Buyer guides
The questions every relocating buyer asks — residency, taxes, the buying process, where expats actually live — answered plainly and kept up to date.
Buyer guide
How long can I stay in Portugal if I own a house?
Owning a home in Portugal does not change your immigration status. As a non-EU citizen you may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules — as a visitor, whether or not you own property. To live in Portugal you need a residence visa; for most of our clients that is the D7 (passive income) or D8 (remote work) visa, which leads to a residence permit and, after the qualifying period, permanent residency or citizenship.
Reviewed 7 Sept 2026
Buyer guide
Can a US citizen buy a house in Portugal?
Yes. Portugal places no restrictions on foreign buyers: a US citizen can own property outright, with exactly the same rights as a Portuguese national. You will need a Portuguese tax number (NIF), a fiscal representative for as long as you are not resident in the EU, and — strongly advisable — a Portuguese bank account. Owning property does not by itself grant residency; that comes through a visa such as the D7 or D8.
Reviewed 7 Sept 2026
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