Portuguese-American wants to move to Portugal - advice please

[Bevdeforges]

Just to clarify - although US law says that you "may" have your US citizenship revoked if you take another nationality voluntarily, they do not revoke your citizenship these days unless you go to the US Consulate and make a specific renunciation with the intent to do so. (For a few countries, you have to do this before they will let you take their nationality.)

I think it's that way because they hate the thought of losing any taxpayer, since you have to file as long as you still have your citizenship.

[synthia]

Thank you for the update. I knew there had been some sort of change.

Some countries actually don't let you revoke your citizenship. If you are a British citizen and become a citizen of a country that requires revocation, you go ahead and do the paperwork, but it doesn't mean anything, because you can't ever get rid of British citizenship, and of course the laws in your new country have no effect on that.

[Sonho]

Hi Saintbernadette,
I have done something similar to what you are contemplating, though my move isn´t a permanent one. I am second generation American. My grandparents came over from Madeira in the early 1900s. Anyway, we have been living in Europe for the past 10 years and decided to give Portugal a try. We had made several trips here and enjoyed it. So, I went to the Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia (which is where we were living) and spoke with them about it. They suggested a study visa which was really easy to get. You do have to have proof of income or savings, as well as health insurance though. Your friend is correct that Portugal seems to like those of us who are returning to the mother country. They waive several provisions for citizenship if you can prove your ancestry. If you know what town your ancestors were born in, you can go tot he church and get the birth registrations.
Anyway, good luck!

[Mamacats]

First I would advise going to the Lisbon US Embassy internet site to learn more about Portugal.
You are more than welcome to PM me for more information afterwards, if you feel you would like more help.
When I read your post I could totally relate!

Diane aka Mamacats
Ragdoll Breeder
Portugal