This guide answers how much it costs to move to Portugal in 2026, item by item, from visa fees and apostilles to removals and your first rent.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
The changes that move a 2026 budget are higher rents, a higher minimum wage that feeds into visa income thresholds, the new EU border system and the 2026 income tax table.
| Change | Date in force | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum monthly wage of €920 | 2026 | Visa income thresholds linked to the minimum wage are higher than in 2025, so older budgets understate the savings or income you must show |
| New Andante fare table in Porto | 1 January 2026 | A single Z2 journey on Porto’s metro and bus network costs €1.40 |
| 2026 personal income tax (IRS) table | 1 January 2026 | Nine bands from 12.5% to 48%, with the top rate above €86,634 of taxable income |
| EU Entry/Exit System (EES) fully operational | 10 April 2026 | Non-EU travellers are fingerprinted and photographed at the Schengen border on scouting trips |
| Asking rents up 6.1% nationally in a year (Idealista) | September 2026 data | Lisbon municipality is up 8.8% to €25.1 per m² and the Algarve region up 15.2% to €20.8 per m²; Porto municipality fell 4.4% |
| ETIAS travel authorisation postponed | No start date set; target moved to 2027 | Nothing is payable yet; the fee will be €20 once the system starts |
| Minimum wage of €970 agreed for 2027 in the tripartite agreement | Planned for 2027 | Thresholds tied to the minimum wage are likely to rise again for applications made in 2027 |
Correcting an outdated assumption. Many English-language budgets still quote D7 and other income thresholds calculated on an earlier year’s minimum wage. With the minimum wage at €920 in 2026 and €970 agreed for 2027, any threshold linked to it moves each January. Check the figure in force on the day you apply rather than the figure in an older article.
Moving costs at a glance
For a single person moving from the UK, the official visa and document fees usually come to a few hundred euros; removals, the rent deposit and the first months of rent decide whether the total is a few thousand euros or considerably more.
| Cost | Typical amount | How firm is the figure? |
|---|---|---|
| National visa application (processing fee) | €110 | Set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Residence card issued by AIMA | Separate fee charged by AIMA | Check the current AIMA fee table |
| UK apostille | £45 per paper document, £35 per e-Apostille | Set by the FCDO |
| Certified translations | Varies by page and language | Quote required |
| Removals | Varies by volume, route and service | Three surveyed quotes required |
| Customs duty and VAT on used belongings | €0 if you qualify for transfer-of-residence relief | Fixed by EU law, subject to conditions |
| Pet travel from Great Britain | Vet fees for microchip, rabies vaccination and animal health certificate | Quote from your vet |
| Rent deposit and first month | Set in the lease | Agree before you sign |
| Car import | Vehicle tax (ISV) and registration costs unless relief applies | Depends on the car and your circumstances |
At the European Central Bank reference rate of 26 October 2026 (€1 = £0.8382), €1,000 is roughly £840. Treat all sterling figures in this guide as approximate.
Visa and residence fees
British, American and other non-EU movers pay €110 to the Portuguese consular network to process a national visa application, then a separate fee to AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, for the residence card. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no visa and register their residence after arrival.
| Stage | Who pays | What to budget |
|---|---|---|
| National visa (residence or temporary stay) | Non-EU nationals | €110 processing fee per application |
| Visa application centre or courier charges | Applicants using an outsourced centre | Varies by country; ask before booking |
| Residence card from AIMA | Non-EU nationals after arrival | AIMA fee, which varies by permit type |
| EU citizen registration certificate | EU, EEA and Swiss citizens | Registration after arrival; ask your local authority about any fee |
| Proof of means | Visa applicants | Savings or income at the level set for your visa type |
The visa fee is the smallest part of the visa cost. The D7 route for passive income and retirement, and the D8 route for remote workers, both require proof of income linked to the Portuguese minimum wage, which is €920 a month in 2026. The D7 visa guide and the digital nomad visa (D8) guide set out the thresholds and documents.
GOV.UK’s Living in Portugal guidance (updated July 2026) says you should enter on a residence visa and then apply for a residence card after arrival, and that a temporary card is renewed every two to three years. The full route is explained in our guide to getting residency in Portugal.
Tip: Budget for the wait, not just the fee. Your residence card appointment with AIMA may come weeks or months after you arrive. Plan for a period in which you are living in Portugal on your visa while waiting for the card, and keep enough savings in reserve to cover rent and bills during that time.
Many applicants pay a lawyer to prepare the visa and residence file. If you want help, compare visa lawyers in Portugal and ask for a fixed fee in writing that states which stages are included.
Get a fixed quote for your visa and residence file
Compare immigration lawyers in Portugal who prepare D7, D8 and residence card applications for a stated fee
Tax number, apostilles and translations
You need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) before you can sign a lease, open a bank account or register with the health service, and most official documents from the UK will need an apostille and often a Portuguese translation.
The NIF
The NIF is issued by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority). GOV.UK says you must apply for a Portuguese tax number to work and pay tax in Portugal, and that registering with the national health service requires a residence certificate, a passport and your NIF. Many movers obtain the NIF before they arrive, through a representative or a lawyer, because landlords and banks ask for it early. If you pay someone to obtain it, agree the fee and whether ongoing tax representation is included.
Apostilles from the UK
Portuguese authorities usually ask for UK public documents, such as birth and marriage certificates and criminal record certificates, to carry an apostille. The FCDO legalisation service (page updated 19 October 2026) charges:
| Service | Fee per document | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard paper apostille | £45, plus courier or postage | Usually up to 25 working days, plus delivery |
| e-Apostille | £35 | Up to 2 working days |
Certified translations
Portuguese offices generally want documents in Portuguese. Prices depend on the number of pages, the language and the form of certification, so ask the receiving office what it accepts before you order. Our guide to certified translation services in Portugal explains the options.
Warning: Apostille first, translation second. If a document needs both an apostille and a translation, get the apostille first, so that the translator can translate the apostille certificate as well. Otherwise you may pay for a second translation.
Shipping your belongings and customs relief
Removal costs depend on volume, route and service level, but the biggest saving for movers from outside the EU is relief from customs duty and VAT on used household goods, which requires at least 12 months’ residence outside the EU.
What drives the price of a removal
| Cost element | What changes the price | What to ask the remover |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | Cubic metres shipped; dedicated vehicle, part load or container | Can you quote for both a part load and a dedicated vehicle? |
| Route | Road through Spain, sea freight, or a crossing to Madeira or the Azores | Which depot or port will my goods pass through? |
| Access | Stairs, lifts, narrow historic streets, parking permits | Are a shuttle van and parking permits included? |
| Customs clearance | Paperwork for goods arriving from outside the EU | Is customs brokerage included, and what happens if goods are inspected? |
| Insurance | Declared value of your goods | Is cover all-risks or total loss only, and what is the excess? |
Ask for three itemised written quotes, and read our guide to choosing international moving companies for Portugal before you sign.
Relief from duty and VAT on household goods
EU Regulation 1186/2009 sets the conditions for importing personal belongings when you transfer your residence from outside the EU:
| Condition | The rule |
|---|---|
| Time living outside the EU | At least 12 continuous months |
| Ownership and use | At least six months at your former home before you left |
| Deadline | Goods declared within 12 months of establishing residence; several shipments allowed |
| After import | No lending, pledging, hiring out or selling for 12 months without telling customs |
| Excluded | Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and items used in a trade or profession |
GOV.UK adds that you may need a baggage certificate from the Portuguese Consulate General in London to import personal belongings, including household goods. Goods moving between EU countries pay no customs duty.
Bringing a car to Portugal
Bringing a car only makes financial sense if you qualify for vehicle tax relief or the car has particular value to you, because Portuguese registration involves vehicle tax (ISV), inspection and paperwork.
Portugal offers relief from ISV in some cases for people transferring their residence, with conditions on how long you have owned and used the car abroad. Confirm the current conditions with the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira before paying to transport the car. Add the transport cost, Portuguese insurance and, for a right-hand-drive car, the likely lower resale value.
| Situation | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Car qualifies for transfer-of-residence relief | ISV relief within the conditions; registration and inspection costs still apply |
| Car does not qualify | ISV on registration, calculated according to the car |
| Moving within the EU | No customs duty, but Portuguese registration and ISV rules still apply |
GOV.UK says UK licence holders who live in Portugal can drive on their UK licence until it expires, under a bilateral agreement, and that the licence can be exchanged up to two years after expiry. The UK driving licence exchange guide explains the process and cost.
Callout: Carry the original documents. GOV.UK advises carrying your logbook, insurance documents, road tax document and, where relevant, MOT certificate when driving a UK car in Portugal. Officials may ask for originals, together with your passport and licence.
Bringing a pet to Portugal
Taking a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to Portugal costs a series of vet fees rather than any Portuguese state charge: a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an animal health certificate.
| Requirement | GOV.UK rule |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Pet at least 12 weeks old; travel at least 21 days after the first vaccination |
| Animal health certificate | Valid for 10 days for entry into the EU, and six months for onward travel within the EU |
| Pet passports issued in Great Britain | Cannot be used to enter the EU |
| Number of pets | No more than five in a private vehicle, with limited exceptions |
Certificate fees vary between practices, so ask your vet for a price. Add the cost of an approved carrier and the airline or ferry charge, which can be significant for larger dogs travelling in the hold.
Upfront housing costs
Housing is the largest upfront cost of a move to Portugal: you will pay a deposit and rent in advance before you receive the keys, and asking rents in Lisbon averaged €25.1 per m² a month in September 2026.
Idealista’s asking-rent data for September 2026 shows how widely costs vary:
| Area | Average asking rent, September 2026 (€ per m² a month) | Annual change | Approximate rent for a 70 m² flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon (municipality) | 25.1 | +8.8% | €1,757 |
| Oeiras | 18.0 | +1.3% | €1,260 |
| Porto (municipality) | 19.0 | -4.4% | €1,330 |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | 13.4 | -1.5% | €938 |
| Portimão | 20.3 | +26.8% | €1,421 |
| Faro | 14.8 | -12.6% | €1,036 |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 16.8 | Not given | €1,176 |
| Coimbra | 12.8 | Not given | €896 |
| Braga | 10.7 | Not given | €749 |
| Portugal average | 18.3 | +6.1% | €1,281 |
These are advertised prices, not signed rents, and they move month by month. The 70 m² figures are our own multiplication of the Idealista averages and are a guide only.
Warning: Never pay for a property you have not seen. Rental scams using copied listings target people moving from abroad. Do not transfer a deposit until you, or someone you trust, has viewed the property and checked that the person you are dealing with is the owner or an authorised agent.
Deposits and rent in advance are agreed in the lease. Ask how many months the landlord wants up front, whether a guarantor is required and whether the lease will be registered with the tax authority. Our guide to renting in Portugal explains leases, deposits and what landlords ask of newcomers.
Find your first home in Portugal
Compare rental agents and housing services that help newcomers find and secure a lease
Setting-up costs in your first months
Once you arrive, budget for bank, phone and transport set-up, healthcare cover while you register with the national health service, and your first Portuguese tax year.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Bank account | Requires a NIF; fees vary by bank and account type |
| Public transport in Porto | Andante card €6; single Z2 journey €1.40 (from 1 January 2026) |
| Health cover before SNS registration | Private health insurance is often required for the visa and useful until you are registered |
| SNS registration | Requires a residence certificate, passport and NIF, according to GOV.UK |
| UK State Pensioners | May be entitled to UK-funded state healthcare through an S1 form |
| Income tax | Residents pay IRS on worldwide income at 12.5% to 48% in 2026; non-residents pay a flat 25% on most Portuguese-source income |
Opening an account is usually one of your first tasks; our guide to opening a bank account in Portugal covers documents and fees. For the cover you need before and after registering with the national health service, see health insurance for expats in Portugal.
Callout: The 2026 income tax table. According to PwC’s Portugal tax summary (reviewed 3 October 2026), the 2026 bands run from 12.5% on taxable income up to €8,342 to 48% above €86,634, with an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% above €80,000 and 5% above €250,000. Your tax position in your first year depends on when you become resident, so take advice before you move.
Worked examples: two moving budgets
These examples show how the fixed costs combine with housing; removals, translations and pet costs are left as quotes because they vary too much to estimate honestly.
Both examples assume a 70 m² flat at the September 2026 Idealista average, and a landlord asking for two months’ deposit plus one month’s rent in advance. That is an illustration, not a legal rule; your lease may differ.
| Item | Single retiree to Porto (D7) | Couple to Lisbon (D8, one remote worker) |
|---|---|---|
| National visa fees | €110 | €220 (two applications) |
| UK e-Apostilles (two documents each) | £70 (about €84) | £140 (about €167) |
| Deposit and first month (3 × monthly rent) | €3,990 (3 × €1,330) | €5,271 (3 × €1,757) |
| AIMA residence card | AIMA fee | AIMA fees for two |
| Removals | Surveyed quote | Surveyed quote |
| Customs duty and VAT on used goods | €0 if relief conditions are met | €0 if relief conditions are met |
| Translations | Quote | Quote |
| Total of the figures that can be fixed | About €4,184 | About €5,658 |
The fixed elements above come to roughly £3,510 and £4,740 at the ECB rate of 26 October 2026. Removals and the first months of living costs will add considerably to both totals; our guide to the cost of living in Portugal covers monthly bills, food, transport and healthcare.
How to keep your moving costs down
The biggest savings come from shipping less, timing your import so that it qualifies for customs relief, choosing a cheaper city and avoiding paying twice for documents.
- Sell or give away bulky furniture. Removal prices are driven by volume, and furnished rentals are common.
- Check your relief dates. Make sure you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and that you import within 12 months of settling.
- Order e-Apostilles where possible. They cost £10 less per document than paper apostilles and are processed in up to 2 working days.
- Compare cities. Asking rents in Braga and Coimbra were around half of Lisbon’s in September 2026.
- Avoid peak removal months. Summer and the end of the school year are the busiest periods.
- Get three surveyed quotes. Compare them like for like on volume, insurance and customs handling.
For the full sequence of tasks before and after the move, see our complete guide to moving to Portugal and the UK moving checklist for Portugal, or browse providers on the ExpatListing Portugal hub. You can also compare relocation services in Portugal for help with the whole move.
Frequently asked questions
