Moving and Shipping Your Household to Portugal

Did you know that more and more Americans are packing up and moving to Portugal? It’s true! A growing number of American expats are choosing Portugal, drawn by its coastal cities, historic towns, and lower cost of living than many U.S. metro areas. And it’s not just working professionals, many retirees are making the move too. So what’s the draw? It could be for work, family ties, or the irresistible combination of beautiful coastal living, charming historic cities, stunning architecture, a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, and a cost of living that’s significantly easier on the wallet than many U.S. cities.

This guide is for Americans shipping household goods and personal effects from the USA to Portugal, whether you’re moving a full home, a partial household, or including specialty items such as vehicles, pianos, or fine art.

Making the move to Portugal sounds exciting, but is it really that easy to make it happen? The good news is, yes, it can be. Just make sure you do your research, have made a solid decision, and are working with a trusted international shipping company. That’s where SDC comes in. SDC International Shipping is a licensed overseas moving company serving all 50 states and will be there for you every step of the way as you relocate to Portugal.

What to Look for in a Top-Tier Door-to-Door Moving Company to Portugal

Expertise and Experience

This is obvious. The company you work with should be very experienced and have all the expertise necessary to navigate all the elements that come along with completing a trouble-free shipment from the USA to Portugal. Failure to work with a company that is truly knowledgeable and experienced can result in unpleasant, negative outcomes. SDC International Shipping has extensive experience moving household goods and personal effects to Portugal for our clients. We understand the specific customs processes, port logistics, and documentation requirements that make moves to Portugal successful, whether you are relocating from Seattle, New York, Miami, or anywhere across the United States.

A Dedicated Support Team Working with You from Start to Finish

Shipping household goods and personal effects to Portugal from the USA is often assumed to be simple. If all your paperwork is in order and you’re working with a genuinely experienced shipping company, it can be. From door to door, including navigating customs in Portugal, SDC International Shipping guides you every step of the way. We stay in communication and advise you on the paperwork and documents needed to clear customs at the port of entry in Portugal, then deliver to your new residence. Our dedicated internal team remains your single point of contact throughout the entire moving process, providing updates, answering questions, and handling any unexpected situations so you can focus on your new life in Portugal.

Online Reviews

Online reviews are an important way to understand the sort of company you’re considering working with. Only work with companies that have 4+ star ratings. Consistent positive feedback about communication, on-time delivery, careful handling of household goods, and smooth customs clearance is a strong indicator of a reliable partner for your move to Portugal.

Visual Survey and Question and Answer Meeting

To accurately quote a client, a moving company needs to understand both the volume of items being shipped and any other important considerations. A virtual or in-person visual survey, conducted by an experienced shipper and estimator, is usually necessary. This step ensures the quotation is based on the actual volume as well as the client’s needs, including specialty items, vehicles to be shipped in containers alongside household goods, or fragile belongings that require extra care.

Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a Shipping Company

Is It a Genuine Mover, or Just a Broker?

Some companies pretend to be movers but are actually just brokers. They may seem trustworthy and specialize in moves to Portugal, but in reality, they book your move with the cheapest third-party mover they can find. Make sure you choose a company that’s an actual mover, not a broker posing as one. Working directly with an established moving company ensures accountability, quality control, and consistent communication from start to finish.

Watch Out for Bait and Switch Low-Ball Quotes

SDC has been at this for a long time, and we know that too often the lowest quoted price ends up being the costliest. It can be a red flag when a shipping company quickly provides a lower quote than others but didn’t take time to understand the full inventory or your actual needs. Those “surprise” costs add up. At SDC, we strive to thoroughly understand your needs and expectations first, then provide a clear, professional quotation that’s as low as our experience, shipping relationships, and efficiencies allow.

Be Cautious of Up-Front Deposits

A credit card authorization as security is normal. An actual up-front deposit is a red flag. SDC International Shipping does not require up-front deposits, nor do we charge a credit card up-front, for the vast majority of our jobs.

Check for Consistently Poor Online Reviews

Just as you should look for a shipping company with outstanding reviews, the opposite matters just as much. Check Yelp and Google to see what others have to say about the company you’re considering.

A Comprehensive Quote Should Spell Everything Out

SDC will provide a comprehensive, professional proposal for your shipment to Portugal, spelling out precisely what service is being quoted (door to door, door to port, port to port, and so on) and what’s included and excluded. Be cautious of any company that doesn’t provide one.

Top Relocation Destinations in Portugal

Every country has cities with a large expat population. When it comes to Portugal, the major destinations are:

• Lisbon, the vibrant capital with rich history and modern amenities
• Porto, known for its wine, architecture, and friendly atmosphere
• Coimbra, a historic university city with a youthful energy
• Sintra, fairy-tale palaces and lush mountains just outside Lisbon
• Óbidos, a charming medieval walled town perfect for a quieter lifestyle
• Alcobaça and Batalha, home to stunning monasteries and peaceful surroundings
• Évora, a UNESCO site with Roman ruins and excellent food and wine
• Cascais, a beautiful coastal town with beaches and upscale living
• Lagos and Aveiro, offering scenic Algarve and canal-filled “Venice of Portugal” vibes

The SDC Shipping Process

SDC International Shipping takes the time to fully understand each client’s needs, which helps reduce or eliminate surprise charges and other potential trouble. From there, the process, depending on the desired level of service (door to door, door to port, port to door, port to port, air freight, and so on) is handled by SDC from your point of origin to your destination. Here’s what a full household move by ocean, door to door with full professional packing, typically looks like:

1. Visual survey: We get to know your inventory and needs, and answer any questions. When an in-person or virtual survey isn’t possible, we work from photos or an agreed estimate.
2. Professional quotation: After the survey is analyzed, SDC provides a professional quotation clearly explaining what’s included and what isn’t.
3. Order for service: Your SDC Relocation Specialist provides an Order for Service, the booking document that initiates the shipping process and spells out the price and details.
4. Internal support and logistics team: Once your job is booked, a dedicated Support Expert for Portugal is assigned and stays with you from start to finish.
5. Packing, wrapping, and pick-up: Sometimes done the same day; for larger, more complex jobs, professional packing can take one to three days before pick-up.
6. Shipping: Your household inventory ships, typically in secure ocean containers for the best protection.
7. Customs: Unless otherwise requested, SDC clears customs at the destination port of entry, with paperwork prepared well in advance so clearance goes smoothly.
8. Final delivery: SDC delivers your household goods to your destination residence, reassembles furniture, unwraps boxes, and places them where you’d like, then cleans up all packaging.

Necessary Documents

SDC International Shipping’s logistics and support team works with you on the documents necessary to ship your household goods, clear customs, and deliver to your residence in Portugal. For the general customs framework that applies across countries, see our complete guide to international customs regulations.

What Can’t I Ship to Portugal with My Household Goods?

Attempting to ship a prohibited item into Portugal can derail your plans. Some items are banned outright, such as illegal drugs, while others are restricted and require prior approval. Consult SDC International Shipping for specific guidance on what can, may, and cannot be shipped as part of your household goods shipment.

Restricted or Prohibited Items

• Pornographic objects
• Systems for copying Portuguese mail stamps
• Essences for regional wine
• Counterfeit drugs
• Firearms
• Cut and thrust weapons
• Any war instrument without a specific application
• Roulette or any other game of hazard
• Gold bars and loose gems
• Cash over $10,000 USD equivalent
• Apes and monkeys
• Alcoholic beverages
• Narcotics and drugs
• Foodstuff

Source: FIDI Import Customs Guide, Portugal.

Packing and Protecting Your Household Goods

By default, SDC’s professional packing service wraps and protects all furniture items, including desks, sofas, dining tables, credenzas, and beds, for complete door-to-door protection. Items such as glass and marble tops, statues, and glass china cabinets receive enhanced protection.

There are three options for packing your boxes:

1. Full professional packing by SDC: we pack all or some of your boxes and create a professional inventory list, which often helps with customs at the port of entry.
2. Self-pack: you pack your own boxes; it’s important to create an inventory list, and SDC will help.
3. Hybrid: you self-pack most boxes but leave delicate items, like framed wall art, TVs, or fine china, to SDC. This is a common arrangement.

For framed art, options range from standard wrapping and boxing to acid-free wrapping and soft crating, up to full custom hard crates for fine art. Full white-glove packing and unpacking service is also available if needed.

Art, Pianos, Billiard Tables, and Sculptures

Pianos, billiard tables, fine art, and other specialty or collectible items need to be handled by an experienced, capable shipping team. Whether it’s a musical instrument, an oil painting, a pool table, collectible pinball machines, or another high-value specialty item, our team has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to handle it door to door, ensuring these items receive the care they deserve on the journey from the United States to Portugal.

Shipping Your Household Goods by Ocean or by Air

Household shipments to destinations outside North America are usually shipped by ocean freight, the more economical mode, though total transit time is longer. SDC handles both air and ocean freight, and a combination of both is sometimes used. Ocean freight in secure containers is typically the most practical choice for full household moves, including vehicles shipped together with your personal belongings for added protection and efficiency.

Shipping Your Car to Portugal

Moving a car from the US to Portugal is something we’ve helped many clients with. Vehicles are shipped in containers alongside your household goods for maximum security and efficiency. Required documentation typically includes:

• Original title
• Bill of sale, if applicable
• Valid photo ID or passport

See our international car shipping page for more on the process.

Importing Your Motorcycle

Motorcycle import requirements can vary based on your specific situation, so speak with your SDC coordinator directly for current requirements and procedures for Portugal. Your shipping representative will advise you on the safest way to get your bike to the port at each stage of the process.

Pet Relocations

We do not offer pet shipping services ourselves, but we can point you toward trusted specialists who handle pet relocation safely and compliantly. There are specific criteria for importing a pet to Portugal, including forms, health certificates, and vaccination records that need to be submitted before travel.

Maritime Insurance

SDC International Shipping offers both Total Loss and Full Coverage insurance options covering your possessions door to door. Call 877-339-0267 for details.

Healthcare

Can US Citizens Get Healthcare in Portugal?

Portugal does not offer free medical treatment to visitors, and under EU rules non-EU citizens are required to have travel medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation. All permanent residents of Portugal are eligible to enroll in the National Health System, but that doesn’t mean long-term visa holders receive care automatically on arrival. Private health insurance remains essential during the initial residency period while you complete enrollment.

What You Need to Know About the Application Process

To get a residence or work visa, would-be expats must first demonstrate they carry private health insurance; the same applies to non-EU students. The residence permit process can be expedited by visiting a local Junta de Freguesia (Parish Council) office, which issues a certificate confirming more than 90 days of residency in Portugal.

The next step is obtaining a Portuguese número de contribuinte, the equivalent of a social security number. Employers usually handle this for their employees, but self-employed individuals need to do it themselves. With your número de contribuinte and residency permit in hand, you head to your local health services center, fill out an application, and receive your healthcare card for accessing the public system.

Benefits of a Private Global Health Insurance Plan

While English is widespread in Portugal, there’s no guarantee an expat seeking care through the public system will have an English-speaking doctor or nurse. Private health insurance all but guarantees access to bilingual staff, and private facilities tend to be more comfortable, with a greater emphasis on patient privacy and recovery. Many Americans moving to Portugal choose a combination of public enrollment once eligible and supplemental private coverage for faster access and broader options.

Ready to Move to Portugal?

Moving and shipping your household to Portugal is a significant undertaking, but with proper planning and the support of reputable shipping professionals, it becomes manageable, even exciting. Stay organized, communicate with your chosen shipping company, and take advantage of the resources available to you. SDC International Shipping handles household goods moves like this from all 50 U.S. states. Contact our team at 877-339-0267 to discuss your move and get a personalized plan.