Moving Overseas - Takes More Than You Think

“You Can’t Just Wing It”: What Americans Need to Know About Moving Abroad

Portugal Here We Come

We love helping people explore the idea of moving abroad. It’s exciting, empowering, and totally possible. But there's a reality we always need to share with kindness and honesty: this isn’t like booking a vacation or renting an Airbnb for a few months.

If you’re moving to Europe, you're entering a system that’s formal, fast in some countries and slow in others, often confusing, and completely unfamiliar to most Americans—for one simple reason:

As Americans, We've Never Had to Learn This

Most of us grew up never needing to understand immigration. We were born in the U.S.—that was our citizenship, no questions asked. As we grew up, our parents helped us with the big steps in life.

• Your mom took you to get your driver’s license.

• Your dad co-signed your first apartment so you could get utilities.

• You registered to vote, maybe had to file taxes, and figured out your healthcare (sort of).

  
  

But you never had to prove your right to live in your own country. You never had to apply to stay. You never had to show your income to the government just to rent a home. You never had to go through background checks just to exist somewhere.

So when Americans start looking at moving overseas—especially to Europe—it’s a shock. You don’t know what you don’t know. And that’s okay.

Portugal Is Friendly, But It's Still Bureaucratic

Since we live in portugal, let's use it as an example.

Portugal often feels “easier” than other EU countries—and in some ways, it is.

• Many Portuguese people speak English, especially in the cities and government offices. That alone can make a huge difference.

• Culturally, people here are kind and helpful. They’ll explain things to you instead of just saying “no” and moving on like you might experience at the DMV back in Ohio.

  
  

But it’s still bureaucracy. It’s still inconsistent. You might read on the government website that you need six documents… only to be asked for eight. Or show up with everything and find out they only want three. There is no one-size-fits-all experience—so you must be prepared for all of it.

What That Means for You: Overprepare and Get Help

If you want to move to Portugal (or anywhere in the EU), you’ll need to:

• Choose the right visa (like the D7 or D8).

  • Primary applicant D7 proof of income €9840 a year, plus spouse add €4,920

• Show proof of income, savings, bank account—often in very specific formats.

  • bank account set up est. €350

  • 1 year of income in your bank account before you apply

• Get a Portuguese tax ID (NIF).

  • estimate for a couple est. €300

• Secure housing (and pay for it) —long before before you even apply.

  • estimate paying 2 months down and 2 to 3 months before moving

• Gather dozens of documents, translations, apostilles, and notarized copies.

  • lawyer est. €1500

• Apply through a consulate in your home country.

  • VISA application and fees €200 to €300

• And after all that, attend another government appointment in Portugal to finalize your residency.

• The Ultimate Moving abroad Program will take you through all of this step by step so you understand your costs, plan perfectly and don't leave anything out.

  
  

And you have to do it right the first time.

That’s why we always recommend working with professionals. Immigration attorneys and relocation experts know the systems. They know the curveballs. And they can save you time, money, and stress.

This Is the Cost of Building a New Life

You’re not just moving abroad for fun. You’re selling most of what you own. You’re starting over. And that’s amazing—but it’s also serious. There are real costs involved. Add them up even if keeping costs on the low side you will need €10k to €20k. But keep in ind you haven't even purchased a plane ticket yet... And while you may be able to live nicely for under €3000 a month you need to have money for the process and emergency funds to cover you throughout life.

Trying to do it cheaply or casually often ends up being more expensive. Visa delays, missed paperwork, last-minute flights back to the U.S. because your entry wasn’t valid—these things happen when people try to wing it.

But Here’s the Good News: You Can Do This

You absolutely can. This life is within reach. But it takes planning, patience, and a willingness to see things differently.

This is a chance to reset your life—not just in a new place, but in a new way. So prepare well. Invest in doing it right. And know that when things get confusing, that’s not failure—it’s just part of learning a system you never had to know until now.

Moving Overseas Is A Dream

We’re here to guide you through it. Join us at www.itllbefunretirement.com sign up for a one to one meeting or join the monthly online meetup crew. The Ultimate Moving abroad program will help guide you through all the steps it DIY. Perfect. use code Funprogram30 to save 30% when purchasing it today.