From Kyiv to Lisbon: One Family’s Journey of Resilience and Adaptation
If you are moving from Kyiv to Lisbon with children, focus first on the visa route that matches your situation. We used the D7 passive income visa and reached Lisbon in six weeks once the paperwork cleared.
Paperwork and visa timeline
Start with the consulate checklist. We gathered income proofs, health insurance, and criminal record certificates in one folder before booking appointments.
- Book the Portuguese consulate slot in Kyiv early; slots fill three weeks ahead.
- Translate all documents into Portuguese with an official translator.
- Allow 30 days for the visa decision and another 10 days for the passport return.
| Document | Our timeline | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bank statements | 2 weeks | Show three months of steady deposits |
| Health insurance | 3 days | Choose a policy valid in Schengen |
| Child school records | 1 week | Ask for English or Portuguese versions |
Travel day with two kids
Book the direct flight from Kyiv to Lisbon when possible. We flew in the morning so the children stayed awake until bedtime in the new apartment.
- Pack one carry-on per person with medicines, chargers, and a change of clothes.
- Print the rental contract and visa approval letters for border control.
- Arrange an airport pickup; taxis in Lisbon accept card but keep some euros for small costs.
The kids asked about their old rooms the first night. We answered with the new neighborhood playground we had already visited on a video call.
First month in Lisbon
Register at the local junta de freguesia within three days of arrival. We took our rental contract and passports and left with the proof of address needed for the bank and school.
- Choose a neighborhood near a metro line if you lack a car; we picked Arroios for its direct connection to the center.
- Visit the health center on day five to register with the SNS and get a family doctor assigned.
- Enroll children at the nearest public school; bring translated birth certificates and vaccination records.
Evenings we walked the same route to the bakery so the street names started to feel familiar. Within three weeks the oldest child stopped asking when we were going home.