Moving to Portugal: The Complete Expat Checklist

Moving to Portugal is one of the smoother European relocations — but it still involves a specific set of administrative tasks, in a specific order, within specific timeframes. Miss one and it creates a cascade of problems. Get them right and you'll be legally settled within 60–90 days of arrival.

This checklist is structured in the order you should complete each step. Some can be done before you arrive in Portugal; most require you to be on the ground.

When: Before or immediately after arrival
Where: Any Finanças (tax office) or Loja do Cidadão
What you need: Passport + proof of address (home country is fine initially) + €10.20 fee

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number. You cannot open a bank account, sign a lease, or do almost anything official in Portugal without one. It is the first thing you get, full stop.

Non-EU citizens may need to appoint a Portuguese fiscal representative. EU citizens do not.

Time: Same day, usually under 30 minutes.

When: Within first 2 weeks
What you need: NIF + passport + proof of Portuguese address (or a letter from your accommodation)
Recommended banks: Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Santander Portugal, Novo Banco

A Portuguese bank account is essential for direct debits (utilities, rent), salary payment, and general life. International banks like Revolut and Wise work for daily spending but are not accepted for everything.

Millennium BCP has the best English-language service and app of the major banks. Caixa is the widest network and most used by Portuguese people.

When: Within 30 days of establishing residence
Where: Câmara Municipal (town hall) of your local area
What you need: Passport + proof of address (rental contract, utility bill, or sworn declaration) + proof of means (employment contract, bank statement, or pension documentation)

EU citizens must register at the Câmara Municipal within 30 days. You receive a Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia — this is your legal proof of residence in Portugal. It is not a residence card but is equally valid.

Some Câmaras are well-organised; others can be slow. Book an appointment online where possible. The fee is approximately €15.

When: As soon as you have your residence certificate
Where: Your local Centro de Saúde (health centre)
What you need: Residence certificate + NIF + passport

Register at your local Centro de Saúde to get your SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) number. This gives you access to public healthcare. Bring all documentation — the process is typically straightforward but varies by centre.

Once registered, you are assigned a family doctor (médico de família). Availability varies — some areas have waiting times of several months for a permanent assignment.

When: As early as possible — places fill up fast
State schools: Contact the local Agrupamento de Escolas; enrolment opens in April for the following September
Private/international schools: Contact directly, most have rolling admissions

State schools are free and often better than their reputation suggests, particularly in the Algarve's larger towns. Your child will be immersed in Portuguese quickly — typically fluent within one school year. Support for non-Portuguese speakers varies.

If an international curriculum (British, IB, German) is important, the western Algarve has several private options. Wait lists are common — apply well in advance.

EU licence holders: Your licence is valid indefinitely in Portugal. No exchange required unless your licence expires.
UK licence holders (post-Brexit): You must exchange your UK licence for a Portuguese one within 90 days of establishing residency. Apply at IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes).
Non-EU/UK: You may need to sit a driving test. Check bilateral agreements — there are equivalence agreements with many countries including the US, Canada, and Australia.

When: Within the tax year you become resident
Where: Finanças (online via Portal das Finanças, or in person)

Once resident, update your NIF to show your Portuguese address and resident status. This matters for how your income will be assessed. Inform your employer (or clients, if self-employed) and any financial institutions of your new Portuguese address.

This is also the point at which you or your tax advisor should assess whether IFICI applies to you and submit any applicable application.

• ☐  Get NIF — Finanças or Loja do Cidadão
• ☐  Open bank account — bring NIF + passport + address proof
• ☐  Secure accommodation — rental contract needed for registration
• ☐  Register at Câmara Municipal — EU citizens, within 30 days
• ☐  Register at Centro de Saúde — get SNS number
• ☐  Enrol children at school — state or private
• ☐  Exchange driving licence — if UK or non-EU
• ☐  Update NIF to Portuguese address — Finanças
• ☐  Assess IFICI eligibility — tax advisor
• ☐  Set up utilities — electricity (EDP), water (local municipal), internet