On the far southwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula there is a small country that contains one hundred uninterrupted miles of the finest beaches in the world. Once a back-water country and little sister to its larger neighbor Spain, Portugal has become a popular tourist destination and a favorite international moving spot for retirees from throughout Europe and the United States.

Portugal is a member of the European Union and that affiliation has been the main reason for its rapid growth in the past decade. Lisbon is still the smallest capital on the continent but corporate growth and international moving is helping to bring it in line with other, more cosmopolitan cities. Portugal has its own national language but you are just as likely to hear English, French, Spanish or German as you tour the streets or enjoy a meal of traditional Portuguese food at one of the many fine restaurants and cafes.

International moving to European countries has become more frequent since the formation of the E.U. and Portugal has pretty much the same standards and entry requirements as England, France, or Germany. You are required to have a valid passport and a recent medical examination before you can begin the international moving process. A list of required vaccinations can be obtained from your local embassy or from the tourist information bureau in Portugal. The telephone country code is 351 and there are English-speaking operators available.

International moving is a major step that should not be rushed or taken lightly. When you move to another country and surrender your native citizenship you become subject to the laws and civil rights of a foreign nation. If your move is temporary, retain your citizenship and just apply for a visa. If you believe it will be permanent, apply for dual citizenship or wait a while before doing anything. You may decide you want to go home at some point and the re-application process is generally much more difficult.

If you are beginning your international moving venture in the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon is located at Avenida das Forcas Armados (Sete Rios), 1600 Lisboa. The standard unit of currency is the Euro which is good throughout Europe and you can call for police or emergency service by dialing 112 on any payphone. Lisbon is a much safer city than it used to be, but you still might want to avoid walking around alone at night. The rest of the country has little or no reported crime which makes Portugal one of the more desirable European destinations.

Your international moving company should handle all of your packing and shipping needs. Portugal requires that personal belongings go through Customs and they need to be inventoried for inspection. To make this a headache-free process, make sure that you hire an international moving company with experience in moving to Portugal. Knowledge of how Customs works and being able to determine exact cost ahead of time will prevent your furniture and computer equipment from being held up or seized upon entry.