Moving To Portugal From Canada

Yes. Canadians move to Portugal on the same national residency visas as Americans: the D7 for pensions and passive income, the D8 for remote work and the D2 for entrepreneurs. There is no Canada-specific route, and the income thresholds are the same.

Yes. Canadian citizens can visit Portugal and the rest of the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but that allowance is for visits only. To live in Portugal you need a long-stay residency visa issued before you travel, followed by a residence permit from AIMA once you arrive.

In 2026 the main applicant needs passive income of at least €920 a month (€11,040 a year), plus 50% for a spouse or partner and 30% per dependent child. CPP, OAS, workplace pensions, RRIF or RRSP withdrawals, dividends, interest and rental income all count. Because the threshold is in euros, we convert your Canadian-dollar income at a conservative rate to leave a margin.

At the Portuguese consular post whose jurisdiction covers your province of residence. Portugal has consulates general in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and an embassy in Ottawa. Honorary consulates cannot process visa applications. Appointment availability, especially in Toronto, is often the longest wait, so we book as early as your documents allow.

Possibly. When you become a non-resident, Canada treats most of your property as sold at fair market value on the day you leave, and tax is due on the resulting gains. Canadian real estate, registered plans such as RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs, and pensions are generally exempt from this deemed disposition, and you can elect to defer the tax by posting security. Confirm your position with a Canadian cross-border tax adviser before you set a departure date.

Generally not. Provincial health coverage is for residents of the province, and once you move abroad permanently your coverage ends. Rules vary by province: Ontario, for example, requires you to be physically present for at least 153 days in any 12-month period to keep OHIP. Plan for private health insurance for your visa and until you register with Portugal’s public health service (SNS).

CPP can be paid to you anywhere in the world. OAS can be paid abroad indefinitely if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18; with fewer years, payments can stop after six months outside Canada, although the Canada–Portugal social security agreement may help in some cases. Canada withholds non-resident tax on these payments, which the Canada–Portugal tax convention may reduce.

Your RRSP is not deemed sold when you leave, but withdrawals as a non-resident are subject to Canadian withholding tax, and Portugal may tax them too, with treaty relief to avoid double taxation. You can keep a TFSA but can no longer contribute, and Portugal does not have to recognise its tax-free status, so income inside it may become taxable in Portugal. Review both accounts with a cross-border adviser before you move.

Yes. Initial strategy is handled through secure video briefings that fit your schedule and time zone. Our founder also travels to Canada, and once we are engaged as your service provider we can meet you in person in your province where it helps build trust and plan your relocation.