More Americans are relocating to Portugal

9 August 2022

According to SEF - Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, in the first quarter of 2022 US investment more than tripled compared to the same period in 2021. With an estimated investment of 25.1M euros in the first three months of 2022, the United States of America is now the number one country investing in Portugal.


To prove the statistics right, all one has to do is stroll around the cobbled streets of Lisbon, for instance, to listen to English with an American accent. There are also many Facebook groups dedicated to American relocation, Meetup groups that help integrate Americans once they arrive, and American clubs focused on a very active Portugal American community.


Portugal is one of the best places to meet new people and to start a new life. We have already shared several surveys that show that the Portuguese people welcome Expats with open arms and are quite friendly to the international community that has settled in this country, making them feel at home only a short time after their arrival.


According to a news report from Bloomberg, more and more Americans are relocating to Europe, driven across the Atlantic by the rising cost of living, inflated house prices, a surging dollar and political polarization.


Retirees and the wealthy have traditionally been the prime American buyers of real estate in Europe. However, the relatively cheap housing — particularly in smaller cities and towns — and the rise of remote work have made the European continent appealing to a wider range of people, including those who are younger and find themselves priced out of the housing market in the US. Growing crime rates in some US cities and political division have also driven Americans to look for a quieter lifestyle, in countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and France.


To attract foreign buyers, Portugal offers captivating residency programs, which cover expats who wish to invest, work, and live in a country with 850 kilometres of cost line, stunning vistas and an average of 300 days of sunny weather.

by Margarida Tempera 9 September 2025
Margarida Tempera | Lawyer
In practice, Article 123 is a narrow and highly discretionary instrument.
by Luís Maria Branco 8 September 2025
This provision establishes exceptional residence permits for cases outside Article 122, covering national interest, humanitarian grounds, and public activities.
With legal guidance, investors can enter Portugal’s property market confidently and minimise risks.
by Tomás Melo Ribeiro 2 September 2025
Buying property in Portugal blends lifestyle and investment. Conformity with the law ensures a valid, compliant, and protected transaction from start to finish.
You’ll need a medical stay visa—tourist visas don’t grant access to healthcare in Portugal.
by Danielle Avidago 1 September 2025
Portugal is a well-regarded destination for quality healthcare in Europe, with advanced facilities, affordable costs, and a growing international reputation.
Portugal reformed nationality laws, allowing adults born here to obtain citizenship based on birth.
by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo 26 August 2025
Many adults born in Portugal to foreign parents may be unaware that they have a legal right to acquire Portuguese nationality, even without a childhood application.
Marriage is a significant personal status act with wide legal consequences for family and property.
by Margarida Tempera 25 August 2025
For Portuguese citizens who marry abroad, the marriage is valid where it was celebrated but only gains legal effect in Portugal after being properly transcribed.
Corporate tax (IRC) exemption isn’t automatic—it requires formal approval by the Finance Minister.
by António Pratas Nunes and Tomás Melo Ribeiro 22 August 2025
In Portugal, non-profit entities like foundations and associations benefit from a distinct corporate tax regime that recognises their public interest mission.
Entry declaration within 3 days is required under Article 77 of Portugal’s Foreigners’ Law.
21 August 2025
Foreign nationals entering Portugal by land must file a PSP entry declaration within three days, as passport stamps or SIBA forms are no longer accepted as proof.
Most residence permits limit absences to 6 consecutive or 8 non-consecutive months from Portugal.
by Sara Sbai Oliveira 14 August 2025
Holding a residence permit in Portugal grants rights—but also strict obligations. Failing to meet stay requirements can lead to losing your residency status.
A start-up’s legal status defines its access to tax and legal incentives under Portuguese law.
by Margarida Resende 13 August 2025
In today’s innovation-driven economy, start-ups have emerged as agile business models, responding swiftly to the evolving demands of a tech-focused global market.
More posts