Moving to Lisbon from the UK

Moving from the UK to Lisbon used to be a matter of booking a flight and registering with the local authorities. Post-Brexit, it requires more planning. The good news is that it is still very much possible, thousands of Brits do it every year, and Lisbon is one of the most popular destinations. Here is what you need to know.

Visas — the new reality

Since the UK left the EU, British citizens need a visa to live in Portugal for more than 90 days. The main options:

D7 visa (passive income)

The most popular route for retirees and people with remote income (pensions, investments, rental income). You apply at the Portuguese consulate in London, showing proof of regular passive income — generally at least €760/month (the Portuguese minimum wage) although the practical threshold is often higher. You also need health insurance, a clean criminal record, and accommodation arranged in Portugal.

Digital Nomad visa

Portugal introduced a specific visa for remote workers employed by companies outside Portugal. You need to demonstrate a monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage (roughly €3,040/month in 2026). This visa has become popular with UK freelancers and remote workers.

Work visa

If you have a job offer from a Portuguese company, your employer sponsors a work visa. The process involves IEFP (the Portuguese employment institute) confirming that the role could not be filled by an EU citizen, then the employer submits the application.

Golden Visa

Portugal’s Golden Visa programme has been through significant changes. The real estate investment route for residential property in Lisbon was closed. Current qualifying investments focus on fund subscriptions, cultural projects, and scientific research. If this interests you, work with a specialised immigration lawyer — the rules shift frequently.

The application process

Regardless of which visa you choose, the general steps are:

1. Gather your documents (passport, income proof, health insurance, criminal record check, NIF if you already have one)
2. Apply at the Portuguese consulate in London (or Edinburgh)
3. Wait for approval (this can take several weeks to a few months)
4. Enter Portugal and apply for your residence permit through AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — the agency that replaced SEF)

AIMA appointments have been notoriously backlogged. Book as early as possible and be patient. The agency is working through a significant queue, and wait times of several months for an appointment are not unusual.

Getting your NIF

Your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is the Portuguese tax number, and you need it for almost everything — renting, banking, contracts, utilities. As a non-EU citizen, you will likely need a representante fiscal (fiscal representative) to apply. This can be a friend who is a Portuguese tax resident, a lawyer, or a paid NIF service. Some people arrange their NIF before arriving through online services. It is worth doing early because everything else depends on it.

Healthcare — SNS vs private

Portugal’s public health system, the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde), is available to legal residents. Once you have your residence permit and NIF, register at your local Centro de Saúde (health centre) to get a número de utente (patient number). Public healthcare is free or very low cost for most services.

That said, many UK expats keep private health insurance alongside the SNS. Reasons include shorter waiting times for specialists, easier English-speaking access, and the comfort of knowing you are covered while your SNS registration is being processed. Plans from Multicare, Médis, or AdvanceCare start around €30-€50/month for basic coverage.

Your UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) provides limited emergency cover in Portugal but is not a substitute for proper health insurance or SNS registration.

Banking

Opening a Portuguese bank account is straightforward once you have your NIF and passport. Popular banks among expats:

• ActivoBank — no monthly fees, decent online banking, English-friendly setup process
• Millennium BCP — the largest private bank in Portugal, widely used and with English support
• Moey! — a digital-only bank, easy to set up via the app

You will need a Portuguese bank account for rent payments, receiving salary, and most direct debits. Your UK bank can coexist alongside it — many expats use Wise or Revolut for transfers between the two.

Driving licence

This is one of the trickier post-Brexit changes. UK driving licences are no longer automatically exchangeable for Portuguese ones. After becoming a resident, you can drive on your UK licence for a limited period (currently up to 90 days, or potentially longer under certain conditions — check the latest IMT guidance). After that, you will need to take a Portuguese driving test, which involves both theory and practical exams, conducted in Portuguese.

Some expats convert their UK licence to an EU licence via a country with an easier exchange process before moving, though the legality and practicality of this varies. If driving is important to your daily life, factor this in early.

The NHR tax regime

The original NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, which offered a flat 20% income tax rate and exemptions on foreign income for ten years, was closed to new applicants in 2024. A revised incentive programme targeting specific professions (scientific research, technology, certain skilled roles) may be available. The tax landscape for new arrivals changes frequently — consult a Portuguese tax accountant (contabilista certificado) before making assumptions about your tax situation.

Even without NHR, Portugal’s tax rates are not necessarily punitive, and proper planning around your UK and Portuguese tax obligations can make a significant difference. Double taxation treaties between the UK and Portugal remain in place.

Social life and settling in

Lisbon has a large and welcoming British expat community. You will find networking events, pub quizzes, sports clubs, and professional meetups without much effort. Facebook groups, InterNations, and Meetup.com are the usual starting points.

Learning some Portuguese makes an enormous difference, both practically and socially. Most Lisbon residents under 40 speak good English, but making an effort with Portuguese opens doors that stay closed otherwise. Language schools and private tutors are abundant and affordable.

What catches UK newcomers off guard

• Bureaucracy moves slowly. AIMA appointments, Finanças visits, and official processes take longer than you expect. Build in extra time for everything administrative.
• Rent is not as cheap as the internet suggests. Central Lisbon rents have risen sharply. Budget realistically.
• The food is incredible. This catches people off guard in the best way. Fresh fish, pastéis de nata, bifanas, local wine for €3 a glass — eating in Lisbon is a genuine daily pleasure.
• Winters are mild but buildings are cold. Lisbon rarely drops below 8°C outside, but older apartments without central heating can feel chilly from November to March. Invest in good portable heaters.
• Customer service culture is different. Things that would happen instantly in the UK — returns, cancellations, account changes — can take multiple visits or phone calls in Portugal. Patience helps.

Moving to Lisbon from the UK takes more paperwork than it did before 2021, but the city itself makes the effort worth it. Get your visa process started early, sort your NIF as a priority, and give yourself a few months to settle into the pace of life. Lisbon has a way of growing on people quickly.