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Moving guides

From Italy to Portugal

What changes in tax when you move from Italy to Portugal: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules Italy applies when you leave.

What you would save

With €150,000 a year in dividends or foreign income, compared as a genuine resident of each country.

Today in Italy€39,000
In Portugal€0
Yearly difference+€39,000

Full guide: Portugal →

Leaving Italy

  • Residence (habitual abode) for most of the year. You are resident if your habitual abode is in Italy for more than 183 days in the tax year (184 in a leap year), counting fractions of days, under the rules in force since 2024.
  • Domicile: centre of personal and family life. Since 2024 domicile means the main centre of your personal and family relationships, which now weigh more than economic interests. Domicile in Italy for most of the year makes you resident.
  • Physical presence. New since 2024: simply being physically present in Italy for more than 183 days in the year, including fractions of days, makes you resident.
  • Registry of resident population (anagrafe). Being registered as resident for most of the year creates a presumption of residence. Since 2024 it can be rebutted with proof; registering in AIRE (Italians abroad) alone is not enough.

Rules that can follow you after leaving

  • Presumption for moves to blacklisted countries. Italian citizens who deregister and move to a country on Italy's tax haven list are presumed still resident unless they prove a genuine move. The burden of proof is on the taxpayer.

Exit tax in Italy

No exit tax for private individuals

Individuals holding shares or other assets privately are not taxed on unrealised gains when they leave Italy. The exit tax in article 166 TUIR applies only to businesses (companies and sole traders carrying on a commercial business) that transfer residence or assets abroad.

Exit tax → · Am I still resident? →

Arriving in Portugal

Personal income: 20% / 0% · Company tax: 20%

EU citizens: registration certificate. IFICI regime for qualified professions.

183 days or a habitual home in Portugal.

IFICI: 20% on qualified employment income and most foreign income exempt for 10 years. Strict activity requirements.

Living there

Monthly cost for one person, rent included
Lisbon€2,000–2,500
Porto€1,600–2,000
Climate
Mediterranean; warm dry summers 28-35°C, mild wet winters 8-15°C.
Direct flights to
London, Paris, Madrid, New York, Sao Paulo
Safety
High
International schools
Many
Fixed internet
244 Mbps

Steps to residency

  1. 2 weeksGet NIF tax number and Portuguese bank account
  2. 8 weeksApply for D2 (entrepreneur) or D8 visa at consulate
  3. 12 weeksEnter Portugal and attend AIMA appointment
  4. 8 weeksResidence permit card issued

About 30 weeks in total

Official websites: Tax authority · Immigration

Approximate figures that change often; check them before deciding.

Other destinations from Italy