Best Places to Live in Portugal: Cities and Regions Compared
Where to live in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra, the Algarve, Madeira, the Azores and more compared on housing, jobs, climate and lifestyle.
Where to start
Moving to Portugal with children
Documents for every family member, a school place and a home near it.
Moving as a family multiplies the paperwork: each family member usually needs their own numbers, and schools and health centres ask for documents about the children. Start with the certificates from your home country — birth and marriage certificates often need an ApostilaAn apostille: a certificate under the Hague Convention that confirms a public document from one country for use in another. Foreign certificates often need one, plus a certified translation. and a certified translation.
Your visa or registration route depends on your nationality: see the EU citizen route or the non-EU route for the residence steps.
Once you have an address, register everyone with the health service (healthcare in Portugal) and look for a nursery or kindergarten early — places are limited (childcare in Portugal).
Your route, step by step
A typical order — your own may differ. Tick off steps as you go.
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Prepare apostilles and translations Coming soon
Birth, marriage and school certificates from abroad often need an apostille and a certified translation. Arrange them in your home country before you leave.
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Get your tax number (NIF)
Usually the first number you need — for a lease, a bank account and contracts.
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Find a place to live
Start with a short-term rental, then sign a registered lease. Never pay a deposit for a flat you haven't seen.
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Find a school Coming soon
Public, private and international schools enrol differently. Start early, especially for the start of the school year.
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Register at your health centre
Get your SNS user number (número de utente) at the health centre for your address.
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Open a bank account Coming soon
Banks usually ask for ID, your NIF and proof of address. A Portuguese account also lets you use MB Way.
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Sort out public transport
In big cities a monthly pass is usually better value than single tickets if you travel every day.
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