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Look, obviously, nothing comes close to a Cape Town summer, but what if you could double down on the sunshine?

We’ve been hearing quite a bit of buzz around the sports fields in Newlands and Rondebosch lately that there’s been a surge in Saffas trading in the familiar Cape Town beaches for the equally belting ones of Portugal.

More and more South Africans are discovering a well-kept secret: living between South Africa and Portugal is possible, occurring, and simpler than you may imagine.

With the Portugal Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) in hand, you can seemingly now soak up the best of both worlds, and here’s the best part: with the NLV, all you need is six consecutive months in Portugal, and the rest of the year, you’re free to head back to SA for that epic December braai, just in time to miss the rainy months.

In short, it’s a golden ticket to living in Portugal without needing a job there.

The Non-Lucrative Visa lets South Africans (and anyone else outside the EU) live their best lives in Portugal, as long as they can prove they have a steady income that doesn’t depend on local employment.

Think of it as the perfect set-up for retirees, digital nomads, or anyone keen to switch things up without the grind of a 9-to-5. And no, you don’t need to be a millionaire to make it happen.

One of the main reasons so many South Africans are eyeing Portugal is the weather.  Let’s face it, a full year of sunshine is something most of us would be completely fine with. Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, so if you’re used to summers in SA, you’ll feel right at home.

Then there’s the lifestyle. Think laid-back living with a side of vinho verde. Whether you’re into exploring Lisbon’s buzzing streets or relaxing on a quiet Algarve beach, there’s literally a vibe for everyone.

The best part is that you can travel like a boss. Once you’ve got your residency card, Europe is basically your playground. Hop across borders without the hassle of visas and dive into everything from Italian pasta to Greek sunsets.

You might be wondering if the NLV visa is all it’s cracked up to be, and the answer is a resounding yes – especially for South Africans who are looking for a softer landing in Europe. The NLV doesn’t require a job, just proof of a passive income (emphasis on passive) such as from rentals, investments, or savings.

All you need is a monthly passive income of around R16,000 (yes, you read that right, we had to double-check to make sure), and you’re good to go. And if you’ve got a remote gig, you’re halfway there already.

To get an NLV visa, you’ll need to provide proof of a stable passive income. As mentioned, this could come from various sources like rental properties, investments, or even a pension. The key is demonstrating that you have a consistent cash flow to support yourself while living in Portugal.

Next, you’ll have to secure accommodation in Portugal and show proof of where you’ll be staying. Having a place lined up is a mandatory requirement for your visa application. Another one is “health insurance” which we call medical aid – it’s mandatory, so make sure you’ve got this sorted before submitting your documents.

A clean criminal record is also required, so make sure you’ve sorted all those speeding and parking fines before applying.

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary paperwork, you’ll need to book an appointment at the Portuguese consulate to submit your application, and from there, it might be a bit of a waiting game.

Fortunately our friends over at Consult Immigration specialise in helping South Africans navigate the visa process, so they will basically do all the heavy lifting for you, from gathering the right documents to guiding you through every step.

A summer in Cape Town followed by another summer in Portugal seems like a fine year, so get in touch with them here so you can LITERALLY make work a sideline and live the holiday!