In this episode of Moving Along, Christi Cassidy interviews Scott Kirk, CEO and founder of Visas.pt, a company that assists people looking to move to Portugal with visa and immigration services. Scott discusses the exponential growth of their online community, which includes 2.4 million monthly visitors to their Facebook groups, including Moving to Portugal and Living in Portugal.
Contrary to popular belief, Portugal is not becoming overrun with Americans moving to Portugal, and Scott offers words of wisdom for respecting the Portuguese culture and ways to fit in.
The conversation delves into Scott’s own adventurous background stemming from his family’s travel history, leading to his extensive global travels and eventual settlement in Portugal.
Scott also provides detailed insights into the process and nuances involved in moving to Portugal, addressing various visa types for retirees, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and others, economic considerations, real estate market dynamics and scams to watch out for.
Often called the “Gateway to Europe,” Portugal is a welcoming country and gay-friendly. Still, Scott emphasizes the importance of responsible immigration and cultural integration.
Scott offers practical advice for those considering relocating and details the pathway to dual citizenship, currently a five-year process that may soon become a 10-year process. The discussion highlights not only the challenges and benefits of moving to Portugal but also Scott’s personal motivations and experiences that shaped his journey.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Scott Kirk
02:35 Island Boy in Victoria, British Columbia
04:05 Digital Nomad in Remote Brazil
06:28 Why Portugal?
08:47 Founding Visas.pt
11:38 Is Portugal Getting More Expensive?
13:05 Prato do Dia – Plate of the Day
14:49 Beach Life
15:53 Blue Flag Beaches in Portugal
17:48 Gateway to Europe
20:04 Requirements for Retiring to Portugal on a D7 Visa
22:29 Healthcare in Portugal
24:08 Cost of Living in Portugal
24:32 Buying a Place in Portugal
27:09 Schengren Shuffle
27:55 The Golden Visa
28:33 Requirements for the Pathway to Dual Citizenship in Portugal
31:11 Rainbow Connection: Gay-Friendly Portugal
32:20 Taxes in Portugal
32:58 Non-Retirement Visa Options for Portugal
34:12 Starting a Business in Portugal – The D2 Visa
34:41 Visas for Highly Qualified Skilled Individuals and Students
36:04 Digital Nomads in Portugal
37:06 Scams to Beware of in Coming to Portugal
41:32 Mistakes People Make in Emigrating to Portugal
Resources
Living in Portugal Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsinportugalqa
Moving to Portugal Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingtoportugal2.0
For a free consultation and to contact Scott Kirk: https://visas.pt/contact.php
CREDITS
Host and creator: Christi Cassidy
Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com
Artwork by Phyllis Busell
Music by Eve’s Blue.
Post-production help from Auphonic.com.
Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.
LINKS:
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