Welcome to Live Long and Prosper
We’re Charmaine and Michael, and we created Live Long and Prosper to help others navigate the process of moving to Portugal — because we know exactly how it feels.
In December 2022, we packed up our lives and relocated to the Algarve through the D7 visa, a residency route for people with passive income or remote work. It was exciting — and challenging. Like many others, we discovered that the visa process is far from straightforward. That’s why we started this site: to make the path clearer for those who come after us.
Since we moved, there have been major changes in Portugal’s immigration system. The agency that once handled visas and residence permits — SEF, or Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Service) — has been replaced.
Today, D7 visa processing is handled by a new organisation: AIMA, the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). AIMA was created to modernise Portugal’s immigration and integration services. But the transition has been rocky. Processing delays, inconsistent document requirements, and confusion between different consulates and VFS Global centres around the world have made the process more unpredictable.
While some people may say the D7 visa is easy to apply for yourself, we chose to get professional advice — and we’re glad we did. Everyone’s situation is different, and having the right support made a big difference for us.
On this site, you’ll find our comprehensive D7 visa guide, help sheets, and real-world advice based on our personal experience. We’ve also built a community of others on the same journey, sharing what works and what doesn’t, visit and join https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetoportugald7visa
If you’re planning a move to Portugal — or already in the middle of it — we hope this site gives you clarity, confidence, and community.
Welcome — and boa sorte!
