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Living in Portugal

Portugal is a beautiful country located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It is bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal has become an increasingly popular destination for expats looking for a high quality of life, warm climate, and affordable cost of living. This article explores what it’s like to live in Portugal, including the pros and cons, cost of living, quality of life, culture, and best places to live.

Why Move to Portugal ?

There are many appealing reasons to consider moving to Portugal, such as:

  • Mediterranean Climate – Portugal enjoys a warm, sunny climate with around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Temperatures are tempered by the ocean breeze.
  • Laidback Lifestyle – The Portuguese people are known to be friendly, welcoming, and laidback. Life moves at a slower pace with time to enjoy long lunches and family.
  • Affordable – The cost of living in Portugal is roughly 30% lower than other western European nations. Everything from housing to healthcare is cheaper.
  • Tax Incentives – Portugal offers attractive tax incentives for expat retirees and foreign investors, such as a non-habitual resident program.
  • Outdoor Lifestyle – With beaches, mountains, and countryside, Portugal is a haven for outdoor recreation from surfing to golf.
  • Healthcare – Medical care is of high quality and universal healthcare keeps costs affordable even without private insurance.
  • Safety – Portugal is among the safest countries in the world with extremely low violent crime rates.
  • Infrastructure – Portugal has modern infrastructure including airports, public transit, utilities, and high-speed internet.

Living in Portugal: Pros and Cons

While Portugal checks a lot of boxes as a great place to live, there are some potential downsides:

Pros :

  1. Year-round sunny climate
  2. Slower, stress-free lifestyle
  3. Low cost of living
  4. Great tax breaks as an expat
  5. Laidback, friendly people
  6. Vibrant culture with festivals and arts
  7. Fantastic cuisine and wine
  8. Universal healthcare system
  9. High-quality infrastructure
  10. Outdoor activities like surfing and golfing

Cons :

  1. Language barrier as Portuguese is the official language
  2. Bureaucracy and long wait times for some services
  3. Weaker job market and wages compared to other EU countries
  4. Navigating the immigration system can be tricky
  5. Housing shortages in the big cities like Lisbon
  6. Small country with limited options for shopping/entertainment
  7. High unemployment rate over 6%
  8. Reliance on imported energy sources

While a few challenges exist, most expats find the pros of living in Portugal far outweigh any downsides. The language and bureaucratic issues ease over time as one adjusts.

The Cost of Living in Portugal: A Comprehensive Guide

One of the top reasons people choose to move to Portugal is the affordable cost of living. Here’s a look at average costs:

Housing

  • For a modern 2-3 bedroom apartment in the city center expect to pay €1,000 – €1,500 per month.
  • Rent outside urban areas is cheaper.
  • Buying is also affordable with properties from €60,000.

Health Insurance

  • Health insurance in Portugal ranges from €30 – €150 per month for full coverage on the private market.
  • But many simply use the public system.

Utilities

  • Expect to pay around €150 per month for electricity, heating, water, and garbage collection.
  • High-speed internet starts around €30 per month.

Groceries

  • Grocery costs are on par with most European countries, around €200 – €300 per month for two people.
  • Fresh produce, meat and fish are very affordable.

Eating/Drinking Out

  • Dining out at a nice restaurant can be done for as low as €15 per entree.
  • Coffee, wine, and beer also cost much less than other EU hot spots.

Transportation

  • Public transportation like metro, bus, and tram services in cities start at just €1.47.
  • Taxis are also very affordable.
  • Cars can be leased cheaply.

Taxes

  • Portugal has attractive tax benefits for retirees and foreign residents.
  • Overall taxes are lower with a top income tax rate of 48%. Sales tax is 23%.

Lifestyle

  • Leisure activities like dining out, concerts, shopping, and hobbies are all very affordable compared to other European destinations.

Quality of Life in Portugal

Portugal offers an enviable quality of life for expats spanning cost, health, culture, and happiness metrics:

  1. Affordability – Low cost of living and taxes mean disposable income goes further allowing for security and leisure.
  2. Safety – Extremely low crime rates and political stability ensure peace of mind with little concern over safety.
  3. Climate – The mild weather and sunshine allows for an outdoor lifestyle nearly year-round. Winters are still very mild.
  4. Family Life – Strong family bonds, community connections, and child-friendly culture make Portugal great for raising a family.
  5. Environment – Clear air and water with access to nature from beaches to mountains makes the environment conducive to healthy living.
  6. Healthcare – Medical care is affordable for expats, and the system ranks high for positive outcomes. English is spoken.
  7. Infrastructure – Modern and efficient infrastructure for transportation, utilities, amenities and high-speed internet connectivity.
  8. Happiness – Portugal consistently ranks among the top countries in the World Happiness Report, thanks to quality of life contributors.

The few downsides include access barriers for non-Portuguese speakers, housing shortages in bigger cities, and unemployment levels. But overall quality of life is superb.

A Beginner’s Guide to Portugal Culture

Portugal has a rich, vibrant culture that newcomers will find both intriguing and warmly welcoming. Here are some key aspects of Portuguese culture:

  • Language – Portuguese is the official language. Attempting to speak a little goes a long way in building connections. English is common in cities.
  • Food – Portuguese cuisine includes plenty of seafood, meat, olive oil, spices, wine, and pastries like pasteis de nata custard tarts.
  • Festivals – Festivals celebrate religious events like Christmas and Easter but also local culture with music, food, and traditions.
  • Arts – Portugal has a thriving arts scene including painting, music like Fado, literature, cinema, and more.
  • Architecture – Unique architecture like Manueline, Baroque, and Azulejo tilework leaves a distinctive landscape.
  • Family – Families are close-knit, with care and respect given to elders. Loyalty within family is highly valued.
  • Leisure – Social life revolves around dining out, spending time in cafes, and long lunches or dinners with family and friends.
  • Sports – Football is a national passion. Golf, cycling, water sports, hiking, and bullfighting are also popular.

The Portuguese culture balances strong tradition with openness to outside influence and a welcoming spirit to newcomers and visitors.

Best Places to Live in Portugal

Choosing the best place to settle down in Portugal really depends on lifestyle preferences and needs. Here are some top options:

  1. Lisbon – The lively capital city offers endless amenities along with charming districts like Alfama. It’s great for urbanites.
  2. Porto – The coastal second city has stunning architecture, a medieval old town, universities and incredible food and wine.
  3. Cascais – Located on the Estoril coast near Lisbon, this beach town appeals to ocean lovers and families.
  4. Lagos – On the scenic Algarve, Lagos offers historic charm, beautiful beaches, and a happening foodie scene.
  5. Coimbra – This central university city has an intellectual and youthful vibe with striking historic buildings and character.
  6. Sintra – Just outside Lisbon, this town wooded hills, stunning palaces and mansions, and storybook charm.

No matter which region suits your lifestyle, Portugal has wonderful options. The country continues to draw expats seeking out high quality of life, affordability, safety, culture and a warm sense of community.

Emily Johnson

One thought on “Living in Portugal

  1. I also thought your writing style was very approachable. While tackling a nuanced issue, you maintained a positive tone and didn’t come across as too academic or preachy. The visuals like photos and charts were a nice complement that reinforced certain points visually. Overall, the right balance of facts and stories helped readers understand this issue from many angles. It’s obvious you’re very knowledgeable about this subject and did a great job sharing that expertise. Thank you for the thought-provoking and well-crafted post!

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