Services & Fees
Portugal Beckons
How May We Assist You?
Moving to Portugal is not a single decision — it’s a sequence of choices, each with financial, legal, and lifestyle consequences. Our services are designed around where YOU are in that process.
Visas, shipping, housing, finding community. There’s much to consider and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Christie in Coimbra is here to guide you through the entire process with clarity. We work with Americans relocating to Lisbon, the Algarve, Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, and the surrounding cities. We are not just another relocation company. Our job is to help you minimize your risks and arm you with the information you need to be confident with your decisions. We assist you with everything you need to experience Portugal fully and integrate seamlessly, whether you are taking the leap to move abroad or wanting the ultimate exploratory travel adventure. As a real estate consultant (consultora imobiliária) at Coldwell Banker City, I offer expert guidance to you for every real estate transaction whether it be purchasing, selling, or renting. Our curated tours and travel packages will give you a deep insight and appreciation for Portugal and its many opportunities. Allow me to be your concierge as you write your most rewarding life chapters here in Portugal.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure that out together.
Every client’s situation is different — your timeline, your budget, your city preferences, and your visa pathway all shape which service makes the most sense for you right now.
Take three minutes to complete our short questionnaire and we will come back to you with a clear recommendation. No pressure, no obligation — just clarity.
Service Offerings
Whether you’re still weighing your options or ready to sign a deed, there’s a service built for your exact moment. If you’re ready to take the first steps, read below to see where you are on your Path to Portugal and select the service that is best for you .
Path 1
I am ready to relocate to Portugal
Path 2
I am ready to rent or buy property
Path 3
I want to explore Portugal first
Path 1- Relocation Consulting
You’ve decided Portugal is calling — or you think it might be. Either way, you need accurate, personalized guidance that cuts through the noise of Facebook groups and contradictory blog posts. These services give you a clear, honest roadmap built around your life, not a generic template.
Portugal Relocation Clarity Session
€375 | 90-Minute Private Strategy Call
The best starting point for anyone seriously considering a move to Portugal. In ninety focused minutes, we cut through the overwhelm and give you a clear picture of what your move actually looks like.
What’s included:
- Lifestyle alignment assessment covering healthcare, mobility, social needs, and pace of life
- Visa pathways discussion with accompanying checklists (D7, Digital Nomad, and others relevant to your situation)
- Cost-of-living reality check versus your current expectations
- City comparison — Pros and cons of Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Algarve, and other areas
- Red flags most people miss in their first year — shared honestly from my own experience
Ready to book, but want to share a little about yourself first?
Strategic Relocation Roadmap
€1500 | Comprehensive Planning Package
For those who are committed to making the move and need a complete, written action plan they can execute with confidence. This is my most comprehensive relocation service.
What’s included:
- Comprehensive intake and preparation before our working session
- 90-minute deep-dive working session
- Custom relocation timeline built around your specific 6–24 month window
- Visa strategy aligned with your income, lifestyle, and long-term residency goals
- Curated list of legal, financial, and tax professionals I personally trust
- Hands-on assistance with obtaining your NIF and Portuguese bank account
- Housing strategy — rent vs buy, timing, neighborhoods, and what to avoid
- Written roadmap document you can refer to at every stage of the process
- 30-day follow-up support included
*All services can be customized or enhanced to fit your specific needs and timelines
This sounds right for me — where do I begin?
Start with our short questionnaire. It takes three minutes and gives me the context I need to hit the ground running when we connect.
Path 2 – Real Estate Advisory & Representation
Navigating the Portuguese property market as an American is not the same as buying a home in the US. The process is different, the legal protections are different, and the risks of going it alone are real. As a licensed real estate consultant (consultora imobiliária) with Coldwell Banker City, I bring twenty years of US brokerage experience — including Fortune 500 commercial transactions, my own brokerage, and a General Contractor license — to every Portuguese property search.
I represent buyers and renters across Lisbon, the Algarve, Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, and surrounding areas.
Understanding the Fee Structure
Professional Service Fee
Flat Fee: €450 (incl. VAT)
This base fee covers all advisory, property vetting, negotiation support, and client management services. It includes five in-person or remote property visits. It is charged once, at the start of our engagement.
Rental Representation
My goal is always to have the landlord cover representation costs.
- Standard rentals: Commission is typically split 50/50 with the listing agent. Cost to you: €0.
- When the listing agent does not share commission, the cost to you equals one and one-half months’ rent + VAT. This typically occurs when the monthly rent is less than €2000.
Purchase Representation
For property purchases, my commission is paid entirely by the seller. Cost to you beyond the service fee: €0.
You receive full buyer’s agency representation, negotiation, and closing support.
What My Real Estate Representation Includes
- Targeted Property Search: Identifying homes that match your lifestyle — whether a family villa near schools, an accessible single-level apartment in a walkable neighborhood, or an investment property with rental potential.
- Due Diligence & Fraud Protection: I strictly verify ownership documents and legal property status. For buyers investing their life savings, this protection is non-negotiable.
- Coldwell Banker Legal Review: As a Coldwell Banker client, you receive complimentary in-house attorney review of all contracts — at no additional charge.
- My General Contractor Eye: I identify structural issues, maintenance needs, and renovation costs before you commit, so your dream home doesn’t become a money pit.
- Neighborhood Fit Analysis: Long-term suitability assessment for your chosen city — not just the property, but whether the neighborhood will genuinely suit your lifestyle in year one, year three, and beyond.
- Settlement Period Support: Ongoing advisory during the weeks after closing, when questions always arise.
Looking for property in Portugal? Tell me a little about what you have in mind.
Every successful property search starts with understanding your must-haves, your timeline, and your budget. Complete our quick questionnaire and I’ll follow up to discuss next steps.
Your Soft Landing: Post Move Services
€1000 + grocery costs | Arrival Support Package
You’ve made it. Now the real work begins — and it’s a lot more complicated than it looks from the US side. This package handles the essential logistics that trip up most new expats in their first weeks, so you can focus on actually enjoying your new life rather than navigating Portuguese bureaucracy alone.
What’s included:
- Utilities setup — lights on, WiFi active, and gas running before you walk through the door
- Welcome Pantry stocking for the day of your arrival (grocery costs separate)
- Dinner delivery arranged for your first night (cost not included)
- Neighborhood orientation walking tour within 72 hours of arrival — grocery stores, the municipal mercado, pharmacies, transportation, and local amenities
- Assistance obtaining your Utente number (healthcare), NISS (social security), and identifying your local centro de saúde
Ask about our Concierge and Executive tier upgrades for additional support during your first month.
Path 3 – Explore Portugal First
Not quite ready to commit? Smart. The best relocation decisions are made by people who’ve been on the ground and felt the rhythm of a place before signing anything. These services are designed to turn your exploratory visit into a genuinely informed decision.
Coimbra Unveiled: The Ultimate Exploratory Experience
€125 per person | Curated 2.5 Hour Tour
Most visitors see Coimbra’s monuments. My clients understand them. This bespoke walking tour is designed for people considering Coimbra as a place to live — not just visit — and it’s crafted to give you the context, the culture, and the honest perspective you need to make that decision well.
The experience:
- The Local Pulse — Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V: We begin in the beating heart of the city, navigating the vibrant market stalls and experiencing daily life as a local. This is where residents shop, gather, and connect.
- The Baroque Entrance — Jardim da Sereia: The Mermaid Garden, originally the entrance to the Monastery of Santa Cruz, offers a stunning and contemplative transition into the city’s religious history.
- The Green Corridor — The Botanical Garden: One of Coimbra’s best-kept secrets, set in the shadow of the 16th-century aqueduct São Sebastião. We’ll uncover a few surprises here.
- The Citadel of Knowledge — University of Coimbra: Founded in 1290 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the Pátio das Escolas and take in the views and history of a palace turned into a temple of knowledge.
- The Royal Finale — Igreja de Santa Cruz: Descending through the Arch of the Almedina into the historic center, we conclude at the resting place of Portugal’s first two kings, tying together centuries of history in one remarkable moment.
This tour is one of the best ways to experience Coimbra if you’re considering it as your future home — before committing to a full relocation consultation. Lunch can be arranged for an additional cost.
Still Not Sure What The Right Path Is For You?
That’s exactly what the free Discovery Call is for. In thirty minutes, I’ll listen to your situation and tell you honestly which service — if any — is the right fit. Most people leave the call with more clarity than they’ve had in months of independent research.
Stop doom-scrolling through conflicting advice on Facebook groups.
Book your free 30-minute Discovery Call and leave with a clear, honest plan.