Why I Chose Portugal’s D7 Visa for My Path to EU Retirement in 2025

I know many of you might be wondering why I chose Portugal as my retirement destination. To be honest, I’m not quite ready to retire yet—I still have too many places to see and things to do before I pull up a rocking chair on the porch and watch the birds chirp. (No offense to you bird watchers.)

Here are a few reasons why Portugal made the most sense for me—and how I ended up drifting my way there. I looked at a lot of possible locations and made a long list of pros and cons for each—too many to include here, but maybe I’ll share them in a later post when time allows.

I started by identifying what I wanted in a future home: good weather, great food, affordability, safety, and less political chaos. This is a good starting point for anyone considering a move abroad—it helps clarify what truly matters. My top three choices were Costa Rica, Italy, and Portugal. Each had very different qualities that made the decision both exciting and challenging. And I do enjoy a good challenge every now and then.

After extensive research, I found that every destination had its share of pros and cons. The real question became: What downsides was I willing to accept in exchange for the upsides that mattered most? Everyone has to do some soul-searching to answer that. And it’s important to remember—you can always change your mind later and try a new location if your “dream place” doesn’t work out. Once I accepted that mindset, the decision became much easier.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica stood out for its proximity to the U.S.—important if I ever needed to travel home quickly. Its tropical climate was another major plus. The country has a great reputation for its cuisine, especially for someone like me who loves Latin American food—seafood, fresh veggies, and fish tacos, they make me very happy.

With only Social Security income to live on, affordability was a key factor, and Costa Rica scored well there. However, when I checked the U.S. State Department’s advisory, I found it listed at Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution,” mainly due to petty crime. That was a drawback in my book.

As for political stability, Costa Rica performs relatively well, which helped balance the scales. In the end, it was a bit of a draw between the pros and cons.

Italy

Italy first caught my attention a year or so ago with its famous “One Euro House” program. These initiatives were designed to help repopulate smaller towns and villages that had seen young Italians move to big cities for better opportunities. Most of these homes are very old and had been vacant for years—many needing extensive repairs.

That idea piqued my interest because I have plenty of remodeling experience. The thought of restoring an Italian villa sounded romantic and rewarding. But reality soon stepped in: with limited income, I couldn’t afford a large-scale renovation—and I didn’t want to spend my golden years buried under construction dust.

Of course, Italy has plenty to offer—beautiful weather, world-class food and wine, and rich culture. It’s generally safe, though like anywhere, it depends on the region. (And no, I don’t think any distant relatives of Al Capone will be leaving livestock heads in your bed anytime soon.) Politically, Italy has had some protests and strikes, particularly over issues like the Gaza conflict, but overall it remains fairly stable.

Portugal

Now we come to Portugal—a country I somehow missed during my extensive trip around Europe years ago. I did, however, meet two young Portuguese students in Madrid who helped me consume an impressive amount of beer and close down a pub. They spoke very little English, and I spoke even less Portuguese—but thanks to the universal language of laughter (and alcohol), we communicated just fine. They left me with a lasting impression: the Portuguese are warm, open, and full of life. That memory sparked my curiosity about the country years later.

When I researched Portugal more deeply, I discovered the climate was exactly what I love—similar to my time living in a Southern California surf town, with cool sea breezes and mild weather. The food scene also caught my attention: incredible seafood and fresh, flavorful produce available daily at open-air markets.

Affordability was another huge factor. Compared to the U.S., Portugal’s cost of living is dramatically lower—especially housing. I realized I could live comfortably on less than half of what I was spending in America. On top of that, Portugal consistently ranks among the top 15 safest countries in the world and enjoys very little political unrest.

But the real kicker—the thing that sealed the deal—was the D7 Residency Visa. This visa allows you to maintain your home country citizenship while living full-time in Portugal. It also grants freedom to travel throughout the EU for extended periods—no more “90 days in, 90 days out” restrictions.

That flexibility was a game-changer for me. I wanted to explore Europe without crossing oceans every time I wanted to visit a new country. Here, I can hop on a train and be in Spain, France, or Italy within hours.

Decision made! Portugal checked all my boxes: affordability, safety, sunshine, and a path to EU residency through the D7 visa.