Portugal has been the best country for retired citizens to live. The reason for that are: the living cost, the climate and the people.
Portugal has nice summers. Algarve is one of the most popular region due to the weather and the beaches.
Compared to the USA and other European countrys, eating in Portugal is incredibly cheap, making it possible to enjoy a healthy cheap meal, with some exceptions, like Lisbon, which became more expensive in last years.
Furthermore, Portuguese people are very welcoming.
The NIF is needed in Portugal for all kinds of things like opening a bank account.
In Portugal, citizens that have an EU passport don’t need to obtain a visa to apply for residence, but US passport holders need visas. Us citizens can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. As non – EU citizens, however, US passport holders who want to move to Portugal must obtain a visa.