Awww thank you for your comment Claudia!!! YES, community really "makes it or breaks it". That's amazing that you've lived on four continents!!!! How cool!!!!
Thank you! I have traveled in France and Spain. Love both but want to visit Portugal and Spain (again) i grew up in a bilingual family. My father’s family came here from Switzerland but they never maintained their citizenship so have to figure all of this out. Lots of decisions to make.
France and Spain are amazing!! And both are doable for moving, living, retirement...
The decisions and research are fun, yes?!
I would recommend (unsolicited advice sorry!) that you find out: 1. where you qualify for a visa 2. if you speak another language already, checking out those places in particular.
If your father's family came from Switzerland, did your father lose his citizenship before you were born? I'm sure you've looked into this but a quick AI search says that you may still be able to reclaim it. It may be worth a look (or a lawyer LOL).
AI:
Swiss citizens born abroad typically lose their Swiss nationality if they fail to register with Swiss authorities or maintain ties to Switzerland before the age of 25.
Reclaiming Swiss Citizenship
In some cases, descendants of Swiss nationals who lost their citizenship may apply for facilitated naturalization. This process is not automatic and requires meeting specific criteria, such as:
Demonstrating close ties to Switzerland (e.g., knowledge of Swiss culture, language, and society).
Proving descent from a Swiss citizen (e.g., through birth records or other documents).
This process can be lengthy, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances.
Oh Kimberly you’re a wealth of experience & knowledge on this!
Hello as an Expat on a Budget too only in France 🇫🇷
The few lovely conversations we’ve had on here have confirmed what you wrote about being helpful!
Moving to another country whether that’s a car ride over a border, 500 miles away like me, or 1000’s of miles as is your experience, it’s AN ADVENTURE!
A handholder is a service to add to your budget I 💯 agree as some things are tough to navigate!
I want to delve deeper into your Substack because I do know that being on a budget in France can be a little challenging. My cousin lives in Paris and my sister is moving back to France this year but both of them live on significantly larger budgets than I have available.
And yes moving to another country is absolutely an adventure, no matter how far you go to get there! When I first set out I called it my "unknown adventure" and that kind of encapsulates life too; or at least a healthy, fun one!
A hand-holder (or a cheerleader), yes! That's a great thing to add to one's budget, I couldn't agree more!
I am planning on moving in the next 3-5 months, as soon as I can get my house on the market and it sells.
I plan on renting but until the house sells can't commit to a property so exact location is open but hoping for something near Porto, just needs to be close to a Metropolitan area with good transportation.
I have an irish passport so that helps but not clear if I would still need a retirement visa as well and if so whether I need to apply for one in advance. Can you clarify that for me?
Hi Janine, that sounds like a great plan! 3-5 months is soon, YES!!!
If you're looking for someplace close to Porto but also need transportation you can check out Gondomar (specifically Rio Tinto which is the closest to Porto on the east), Vila Nova de Gaia (south), Maia (north), Matosinhos - north west (expensive now) and Vila do Conde (the furthest north/west but the metro runs there from Porto).
As for the visa, it's much easier if you have an EU Passport: This is what you will need: I.D. (for example, passport or I.D. card)
Proof of address (e.g., mortgage statement, NIF document, utility bill, or rental contract)
Three months of bank statements
NIF (Numero de Idenficacao Fiscal)
Statement confirming you have necessary fiscal means to support yourself (pensions or savings), proof of employment, or proof of being a student.
Registration fee of about €15
Criminal records check done via the justice department (costs about €10)
Private health insurance
Proof you do not owe money to the Portuguese Social Security department.
Document from your local Junta de Freguesia, signed by the witnesses confirming where you live (Atestado De Residencia)
Thank you! I have two elderly cats and am biding my time before making the jump to Europe until they go…as I do not want to put them through that stress. I am so happy to have this resource and can at least get busy planning and dreaming!
Can you help me? I want to move to America. It sounds so interesting and exciting there right now!
(Just kidding! 😂)
🤣🤣🤣
Do it!!! JK!!!
Have you ever heard the phrase, "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy"?
Obviously not.... 😞
I use that phrase a lot myself!
Great point about the ex-pat group moaners! They can be so negative it's shocking!
Aww yeah, it IS shocking. It’s a time waste and a time suck (for all) but we can scroll on by!! ☺️
Thank you for this post - I've lived on four continents and cannot agree more on how important community is!
Awww thank you for your comment Claudia!!! YES, community really "makes it or breaks it". That's amazing that you've lived on four continents!!!! How cool!!!!
Thank you! I have traveled in France and Spain. Love both but want to visit Portugal and Spain (again) i grew up in a bilingual family. My father’s family came here from Switzerland but they never maintained their citizenship so have to figure all of this out. Lots of decisions to make.
Hi Laura!
France and Spain are amazing!! And both are doable for moving, living, retirement...
The decisions and research are fun, yes?!
I would recommend (unsolicited advice sorry!) that you find out: 1. where you qualify for a visa 2. if you speak another language already, checking out those places in particular.
If your father's family came from Switzerland, did your father lose his citizenship before you were born? I'm sure you've looked into this but a quick AI search says that you may still be able to reclaim it. It may be worth a look (or a lawyer LOL).
AI:
Swiss citizens born abroad typically lose their Swiss nationality if they fail to register with Swiss authorities or maintain ties to Switzerland before the age of 25.
Reclaiming Swiss Citizenship
In some cases, descendants of Swiss nationals who lost their citizenship may apply for facilitated naturalization. This process is not automatic and requires meeting specific criteria, such as:
Demonstrating close ties to Switzerland (e.g., knowledge of Swiss culture, language, and society).
Proving descent from a Swiss citizen (e.g., through birth records or other documents).
This process can be lengthy, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome! I hope you can get this done!!!
Oh Kimberly you’re a wealth of experience & knowledge on this!
Hello as an Expat on a Budget too only in France 🇫🇷
The few lovely conversations we’ve had on here have confirmed what you wrote about being helpful!
Moving to another country whether that’s a car ride over a border, 500 miles away like me, or 1000’s of miles as is your experience, it’s AN ADVENTURE!
A handholder is a service to add to your budget I 💯 agree as some things are tough to navigate!
Hi Lucy!!!!
You're so sweet, thank you so much!!
I want to delve deeper into your Substack because I do know that being on a budget in France can be a little challenging. My cousin lives in Paris and my sister is moving back to France this year but both of them live on significantly larger budgets than I have available.
And yes moving to another country is absolutely an adventure, no matter how far you go to get there! When I first set out I called it my "unknown adventure" and that kind of encapsulates life too; or at least a healthy, fun one!
A hand-holder (or a cheerleader), yes! That's a great thing to add to one's budget, I couldn't agree more!
I am planning on moving in the next 3-5 months, as soon as I can get my house on the market and it sells.
I plan on renting but until the house sells can't commit to a property so exact location is open but hoping for something near Porto, just needs to be close to a Metropolitan area with good transportation.
I have an irish passport so that helps but not clear if I would still need a retirement visa as well and if so whether I need to apply for one in advance. Can you clarify that for me?
Hi Janine, that sounds like a great plan! 3-5 months is soon, YES!!!
If you're looking for someplace close to Porto but also need transportation you can check out Gondomar (specifically Rio Tinto which is the closest to Porto on the east), Vila Nova de Gaia (south), Maia (north), Matosinhos - north west (expensive now) and Vila do Conde (the furthest north/west but the metro runs there from Porto).
As for the visa, it's much easier if you have an EU Passport: This is what you will need: I.D. (for example, passport or I.D. card)
Proof of address (e.g., mortgage statement, NIF document, utility bill, or rental contract)
Three months of bank statements
NIF (Numero de Idenficacao Fiscal)
Statement confirming you have necessary fiscal means to support yourself (pensions or savings), proof of employment, or proof of being a student.
Registration fee of about €15
Criminal records check done via the justice department (costs about €10)
Private health insurance
Proof you do not owe money to the Portuguese Social Security department.
Document from your local Junta de Freguesia, signed by the witnesses confirming where you live (Atestado De Residencia)
https://imaportugal.com/how-to-get-residency-in-portugal-for-eu-citizens/
Thank you! I have two elderly cats and am biding my time before making the jump to Europe until they go…as I do not want to put them through that stress. I am so happy to have this resource and can at least get busy planning and dreaming!
Hi Beth and welcome! YES YES YES!
Planning and daydreaming are AMAZING and honestly, 100% needed for your move. I love that you're waiting for your kitties...
One of my closest friends did the same thing and now she lives in Asia! Another friend waited for her doggies and now lives in New Zealand!
I didn't wait for my aging dog... I couldn't do it because I was unable to stay in the US (mentally or financially) so I brought him with me.
There's no one-size-fits-all and I love that you're doing what's right for you!!!!