Why More Americans Are Moving to Portugal in 2025 – And What You Need to Know Before You Go

If you've noticed more Americans talking about moving abroad lately, you're not alone — especially when it comes to Portugal. In 2025, a growing number of U.S. citizens are seriously considering relocating to this sunny corner of Europe, drawn by everything from affordable living to family-friendly culture. Whether it's the search for a slower pace, better work-life balance, or simply more freedom, Portugal is emerging as a front-runner for American expats.

And it's not just retirees or digital nomads anymore. With the U.S. pulling funding from key areas like science and technology, the European Union is stepping up — investing heavily in attracting global talent, including Americans. While countries like Germany and Ireland have long been known for tech, other nations (Portugal included) are now making it easier for professionals in STEM to settle, work, and contribute.

But is the move as dreamy as Instagram makes it look? Below, we’ll walk through the real reasons Americans are relocating — and the real-life challenges you’ll want to prepare for.

Why Portugal Is So Appealing Right Now

Portugal checks a lot of boxes for people looking to escape high-stress living. Here are just a few reasons it’s catching the eye of so many Americans:

• Cost of Living: While Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve have gotten pricier, much of the country remains affordable — especially in smaller cities or rural areas.

• Safety: Portugal consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world.

• Healthcare: Excellent public and private healthcare systems come at a fraction of U.S. costs.

• Family Lifestyle: With an emphasis on time outdoors, long meals, and strong community ties, Portugal is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, with a special affection for families with children.

• Climate & Natural Beauty: Think sunshine, ocean breezes, rolling hills, and charming cobblestone streets.

Challenges Americans Face After the Move

It’s not all wine and sunsets. There are a few cultural and practical hurdles that can catch people off guard:

• Bureaucracy: Portugal’s immigration system is known for long delays and confusing paperwork. Getting a residency visa, a tax ID (NIF), or enrolling your kids in school may take more time than expected. Patience is key here.

• Language Barrier: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but daily life — grocery stores, government offices, your child’s school — happens in Portuguese. This can feel isolating at first, especially for kids.

• Driving Rules: Driving a manual on Portugal’s steep roads can be challenging, but electric and hybrid automatics are becoming more common — so don’t worry if you’ve never driven a stick!

• Cultural Differences: Portuguese culture is more reserved and indirect than many Americans are used to. Social integration can take time and subtlety.

💡 Tip for Parents: One way to ease the transition? Start helping your kids learn European Portuguese early. That’s why I created a series of phonetic-based learning books specifically for English-speaking families — simple, colorful, and fun. Check them out here.

Visas, Taxes, & Residency: The Essentials

If you're ready to go from dreaming to planning, you'll need to understand the legal landscape. Here are the basics:

• Popular Visa Options:

  • D7 Visa: For retirees or those with passive income.

  • D8 Visa (Digital Nomad): For remote workers earning income outside Portugal. This now comes in both short-term (1 year) and long-term formats.

• NHR (Non-Habitual Residency) Tax Program:
  Offers major tax breaks for new residents — but the rules are evolving in 2025, so consult an expert.

• U.S. Taxes Don’t Go Away:
  As a U.S. citizen, you’ll still need to file annually with the IRS and report foreign accounts (FBAR). The good news? Portugal and the U.S. have a tax treaty that helps avoid double taxation.

My family was one of the first to apply for the D8 when it launched. We chose to hire relocation lawyers to guide us through the process and provide backup in case of denial. That said, it’s not always necessary — and the cost can be significant.

Raising a Family in Portugal

Moving abroad with kids adds complexity — but also opportunity. Here's what we’ve experienced and learned along the way:

Schooling Options

Moving to Portugal with kids means making big decisions about their education — but there are more options than you might expect, and each comes with unique pros and cons:

• Public Schools:
  Free, fully immersive, and generally high quality. Children are taught in Portuguese, which can feel intimidating at first, but many expat families find their kids pick up the language much faster this way. It’s also a great way to integrate into the local culture.

• Private Schools:
  These schools are widely available and often offer excellent academics and facilities. Many are Catholic-affiliated, but non-religious private schools exist as well. Private schools tend to offer more extracurricular activities compared to public schools — things like sports, art, and music.

• International Schools:
  Located mainly in and around Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, international schools follow foreign curricula (such as British, American, or IB) and are usually taught in English. These are great if you plan to move frequently or want continuity in your child’s education, but they can be quite expensive and are not widely available outside of major cities. Keep in mind many of these schools will have a long wait list for new students.

Notable Differences from U.S. Schools:

• Break Camps:
  One of the biggest surprises for many parents is that schools often offer a kind of “holiday camp” during winter and spring breaks — and even summer! These programs allow working parents to keep their kids in school, with fun and structured activities, most are offered at little to no cost. It's an amazing support system not commonly found in the U.S.

• School Meals:
  Portuguese school meals are next level. Kids don’t just get a snack and a sandwich — they’re served a full, freshly prepared lunch that typically includes:

  • A drink

  • Homemade soup

  • Fresh-baked bread

  • A protein (like fish, chicken, or pork)

  • A vegetable-based side

  • A dessert (often fruit)

This is the norm — and a huge upgrade from the processed meals many kids are used to back in the states.

Healthcare Access

• Public and private healthcare is easy to navigate. Private healthcare offers more support for English speakers and will have lower wait times than public. Biggest difference here is the time the doctors will take to speak and listen to you instead of rushing to get you out the door so they can get to their next patient.

• Most doctors, dentists, and specialists speak fluent English.

• Prices on everything from appointments to procedures to prescriptions are a small fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S.

Safety & Inclusivity

• Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world.

• It’s welcoming to women, POC, LGBTQ individuals, and people of all religions and beliefs.

• Kids can enjoy more freedom than many are used to in the U.S.

Social Norms & Community

• People in the U.S. often value individualism and independence, while the Portuguese emphasize community, togetherness, and social harmony. This shift can be refreshing — but also a little surprising — especially for newcomers used to a more assertive or competitive culture.

• This mindset is reflected in Portugal’s politics, which lean toward social stewardship, acceptance, and diplomacy. Social services are robust, and public investment in community well-being is taken seriously.

• Communication style is another big adjustment: Portuguese people are polite and indirect, and they value discretion. You'll rarely see public debates, unsolicited proselytizing, or aggressive political talk.

• Want a real-life example? In Portugal, you’ll never have someone knock on your door early Saturday morning to convert you. That kind of pushiness is considered impolite — even inappropriate — here.

• Festivals and celebrations are frequent and widely attended — not for consumerism, but for connecting as a community. These events often feature activities designed just for children, making them a beautiful way to socialize and feel at home.

Food Culture

• Food in Portugal is more than fuel — it’s an essential part of daily life and family connection.

• Unlike in the U.S., where convenience and speed often dominate, the Portuguese prioritize freshness, tradition, and time spent at the table together. Meals are prepared slowly, using quality ingredients — and they’re meant to be enjoyed, not rushed.

• You’ll quickly notice that meal times run later. Lunch is typically between 1–3 p.m., and dinner rarely begins before 7 p.m. Restaurants often close between lunch and dinner service — so don’t expect a 5 p.m. dinner reservation unless you’re in a tourist-heavy area.

• For breakfast, most restaurants open around 10 a.m. or later. Small cafes will open earlier but menus tend to be simple (think pastry, coffee, juice).

• This cultural difference can be a hurdle at first, especially for families with young children used to earlier mealtimes. But with some adjustment — and planning — it becomes part of the rhythm of daily life.

Daily Life at Home

While life in Portugal isn’t drastically different from the U.S. on the surface, there are dozens of small lifestyle shifts that can feel unfamiliar at first — and surprisingly delightful once you get used to them.

• Kids Are Welcome Everywhere:
  Whether you’re going to a café, a beach, a government building, or even a bank, your children are not only allowed — they’re welcomed. Many businesses will go out of their way to help families.
  “I like to call my kids my ‘life hack’ here in Portugal — people are just that kind and accommodating toward children.”

• Neighborhood Playgrounds:
  Almost every neighborhood, village, and city has clean, well-used playgrounds where kids of all ages gather. These are great for spontaneous socializing — for both kids and their parents.

• Fresh Air Is a Way of Life:
  Central air is rare here, and many homes don’t even have AC units. Instead, people rely on natural ventilation — keeping windows open to let in fresh air. Even those with air conditioning often prefer not to use it unless absolutely necessary, both for environmental and cost reasons.

• Laundry Culture:
  Dryers are a rarity. Most people hang clothes to dry on racks or lines outside — and given Portugal’s warm, sunny climate, this works beautifully (though it takes getting used to at first). You’ll save money, energy, and your clothes last longer, too.

• Lines Don’t Exist — In a Good Way:
  At first, it might look like there’s no one waiting — but that’s because Portugal uses ticket systems for everything from bakeries and pharmacies to government offices. Take a number and wait your turn. It’s more organized, respectful, and efficient than the “whoever elbows their way in first” approach you may be used to.

• Festivals Are Frequent and Family-Oriented:
  From town-specific saints’ days to larger cultural celebrations, festivals are a regular part of life — often multiple times per month. They typically include food, music, dancing, and child-specific activities. These events are about bringing the community together, not shopping or sales.

Resources That Help Make It Easier

Community Support

• Facebook Groups:

  • Americans & Friends PT — be sure to read the Files section!

  • Local groups for your specific region can be incredibly helpful.

Websites & Services

• AIMA (formerly SEF): https://aima.gov.pt/pt

• NIF Providers: Services that help you get your tax number remotely (Bordr) or you can do this in person during a visit (NIF is required for a bank account here).

• Tax & Visa Advisors: Global Citizen Solutions, Ei! — helpful but optional.

Language Learning

• My Books — Created for parents by a parent, these phonetic-based books make learning European Portuguese fun and approachable for kids.

• YouTube — There are some great channels out there, including mine!

So… Is Portugal Right for You?

The answer depends on your goals, needs, and lifestyle. Portugal offers a lot — but it also requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace a different pace of life. If you're looking for a simpler, safer, and more affordable place to raise a family or enjoy a new chapter, it might just be the right fit.

💡 Want to make the move easier for your kids? Start with the basics — like the alphabet and common phrases — using phonetic tools designed for native English speakers.

If Portugal feels like it could be your next adventure, start small — and start early. Your journey doesn’t need to be perfect, just intentional. And if you’ve got little ones in tow, I’ve got you covered with tools to help them feel at home too.