From London to Lisbon: Six top tips for a seamless move

Over the past decade of running the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars in London, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK General Manager Christina Hippisley has noticed a rise in young families setting their sights on a different way of living.

“Remote and hybrid working arrangements have opened up people’s eyes to what’s possible, especially post-Covid,” Christina explains.

“At our spring show last year, nearly 1 in 5 attendees (17.9%) were aged between 20 and 39 years and the majority were in the 40-59 age bracket. Those attending our shows are increasingly asking about international schools, family healthcare and Portugal’s outdoor lifestyle.”

In advance of the next Moving to Portugal Show, which takes place in central London on 26 March, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK has shared six top tips to help Londoners enjoy a seamless moving experience when relocating to Lisbon (or anywhere else in Portugal).

“Moving to Portugal is easier than you might think – it’s just a question of having the right information on visas, taxation, banking and all those other practical elements,” explains Portuguese Chamber General Manager Christina. “Get those fundamentals right from the start and your move will be much more straightforward.”

With that in mind, here are the top tips from the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK:

1. Start by focusing on where your income will come from once you move. Clarity on that will inform everything from visa options to your choice of location. Portugal is very accessible (Lisbon is just a 2.5 hour direct flight) and on the same time zone as London, making it easy to work from there and still maintain links with the capital. The frequency of flights, with multiple options daily, is ideal for those travelling back and forth for work. This has driven a significant rise in interest from digital nomads looking to experience living and working abroad but also working families looking to relocate in recent years.
2. Begin your visa application early, as processing times can vary. Advice on visas, such as the D7 Passive Income Visa or D8 Digital Nomad Visa, is available from experts at the Moving to Portugal Show. Visas topped the list of information that attendees were seeking at the spring 2025 show, with 57% of people keen to know about the latest options.
3. Check in advance what you’ll need for customs clearance when relocating, particularly in terms of furniture, personal items and any vehicles you wish to bring. You’ll need a Baggage Certificate to show you’ve owned your possessions for six months or more to avoid import duty.
4. Investigate schooling before you go. Portugal has excellent international and state schooling options, so work out what’s right for your family.
5. Research locations carefully: are you looking for city life in Lisbon or Porto, beach life in the Algarve, or somewhere that combines the best of both? The spring 2025 Moving to Portugal Show saw interest in buying property not just in the Algarve (56.2% of attendees) but also in Lisbon (42.6%) and Porto (32.3%). At the upcoming London Show in March, interest in the rural areas outside the main cities, where there is still real value to be had, is keenly anticipated.
6. Check how long you have left on your UK driving licence. You can use it to drive in Portugal until it expires thanks to a bilateral agreement between the UK and Portugal.

Cost of living is another crucial consideration. While life in some parts of Lisbon is on par with London these days, other areas can be significantly cheaper. Londoners need to balance lifestyle choice with the cost of living in different locations. Sometimes, all it takes is a 10-15-minute drive and you can find a significantly better value lifestyle at your fingertips.

As a final, bonus tip, Portuguese Chamber General Manager Christina adds: “London’s large Portuguese-speaking community presents practical advantages in terms of learning the language. While you don’t need to speak Portuguese to live in Portugal, as English is widely spoken in many urban and tourism-focused areas, making the effort is always appreciated. Londoners can easily access lessons in the capital or drop by one of the many Portuguese restaurants in areas such as Vauxhall or Stockwell to try out their fledgling language skills and build their confidence. Dipping a toe into Portuguese culture in this way is also a superb way to build excitement prior to moving!”

The next Moving to Portugal Show takes place in London on 26 March 2026. Registration is free and bookable online in advance at: https://mtp-london-2026.eventbrite.co.uk/