Building a life on Portugal's Silver Coast
We left the U.S., bought land overlooking the Atlantic, and are building a life we love. Here's what we've learned along the way.
If you've been thinking about moving to Europe but aren't sure where to start, or you're deep in the research and feeling overwhelmed, you're probably closer than you think. Maybe you’re still building a business, a career, a life that looks entirely different from the one you're leaving behind.
We’re Benaz and John William and we've been exactly where you are. We first visited Portugal in 2018 and it kept calling us back. In 2024 we purchased land overlooking the Atlantic, and in 2025 we packed up our lives and moved from Austin, TX to Portugal on a D2 Entrepreneur Visa. We're now building our dream home, and we haven’t looked back.
The process was full of lessons we wish we had learned sooner. We've been through the paperwork, the bureaucracy, and the process of starting over. This is where we write about it.
Our Story
You don't need to have it all figured out yet.
The View From Here
Some mornings we step outside and it still doesn't feel real. We are steps away from the ocean on a beautiful stretch of coastline most people haven't discovered yet and we’re building something with our own hands.
From navigating the D2 visa to flying a 70-pound rescue dog across the Atlantic, here's some of what we've written along the way.
Why Venture Along?
We're in Portugal right now, building our home and figuring out the systems as we go. We've been through the D2 visa process ourselves, as both remote employees and entrepreneurs, and we've built a network of tax, financial, and legal people we trust along the way.
What We Help With
Visas, Residency & Citizenship: Full range of Portuguese visa types, with personal first-hand experience obtaining the D2 Entrepreneur Visa. We can also help you navigate the D7 Passive Income / Retiree Visa, D8 Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, D3 Highly Qualified Professional / Tech Visa, and more, as well as obtaining your NIF. We can also share firsthand perspective on EU citizenship by ancestry, a route we've personally explored and one that several people close to us have successfully navigated, though laws in this area vary by country and change frequently.
Finances & Taxes: Expat finances, cross-border tax guidance, opening a Portuguese bank account (personal and business), and working remotely for a U.S. company in Portugal, plus warm introductions to the trusted tax, financial, and legal professionals we rely on ourselves.
Finding Your Home: Most services stop at rentals and existing properties. We bought land, navigated PIP and planning permission, obtaining a building license, and are building from the ground up. From renting an apartment to purchasing land and building your dream home, we can guide you through all of it.
Getting Settled: Moving and shipping belongings, buying a car and getting local insurance, obtaining a Portuguese phone plan, and flying with a dog to Portugal.
Health & Wellbeing: Finding doctors and dentists, Schengen insurance, and navigating private health insurance and the Portuguese healthcare system.
Language & Daily Life: Learning European Portuguese, building a social life, and understanding what day-to-day life actually looks and feels like near Lisbon and on the Silver Coast.
We are not licensed legal, tax, or financial advisors and nothing we discuss should be taken as professional advice in those areas. For topics requiring professional expertise, we share our personal experience and connect you with professionals we trust, either from our own experience or through our network. We'll always be upfront about where our experience ends and a licensed professional begins. We may receive compensation for some referrals. See our Terms & Conditions for details.
Others Who've Taken the Leap
Talk to Us
Sometimes reading only gets you so far. If you'd rather talk it through with two people who've actually done this, we offer one call.
All sessions are conducted via video call. Payment is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.
One 45-minute Video Call
Who this is for: Anyone who is seriously thinking about moving abroad and wants to talk it through with people who have done it.
What's included:
• One 45-minute video call with us focused on your most pressing questions
• Honest answers and perspective grounded in our own experience
• A short follow-up email with 3–5 clear next steps
• Links, resources, and contacts we mentioned on the call
• A few follow-up questions welcome by email after the call
What this is: A real conversation with people on the other side of the move. Leave with grounded, experience-based feedback and simple next steps.
What this is not: A formal relocation plan. Unlimited ongoing support after the call.
$150
Not ready to book a call?
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We are not licensed legal, tax, or financial advisors and nothing we discuss should be taken as professional advice in those areas. We'll always be upfront about where our experience ends and a licensed professional begins.
Booking & Payment
All calls are scheduled online. Payment is collected in full at the time of booking via Stripe. We accept all major credit cards.
Cancellations made more than 48 hours before your session and before any work has begun are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Reschedules are welcome with 48+ hours' notice. For exceptional circumstances, please reach out to us directly — we'll always try to find a fair solution. See our full Cancellation & Refund Policy for details.
Follow Along on Our Journey
Stay up to date as our journey unfolds. Real stories and honest reflections from Portugal.
Contact
You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Whether you're deep in the research phase, just starting to dream, or looking for a referral to someone in our network, we'd love to hear from you.
info@venturealong.com
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