Moving to Portugal: your checklist, in the right order
NIF, bank account, AIMA, NISS, health centre, tax residency, driving licence: which ones apply to you, in which order, and what to bring. Answer seven questions and get a plan you can print.
- Free, no sign-up
- Runs in your browser: your answers are not sent anywhere
- Every step links to the official Portuguese source
Tell us about your move
What the plan covers
Only the steps that apply to you, grouped the way a move actually happens:
- Before you move: your NIF (tax number), an address you can prove, a Portuguese bank account, and the residence visa if you need one.
- Your right to live here: the AIMA residence permit appointment, or the EU registration certificate at the Câmara Municipal; permits for your family; your Social Security number (NISS); registering as self-employed.
- Settling in: the health centre (SNS), school enrolment, becoming a tax resident, your driving licence at IMT, and the vehicle tax exemption for your car.
- Tax year and beyond: your first IRS return and renewing your residence permit in time.
Each step says what to do, what to bring, the deadline, and the official page it comes from. Your answers stay in the page's address, so you can bookmark or share your plan.
Guides: one question each
- How to get a NIF in Portugal: from abroad or in person, and when you need a fiscal representative.
- D7 visa income requirements for 2026: €920 a month, and the figures for couples and families.
- D7 vs D8: passive income or remote work, side by side.
- AIMA residence permit documents: what to bring for a D7, D8 or work visa.
- EU citizen registration certificate: the Câmara Municipal, within 30 days after your first three months.
- How to get a NISS: at AIMA since July 2026, or online from Social Security.
- Registering as self-employed: opening activity, recibos verdes and the first 12 months.
- Exchanging a foreign driving licence: EU, US, UK and other licences, online-only since January 2026.
- Bringing your car tax-free: the ISV exemption when you move.
Going to the appointments yourself?
The Move Pack is what you take with you: a tick-box checklist for each appointment, Portuguese letter templates with the English beside them, a glossary, a calendar file with your deadlines and a deadlines tracker. €24, once.
Why trust this plan
- It is built from the official pages of AIMA, Finanças, Social Security, IMT, gov.pt and the visa portal, and every step links to them. See all the sources.
- It is dated. Where a change has only been reported in the press, the plan says so.
- It sells no consultation and passes your details to no one: the planner runs in your browser and sends nothing.