Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Maryam Siddiqui
For many expats, the dream of starting a new life in Portugal has finally become a reality. Of course, making the move often means covering long distances and bringing along plenty of luggage. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to relocate your belongings to Portugal in a smooth and hassle-free way.
Relocation doesn’t have to be complicated if we simply plan ahead. With so many new expats starting their new life in Portugal, it’s clear that the move is well worth the wait.
Get to know how many shipping methods exist, which one is the cheapest, and what takes the least time. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to get your belongings to your new home and kickstart your dream life. Happy reading!
How to take your belongings to Portugal?
First, you need to know what you plan to take with you.
Generally, when we make the decision to move across countries, we’re looking forward to a new life. And with that, we often want to leave things behind.
But there are some objects and furniture items that we have an emotional attachment to. So, even if they’re not exactly practical or easy to transport, we’d like to take them along. That’s when the need arises to find the best way to take your belongings to Portugal.
Begin by making a shortlist of what you’ll take with you and what you’ll leave behind. This step makes it much easier to choose the right transport option for your belongings. Are you moving furniture that could fill a three-bedroom home, or are you relocating solo with just the essentials?
Let’s get into the best ways to take your belongings to Portugal!
Packing your bags to move to Portugal
Let’s start with the easiest. Moving to another country isn’t a bed of roses, but it needs to start somewhere. It takes a lot of organization and decluttering, but also detachment.
Naturally, if you want to live in another country, you will want to bring clothes and personal items. But, Portugal also has plenty of excellent stores, and you don’t need to take every item you own. You will likely move on a single plane trip and have a baggage weight limit.
The recommended thing is to bring only the essentials in your suitcase and get rid of what is extra. Garage sales and charitable donations can help you resolve the ‘Do I keep it, do I get rid of it?’ situation.
If you’re moving with your family to Portugal, this step can save you a significant amount of money. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you purchase, checked baggage allowances usually range from 23kg to 32kg (about 50 to 70 pounds).
As far as clothes are concerned, you’ll find excellent stores no matter which region of Portugal you’re relocating to. Since the weather temperatures are quite different here, you might even need to get rid of most of your wardrobe anyway. So, carry the essentials and come shop here!
Shipping your belongings to Portugal
Of course, relocating isn’t just limited to clothes, gadgets, and precious family albums. In many cases, people want to take their furniture along too. A good tip is to recheck your new home’s measurements to avoid taking anything along that won’t fit.
What about bigger objects that don’t fit in a suitcase, like your favorite sofa set or that bed your child has been using since they were young? How can you take them with you to Portugal?
Let’s find out.
Taking bigger special objects by air freight
Well, it is possible to carry special items on some airlines as hold baggage. If you’re taking things like musical instruments, fishing rods, surfboards, golf, ski, and diving equipment, you can take them with you on your flight.
The cost of transporting these items typically ranges from €80 to €400, depending on their weight and size. This can be a great choice if you want quick and secure delivery, especially since international travel insurance often covers such expenses.
Just remember to check with the official airline for details in advance.
TAP Air Portugal is the largest airline in Portugal, with the main coverage of flights from the United States. They’re a partly state-owned company with world-renowned quality and offer this service.
In addition to the option of taking objects on the same flight as you, there are companies that are responsible for transporting them on cargo planes. You can get your moving boxes airlifted on specific planes for that purpose. Of course, it’s not as fast as going on the same plane, but it’s cheaper and allows you to take more stuff.
Using sea freight to take your belongings to Portugal
If you’re interested in making a big move, i.e. taking lots of belongings and even furniture and cars, read carefully.
Air freight may not be ideal if you have a spending limit. One of the most common and most sought-after options by expats in this situation is to send their belongings to Portugal on cargo ships that end up in one of the 18 ports of Portugal.
The 3 main ones are:
- Port of Leixões, near the city of Porto in the north of Portugal;
- The traditional Port of Lisbon, in the city center;
- Port of Sines, to the south of the country, near the Algarve.
When shipping your belongings by sea, you’ll typically need to choose between 20ft and 40ft containers (33m³ and 67m³).
At this stage, it’s common to hire a specialized relocation company to handle the process and make the move easier.
After all, you must take all the boxes and objects into a truck, then to a container, to a ship that crosses the ocean, to another truck, and finally to your new home in Portugal. Phew! A huge path to plan step-by-step.
Importation and custom regulations in Portugal
Thinking of moving to Portugal? Here’s some great news: you can bring your used personal and household items without paying customs duties as long as you meet a few simple conditions. No need to stress, just keep these points in mind.
- Get your paperwork in order: You’ll need a Baggage Certificate, a packing list, a copy of your passport, and proof of your new address in Portugal.
- Ownership matters: Your items should be things you’ve owned and used for at least six months.
- For personal use only: Customs won’t allow you to bring in items for resale.
- Timing is key: Plan to bring your belongings within 6 to 12 months of moving to Portugal. The exact window depends on where you’re coming from.
- Don’t have a fully furnished home yet: This rule helps prove you’re genuinely relocating rather than importing goods for other purposes.
Sort out your documents early to avoid surprise VAT charges or customs delays. Once you’ve got the paperwork squared away, you can focus on settling into your new Portuguese life stress-free!
What type of freight transport is best?
Air freight takes up to 10 days to arrive; however, your luggage can also arrive within 3 days. On the other hand, sea freight may take between 12 to 40 days on average.
According to MoveHub, a company that compares shipping companies around the world, the shipping costs for moving the belongings of a 1-bedroom apartment from various regions of the world to Portugal are, on average:
| Location | Freight Transport Type | Cost | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Air freight | €5,881 to €6,500 | 1 to 3 Days |
| Sea freight | €3,088 to €3,413 | 9 to 11 Days | |
| United Kingdom | Air freight | €2,704 to €2,987 | 1 to 3 Days |
| Sea freight | €1,420 to €1,568 | 3 to 5 Days | |
| India | Air freight | €4,222 to €4,667 | 1 to 3 Days |
| Sea freight | €2,217 to €2,450 | 14 to 20 Days | |
| Germany | Air freight | €2,649 to €2,930 | 1 to 3 Days |
| Sea freight | €1,391 to €1,538 | 4 to 6 Days |
Estimates are from MoveHub as of May 2025.
Of course, a lot depends on the specific region you come from and where you are going. Furthermore, the weight of transport and urgency influence values. Each case is different, and you will need to have your situation analyzed.
So, depending on your budget and time restrictions, one is worth more than the other.
Taking your car to Portugal
It’s possible to bring your car to Portugal via sea freight. Depending on the specifics, shipping costs can range from €2,500 to €12,000 and may take up to 40 days. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have been the car’s legal owner for at least 12 months before making the move.
Additionally, it’s worth remembering that Portugal highly taxes the cars imported into the country to encourage domestic car consumption. So much so that it’s generally not worth bringing a car from another country.
Buying a car in Portugal becomes, for better or for worse, the cheapest option, even though cars are a little pricier here.
If you’re moving to Lisbon or Porto, you may find that owning a car isn’t really necessary. Both cities have highly efficient public transport systems are very efficient and allow you to commute almost everywhere. In fact, in Lisbon, many residents choose not to buy a car at all.
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- Importing your car can come with a lot of complications. Before you lock in your final decision, check out our guide on How To Import A Car To Portugal: Is It Worth It?
Taking your pet to Portugal
The most common way for expats to take their pets along with them to Portugal is by plane. If your pet weighs up to 8kg, it can be taken along in a cabin. The other option is via the aircraft hold if your pet weighs anything between 8kg to 45kg.
While they’re a part of your family, unfortunately, some airlines can not accommodate traveling with a pet. There are a few sets of rules you’ll have to comply with if you wish to take your pet along.
To bring your pet with you to Portugal, you’ll need a ticket, the proper international documents, and proof of vaccinations. Additionally, pets must be at least 12 weeks old, as they’re required to meet specific health regulations and other rules.
Fees for pets on flights within Europe range between €120 and €230, and on intercontinental flights, the rates range between €230 and €300.
- Interested to know more? Read How To Take Your Pet To Portugal and get detailed information on taking your fur baby along.
Know the customs rules
Besides paying attention to the number of objects to be transported, cost, and duration; you also need to know what is allowed to take to Portugal. Make sure that nothing on your objects violates Portuguese customs law.
For instance:
- The transport of any drug or narcotic is prohibited;
- The only weapons and ammunition allowed to be brought to Portugal are for sports;
- Meat and milk from countries outside the European Union are prohibited;
- There is a list of plants and animals prohibited from entering the EU;
- Pets must meet a series of prerequisites to be welcome in Portugal.
What option do most expats choose?
Many expats, including those on our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats, have found that taking as much as possible through checked luggage is the best option.
Most expats choose this course of action because it’s much cheaper and a way to avoid customs interference. You might already know how difficult and extensive it is to deal with customs. You’ll save a lot of time and money this way. However, the situation may be different for everyone.
Another useful tip is to minimize the number of appliances and gadgets you bring, as electrical currents can differ. For instance, American devices may not work properly or could even get damaged on European voltage without a suitable voltage converter.
Sea freight is an economical option if you’ve decided to take more of your belongings along, such as furniture. Although it’ll take longer than air freight, you’ll also save a lot.
Despite others’ experiences, we recommend that you do your own research and see what works for you. In the end, you’re the only person that should be deciding how to take your belongings to Portugal.
Finally moving into your new home in Portugal
After you reach Portugal and your belongings have also arrived here, it’s time to set up your new house! Probably the most exciting part of it all, isn’t it?
From the cheapest regions of Portugal to the ones where the rich and famous live, settling in will be much easier as long as you’ve planned everything in advance.
Knowing how to speak Portuguese will prove to be a surprisingly useful skill at this stage, as most people working in relocation services do not speak fluent English.
That being said, hiring a relocation assistance company is still a good idea.
When you arrive at the new home, you’ll likely need to meet the landlord or realtor, pick up the house keys, and even contact the electricity, water, and gas companies. Not to mention the bureaucracy with the parish council and immigration services.
When are you moving to Portugal?
We understand how overwhelming it can be to take your belongings to Portugal, or any new country for that matter. Fortunately, we’ve learned much through our experiences and by helping our clients. So we have all the resources to make your move as seamless as possible.
Viv Europe has already helped several nationalities to live the Portuguese dream. Our immigration advisory services have been essential to expats’ successful relocation journey. And we love seeing people live their best life in Portugal!
If you’d like to connect with expats who’ve gone through similar experiences, join our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats, and meet residents who’d love to help you out. And remember, we’ll be right here whenever you need us.
