Roots Global
Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal

Moving to Portugal from the US? Meet your trusted 360° relocation service.

How we help

Based in Lisbon, our relocation team provides a 360° solution that covers every pillar of your move. Housing, legal, education and everything in between — under one roof.

Home SearchVisa & ResidencyBank Account OpeningHealth CareTax PlanningSchool & EducationPet RelocationNISS & NIF

Home Search

Expert property scouting for rent or purchase, tailored to US standards.

Visa & Residency

Let our in-house legal team handle your entire visa and residency application.

Bank Account Opening

We open your Portuguese bank account remotely from the USA. No travel required.

Health Care

Secure premium medical coverage with access to English-speaking healthcare professionals.

Tax Planning

US-tax compliant advice to maximize your financial benefits under local law.

School & Education

From curriculum advice to enrollment support, we simplify the education search.

Pet Relocation

Move your furry family members safely by expats who have moved their own.

NISS & NIF

Essential tax and social security numbers secured hands-off and 100% remotely.

THE ROOTS STORY

2,000+ relocations later, we still treat every move like our own.

Six years ago, we navigated the complexities of moving from the UK to Portugal. Roots started with a single family’s move to Lisbon. Now, we are a 16-person team of legal and relocation experts. We’ve taken the lessons from our own journey and applied them to over 2,000 successful moves, ensuring your transition is as smooth as possible.

2000+
Expats successfully moved
6years ago
We first called Lisbon home
16experts
Your dedicated team
70+years
Combined legal expertise
100%visa approval
rate for our US clients
All In-House
For a smooth transition
— PORTUGAL, 2019
— Team

Meet your relocation team

Moving across the Atlantic is more than just a paperwork exercise. Our collective of 16 experts, including dedicated lawyers, real estate scouts, relocation specialists and our education consultant, works in sync to handle every detail.

Tom Brooks
Founding Partner & CEO
Phelan Murphy
Senior Residency Consultant
Anita Fenner
Client Experience & Community
Oliver Murray
Senior Relocation Consultant
Sara Alves
Global Relocation Manager
Patrick Evans
Golden Visa Consultant
Vanessa Mororo
Head of Legal
Monica Correia
Global Relocation Manager
Verified

Smoothest move of our lives

From the very first call, the Roots team felt like trusted partners. Everything from our visa paperwork to the rental contract was handled without a single hiccup. We landed in Lisbon and the keys were waiting for us.

Caroline R., 2 days ago
Verified

Everything taken care of

We didn't have to worry about a single document. The legal team was sharp, responsive, and explained every step in plain English.

David M., 4 days ago
Verified

Worth every penny

Honestly the best money we spent on this whole move. Saved us months of stress and hundreds of hours of research.

Priya N., 5 days ago
Verified

Painless visa process

Submitted, approved, done. Our D8 came back faster than any of our friends who tried to do this alone.

Tom W., a week ago
Verified

Best decision we made

We interviewed three relocation firms before choosing Roots and we are so glad we did. The level of care and personal attention was on another planet compared to the others. Our family of four, including two school-age kids and a slightly anxious golden retriever, were all settled within ten weeks. Schools enrolled, health coverage in place, bank accounts open, and a beautiful apartment in Príncipe Real that has become home. They even helped us find a pediatrician who speaks English. I cannot recommend them highly enough — if you are considering Portugal, just start the conversation with Roots.

Ashley K., a week ago
Verified

Highly recommend

Professional, warm, and incredibly well-connected in Lisbon. They opened doors we couldn't have on our own.

Marco D., a week ago
Verified

Felt like family from day one

There is something special about working with a team who has actually walked this path themselves. Every question we had — and we had a lot — was answered with patience and real expertise. They picked us up from the airport on our first scouting trip and that small gesture set the tone for the entire relationship. Six months in and they still check on us.

Jen H., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Transparent and professional

Clear pricing, clear timelines, clear communication. No surprises, which is rare in this industry.

Robert L., 2 weeks ago
Verified

From SF to Lisbon in 3 months

I was skeptical it could move that fast. Roots made it happen. Visa, NIF, NISS, bank, apartment — all coordinated in parallel.

Emma S., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Knowledgeable team

The tax planning advice alone paid for the entire engagement. They flagged a US-Portugal treaty nuance our previous accountant had completely missed and restructured how we receive our income to optimize for both jurisdictions. Beyond that, the immigration counsel was top tier — every form was perfect on the first submission.

Greg P., 4 weeks ago
Verified

Beyond expectations

I expected a service. I got a partnership. We're now in Lisbon, settled, and recommending Roots to every American friend asking us how we did it.

Lauren O., 4 weeks ago
Verified

Smoothest move of our lives

From the very first call, the Roots team felt like trusted partners. Everything from our visa paperwork to the rental contract was handled without a single hiccup. We landed in Lisbon and the keys were waiting for us.

Caroline R., 2 days ago
Verified

Everything taken care of

We didn't have to worry about a single document. The legal team was sharp, responsive, and explained every step in plain English.

David M., 4 days ago
Verified

Worth every penny

Honestly the best money we spent on this whole move. Saved us months of stress and hundreds of hours of research.

Priya N., 5 days ago
Verified

Painless visa process

Submitted, approved, done. Our D8 came back faster than any of our friends who tried to do this alone.

Tom W., a week ago
Verified

Best decision we made

We interviewed three relocation firms before choosing Roots and we are so glad we did. The level of care and personal attention was on another planet compared to the others. Our family of four, including two school-age kids and a slightly anxious golden retriever, were all settled within ten weeks. Schools enrolled, health coverage in place, bank accounts open, and a beautiful apartment in Príncipe Real that has become home. They even helped us find a pediatrician who speaks English. I cannot recommend them highly enough — if you are considering Portugal, just start the conversation with Roots.

Ashley K., a week ago
Verified

Highly recommend

Professional, warm, and incredibly well-connected in Lisbon. They opened doors we couldn't have on our own.

Marco D., a week ago
Verified

Felt like family from day one

There is something special about working with a team who has actually walked this path themselves. Every question we had — and we had a lot — was answered with patience and real expertise. They picked us up from the airport on our first scouting trip and that small gesture set the tone for the entire relationship. Six months in and they still check on us.

Jen H., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Transparent and professional

Clear pricing, clear timelines, clear communication. No surprises, which is rare in this industry.

Robert L., 2 weeks ago
Verified

From SF to Lisbon in 3 months

I was skeptical it could move that fast. Roots made it happen. Visa, NIF, NISS, bank, apartment — all coordinated in parallel.

Emma S., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Knowledgeable team

The tax planning advice alone paid for the entire engagement. They flagged a US-Portugal treaty nuance our previous accountant had completely missed and restructured how we receive our income to optimize for both jurisdictions. Beyond that, the immigration counsel was top tier — every form was perfect on the first submission.

Greg P., 4 weeks ago
Verified

Beyond expectations

I expected a service. I got a partnership. We're now in Lisbon, settled, and recommending Roots to every American friend asking us how we did it.

Lauren O., 4 weeks ago
Verified

Smoothest move of our lives

From the very first call, the Roots team felt like trusted partners. Everything from our visa paperwork to the rental contract was handled without a single hiccup. We landed in Lisbon and the keys were waiting for us.

Caroline R., 2 days ago
Verified

Everything taken care of

We didn't have to worry about a single document. The legal team was sharp, responsive, and explained every step in plain English.

David M., 4 days ago
Verified

Worth every penny

Honestly the best money we spent on this whole move. Saved us months of stress and hundreds of hours of research.

Priya N., 5 days ago
Verified

Painless visa process

Submitted, approved, done. Our D8 came back faster than any of our friends who tried to do this alone.

Tom W., a week ago
Verified

Best decision we made

We interviewed three relocation firms before choosing Roots and we are so glad we did. The level of care and personal attention was on another planet compared to the others. Our family of four, including two school-age kids and a slightly anxious golden retriever, were all settled within ten weeks. Schools enrolled, health coverage in place, bank accounts open, and a beautiful apartment in Príncipe Real that has become home. They even helped us find a pediatrician who speaks English. I cannot recommend them highly enough — if you are considering Portugal, just start the conversation with Roots.

Ashley K., a week ago
Verified

Highly recommend

Professional, warm, and incredibly well-connected in Lisbon. They opened doors we couldn't have on our own.

Marco D., a week ago
Verified

Felt like family from day one

There is something special about working with a team who has actually walked this path themselves. Every question we had — and we had a lot — was answered with patience and real expertise. They picked us up from the airport on our first scouting trip and that small gesture set the tone for the entire relationship. Six months in and they still check on us.

Jen H., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Transparent and professional

Clear pricing, clear timelines, clear communication. No surprises, which is rare in this industry.

Robert L., 2 weeks ago
Verified

From SF to Lisbon in 3 months

I was skeptical it could move that fast. Roots made it happen. Visa, NIF, NISS, bank, apartment — all coordinated in parallel.

Emma S., 2 weeks ago
Verified

Knowledgeable team

The tax planning advice alone paid for the entire engagement. They flagged a US-Portugal treaty nuance our previous accountant had completely missed and restructured how we receive our income to optimize for both jurisdictions. Beyond that, the immigration counsel was top tier — every form was perfect on the first submission.

Greg P., 4 weeks ago
Verified

Beyond expectations

I expected a service. I got a partnership. We're now in Lisbon, settled, and recommending Roots to every American friend asking us how we did it.

Lauren O., 4 weeks ago
— Who we serve

Tailored to your chapter in life.

01 — FAMILIES

For Families

Our 360° service ensures your children, your business, and your future are seamlessly integrated.

  • Schooling & education consulting: Expert guidance on choosing between International, American, and British curricula.
  • Family-friendly neighborhoods: Deep local knowledge of safe, community-driven areas in Lisbon, Cascais, and beyond.
  • Family visa options: Hands-off visa and residency setup for spouses, children, and legal dependents.
  • Remote work optimization: Strategic advice for those relocating with US LLCs, 1099s, or W-2 contracts.
  • Home search for families: Properties with the space, proximity to parks, and safety your family requires.
  • Healthcare integration: Registration with private pediatric networks and English-speaking family doctors.
02 — RETIREES

For Retirees

Enjoy a stress-free retirement with a partner who understands your US-based income and lifestyle needs.

  • $Pension-friendly residency setup: Expert guidance on the best visa options for US Social Security, pension income, and VA benefits.
  • Strategic tax planning: Navigating Portugal's tax landscape while protecting your Roth IRAs and 401(k)s.
  • Retiree-friendly neighborhoods: Prime real estate in sought-after areas from the Algarve to Porto and Cascais.
  • Private healthcare setup: Comprehensive health insurance that meets all residency and age requirements.
  • Remote banking & fiscal setup: Fully managed setup of Portuguese accounts and NIF without leaving the US.
  • Wealth & estate protection: In-house legal support to ensure your US-based assets are protected under local law.
— Housing

Finding your perfect home in Portugal.

Off-market listingsLegal due diligenceVirtual Tours
01 — PURCHASE

Buying a home in Portugal

Make buying real estate in Portugal seamless with our well-connected in-house team by your side. From scouting off-market gems to managing legal checks, we act as your dedicated advocate to find a property that perfectly matches your lifestyle. Relocating to Portugal from the US is simplified when you have a local partner handling every detail. Our 360° oversight ensures that living in Portugal starts with the security of a perfectly managed home purchase, making your move from the USA effortless.

Virtual toursLease reviewUtility setup
02 — RENTAL

Finding a rental in Portugal

Finding the perfect home is the foundation of living in Portugal, and our well-connected in-house team makes it effortless. We handle everything from virtual tours to lease reviews and utility setup, ensuring your relocation to Portugal from the US is entirely stress-free. With our dedicated support during your first weeks, we ensure you and your family settle in with ease. Let us manage the complexities of moving to Portugal from the USA so you can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle from day one.

— Events

Our webinars: real talk on moving to Portugal. Immerse yourself before you even land.

Hosted by our team, these live sessions are designed to answer your biggest questions and help you visualize your move. Friendly, free, and focused on you. Join the next one and start your journey today.

EP 12FAMILY
52 min

Moving to Portugal with your family in 2026.

Phelan Murphy
Senior Residency Consultant
EP 11COMMUNITY
47 min

Settling in and finding community.

Anita Fenner
Client Experience & Community
EP 10RETIREMENT
44 min

Why the D7 visa is the best EU option for retirees.

Tom Brooks & Phelan Murphy
Founding Partner & CEO · Senior Residency Consultant
— Book a consultation

Book a free 30-minute strategy call with our team

No sales pitch. Just a clear read on your path — and a written
one-page assessment, regardless of whether we proceed.

Lisbon
Av. 24 de Julho 98,
1200-870 Lisboa,
Portugal
+351 21 020 5068
Barcelona
Ave. Del Portal de l'Àngel 40,
08002 Barcelona,
Spain
+34 930 47 81 36
London
33 Queen St,
London EC4R 1AP,
England
+44 20 4634 0293