roots in Portugal must obtain a permanent residence visa in Portugal.

The purpose of the visit will determine the appropriate visa. As a result, the following choices are available:

• D1 Visa: A visa for Australians who want to work in Portugal for a Portuguese firm; also accessible for entrepreneurs who want to do their own thing;
• D2 Visa: The permit for entrepreneurs to start a business in Portugal.
• D3 Visa: For highly qualified individuals who wish to work in senior positions.
• D4 & D5 Visa: Study Visas are offered for university and high-school students, in exchanges or full-time, internships, and volunteer work;
• D6 Visa: The Family Reunification Visa permits families to rejoin Portugal, subject to certain restrictions and approvals;
• D7 Visa: The Passive Income Visa is for retirees or anyone with passive income who wants to enjoy life in Portugal.
• Digital Nomad Visa: For freelancers and self-employed individuals who earn a living through remote jobs. 
• Golden Visa: A permit for investors who have invested in mutual funds, or complied with other investment rules within Portugal.

Choosing the right kind of residence visa is key to ensuring that you, as an Aussie, have no issues with the government officials of Portugal. And in this case, for those still wondering which visa to choose, we will focus on.

Documentation needed in general

You must provide (together with the completed application form) the following documents for all Portuguese resident visa applications:

• Valid ID or a passport;
• Two photographs for your passport;
• Evidence of medical insurance;
• Portugal’s immigration authorities have access to criminal records;
• Accommodation proof;
• Proof of financial self-sufficiency for the duration of your stay.

Obtaining a Residence Permit to live in Portugal from Australia

As a standard, individuals from other countries who desire to work and remain in Portugal for more than 90 days must apply for a Portugal Residence Permit. 

The residence permit is normally for a considerable period of time, ranging from one to three years. You may be eligible for different permits depending on why you are moving to Portugal and how long you want to remain.

This part of the process is done in person in Portugal after you’ve obtained the visa and traveled to Portugal. The residence permit is issued by the SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service), and you must schedule a meeting or submit an application online on the official website. 

Then, you’ll personally visit the regional SEF delegation closest to your address in Portugal, show your documents, and they’ll create your ID card. If all documents are according to plan, you shall receive your new permit in less than a month.

• Read Also: Retirement In Portugal Or Australia: Detailed Guide For Expats.

What do Australians need to do to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

Another popular way to obtain a Residence Permit in Portugal is to get the special Portuguese Golden Visa. Despite the name, this document is not a visa, but actually a Residence Permit for Investment Activities (known as ARI).

You can obtain it once in Portugal without having to go through any visa process and get all the benefits the common residence permit gets and more.

However, there are many requirements for an investor to be eligible for a Golden Visa. Such as:

• Create 10 permanent jobs, or
• Capital transfer of a minimum investment of €500,000 (around $827K AUD)
• The initial year’s stay must be at least 7 days, and the following years must be at least 14 days.

For this Visa, it is absolutely crucial that you have up-to-date information about laws.

Viv Europe has helped numerous individuals receive their Golden Visas through property acquisition. If you wish to follow the same path, get in touch and learn about the Visa’s validity!

Is the cost of living in Portugal cheaper than Australia?

Portugal has one of the lowest living costs in Western Europe. Almost everything, from lodging to groceries, is within reach.

A couple can live well in the interior of Portugal, or in small cities, for roughly $2,500 per month, including rent.

A monthly budget for 2 people living in Lisbon starts at around $2,500. Though you may certainly spend more. Singles should budget roughly two-thirds of what a couple does.

Here’s an average estimate of the cost of living in Portugal versus Australia: 

Estimates are from Numbeo (as of January 2024).

How much is the rent in Portugal?

Whether you rent or buy your home, the single largest expenditure on any expat’s budget is affordable. For a one to two-bedroom apartment, rents in small Portuguese cities and the interior start at around $400 per month. 

Rents in Lisbon, the capital, start at around $700 per month for areas within a half-hour walk of the Baixa, Chiado, and other popular tourist areas.

Rents in these neighborhoods start at around $1,000 per month for a nice one- or two-bedroom apartment – still a bargain for a European capital. The Alfama neighborhood, Lisbon’s oldest, has slightly lower rents. However, its slopes and cobblestone lanes may not be suitable for all expats.

If you’re seeking to buy, there are plenty of apartments in the city’s interior for under $150,000. Even in Lisbon, tiny properties in distant neighborhoods can be found for under $200,000. In Portugal, closing fees on real estate sales are typically around 10% of the purchase price.

What are the best places to live in Portugal?

Portugal is becoming more and more popular among expats from around the world. To assist you in deciding where the finest place to live in Portugal is, we’ve compiled a list of the top places to live in Portugal.

• Lisbon
• Porto
• Braga
• Funchal (Madeira Islands)
• Ponta Delgada (the Azores)
• Aveiro
• Coimbra
• Portimão

Where do Australians usually live in Portugal?

Lisbon is the state with the most immigrants from Australia settling in, according to the government of Portugal’s Immigration list. This is because of the very fine weather that has been witnessed over the years in this beautiful area of Portugal.

How is the Portuguese economy?

Portugal’s economy is ranked 30^th in the 2023 Index for economic freedom, with a score of 69.5. The country is placed 21^st out of 45 European countries, and its overall score is higher than the regional and global averages.

In 2020, the Portuguese economy shrank, but growth resumed in 2021. A significant expansion of economic freedom has proceeded over the last half-decade. 

Portugal has gained an amazing 8.2-point overall gain in economic freedom during 2017, aided by significant score increases for fiscal health and the rule of law, and has climbed into the “Mostly Free” category for the first country in the Index’s 28-year existence.

As of 2023, the economy has bounced back from rising inflation in 2022. The last 2 years have seen some of the worst global inflation circumstances in a long time. But fortunately, a decent lifestyle in Portugal remains affordable.

The country is also working on lowering unemployment and supporting growth in the tourism sector – both of which are showing fruitful results.

Is Portugal safe?

Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, with violent crime being very uncommon and usually limited to a few problematic neighborhoods. 

On the other hand, nonviolent crime continues to be an issue, notably in Lisbon, the capital. Unfortunately, tourist hotspots attract pickpocketers all over the globe, and one should be careful when going out.

However, according to the Global Peace Index 2023, Portugal is still the 7^th safest country in the world. In other words, you do not need to worry about safety or security when you move from Australia to Portugal.

What is the public healthcare like for Australian citizens?

The public health system in Portugal is known for being of good quality. Especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the cities on the Silver Coast, expats usually find no problem in accessing good doctors and treatments for free or at very low rates. 

Immigrants in Portugal have the same rights to access public healthcare as a local would, as long as they have their legal situation taken care of. Hence, all public healthcare is free for legal residents.

Once you move from Australia to Portugal, you must visit the health center closest to your new home address and create your Número de Utente – the ID number to access healthcare in the country. 

Then, you’ll be assigned a Family Doctor who will be responsible for checking in with you and to whom you’ll reach out whenever you need.

However, if you’re moving to the Algarve or Alentejo, you may feel the need to use private healthcare – since there aren’t that many public hospitals, and waiting times can take too long. But do not forget, there are also various health insurance options in Portugal – still quite affordable and easy to get.

• Check out our detailed guide on how to Access Public Hospitals In Portugal As A Foreigner!

What is the weather like in Portugal?

Portugal has a wide range of weather conditions. While many people think of the popular beaches of the gorgeous Algarve when they think of Portugal’s climate, many don’t realize that there are ski resorts just a few hundred kilometers north.

Despite its tiny size, the country sees some weather fluctuations. The climate of mainland Portugal is Mediterranean, with typical temperatures of 10-12°C in the north, which is mostly mountainous, and 16-18°C in the south. 

Insular Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, is wetter and hotter due to its location. More information about the average temperatures in Portugal can be found here.

What are the benefits if you move from Australia to Portugal?

Apart from the fact that you’ll save up so much more, here are some benefits we can list down for your comprehension:

• Safety and security; 
• Low cost of living at a high standard of living;
• Friendly, welcoming, and tolerant people;
• Excellent international schools in Portugal;
• Live, work, and study in Europe;
• Permanent residency approval in three months;
• Become an EU citizen after 5 years;
• There is no worldwide tax remittance basis;
• A Schengen resident card is a document that allows you to travel within the Schengen;
• There is no real estate tax;
• Permanent Residency (certificate) or Permanent Residency for life;
• Within the Schengen area, there is no need for a visa.

When are you moving to Portugal from Australia?

Moving to a different country is a life-changing decision. And although Portugal is so far away from Australia, you might feel at home here sooner than you think. Portugal offers its residents an amazing quality of life, scenery, and sunny days.

The Portuguese people are excellent neighbors, and their lifestyle is much like Australian citizens. Also, the expat community in Portugal is growing by the day, so you won’t be the only stranger in a strange land.

When you’re ready to make the move from Australia to Portugal, feel free to book a consultation with Viv Europe. From Visas, schooling, and housing to complete relocation, we’ve got it covered!

Our experienced team has helped make numerous expats’ dreams come true. Let us deal with the bureaucratic technicalities of obtaining residence permits, investing in real estate, and simply starting life over in Europe.

Also, consider joining our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats to get to know other expats discovering Portugal. Ask questions and get some inspiration from fellow Aussies!