Unless they’ve changed policy in the last six months, Portugal will take nearly anyone with stable remote work and fast track them to EU citizenship. This was/is the most viable choice for US citizens.
You are thinking of their nomad visa (D8) which takes 5 years and requires a monthly income of at least $3200 Eur/mo. The problem has always been getting a U.S. employer to allow you to work remote AND out of country.
HR and payroll departments absolutely hate letting remote workers live outside the country because it makes tax liabilities and benefits complicated for them. So, it’s quite rare to find a U.S. company that will do it. Even most multi-national megacorps are assholes about it.
But, if you are a successful freelancer with a very reliable income from non-Portuguese sources, then this may be an option. Most of us don’t fit that bill, unfortunately. Hell, most Americans struggle just to get a hybrid work situation. The idea of international remote or stable freelancing is quite a tall order.
When I pursued it there was a provision for the administrative tax burden of the employer. My employer withheld as usual for a US worker, then I would also need to file and post-pay Portugal’s taxes.
Double taxation; an employer comfortable with it; new culture; national economic issues: I agree it’s a tall order for the vast majority of Americans. And, it also seemed the most viable option. I think we agree that emmigration is quite difficult.
Double taxation; an employer comfortable with it; new culture; national economic issues: I agree it’s a tall order for the vast majority of Americans. And, it also seemed the most viable option.
Every H1B worker has this. This is normal; and was for me personally for years.
Having obtained a green card and come home, some of my family still owe American taxes every year for that 1% more they pay, without them or us getting anything for that higher tax, and despite not setting foot on American soil since before Trump. Maybe never again, given the human rights issues, but that’s another thing. We pay a pro who knows both countries, and that’s a few bucks each year on top.
You’re worried about treading a Very familiar path.
Unless they’ve changed policy in the last six months, Portugal will take nearly anyone with stable remote work and fast track them to EU citizenship. This was/is the most viable choice for US citizens.
You are thinking of their nomad visa (D8) which takes 5 years and requires a monthly income of at least $3200 Eur/mo. The problem has always been getting a U.S. employer to allow you to work remote AND out of country.
HR and payroll departments absolutely hate letting remote workers live outside the country because it makes tax liabilities and benefits complicated for them. So, it’s quite rare to find a U.S. company that will do it. Even most multi-national megacorps are assholes about it.
But, if you are a successful freelancer with a very reliable income from non-Portuguese sources, then this may be an option. Most of us don’t fit that bill, unfortunately. Hell, most Americans struggle just to get a hybrid work situation. The idea of international remote or stable freelancing is quite a tall order.
When I pursued it there was a provision for the administrative tax burden of the employer. My employer withheld as usual for a US worker, then I would also need to file and post-pay Portugal’s taxes.
Double taxation; an employer comfortable with it; new culture; national economic issues: I agree it’s a tall order for the vast majority of Americans. And, it also seemed the most viable option. I think we agree that emmigration is quite difficult.
Every H1B worker has this. This is normal; and was for me personally for years.
Having obtained a green card and come home, some of my family still owe American taxes every year for that 1% more they pay, without them or us getting anything for that higher tax, and despite not setting foot on American soil since before Trump. Maybe never again, given the human rights issues, but that’s another thing. We pay a pro who knows both countries, and that’s a few bucks each year on top.
You’re worried about treading a Very familiar path.
Many are readily importing my skillset. But, then I’d have to go back to corporate slavery.
I’m worried about the inaccessibility of the freedom to choose for the vast majority of Americans.