Portugal Unpacked

Moving to Portugal 

Clear, honest guidance for moving to Portugal. Visa help, property search, NIF and banking assistance from an English expat on the Silver Coast.

Clear Answers for Your Move to Portugal

Honest guidance from an English expat on the Silver Coast. No hype. No pressure. Just practical help.

Why I Started This Website

I started this website because I wish someone had told me all these things when I first moved here.

I moved to Portugal pre-Brexit with my husband, three dogs and a cat. We travelled over in our camper van and eventually settled in Central Portugal. Like many people making a big international move, we were excited, optimistic — and completely unprepared for how daunting the practical side would be.

We made connections along the way, but when it came to basic administrative help, things were far from simple. We spent countless hours going to the wrong offices, arriving with incorrect or incomplete paperwork, and being sent away to try again another day. Tasks that should have been straightforward became frustrating, time-consuming, and unnecessarily stressful — especially when you don’t speak Portuguese and don’t yet understand how the system works.

At the time, there was no single place that clearly explained what to do, in what order, and who you actually needed to speak to. Much of what we learned came from trial and error.

This website exists to help eliminate that stress for others.

Today, as a Real Estate Consultant with RE/MAX Cristal, working with international clients across Portugal’s Silver Coast and beyond, I see the same confusion repeated again and again. This site brings together clear explanations, practical guidance, and trusted contacts to help you navigate the early stages of moving to or investing in Portugal — with fewer mistakes, less wasted time, and far more confidence.

If this website saves you even a fraction of the frustration we experienced, then it has done exactly what it was created to do.

What You Will Find Section

Honest explanations of every visa type and who needs which one 

Step-by-step guidance on NIF, banking and bureaucracy 

Finding the right home in the right location for your life 

Realistic breakdown of what life actually costs in 2026 

Your essential checklist after arrival Link: /first-90-days

Discover why this region attracts so many expats Link: /silver-coast

Everything you need to know about schools for expat families

Who This Site Is For 

Portugal Unpacked is for English-speaking people seriously considering a move to Portugal.

Whether you are:

• Retiring and seeking a better quality of life

• Working remotely and wanting a new base

• Starting fresh with your family

• Exploring business opportunities

• Simply dreaming and researching

You are welcome here.

I write for British, American, Canadian, Australian and South African readers. The information applies broadly, though I note where rules differ by nationality.

Why the Silver Coast Section

My focus is Portugal's Silver Coast, the beautiful central Atlantic coastline stretching from Nazaré toward Lisbon.

This region offers what many expats want:

• Authentic Portuguese life, not tourist-dominated

• Genuine value for money on property and living costs

• Stunning beaches, countryside and historic towns

• A growing but grounded international community

• Easy access to Lisbon without Lisbon prices

I live here. I work here. I know it properly.

That said, Portugal Unpacked covers all of Portugal. If the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto or the interior suits you better, I will tell you.

How I Can Help Section

Beyond this website, I offer personal support:

Service 1: Visa Guidance Understanding which visa you need and how to prepare your application properly.

Service 2: NIF and Banking Arranging your Portuguese tax number and bank account, often before you even arrive.

Service 3: Property Search Finding the right home in the right location. Not just any property. The right property for how you want to live.

Service 4: Relocation Support Answering your questions, making introductions, helping you avoid the mistakes I see people make.

Service 5: Company Creation If you want to create, buy or expand your business to Portugal, helping you set it up.

I work personally with every client. No call centres. No sales teams. Just honest, practical help.

Start Here 

Not Sure Where to Begin?

These pages answer the most common questions:

• Portugal Visa Guide: Which visa do you need? 

• How to Get a NIF: Your essential tax number → /nif-guide

• Buying Property: Complete guide for foreign buyers → /property-guide

• Cost of Living 2026: Honest breakdown → /cost-of-living