Olá Reader,
​
I hope you had a chance to read the first issue of the newsletter. The Welcome letter. If not, you can find that pinned in our "broadcasts" section.

Storm Kristin has caused a lot of unusual weather events here in Portugal. Heavy winds, lots of rain, and even a decent amount of snow in some parts of the country! Anyone that thinks the Iberian Peninsula is hot all the time needs to come for a visit right NOW.

This issue’s focus:​
The rules and regulations governing travel around Europe once you have your Portuguese visa.

Travel Around Europe

One of the most exciting perks of getting your Portugal D visa? The ability to explore Europe!

Whether you’re applying for a D7, D2, D8, or another visa type, you’re probably wondering what kind of travel freedom you’ll have once you’re approved.

The short answer: Yes, you can travel around Europe with your Portugal D visa, but there are some important rules to know.

Your Portugal D visa gives you residency in Portugal and provides Schengen Area access for short stays. This means you can explore 27 European countries like Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Greece without needing separate visas.

The catch? You need to follow the 90/180 rule.

The 90/180 Rule

The 90/180 rule means you can stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period.

Here’s how it works:

• Unlimited time in Portugal - You can live in Portugal full-time with no day limits (it’s your country of residence!)
• 90 days for other Schengen countries - When you travel to other Schengen countries, you can spend a combined total of 90 days there within any 180-day window
• Days in Portugal don’t count - Only your time in other Schengen countries counts toward the 90-day limit

For Example...

Let’s say you’re living in Lisbon with your D8 Digital Nomad Visa:

• March: 2-week trip to Barcelona
• May: Long weekend in Paris
• July: 10 days in Rome
• September: Week in Berlin
• Rest of the year: Living in Portugal

As long as your total time in other Schengen countries doesn’t exceed 90 days within any 180-day period, you’re good to go!

Important things to remember

Track your days carefully. Use online Schengen calculators to monitor your travel. The 180-day period is rolling, not a calendar year.

Always carry your residence permit. Bring your Portugal residence permit card when traveling to prove your legal status.

Meet your Portugal residency requirements. Don’t spend so much time traveling that you jeopardize your visa status!

Non-Schengen countries require separate planning. Countries like the UK, Ireland, and Romania aren’t part of the Schengen Zone and have their own entry requirements.

In the longterm: Once you obtain Portuguese citizenship (typically after 5 years of legal residency, as per the current laws), the 90/180 rule no longer applies. You’ll have complete freedom to live, work, and travel across all EU countries without any restrictions.

The Bottom Line

Your Portugal D visa opens up incredible opportunities to explore Europe while building your new life in Portugal. Just remember to track your days, carry your residence permit, and meet your residency requirements. And if you stay longterm in Portugal, you can eventually apply for citizenship and receive the coveted maroon EU passport. Once you have that, the entire Schengen zone is your oyster for living, working, or visiting.

Though I initially arrived with a visa, I also managed to get my Danish citizenship reinstated recently. [Long story, but I applied for that over a year before we moved forward with our visa applications and was pleasantly surprised that it suddenly came through, after over two years of waiting]. So, I know how good if feels to get that EU passport in your hand!

Portugal Fun Fact: According to PassportIndex.org, the Portuguese passport is ranked #5 in the world (US is #11) with a "movement score" of 172 (compared to the US at 166). For reference, United Arab Emirates is ranked #1.

That's it for this week! Stay tuned to your inbox for more of The Let's PortuGo Newsletter...

Até breve (see you soon),

Rich & the Let’s PortuGo Team

P.S. Want more tips or resources? Follow us on Instagram @letsmovetolisbon or visit letsportugo.com