Moving Guide
– Portugal
Your Move, Delivered Perfectly
Removals to Portugal
Moving to or from Portugal is made effortless with Britannia Alan Cook. Our commitment goes beyond mere relocation – we take pride in offering a suite of removal services tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re in need of storage solutions or expert packing assistance, our goal is to ensure your move to or from Portugal is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
At Britannia Alan Cook, we’re your trusted solution for relocation to Portugal, irrespective of the size or destination. Whether you’re navigating local landscapes or exploring picturesque regions, our seamless service is supported by the extensive network of Britannia Movers International. Your journey to Portugal begins with us.
For more details on our European Removal services, click here. Alternatively, contact us to arrange a free quotation, or if you have any further questions.
Country Facts: Portugal
Time Zone: UTC + 2
Western European time. Western European time is the same as Greenwich Mean time used in the UK. The clocks in Portugal also move forward one hour in the last Sunday of March and back one hour in the last Sunday in October.
Currency: Euros
Calling Code: +351
Languages spoken
Portuguese is spoken by the vast majority of people in Portugal
Importing Personal Effects
Please see below a list of documentation requirements to import personal effects from the UK to Portugal:
Portuguese Consulate Certificate (Original document will be required). This will need to be obtained from the Portuguese embassy or consulate in the UK. It will need to be stamped by the embassy/consulate and should contain an inventory of the goods being imported, show how long the importer has lived in the UK, their most recent UK address, the date importer will move to Portugal and their intended Portuguese address.
Residence Certificate (Atestado de Residência). This will need to be obtained in Portugal in the ‘Junta de Freguesia’ closest to importers residence in Portugal. Importers date of arrival in Portugal must be mentioned on the certificate and importers address in Portugal. The Portuguese address must be the same address that is associated with the Fiscal number.
Portuguese fiscal number: This is known as ‘número de contribuinte’ or ‘NIF’ in Portugal.
Passport copy: This should be a clear, colour copy of the photo page of importers passport.
The above list is not necessarily exhaustive and more information can be provided upon request. All documents will be sent to a customs agent to check, approve and advise should further documentation be required to clear customs in Portugal.
Importing Vehicles
The same documents that are required to import household effects will likely be required to import a vehicle in Portugal, the below will also be required:
- Registration document/full proof of ownership
- International driving license
- Full details of the vehicle (Make, model, engine specification and VIN number)
- Insurance document
- Vehicle should have been owned by importer for at least 12 months
More information on the requirements to import a vehicle can be provided upon request. All documents will be checked by a customs agent to ensure they will be accepted by customs in Portugal and the agent will also advise if any further documentation will be required.
Moving Pets
The below documents would likely be required to import a pet to Portugal:
- Certificate of vaccination
- Microchip
- Official Health Certificate
All pets are subject to a medical examination before being customs cleared.
It is recommended to contact a specialist in international pet moving for more information and full confirmation of the required documents to transfer a per from the UK to Portugal
Prohibitions and Restrictions:
Food is prohibited from being imported.
Cosmetics can only be imported in very small quantities.
Alcohol is subject to paying duties & taxes.
If any medicines are allowed, they will need to have a doctor’s prescription.
Importing plants do you need a Phytosanitary certificate.
It is not recommended to include plants in a shipment of personal effects.
General information about the country and what it is known for
The oldest bookstore in the world is in Portugal- Livraria Bertrand is a book store in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. It is ranked by the Guinness book of records as being the oldest active bookstore in the world. Livraria Bertrand was founded in 1732, the first store was destroyed in the Great Lisbon Earthquake in 1755. The current store opened in 1773 in what is now known as the Chiado area.
Portugal has the shortest reigning monarch in history. Luis Filipe was technically King of Portugal for about 20 minutes. His Father King Carlos I was assassinated in February 1908, during the same attack, Luis Filipe was mortally injured and died 20 minutes later. Portugal is also in the Guinness Records book as having the longest reign for any European Monarch.
Afonso I Henrique of Portugal ascended the throne in 1112 and reigned for 73 years and 220 days until he died in 1185. However, for the first 27 years or so of his reign Afonso I Henrique was a count, he became King in July 1139.
Lisbon is the second oldest capital city in Europe. It is believed that the first human settlement in the area dates back to 1200 BCE. Rome is nearly 4 centuries younger than Lisbon, only Athens is said to be an older European capital city.
Whether you need a permit to work or live there
In the majority of cases a UK citizen would need a visa to work and to live in Portugal as a primary residence.
International money transfers
If transferring currency from or to the UK, IFX can use their expertise to save you money with competitive rates that are better than the high street bank. Please contact them to see how much you can save.
For more information about Portugal removals and storage services, please contact our friendly team. Alternatively, please complete our contact us form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
