So you want to be Portugal. You’ve imagined the cobbled streets, the beachside cafés, the slower pace of life—and maybe even started daydreaming about sipping coffee while your kids run free in the praça. But then that looming question crashes in:How am I going to earn a living if I move abroad?
You’re not alone. One of the most common—and most stressful—questions among would-be expats is how to maintain an income once you leave your home country, especially if you’re coming from the U.S. and your current job isn’t remote.
This post is for anyone who’s staring at job boards, feeling discouraged, and wondering, “How do people actually do this?”
First, You’re Not Failing—You’re Just in the Messy Middle
Let’s clear this up: this part is hard for almost everyone. The people you see posting sunny photos from the Algarve or Lisbon also had to untangle the income question. There’s no one-size-fits-all path, but there are strategies that work.
Common Ways to Make It Work
1. They Bring Their Remote Job With Them
Some lucky expats already had flexible jobs and convinced their employer to let them work abroad. If your current role is strictly in-person, this probably isn’t your route—but it’s worth asking if there’s any long-term potential.
2. They Pivot to a Remote-Friendly Career
This is more common than you might think. People retrain in fields like:
Content writing, editing, or copywriting
Virtual assistance or remote project management
UX/UI design or graphic design
Customer support or onboarding
Digital marketing or social media management
Online education or tutoring
These fields hire contractors all over the world. You might have to invest in short-term training or build a small portfolio, but the opportunities are out there.
3. They Freelance or Consult
Many expats start freelancing in their area of expertise, offering services to clients back home. U.S. companies will often work with international freelancers without needing to “hire” them formally. This works especially well if you have existing contacts or clients.
4. They Teach English or Do Gig Work
Some people teach English online through platforms like VIPKid (note: hiring standards have changed post-COVID), Cambly, or Preply. Others work in tourism, hospitality, or even start small businesses. These are viable but may require residency status or local connections—and they often pay less.
Why Do So Many Jobs Say “Must Be U.S.-Based”?
You’ve probably noticed this on job boards. It’s often due to legal, tax, or payroll reasons, especially for full-time employment. But here’s the good news: Companies are usually more flexible with independent contractors.
That’s why freelance, contract-based, and self-employed options open more doors. Look at remote-friendly job boards like:
FlexJobs
We Work Remotely
Remote.co
Jobspresso
Working Nomads
Also consider building up experience through Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer—they’re not perfect, but they can get you started while building a remote resume.