How to Plan your Move to Lisbon

Lisbon is going through a renaissance, like most of the country, and tons of tourists, students, and professionals are flocking to the city for its unique atmosphere, top schools, and great opportunities. Another great thing about Lisbon is the laid-back pace of living and affordable amenities and accommodations. However, that doesn’t mean that you should leave without a clear plan in mind. Here’s how to plan your move to Lisbon the right way.

Consider Opting for Luxury Accommodation

If you’re going there as a student and want to make things easy once you move there, we recommend you book luxury accommodation with a reputable property management company like Collegiate. They offer top of the line student accommodation in Lisbon, and you’ll get to live in a central location surrounded by some of the brightest students from all over the world. Luxury accommodation in Portugal is also more affordable than in the UK, so you can stretch your budget a little further. If there’s one place where we would advocate you splurge a little, it would be there.

Don’t Worry about a Visa

If you were worried about moving there after a no-deal Brexit, don’t worry. The authorities have made it very clear that they will be leaving custom lines open to Brits. The president even said that he was ready to do so even if the UK didn’t reciprocate. So, you don’t need to apply for a visa.

However, you’ll need to apply for residency if you intend to stay there for a period of more than three months. You can do so by going to your local town hall. This will allow you to get access to things like schools, healthcare, and social security. However, this might change once Brexit is finalised, so we suggest you stay aware of the latest developments by checking this leaflet from the Portuguese government. 

Vaccination and Health Tips

You don’t necessarily need special vaccinations when moving to Portugal, but you might want to get a rabies shot, as there are places where you can come across bats. There is also a small chance that you will come across food or water contaminated with hepatitis A, so you can ask your doctor if you feel it would be necessary. 

Working in Lisbon

If you were thinking of finding a job to support yourself while in Lisbon, the good news is that there are plenty of jobs available to expats. The main employer in the region is the tertiary sector, followed by industry. So, unless you’re ready to work in either of those sectors, you might have trouble finding work there.

Note that at the moment of writing, you don’t need a work permit to start working in Portugal. But things could change once Brexit is finalised, so you’ll have to stay abreast of recent developments before you move.

Conclusion

Lisbon is a great place to live, and pretty easy to adapt to once you know the ropes. Make sure that you plan your move thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to ask others who went through the same experience.