Residency Is the New Citizenship: Why the Portugal D7 Visa Is Closing for Americans
Let’s talk about why Portugal’s D7 Visa is quietly becoming one of the smartest residency options for Americans, and why timing matters more than most people realize. I recently read a CNN article about the global rush for second passports and how George Clooney and his wife acquired French citizenship. Politics aside, I’m not interested in the noise this article is likely to generate. What I read between the lines was something much simpler: having a backup plan is no longe
Jan 74 min read
A D7 Visa Journey: From Rock Bottom in the US to Portugal in 2026
While I stood watching the fireworks explode into the night sky, something I had done so many times before on New Year’s Eve, one thing was different. Something very BIG was different. This year, I was standing in Portugal. Coimbra, Portugal, to be exact, alongside the Rio Mondego, at an establishment uniquely named after my favorite beverage: Beers . I was holding a pint of Guinness stout (I’m Irish, as you should know by now), and a moment of reflection washed over me, as i
Jan 35 min read
Why a Portuguese Healthy Lifestyle Became My Best Medicine
My Recovery Story of Health, Fasting & Supplements. When I jumped on a big jet airplane with everything I owned, I didn’t do it lightly. My health was declining, healthcare costs were climbing, and the food in U.S. supermarkets was getting more expensive and less nourishing. No, I don’t have cancer or anything like that, but I did feel like I was slowly dying, both from my lifestyle and from the poor quality of nourishment I was getting from the U.S. food system. My Body was
Dec 7, 20255 min read
How a Simple Visa Appointment Turned into an Adventure in Lisbon's Historical Center
What started as my AIMA Appointment turned into a spontaneous drift through Portugal’s capital, proof that old travel habits die hard. After being holed up in my flat for the last month taking care of paperwork for my AIMA meeting and writing and editing posts that were long overdue, I was feeling the need to go on a Drift in a big way. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing and sharing crazy adventures, but the need for fresh air and new sights is what makes me feel whole and a
Nov 9, 20254 min read
Surviving One Month on Two Words isn’t Really Surviving: I Need to be Learning Portuguese, and Fast
Breaking into a cold sweat in the checkout line was all the proof I needed. The one thing I’ve found critical in today’s world is the ability not only to speak another person’s language but to truly understand it. I’ve been in Portugal for a month now, and I still haven’t had a lengthy conversation with one Portuguese person. Thank goodness for the translation App’s on my iPhone, they have gotten me out of some very sticky situations, but this doesn’t replace a good old-fashi
Nov 5, 20254 min read
Chasing Freedom: The Power of a One-Way Ticket
My first trip to Europe was a dream come true, and I can still remember the exact feeling when it finally happened. I had planned every step, getting a passport, storing my belongings, renting out my house, and clearing out the things I didn’t need in exchange for my freedom. The choice I made wasn’t normal for most people, and my friends and family made that clear. Comments like “you’re insane,” “what the hell are you thinking?” and the classic “what are you running from?” w
Oct 22, 20254 min read
Portugal’s D7 Visa, The Expat Secret Everyone’s Talking About, and It's Not Just for Retirement
A calm, affordable path to retirement for those ready to trade chaos for cobblestones and a quiet café life. My desire to find a quality place to retire, and do something I enjoy without breaking the bank, began to take shape late in 2024. I only had my Social Security benefits as income but wasn’t done working yet, so money was going to be tight. I just wanted work to be fun and bring in a few extra bucks to fund some of my crazy hobbies. The Final Choices: Costa Rica, Italy
Oct 19, 20254 min read
