Moving from London to Portugal has become one of the most popular UK-to-Europe moves of the past decade — and with good reason. Portugal offers warm weather, a relaxed pace of life, excellent food and wine, one of Europe’s safest environments, a growing tech and startup scene, and property prices that remain dramatically lower than the UK. Lisbon and Porto have become genuinely international cities, while the Algarve continues to attract retirees and families seeking sunshine and a lower cost of living.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your move from London to Portugal, from visas and tax benefits to costs and shipping your belongings.
Why Londoners Choose Portugal
- Warm climate — Portugal has one of Europe’s sunniest climates. The Algarve averages over 300 days of sunshine per year; Lisbon and Porto are mild year-round
- Cost of living — significantly lower than London, particularly outside Lisbon. Housing, food, services and everyday costs are all dramatically cheaper
- NHR tax regime — Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident tax regime has historically offered significant tax advantages for qualifying new residents (see below)
- Safety — Portugal consistently ranks as one of the world’s safest countries (Global Peace Index)
- Growing tech scene — Lisbon in particular has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing startup hubs, hosting the Web Summit and attracting international tech talent
- Large English-speaking community — particularly in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, English is widely spoken and expat communities are well-established
Post-Brexit: Visa Options for UK Nationals
Since Brexit, UK nationals moving to Portugal for longer than 90 days need a Portuguese long-stay visa or residence permit.
D7 Passive Income Visa — the most popular option for retirees and remote workers. Requires proof of regular passive income (pension, rental income, investment returns) or remote employment income. Minimum income threshold approximately €760/month (1× the Portuguese minimum wage). Includes access to the NHR tax regime.
Digital Nomad Visa (D8) — introduced in 2022 for remote workers employed outside Portugal. Requires proof of remote employment or freelance income of at least 4× the minimum wage (~€3,040/month). Popular with London-based professionals who can work remotely.
D2 Entrepreneur/Freelance Visa — for self-employed professionals establishing a Portuguese business or freelance activity.
Work Visa — for those with a Portuguese employment contract.
Apply at the Portuguese consulate in London. Processing times are typically 2–4 months.
NHR Tax Regime
Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme historically offered new residents a flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-source income and exemptions on many foreign-source incomes for 10 years. The scheme was significantly reformed at the end of 2023, replaced by the IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação) regime targeting specific professional categories.
If tax efficiency is a key motivation for your move, consult a Portuguese tax adviser before applying to understand the current options available to your specific situation.
Planning Your Move from London to Portugal: Timeline
12–16 weeks before
- Apply for your Portuguese visa — allow 2–4 months for processing
- Research areas: Lisbon vs Porto vs Algarve vs Silver Coast vs Alentejo
- Research the NHR/IFICI regime with a Portuguese tax specialist
8 weeks before
- Confirm removal booking once visa is approved
- Gather customs documents: UK proof of residency, Portuguese address, passport
- Arrange Portuguese NIF (tax number) — essential for almost all transactions. Can be applied for at the Portuguese consulate in London or through a Portuguese lawyer
4 weeks before
- Begin packing, notify UK utility providers and HMRC
- Open a Portuguese bank account if possible (Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, or international options like Revolut/N26)
Cost of Moving from London to Portugal
Portugal is a longer route from London, but competitive removal pricing reflects regular departures.
| Service type | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Part-load (shared) | £500 – £1,000 | Studios, 1-bed flats, personal effects |
| Full-load (dedicated van) | £1,300 – £2,800 | 2-bed+ homes, full households |
| Professional packing add-on | £200 – £600 | Full household packing by our team |
Lisbon, Porto, Faro (Algarve), Braga and all Portuguese cities and regions covered. Get a free fixed-price quote for your removals to Portugal.
London to Portugal: Transit Times
| Destination | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | 3–5 working days |
| Porto | 3–5 working days |
| Faro (Algarve) | 4–6 working days |
| Braga | 4–5 working days |
Tips for a Smooth London to Portugal Removal
Get your NIF early. The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is Portugal’s tax identification number — you need it to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, buy property and pay taxes. Apply through the Portuguese consulate in London with a fiscal representative, or at a local tax office (Finanças) after arrival.
Research regions carefully. Portugal offers dramatically different lifestyle and cost options: cosmopolitan Lisbon, creative Porto, retirement-friendly Algarve, unspoiled Alentejo, affordable Silver Coast. Spend time in each region before committing if possible.
Be aware of customs documentation. Post-Brexit, your household goods require EU customs clearance when entering Portugal. Easy Move handles all documentation as part of our standard service.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Moving from London to Portugal
What visa do I need to move from London to Portugal?
The most popular options for UK nationals are the D7 Passive Income Visa (for those with regular passive or remote income), the D8 Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers earning above the threshold), and the D2 Entrepreneur Visa. Apply through the Portuguese consulate in London. Processing typically takes 2–4 months.
What is the NIF number and do I need it?
The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is Portugal’s tax identification number. You need it for virtually every financial or legal transaction: opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, buying property, paying taxes. Apply through the Portuguese consulate in London before you move, or at a local Finanças office after arrival.
Is Portugal expensive compared to London?
No — significantly cheaper in most categories. Outside Lisbon, housing costs are dramatically lower than London. Food, dining and everyday services are roughly half London prices. Even in central Lisbon, accommodation is substantially more affordable than equivalent London properties.
How long does a removal from London to Portugal take?
Transit typically takes 3–5 working days for Lisbon and Porto; 4–6 days for the Algarve and other southern regions.
Does Easy Move handle EU customs for Portugal?
Yes. All UK-to-Portugal moves include EU customs documentation — Transfer of Residence application and all supporting paperwork — as part of Easy Move’s standard service.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.