A Checklist For Moving Abroad
Our Checklist for Moving Abroad: What’s Next?
So. Many. To-do’s.
Where to begin?
Migrating to another country without a job offer in hand or relocation assistance is not for the faint of heart. It feels like a million tasks that keep morphing and multiplying and taking forever to accomplish. Patience is not my strong suit. When I want something done, I want it done now, yesterday even.
Checking things off lists however, is one of my greatest joys. So, I’ll relish every little checkmark win I can get no matter how long it takes to complete our checklist for moving abroad to Portugal.
The visa process takes approximately six months to complete, give or take. We’re applying for what is called a D7 visa which is the first of a two-step process to establish residency in Portugal. This is different than a tourist visa (which Americans can’t even get right now due to COVID restrictions) and requires a ton of planning and paperwork.
I’m usually a DIYer who takes pride in doing things myself, but we both work full time and have two munchkins to take care of, so we opted to hire a Portuguese immigration lawyer to help us navigate the process and get it right the first time.
Finding a place to live without ever stepping foot in it, in a village you’ve only seen pictures of, using a realtor you’ve never met in person…let me tell you, it’s no House Hunters International.
The visa process requires a minimum 6-month signed lease. They used to allow vacation rentals like Airbnb and the like, but as I mentioned, the rules change almost daily. Also, you submit your application 90 days before your anticipated departure date, so you must have your lease secured by the application submission.
Anyone who has rented in a metropolitan area like, say, NYC, knows that properties move quickly and don’t hit the market until about 6 weeks before they’re available. If you’re trying to make a mental timeline, don’t bother. The math doesn’t add up. What will probably end up happening is we’ll find a place available around our submission date and pay double rent (again) until we are approved and can get to Portugal to move in. Stay tuned for more on the house hunt.
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Article by KipperTree guest blogger Allison Baxley author of the fantastic site Renovating Life