StartAbroad (startabroad.com) has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 60 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Home Services and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 100% rating it 4 stars or higher; 48 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-10.
I used Start Abroad for the digital nomad visa and had a great experience start to finish. It was my first time doing this and I am very glad I did. I start with the free consultation to understand how they worked and from then on the experience was seamless; they are very organised. They have a structure to upload the information, the steps are laid out clearly along the way, along with all the necessary details. They were on top of the process, communicative and quick to resolve any issues, even going in person when there was a problem on my end not receiving the emails from the government and to check on the status of the request. I recommend them, and would definitely hire them again. I would also like to highlight the work of Jimena who was appointed to accompany me, really exceptional work and communication. Thank you to the whole team !
J
Jayne · 4 reviews · Experienced 2025-08-07 ·
★★★★★
StartAbroad Provided All the Support We Needed
Anna and StartAbroad provided all the support my husband and I needed to move to Portugal. From the detailed written instructions to the hands-on support, we were in good hands. This was especially helpful because I was working full time in a very demanding position, as well as getting our house ready to sell, while working through the process of making the move. The support continued after we arrived in Portugal, including (but not limited to) providing a Portuguese representative to go with each of us to our AMIA appointments. We had the opportunity to meet Anna and her husband Zach in person when we were considering a move to Costa Rica. We liked them both and knew we could trust them for support when we finally decided on Portugal. For us, the cost of the StartAbroad subscription has been worth every dollar. If we had to do it all over again, we would still choose StartAbroad. We have lived in Portugal for a year now and have no regrets about making this move.
J
Jackson Holtz · 1 review · Experienced 2026-06-01 ·
★★★★★
Everyone at Start Abroad was terrific…
Everyone at Start Abroad was terrific and we couldn’t have been successful without their professional support. We worked most closely with Mariana and very much appreciated her calm, her availability and her kindness. Muito obrigado!
A
Angella R. · 3 reviews · Experienced 2026-07-13 ·
★★★★★
The best choice for Portugal residence visa…
After a frustrating experience with a previous firm, working with Start Abroad has been like night and day. My prior firm was disorganized, unclear about the process, and expensive. At one point, they even booked me a visa appointment at a location that didn't cover my jurisdiction of residence, an error I had to catch myself.
Start Abroad and Mariana, my personal guide, have been the complete opposite... organized, transparent, and clearly expert in the Portugal visa process. They explained every step and requirement upfront, kept me informed throughout, and got the details right the first time. They know this process inside and out.
If you're navigating a Portugal visa, start with Start Abroad to save yourself the stress. I only wish I had found them first. Highly recommend!
Angella
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Simyou C · 1 review · Experienced 2026-05-14 ·
★★★★★
Knowing that StartAbroad cared about my move
Knowing that StartAbroad cared about my transitioning out of the country and making sure I had all the support that I needed, gave me less stress and made everything much easier.
If I needed the team to stay in contact with me more often they would and I never seemed to be a bother, with all the times I contacted them with questions.
And, Anna is wonderful! At my Visa appointment she made sure that if I needed anything she would be a phone call away, and she was. Also, on my Zoom call with her, she made sure all my questions were answered.
Thank you StartAbroad for helping me with an important life change in my later years.
Simyou!
StartAbroad Was Instrumental in making our move to Portugal a success.
Relocating to another country is one of the biggest and most stressful decisions you’ll ever make. There are so many moving parts, and trying to navigate the Portuguese system on your own can feel overwhelming. Looking back, choosing StartAbroad was one of the best decisions we made.
We purchased the Concierge Package, and I can honestly say it was worth every euro. From the moment we started working with the team, they were responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping us succeed. Every question we had—whether it was about immigration, banking, healthcare, housing, or the countless details involved in relocating—was answered quickly and professionally. Knowing we had a team we could rely on gave us tremendous peace of mind.
I especially want to recognize Anna. She was exceptional in every way—professional, knowledgeable, patient, kind, and incredibly responsive. She never made us feel like just another client. No matter how many questions we had, she always took the time to help us, and her guidance made a huge difference throughout our journey. StartAbroad is fortunate to have someone like Anna on their team.
We also want to thank Sonia, who accompanied us to our AIMA appointment. Having someone experienced there with us during such an important milestone was invaluable. She made the entire process feel much less intimidating and ensured everything went smoothly.
One of the things that impressed us most about StartAbroad was how consistently responsive everyone was. International moves can be stressful, and having a team that genuinely cares and gets back to you quickly makes all the difference.
The only part of our experience that fell short was with our realtor. Unfortunately, the level of service we received from him did not reflect the high standard set by the rest of the StartAbroad team. Fortunately, our interactions with everyone else were so positive that this did not diminish our overall experience.
Today, my husband and I are happily living in Portugal, and StartAbroad played a significant role in helping us get here. We are truly grateful for their guidance, professionalism, and support every step of the way.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Portugal, we wholeheartedly recommend StartAbroad—and especially their Concierge Package. It was one of the best investments we made in our move, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone beginning the same journey.
Thank you to Anna, Sónia, and the entire StartAbroad team for helping turn our dream of living in Portugal into a reality.
M
Matt Blaisdell · 1 review · Experienced 2026-06-01 ·
★★★★★
A Truly First-Class Relocation Experience
My family and I have had an outstanding experience with the entire Start Abroad team. From our very first introductory call, they took the time to get to know us, understand our goals, and help us find the right place to call home in Portugal.
They guided us through every step of the process—from our initial planning, housing search, and local tour to our D7 visa application and consulate appointment. Their organization, knowledge, and attention to detail made what could have been an overwhelming process feel manageable and well planned.
What has impressed us most is how responsive and proactive they have been. Whenever we had questions, someone was always available to help, and they consistently stayed one step ahead, ensuring nothing was overlooked.
We're moving to Portugal in just a few weeks, and their support continues. They'll even be accompanying us to our AIMA appointment, which speaks volumes about their commitment to their clients long after the visa is approved.
If you're considering a move to Portugal, I can't recommend Start Abroad highly enough. They've made this life-changing journey feel exciting instead of stressful, and we're incredibly grateful for everything they've done for our family.
M
Mark S. · 2 reviews · Experienced 2026-04-24 ·
★★★★★
StartAbroad provided virtually seamless…
StartAbroad provided virtually seamless service throughout my migration to Portugal from the U.S. and continues to be an invaluable resource as I continue to maneuver through a new culture . I enrolled in the StartAbroad concierge program and it was worth every penny. I could not have been more pleased with Anna Sosdian, my representative, and with her warmth, caring, and highly effective approach to the many details that needed to be addressed through countless virtual meetings. Also, thanks to the rest of the StartAbroad staff and agents ( for real estate and for legal) for their hard work, caring attitude, and productive efforts.
G
Gage Butler · 1 review · Experienced 2025-07-25 ·
★★★★★
Use their service!!!!!
When they said we’ll help you every step along the way, they really mean it! Every time we had a question or need more explanation on the process and even working through last minute emergency problems, they we right there to help! We were able to get our visas and all required documents with ease. Doing this process ourselves would’ve have been a nightmare are and the team made it so much better!
j
jose marinelli · 8 reviews · Experienced 2026-06-25 ·
★★★★★
Portugal D7 Visa Application
If you are looking for assistance with your Portugal D7 Visa application, I highly recommend StartAbroad. They are knowledgeable, responsive, and offer their services at a reasonable rate.
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Carla WK · 10 reviews · Experienced 2026-01-01 ·
★★★★★
Exceptional service
My husband and I used StartAbroad for our move to Portugal. We researched several companies and ultimately decided that StartAbroad had the most encompassing service for our relocation. We went with the Concierge plan and highly recommend it! We especially appreciated the unlimited coaching calls and help with utilities. Mariana was our point person. She was extremely kind, knowledgeable and supportive. All of the partner relationships through StartAbroad have been excellent. 10/10! That means something coming from two Virgo’s.
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Igor P · 1 review · Experienced 2026-05-03 ·
★★★★★
Very hands off reliable service
After successful process of moving to Costa Rica a year ago, this time around StartAbroad helped me with digital visa renewal process a year later. Everything went really smooth again. Jimena even found a cheap online insurance at the last notice for me, translated it to Spanish and moved the appointment to desired location just a day in advance. All the document were done for me correctly. I am already planning to use their service in the future for temporary residency. I enjoy not having to worry about anything or spend time researching this things
M
Marti Luken · 1 review · Experienced 2026-06-03 ·
★★★★★
Super excited about my recent Visa…
Super excited about my recent Visa approval to Portugal! I have been in contact with this organization back in 2023 exploring Costa Rica and sought them again to make it a reality in Portugal. They have the staff and the resources to guide you in every step of the Visa process journey.
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Tracy Kinn · 1 review · Experienced 2026-05-23 ·
★★★★★
Moving to a new country is exciting and…
Moving to a new country is exciting and a little scary. The paperwork alone is daunting. The experts at StartAbroad made everything so easy. They walk you through every step and make sure you always have everything you need. They promptly answer questions and are very knowledgeable about the immigration process. I can honestly say we wouldn’t have been able to navigate this move on our own. We would absolutely recommend them.
We are so glad we used Start Abroad to help us navigate our D7 Portugal visas. Mariana was kind and helpful answering every email and question we had quickly. Their portal that you upload documents for review by their lawyers & team was easy to use, and helped keep us on track. They got our visa appointment for us in Houston and all the paperwork was in order when we went. We left there feeling confident . We got our visas approved & back in 40 days which is unheard of! Now they are helping us get our AIMA appointment for when we arrive and will meet us at that appointment. I would 100% recommend them to our family and friends. We are so glad we used this team!
M
M Reed · 1 review · Experienced 2026-04-30 ·
★★★★★
I’d like to enthusiastically recommend…
I’d like to enthusiastically recommend StartAbroad. My wife and I are white collar professionals, who most deem as having above average intellect and capabilities. We looked at the requirements for a D-7 visa to Portugal and thought how tough could this be for us to complete, especially with the Internet! However, we had multiple family and property issues we were working on so we decided to use a company that facilitated the process. I left it up to my wife to choose the company. After a lot of research, which included Facebook, ex-pat blogs and websites, she chose StartAbroad. She liked their back story. StartAbroad seemed like they would oversee the process, provide us guidance and at a reasonable price compared to other companies.
Due to our multiple projects, we decided to choose the higher end Concierge service, which at the time, seemed like it might be overkill, but the price was very reasonable. This turned out to be the best decision we made regarding our immigration plans. While the laws and process seemed fairly straightforward, little if anything was.
The time zone difference (especially when in our place on the west coast of the U.S.) and not speaking Portuguese were bigger obstacles than we had anticipated
Timing was also a factor. We chose a difficult time to start the process as Portugal was changing requirements on what seemed a weekly basis.
As an example, an apostille for the criminal background check which needed to be no more than six months old would need to be provided when meeting with the initial application screeners. Shortly before our appointment, which would fall within the 6 month window, the requirement was changed without notice or warning to less than 90 days. Anna and StartAbroad sent out an advisory alert. While we barely had time to get the background check re-apostilled in time for our meeting, thanks to the alert, we didn’t show up in San Francisco with a document that would have been rejected and have to start the process all over again.
There were other changes and challenges more significant which I suspect most won’t encounter but Startabroad handled them either directly, or through a Third Party at no additional charge. From banking, to appointments with AIMA, to securing rental agreements and utilities, which in hindsight, are all things we wouldn’t have known how to arrange, StartAbroad handled. As I write this, we’re holding our D-7 Visas in our hands, effective May 1, 2026. We’re currently wrapping up things domestically and looking forward to leaving the U. S., and starting life over in Portugal. I can say unequivocally, without StartAbroad we’d have thrown in the towel by now. Or we’d still be struggling through the process with no end in sight. Should you choose StartAbroad, you’ll have made the best decision for a successful transition.
Start Abroad, and especially Mariana who I primarily worked with in Portugal, was fantastic. I had a lot of things that needed to be sorted out, computer issues an illness and a few other things life seemed to dish out. Everything got sorted, including last minute housing, last minute VFS appointment, and now I have my Visa! Also the AIMA appointment is set and they will be there for me for the appointment. I could not have done this without them! 10 out of 10. Obrigata Mariana and all of Start Abroad!!!!!!!
B
Brian Duncan · 2 reviews · Experienced 2026-05-08 ·
★★★★★
Excellent Company
Anna and her team really made moving abroad a simple process. There were lists of every item we would need throughout the whole process. We went with the Concierge service and Anna met with us multiple times to address our questions and concerns. It really helped quell our anxiety about the whole process! I really cannot recommend Start Abroad enough to anyone that wants to move abroad.
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RD · 6 reviews · Experienced 2025-09-23 ·
★★★★★
From Overwhelmed to Settled: StartAbroad Made It Happen
A lot of people back in the States have asked how we managed the huge task of moving from the U.S. to Costa Rica, and I can say without hesitation that hiring Zach & Anna at StartAbroad was some of the best money we’ve ever spent.
Moving internationally comes with a ton of moving parts, especially when it comes to things like legal documents and timing requirements. That’s where Zach really stood out—he was incredibly helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable, and made sure everything stayed on track so the whole process went smoothly.
StartAbroad helped us with applying for our visa, buying a car, renting a home, and honestly just navigating all the details that come with a move like this. Trying to handle those things remotely from the U.S.—especially without knowing the language or local processes—would have been extremely difficult. Having their “boots on the ground” gave us a huge head start before we even arrived.
They also helped with smaller but important details, like finding a shipper for our belongings, advising on the best airline for transporting our dog, and even picking us up at the airport and stopping for groceries. That kind of support made a big difference.
Everything went smoothly, and we always felt taken care of. Looking back, I’m not sure we could have done it without them. Highly recommend StartAbroad to anyone considering a move to Costa Rica.
Rick, Tina and Dakota
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Traci · 1 review · Experienced 2025-08-05 ·
★★★★★
The team at StartAbroad is A++…
The team at StartAbroad helped tremendously with my move from USA to Portugal. I am so glad I found them - I would have been lost on my own! Communication is prompt and when there is confusion, the team is quick to jump in and clear it up. I appreciate all of the people that collectively make StartAbroad such an amazing company to work with. Their service and knowledge about the process is unmatched. Many, many thanks to Anna and Zach -- and their whole team!
