Advance planning
Practical steps you can take now to organize your affairs, express your wishes, and ease the burden on your loved ones.
A gift to your family
Planning ahead is not about being pessimistic. It is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love. When everything is organized, your family can focus on grieving and healing rather than paperwork and uncertainty.
Essential steps
1. Make a will (Testamento)
A will ensures your wishes for the free portion of your estate are respected. Visit a Cartório Notarial to make a public will. Remember that Portuguese forced heirship rules protect your spouse, children, and parents. See our Wills guide.
2. Register a living will (RENTEV)
Express your wishes about medical treatment in case you become unable to decide for yourself. Register through the RENTEV system at the Portal do SNS. See our Living Will guide.
3. Organize your documents
Keep all important documents in one secure, accessible place. Tell a trusted person where they are. See our Important Documents guide.
4. Review insurance policies
Ensure you have adequate life insurance. Review beneficiary designations. Consider funeral insurance (seguro funeral) to cover burial or cremation costs.
5. Plan your digital legacy
Create a list of your online accounts and how to access them. Use a password manager and share emergency access with a trusted person. Set up legacy contacts on Google and Apple. See our Digital Legacy guide.
6. Express funeral wishes
Write down your preferences: burial or cremation, religious or civil ceremony, specific music or readings, where you wish to be buried/ashes scattered. Share these with your family.
The family conversation
Have the conversation
Talking about death and end-of-life wishes can be difficult, but it is essential. Here are some ways to start:
- "I want to make sure you know where everything is, just in case."
- "I have been thinking about organizing things to make it easier for everyone."
- "Can we talk about what we would each want if something happened?"
It does not have to be one big conversation. It can be several small ones over time.
Practical checklist for planning ahead
- ☐ Make or update your will at a Cartório Notarial
- ☐ Register a Living Will (Diretivas Antecipadas de Vontade) at RENTEV
- ☐ Organize all important documents in one place
- ☐ Tell a trusted person where your documents are kept
- ☐ Review and update life insurance beneficiaries
- ☐ Consider funeral insurance or pre-paid funeral plans
- ☐ Create a list of all bank accounts, investments, and debts
- ☐ Create a list of all online accounts and passwords (use a password manager)
- ☐ Set up legacy contacts on Google, Apple, and social media
- ☐ Write down your funeral preferences
- ☐ Appoint a power of attorney (procuração) for health and financial matters
- ☐ Have a conversation with your family about your wishes
Don't forget your digital legacy
The average person has over 160 online accounts. Prepare access to your digital accounts – from social media to online banking. You can set up Google Inactive Account Manager and Apple Legacy Contact today. See our Digital Legacy guide.