Last Updated on August 11, 2023 by Maryam Siddiqui
In your decision to move to Portugal from Hong Kong, we welcome you to the expat club. Portugal is a pretty exciting place to live, and it welcomes people from different nationalities and cultures. But how can a Hongkonger move to Portugal?
We will share all the information you need to make your move in this post. So, start planning for your life in Portugal. They have various visa types, and residency permits that you might be interested in.
Let’s begin the discussion, shall we?
How to move from Hong Kong to Portugal
To move from Hong Kong to Portugal, you will need a residence permit for investment and a golden visa. You can obtain a residence visa or go for an Immigration Service program. Now, what is this Golden Visa? Continue reading, and we will provide you with all the information you need.
Obtaining permission to live in Portugal: Get to know the Visas
Various options are available for getting a residence permit for living in Portugal. You can get a long-term national visa, known as the Residence Visa, based on your activity in the country.
But you also can get a residence permit with the help of large investments using their Golden Visa program. First, you need to understand the different visa types you can go for.
Types of residence visas you can apply
Portugal has different kinds of Residence Visas that are mandatory for non-EU citizens to enter the country to establish residency and stay in Portugal for over 1 year. The popular Residence Visas are:
- D1 Visa is a Work Visa suitable for people who have a work contract.
- D2 Visa is for people looking to start a business in the country.
- D3 Visa is the Highly Qualified Activity Visa for skilled individuals.
- D4 Visa is a Student Visa and is a suitable option for university students.
- D6 Visa is the Family Reunification Visa. Applicable if a family member has undergone a Residence Permit and his/her family wants to move too.
- D7 Visa is ideal for pensioners and passive income earners.
- Digital Nomad Visa for freelancers and digital nomads who wish to work remotely in Portugal while enjoying a great standard of living.
- Golden Visa is a permit given to those that invest in Portugal and enjoy perks like the possibility of living/working here, free movement in the Schengen Area, and much more.
These visa types have their own rules, but they follow the same processes. These visas allow you to bring your family with you, including your spouse and children, with the family reunification procedure.
As soon as you have received your visa, you can enter the country and begin the process of getting a residence permit. You can live up to 5 years as a regular resident before you get the right to apply for the country’s nationality.
How can I apply for a Portugal Residence Visa from Hong Kong?
Hongkongers have to submit a long-term application for a long-term visa at the Consulate of Portugal in Hong Kong.
Each applicant has to pay EUR 90 for the visa application fee, and once submitting all the mandatory documents for the process, the application goes through the assessment process.
After the evaluations, the embassy can accept or deny your application. But you also need to keep in mind that Hongkongers who want to travel to Portugal for a brief period of around 90 days won’t need the National Residence Visa but will need a Schengen visa.
Documents you must present when applying for the Golden Visa
Golden Visa is a highly in-demand program for high-profile investors in Hong Kong and all access the globe.
It is officially known as ARI or Residency Permit for Investment Activity. The program assists foreigners who have decided to invest in the country. The primary benefits of this program are:
- Right to live, study, work, and invest in the country as a resident.
- Free movement across Schengen countries without a visa.
- After 5 years with the permit, you can apply for nationality.
- Your family members, including your spouse, children, and dependents, also get the same rights.
How can Hongkongers obtain a Golden Visa for Portugal?
There are different ways to get the Golden Visa using various investment routes. You must complete the investment before submitting your Golden Visa application, regardless of your option.
We’ll talk about the investment options below, but there’s something important you must know beforehand. Laws and regulations are prone to change, and things can get complicated with something as complex as the Golden Visa.
It’s absolutely crucial to get legal advice and have knowledge of recent law updates, before you start the process yourself. You can get in touch with an expert from Viv Europe for more details!
Portugal Golden Visa investment options
You can consider the following investment categories before applying for the Golden Visa. You can:
- Purchase real estate.
- Invest in the country’s private equity funds or venture capital.
- Transfer capital.
- Create a job or incorporate a company.
- Donate.
What are the best places for Hongkongers to live in Portugal?
Portugal is a country rich in culture and diversity. It might be a small country, but it offers so much. Here are the top places to live in Portugal so you can start planning your relocation as soon as you can.
Lisbon
Life in Lisbon is by far the best option for expats. Being the country’s capital, it has everything you might need or want. It has a rich history, exquisite food, and fabulous ambiance and architecture. It has sights, the sun, and the sea.
Lisbon is full of excitement, opportunities, and leisure! You get to experience the hustle and bustle of a busy city, meet like-minded people, and have access to job opportunities in multinational companies.
Many people love the city because it has good public transport, has many expats, and there are significantly fewer language barriers. If you move from Hong Kong to Portugal, Lisbon is the city that will make you feel at home.
Porto
Porto is the second-largest city in the country and has charming neighborhoods; that’s why expats love to live here.
The city has a fairly low cost of living and is rich in tradition and history, not to mention a bustling nightlife and growing expat community.
Porto comes in second to Lisbon in terms of multicultural experiences and job opportunities. Porto has smaller neighborhoods with more privacy and exclusion, so you can live in a less crowded space if a busy city isn’t what you’re looking for.
A few options you can explore are Baixa, Bonfim, Campanhã, and Massarelos.
Albufeira
The city of Albufeira, located in the Algarve region, is the local hub of beaches, best weather, and golf resorts.
Expats from across the globe prefer the Algarve cities, and it has a considerable expat community, partially from English-speaking countries.
Another reason why people love it here is because Albufeira is full of stunning beaches, restaurants, bars, and fun! According to data from Pordata, 39% of its residents are foreigners. You can imagine the kind of multicultural experience you’ll get here!
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Coimbra
Coimbra used to be the third-largest city in Portugal (recently taken over by Braga), and it is located right between Porto and Lisbon. This city is popular for its nightlife, and it has a low cost of living.
The city is said to be the 3rd best city to live in, in terms of amenities, peace, and standard of living. It’s not extremely famous among expats, although it hosts many international students because of Coimbra University.
It’s an excellent place for nature lovers and people who prefer a rural outdoor vibe. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find good hospitals, schools, or leisure options here!
Setúbal
This city has the real culture and lifestyle of Portugal. Setúbal is located just south of the Capital, and on the other side is the Tagus River.
You can cross the bridge and enjoy all the capital’s benefits while living here at a low cost of living. Just like Coimbra, this city is not extremely famous among expats.
However, the people who like to live here are those who look for a balance between quiet countryside and an urban lifestyle.
Some people like to refer to it as a hidden gem because of its relaxed and quiet ambiance, great food, and welcoming people.
Buying a property in Portugal
Before you go out to buy a house or some property in Portugal, you must keep it in mind. You have to know and understand the market and have a translator if you don’t learn Portuguese. And you will have to be prepared for a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy.
The prices in Lisbon range from €3,314 per m2, whereas in Porto and the northern section, it is €1,923 per m2. All the rest of the places have prices that range between these two points.
Choose what kind of property you want, and you will have to prepare the documents for the property you are looking to purchase. You can have someone who can visit the properties for you. You can find more details in our article How To Buy A Property In Portugal.
Cost of living in Portugal
There is no one answer to this question, as the cost of living in Portugal can significantly differ from one place to another. The following table can help you out in this regard:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental Prices for a 1-bedroom apartment | €590 to €800 |
| Rental Prices for a 3-bedroom apartment | €980 to €1400 |
| Utility bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | €109 |
| TV and wifi | €30 |
| Cellphone and mobile data | €20 per head |
| A milk bottle | €0.84 per liter |
| 12 eggs | €2.38 |
| Baguette | €0.84 |
| Beans | €2.63 per KG |
| Rice | €1.18 per KG |
| Sirloin steak | €34.95 per KG |
| Spaghetti | €1.14 per KG |
| Apples | €1.77 per KG |
| Oranges | €1.37 per KG |
| Bottle of wine | €4.00 |
| 6-pack of beer | €4.50 |
All estimates are from Numbeo (as of August 2023).
What is the weather like in Portugal?
Portugal has warm and dry summers, and most of the time, the sky remains clear. However, winters are wet and cold. The weather stays partly cloudy and windy during this time of the year. The temperatures range from 47F to 83F, and they don’t go below 40F or over 94F.
The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of around 82.4F. January is the coldest month, with an average high temperature of around 58.6F
Healthcare In Portugal for expatriates
Healthcare in Portugal is one of the most important things you need to know before planning to move here. Portugal has more than 600,000 expats, and the country does promise quality healthcare services to everyone.
Healthcare is the best in Europe compared to the rest of the world. Insurance is not as important here as it is in the US and Brazilian models.
The public system used in the country is the SNS, and everyone has universal access to it. It applies to the residents and the expats.
The Portuguese culture and people
With a rich culture and kind smiles, the Portuguese people are known as one of the friendliest people in all of Europe.
Art and music are rich in Portugal, and their people love being around family and having fun. They are usually very helpful and are also known for knowing how to make foreigners feel most welcome in their country.
Are You Ready to Move from Hong Kong to Portugal?
So, are you ready to move to Portugal from Hong Kong? Portugal and its people will welcome you with open arms and warm hearts. More and more expats are coming here to enjoy the rich culture and the sea along with the sun.
You can join our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats, for more information on Portugal and go through other people’s experiences here in this country and during the relationship process.
And when you need help with planning your move, you can contact Viv Europe for support and expert advice. From visas and property information to relocating your house, we’ll do it for you!
