Washington DC — Embassy of Portugal, consular section
US posts commonly require a money order or certified cashier's cheque for the exact amount, made out as stated on the post's fee page. Personal cheques and cash are usually refused.
Official siteVisa routes · United States
Portugal visa for US citizens: how Americans move to Portugal in 2026
A US passport gets you 90 visa-free days. Living in Portugal needs a residence visa from the Portuguese consulate for your state, then a residence permit from AIMA after you arrive.
The short answer
Most Americans use the D7 (pension, Social Security, rent, dividends — from €870 a month for one person) or the D8 (remote work for a US employer or clients — from €3,480 a month). You apply at the consulate covering your state with an apostilled FBI check, proof of income, savings, accommodation and health insurance.
D7 income for your household
- Minimum monthly income
- €870
- Per year
- €10,440
- Savings commonly expected (12 months)
- €10,440
Built from a minimum wage of €870, verified 8 September 2026.
Check your own income against itWhich visa fits an American
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| Retired, living on Social Security, a 401(k), IRA or pension | D7 passive income visa |
| Landlord or investor with rental income or dividends | D7 passive income visa |
| Remote employee of a US company, or freelancer with non-Portuguese clients | D8 digital nomad visa |
| Offered a job by a Portuguese employer | Work visa (employer-led) |
| Married to an EU citizen | EU family member route, not the D7 or D8 |
Portuguese consulates in the United States
Each post works differently. These notes were last checked on 2026-09-20; always confirm on the post's own site before you book or pay.
New York — Consulate General of Portugal
Money order or certified cheque for the exact fee, made out exactly as the consulate specifies.
Official siteSan Francisco — Consulate General of Portugal
Money order or cashier's cheque for the exact amount, as stated on the consulate's fee page.
Official siteThe apostille trap for Americans
Federal documents, such as the FBI Identity History Summary, are apostilled by the US Department of State. State documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Sending a document to the wrong office is one of the most common causes of weeks of delay.
Check every document in the apostille checkerBuilt for US applicants
Your consulate's rules and every declaration, in one dossier
The Consulate Application Pack includes the requirements of your US post, the apostille order for each document and the declarations written in English and Portuguese with your own figures.
Questions people actually ask
- Do US citizens need a visa for Portugal?
- Not for short visits: US passport holders can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. To live in Portugal, work remotely from there or stay longer, you need a national residence visa issued before you travel.
- Can I apply for the D7 from inside Portugal?
- The residence visa is applied for at the Portuguese consulate responsible for where you legally live, which for most Americans means in the United States. Arriving as a tourist and applying locally is not the standard route.
- Which US consulate do I use?
- The one covering your state of residence. Each post has its own appointment system, payment method and extra requirements, and a file sent to the wrong district is redirected.
- What background check do I need?
- An FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the US Department of State, then translated into Portuguese. State documents such as birth or marriage certificates are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State instead.
- Will I still file US taxes?
- Yes. US citizens file US returns wherever they live. Portugal taxes residents on worldwide income, and the US–Portugal tax treaty and US foreign tax credits are what prevent double taxation, so take advice for your own situation.
Official sources
Criteria last updated 8 September 2026
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