5 Myths About Moving to Portugal from the U.S. | Postcards form Portugal

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[@RootedMystic]

I'm so glad you shared this video (and all of these re: Portugal so far), Mia!!! I'm super excited to hear more about Michelle's journey as she heads that way too. I was *especially* glad you posted #5 b/c that's one that's really caused me to pause anytime I've considered leaving the US (which has been more and more often lately). I got the e-book (which I loved - those checklists are amazing, thank you!) and then also went ahead and booked a call with you - can't wait to chat and go over some (other) questions I still have! 🤩

[@MiaHemstad]

Thank you so much for buying my ebook and booking a call! So glad you liked the checklists! I definitely wish I had those when I first got here (especially the Airbnb one!!!). Can't wait to chat tomorrow!

[@secretowlsociety5562]

Yay Angel!

[@donnacosta5633]

Myth #6 Thinking that you can move to Portugal and continue living an american lifestyle while there. Amazon Prime doesn't work in Portugal (Thank God for that!) and as a result we have lively towns with real shops where people still have permanent jobs. Uber Eats doesn't work around the clock either. Online orders comming from outside the EU (i.e. US) will attract costly tariffs. Portugal is cheaper if you live like a local and buy local or from EU. Myth #7 Believing that americans will have special treatment because they are... american. In Portugal americans are "estrangeiros" and they need to go through a lot of bureaucracy to get residency like all other immigrants & foreigners. No point complaining about bureaucracy... the portuguese don't have to go through it, so they are not bothered. And in Portugal the customer isn't always right, portuguese workers expect to be respected while doing their job. Don't be impatient, be grateful. Myth #8 The weather is always sunny & warm in Portugal. Reality: winters are very cold and most homes don't have central heating. Prepare to wear woolly jumpers & coats even indoors. Rental flats are usually not very good, they are typically the type that didn't sell. Myth #9 It's easy to rent an AirB&B. Reality: yes, for a short term stay you can easily find an AirB&B but you'll need a long term rental contract for your visa and that is like finding gold dust. In city centers you may have to pay inflated "foreigner prices" for a rental contract. There simply aren't enough homes for rent, the portuguese prefer to buy and 75% of them own their homes. It's easier to buy than rent. Rentals are the leftovers that didn't sell. Myth #10 Moving is so easy... Reality: prepare yourself to be ripped off by opportunists. There are people charging 500 USD for a NIF number when a portuguese accountant would charge you less than 50 USD, and you can get same for FREE as soon as you are in the country. You may need to give a Power of Attorney to someone resident in Portugal to be your legal representative and deal with your documents in Portugal. Just check the implications & consequences: you don't want to arrive and find out that your bank balance intended to finance your stay has been "transferred". Be informed, be aware!

[@Patmgar]

We have amazon prime, not portuguese based, but the spanish one works well for us

[@hugofevereiro1408]

Welcome to Portugal. Thank you very much for contributing to the economy of this country and enjoy the security and all the benefits that this country offers. :-)

[@MiaHemstad]

🙏🏽🤗 I'm grateful to be here!

[@ritac.6342]

WHere is she contributing to our economy with a D7 Visa, LOOOOL, she is a leech

[@its_desy_now]

My therapist told me the exact same thing when I was considering moving back to Lisbon after living in London for 5 years. “You can always come back” 😉 Love your energy

[@MiaHemstad]

Awww thank you!

[@antonio.mineiro]

"Stay within your goal..." A real nice motto right there!

[@Alfablue227]

Welcome to 🇵🇹. Glad to have you. Just an FYI, there are several Portuguese consular offices in the USA, but only one Embassy, and of course, that's in DC. 🤗🙏❤️🇵🇹❤️

[@thefatherside]

My wife and I aspire to visit Portugal for scouting our move. Your video was excellent and breaking down hesitations many would feel leaving the US. You have a new follower! 😊

[@MiaHemstad]

Thank you!!

[@thefatherside]

@@MiaHemstad You’re very welcome. I look forward to more of your perspective, and also to bring as natural in front of the camera as you. 😊

[@rotate14]

Mia... if you are looking for a long-term stay here... not that you need it, as most of us speak English, but just try to speak Portuguese. Don't worry if you get it wrong, or you speak slow. Just for the effort, so many doors will open.

[@MiaHemstad]

I'll keep practicing and doing my best! I love learning languages!

[@ritac.6342]

@@MiaHemstad Wrong, Portuguese is mandatory and you will have to use it eventually as Portuguese just like everyone else dont like being bossed around in a foreign language. Its basic etiquette if you move to any country, so you will not do your best, you will have to do it. Our country, our rules or leave. And this was in English just because the first warning should be clear enough.

[@MiaHemstad]

@@ritac.6342 I am happily learning Portuguese. My message in the video is you don't need to know the language before you move to Portugal. You can learn as you go. Be blessed!

[@ritac.6342]

@@MiaHemstad and I dont need your fake blessings, honey. Do the Portuguese a favour and go back to Guam or the US, we dont care. If you want racism and good manners to prevail in the US stand up for it and demand it as a US citizen living there. And another thing, even if I want to empathize with you with the mental health issues, think that Portugal is one of the worse countries in Europe when it comes to that because the population here is drowning itself in antidepressants and the cost of living, the low wages and losing our country bit by bit to foreigners who do not respect us only amplified the problem. The Portuguese are suffering and most much more than you.

[@ezell7079]

@@ritac.6342 why are you this rude? Geesh 🙄

[@Kimllg88]

Most Americans have never lived abroad. I left the US in 1978 and have now lived in 5 countries accross Asia and Europe. The US is a very provincial country.

[@MissOlympia2023]

I’m a single mom (1 child) & I want to leave 🇺🇸 before 1/1/2023 but seeing this I may need a miracle financial blessing to afford to get out of this country. I only have $5K saved & my monthly net income is only $3,042 🤔 Thanks for sharing this information. As a non-wealthy ✋🏽woman, living in 🇺🇸 is detrimental to my physical & mental health.

[@MiaHemstad]

Thank you for sharing, Olympia. It sounds like you are doing the best you can. I'll admit, I have been saving for a move like this for many years. It does take cash, I won't deny that. Have you heard of the Xpat app? It's an online community where remote jobs are posted quite regularly. If you have income from a remote job, you can apply to get the D7 visa. Here's a link to the Xpat app: www.xpatinc.com/xpat-app

[@thelmamarques3164]

Great video loved it. Welcome TO Portugal. I am a tour consultant here. Have been in the tourism industry for over 15 years. If you think everything is cheap now, you won't imagine before covid 😂

[@chidenisee]

I am considering moving to Portugal with my soon to be 3 years old. I have already started downsizing and looking to create different streams of income to save and move. I am planning on getting my son's passport this year. Hopefully, I will be able to move in 18 months to 2 years.

[@MiaHemstad]

Sounds like you're on it! Good for you! You've got this! If you need a recommendation for an immigration attorney/moving service, let me know! You can email me at [e-mail] if you're interested.

[@shashoannab]

I can't really relate to the things that you are speaking on in your video. I am in the beginning stages of mine research and watching your video has definitely put a lot of things and two more perspective for me and just giving me more hints. Helpful information on what I need to do and start doing now and the fact that it's not. I don't need a ton of money with that. I was giving myself a 2-year plan to start saving money and make sure I had money to support my daily living expenses there. So your video is very is really, really helping me in so many ways. Thank you so much!

[@MiaHemstad]

I'm so glad!! You've got this!! I didn't think moving abroad was possible for me, but it worked out! Be open to the possibility of what you want!

[@shashoannab]

@@MiaHemstad a lot of the things you talk about in your videos. I can relate. I'm kind of going through the same things as far as mental health stuff goes and just meeting something else in my life. I just came across and your videos is helping me pretty much make my decision to relocate to Portugal. So yes, I can relate to your videos and I thank you so much I feel like I just need something more in my life other than what I have. I'm just going to work, pay bills, go to work and pay bills. I just yeah I just need something more going on other than what I have right now. So your videos are really, really helping me

[@MiaHemstad]

@@shashoannab I'm so glad ♥️ best of luck with this next chapter of your life!

[@chrisstenger5968]

Thank you so much for this video! Your work is extremely helpful!

[@MiaHemstad]

You're so welcome! Thank YOU for watching!

[@Constellasian]

Thanks for this helpful video. I'm curious though. You said tons of US citizens moved to Portugal recently. Last year, there were only roughly 7K US citizens living in Portugal. Compare that to Portugal's population of 10 million, that's an incredibly small number of Americans there. Can 7,000 Americans really make that much of a dent in this country?

[@MiaHemstad]

It's not about Americans to Portuguese ratio. It's about how many Americans immigrated here in 2021 compared to previous years. 2021 had the highest rate of American immigrants compared to other years.

[@InMyBrz]

Hopefully they are not the UGLY AMERICANS MOVING

[@teddydavis2339]

I think it's a wonderful what Portugal is doing. No one has to live illegally which very unique for Europe. Once again, congratulations. As you know people are dying to leave the US. I lived in Aveiro which is a seaside town between Lisbon and Oporto. It's worth a visit. Boa sorte!

[@MiaHemstad]

Yes, it's so amazing, and I'm so grateful! Thank you for your well wishes!

[@silveriorebelo2920]

yeah, they make n othinbg to promote birth rates, but legalize everybody coming as turist and give visas to anyone willing to come - the policy is clearly to destroy the natinal identities all over Europe

[@teddydavis2339]

@@silveriorebelo2920 That will never happen. It's all psychological.

[@shurlatrestrail8283]

This video was really helpful, thanks for sharing

[@MiaHemstad]

You're so welcome! Thank you for watching!!

[@deborahkindle1600]

Well done I enjoyed the video ❤

[@MiaHemstad]

Thank you!!

[@intellectus2826]

I'm curious about children schooling, esp. in English because I've seen the Private Schools in Portugal are pretty expensive.

[@MiaHemstad]

Hi! Some of the private schools are high cost. I found one that was affordable for me. They're out there, you just have to look!

[@yvonne5889]

Thanks for your Channel

[@MiaHemstad]

You're so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@julienalexander6113]

Geez, I have so many questions. Too much to put in a comment. Definitely, will get your ebook. I'm currently a premed student and my goal is to get medical school but I really want to spend some time abroad. Preferably during the summer.

[@MiaHemstad]

You could probably get a student visa! But I'm not sure how that works as a mee student specifically. Or could you take 3 months off school? You can stay anywhere in the European union for up to 3 months without a visa.

[@julienalexander6113]

@@MiaHemstad Going to look into it. Thanks!

[@precisioncellularnutrition]

Great video

[@MiaHemstad]

Thank you!

[@myla469]

Just found your channel. Love it! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Do you mind sharing what you do for work online? I'm exploring different possibilities. Thanks so much!

[@MiaHemstad]

Hi Myla! Thanks for being here! I'm a web designer and self-care coach!

[@myla469]

@@MiaHemstad Hi Mia! That's great! Thank you! 😊

[@amarie3309]

I think you need 12 month lease which may involve prepayment for 12 months if you don’t have a co signer. Also 12-24 month savings in a Portuguese bank. I’ve heard the SF office requires $24k. So the cost can be $36K

[@MiaHemstad]

Not exactly. When you get a lease you will pay for two months rent up front to secure it. If you have a remote job that pays you monthly income, you don't need savings of any kind.

[@amarie3309]

@@MiaHemstad every source I’ve checked states this D7 Visa income requirements In order to obtain the D7 Visa, applicants must show that they have a minimum of 12 months of savings, amounting to a total of: €8.460 for the first adult €4.230 for second or more adults €2.538 per child If you applied without a saving well that was a blessing, but not the norm. My research states a savings and a monthly income.

[@Simplelivingslowliving]

how do like it so far? do you love the food? lol. I miss it so much. I'm going to be visiting for the third time this September with hubby and my baby. I'm much happier in Portugal but my husband thinks it's a bad idea to leave the USA and live there. he went to school in Portugal and cant Stand the bureaucracy of the Portuguese system. we actually speak fluent Portuguese so at least language wouldn't be a problem. but wont work if only 1 spouse is willing to do it. 😢

[@1drummer172]

😊

[@asmasamano3410]

My partner and I are visiting Lisbon this September, and we are seriously looking to move. I am curious if you visited Portugal first before you decided to move? Btw I relate to a lot to what you said, especially about building community. I live in NorCal and it is difficult to get together with people for a cup of coffee .. how would anyone build a community??? the US can get very alienating, I do love a lot of things about it, it’s my home. but safety has become a luxury these days.

[@MiaHemstad]

Hi Asma! Thank you for watching. 🙏🏽☺️ I did not visit Portugal before moving simply because I couldn't afford to visit and then pay for tickets later to move. I feel you on leaving your home. I still feel some grief about having to leave the US.

[@Orionte9]

Portuguese here about the community thing. Just talk to people. Portuguese are very proud of our history our country and our culture try to show some interest (food is a easy one) people will go to hell to make you understand and enjoy our culture. Also Portuguese like to help and fell usefull, so if you are having trouble withe something ask for help people will be happy to help and is a good ice breaker. Go to your local Cafe is one in each coner, or market became a regular customer talk withe the workers. Portugal have a humble culture, being humble is an apreciated trait. Portugal is a very family oriented society, so talk about your family ( note family in Portugal is not only your kids and parents is also you uncles and cousins) talking about your work is ok special at the beginning. But you will realize that works tend to stay in work place.

[@luisvasconcelos1053]

Do you know Portugal have Islands, since you come from Guam you should check too before settling

[@MiaHemstad]

Yup! I know. 😊

[@fonsaugustus7875]

Hello, I'm Belgian and have a second home in Foz do Arelho (Silver Coast). I just discovered your channel and I wonder in which town you live in Portugal?

[@MiaHemstad]

Hi! I don't share what town I live in because I'm not comfortable with that. Thank you for understanding!

[@jacquesjourney]

Do you have to be employed to be able to move to Portugal? My husband and I are retiring soon and would like to move.

[@MiaHemstad]

Lots of people retire here! So no, you don't have to be employed. :)

[@jacquesjourney]

@@MiaHemstad thanks, we are not at retirement age. But we would like to retire early. So would they need to see our income status. Because we would be leaving our jobs.

[@MiaHemstad]

@@jacquesjourney I'm not sure. It depends on what kind of visa you get. I can connect you with the immigration attorneys I worked with. I know they have more up-to-date and thorough information on this. If you're interested, send me an email at [e-mail].

[@rufusreloaded1043]

How long have you lived in Portugal?

[@MiaHemstad]

3 months

[@luisvasconcelos1053]

Did you visit before moving?

[@MiaHemstad]

Nope!

[@franciscorosales2212]

No embassies …consulates .

[@MiaHemstad]

Want to know more about life in Portugal? Get my ebook! 25 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Portugal: www.miahemstad.com/shop/p/25-things-you-should-know-before-you-move-to-portugal-ebook

[@MiaHemstad]

Which one of these myths did you used to believe?

[@Angeltearz777]

visas are credit cards 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MiaHemstad]

😂😂😂

[@Simplelivingslowliving]

how do like it so far? do you love the food? lol. I miss it so much. I'm going to be visiting for the third time this September with hubby and my baby. I'm much happier in Portugal but my husband thinks it's a bad idea to leave the USA and live there. he went to school in Portugal and cant Stand the bureaucracy of the Portuguese system. we actually speak fluent Portuguese so at least language wouldn't be a problem. but wont work if only 1 spouse is willing to do it. 😢

[@MiaHemstad]

Honestly, I love it here! The food, the beaches, the weather, the affordability, the safety and peace I feel. I'm really glad to be here. I'm sorry your husband is not on board. That must be tough!

[@Simplelivingslowliving]

@@MiaHemstad I bet. I feel so at peace when I'm there too. So much happier. Even my skin gets better. Maybe with time he'll change his mind. On the north east coast of the USA and the winter here is depressing. 😔