Move to Portugal Summer 2025: Your Essential Checklist

Planning a Summer Move to Portugal?

Relocating to Portugal between June and August offers sunshine and community events, but it also means peak-season challenges. This guide gives you a week-by-week checklist to simplify your move and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Portugal relocation checklist

8 Weeks Before Moving: Paperwork & Visas

• Finalize your residency visa or D7/D8 visa application

• Confirm NIF number registration

• Open a Portuguese bank account

• Schedule appointments at your nearest Portuguese Consulate

📌 Internal Link: For the latest immigration requirements, see Portugal Immigration Updates

6 Weeks Before: Book Movers & Start Downsizing

• Contact international shipping companies (get 2–3 quotes)

• Look for FIDI- or IAM-registered movers for quality assurance

• Begin selling, donating, or storing non-essential items

Pro Tip: Reputable movers like AGS Movers or Crown Relocations offer customs guidance.

4 Weeks Before: Housing & Accommodation

• Start searching on trusted platforms like:

  • Idealista.pt

  • Imovirtual

  • Facebook housing groups (e.g., "Lisbon Apartments for Rent")

• Ask landlords if utilities and IMI (property tax) are included

• Book a short-term rental for arrival week

📌 Internal Link: Don’t miss Budgeting for Life in Portugal

2 Weeks Before: Healthcare & SNS Enrolment

• Gather documents: passport, proof of residence, NIF

• Register at your local Centro de Saúde for your SNS number

• Consider temporary private health insurance

Pro Tip: Bring a Portuguese-speaking friend or take the PLA course to master medical and bureaucratic terms.

Learn Basic Portuguese for Arrival

Summer moves often mean dealing with crowded offices. A basic grasp of Portuguese can smooth out everything from bank appointments to healthcare registration.

📢 Mid-Article CTA:🎓 Join the July PLA cohort – secure your A2 certificate and settle confidently.Enroll now →

Final Week: Pack Essentials

• Keep a folder with:

  • Passport

  • Visa documents

  • Lease agreement

  • NIF and SNS numbers

• Pre-order a Portuguese SIM card

• Download transport apps like Moovit or CP – Comboios de Portugal

FAQs

Q: Can I relocate to Portugal before my visa is approved?

A: No, you must enter with an approved residency visa for long-term stays.

Q: How long does it take to get an SNS number?

A: It typically takes 1–2 days after registering at your local health center.

Q: Is it hard to find housing in the summer?

A: Yes. Lisbon and Porto see high demand—start early and consider nearby suburbs.

Related Resources

• Portugal Immigration Updates

• Budgeting for Life in Portugal

• PLA Language Course Enrollment