21 Secrets About Living In Macau To Know Before Moving

Macau is a popular destination for tourists and ex-pats because of the casino culture, the many job opportunities, and the history and beauty of the Chinese territory.

Read on to find out some tips and tricks to keep in mind for those traveling to Macau for work, or moving there permanently.

Sections

1. You’ll need to learn the language

The official languages of Macau are Chinese (Cantonese) as well as Portuguese because of its history as a former Portuguese colony. Only 0.06% of Macau’s population speaks Portuguese. Macau’s Portuguese have their very own Portuguese dialect, known as “Macanese Portuguese”.

About 85.7% of the country speaks Cantonese, which means that expats living in Macau should consider learning the language. If you want to get to know the locals, it will be good if you learn basic Cantonese.

2. Prepare for a culture shock

Although Macau is a global country, there are still some elements that might come as a culture shock. Traveling around Macau’s city center by yourself can be daunting since taxi and bus drivers speak predominantly Cantonese.

Macau is also a blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture, with touches of Spanish influence, which means it is a melting pot of cultures that have influenced its cuisine and architecture.

3. The costs of living in Macau

The currency used in Macau is Macau Pataca (MOP). Macau has a relatively low cost of living, which you can learn more about here.

This is a basic summary of the monthly cost of living in Macau:

A family of four: $3,217 (MOP26,022) without rent.
A single person: $875 (MOP7,073) without rent.
Basic utilities: $92 (MOP747).
Rent:
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center $1,308.41 (MOP10,583.33)
- Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center $989 (MOP8,000.00)
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center $2,175 (MOP17,600.00 )
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Center $2,033 (MOP16,444.44)

4. It’s known as the Las Vegas of Asia

Because of the many casinos in Macau, it is known as the “Las Vegas of Asia”. It houses most of the casinos and hotel resorts in the world.

It has surpassed Las Vegas in terms of games and gambling and was estimated in 2014 to be seven times larger than Las Vegas. Casinos also employ a lot of locals and expats.

5. Macau has quite a lenient visa policy

Macau has a relatively lenient visa policy which allows people from all over the world to enter the country. If you want to visit Macau, tourist visas for short-term stays are easy to get, while long-term work visas will require an employer to sponsor you.

People from the following nations can enter Macau without a tourist visa for short stays:

7 Days:

Hong Kong (Only for holders of Hong Kong SAR Passport)
China (Only for transit to a third country)

14 Days: Brunei

30 Days: Albania, Australia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Dominica, EU citizens, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States

90 Days: Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Egypt, Grenada, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Serbia, Tanzania, Uruguay,

6 Months: United Kingdom

1 Year: Hong Kong (Permanent Identity Card Holders, regardless of nationality)

Visa Required to Enter Macau: Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam,

6. Traditions and festivals

Macau has 400 years of history that blends Chinese and Portuguese cultures with other western traditions. This means there are a lot of festivals and holidays, including traditional Chinese festivals, religious festivals, and international events.

7. The Historic Center of Macau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The city center of Macau is historic due to the Portuguese past, and in 2005 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This area of the city is rich in history, with eight historic events, and several historic buildings, and is a beacon to the heritage of the nation.

8. It’s heavily crowded

Macau is incredibly densely populated, with an estimated population density of 8,367 people per square mile.

That is a lot of people! This has made it difficult to find accommodation in the city center and has made Macau the most densely populated country (or in this case, territory) in the world.

9. They have a low crime rate

Macau is considered a safe country with a generally low crime rate, although there has been a slight increase in crime in the past three years. See here for more statistics on Macau’s safety and crime rates.

Of course, you should always be cautious, especially if you walk alone at night or while you are busy gambling.

10. What’s the weather like in Macau?

Similar to the rest of southern China, Macau has a subtropical climate. There are summer monsoons, with a lot of rain and humidity from May to September. There are also typhoons during this period. Winters are dry.

11. You will need international health insurance

Macau lacks standard western medical treatment, which means that it is in your best interest to get an international insurance policy when it comes to health care.

Most Macanese have to travel to Hong Kong to get specialist medical treatments, which gets expensive.

12. Bringing your furry friends over

When your pet enters Macau, you will need a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and Health Certificate, as well as an Import Permit from the Animal Health Department and AWV Document which provides details on your pet.

Depending on where you are moving from, your furry friend may have to spend time in quarantine for up to four months.

13. Their cuisine is a blend of East meets West

Although Macau is a small city, you will find a variety of cuisine, including familiar Western food.

Most dishes in Macau are derived from Cantonese and Portuguese food, with influences from India and Malaysia. Most Portuguese dishes were modified by using local ingredients, although some traditional Portuguese dishes remain, like the Portuguese egg tart.

One of the best examples of fusion in Macanese cuisine is galinha à portuguesa, or Portuguese-style chicken (shown above). This dish combines chicken, chorizo sausage, and rice served in a coconut curry broth. Sometimes other vegetables such as carrots and potatoes may be added.

This dish originates in Macau and isn’t commonly found in Portugal.

14. Housing and accommodation in Macau

Because Macau is a metropolitan city with a dense population, accommodation is expensive.

Renting

One-bedroom apartment in the city center: $1,156 (MOP9,351)
One-bedroom apartment outside the city center: $888 (MOP7,183)
Three-bedroom apartment in the city center: $2,111 (MOP17,075)
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center: $1,839 (MOP14,875)

Buying

Small apartment in the city center: $748,727 (MOP6,056,473)
Large apartment in the city center: $1,248,083 (MOP10,095,778)
Small apartment outside the city center: $561,636 (MOP4,543,089)
Large apartment outside the city center: $935,913 (MOP7,570,626)
Percentage mortgage interest rate= 2.70%

15. They have the 9th fastest growing economy

The World Bank has classified the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau as a high-income territory.

Macau’s economy is steadily growing, with a low tax regime and a high income per capita. Although it was affected by COVID-19 in 2020, which resulted in a contracted economy, in 2021 Macau’s government announced a stimulus package to kickstart the economy and help revive the tourism industry.

It was predicted that the economy would bounce back by 61%, which would make it the fastest-growing economy of 2021. The GDP is expected to be more than $73.46 in 2026.

16. Citizens get paid by the local government

Because of the large surplus of money generated by the casinos and tourism, the SAR government has paid the Macanese an annual dividend.

This stipend aims to share the benefits of economic development with the public. This annual dividend is around $1,200 (MOP9,000) for permanent residents and $670 (MOP5,400) for non-permanent residents.

17. Immigration requirements

If you wish to work in Macau, you can apply for a professional or non-professional non-resident work visa. It is called “Special Authorization to Stay”.

Non-residents and foreign nationals must have a “non-resident worker’s card”, called the blue card. It is fairly easy to get a blue card, as the employer must initiate the application process.

The employer must submit paperwork and a completed application form, which will be decided on by the immigration office. If approved, temporary authorization to live and work in Macau will be granted until a second, thorough background check is completed.

Once the second check is done (it can take about two months), a non-resident will be allowed to live in Macau for a period determined by the immigration office. This period will be printed on the blue card and can be extended if the employee continues to work for the same company past the validity period. It costs about $12 to obtain a blue card.

18. Employment opportunities for expats

Since the economy in Macau is mostly driven by tourism and gambling, expats can expect to find a lot of work in these sectors, as well as financial services, transportation, retail, and electronics.

There are a lot of job offers for qualified expats in the hospitality and entertainment sector.

19. The education system in Macau

Macau has an average education system for residents. There is a 15-year free education offer, which is compulsory. Most schools in Macau rate grammar schools that offer basic subjects like language, math, science, and social studies.

There are also quite a few excellent international schools that have been started by private institutions and religious organizations.

Here is a list of some of the best international schools in Macau:

20. Macau is considered a tax haven

Macau has a lower tax rate than a lot of other countries in Asia, like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea, making it a tax haven.

Individuals that earn income only have to start paying 12% tax after the first $18,021 earned (MOP144,000). In terms of corporate tax, companies that earn $74174 (MOP600,000) are exempt, and those that earn more pay 12% tax.

For more information on taxes, visit the Financial Services Bureau’s website.

21. Getting around in Macau

Due to its small size, it is easy to get around Macau.

Buses

Regular buses are stopping across the peninsula throughout the day and night. During peak time the buses can be a bit chaotic, so make sure to check the destination and bus number on the front of the bus. Also, you always enter through the front door and out the back door.

Bikes

It is very easy to travel around Macau by bike. You can rent bikes for MOP20 per hour or buy your own if you plan to live there for a few years.

Taxis

If you don’t have time to wait for the bus, then you can take a taxi. The taxis are metered and start at MOP19 for the first mile, and then another MOP2 for every 240 feet.

Walking

If you live in the city center then it is easy to get around on foot.

Driving

If you want to buy your own car, then you should get a driver’s license. The type of license required will depend on how long you are staying.

Less than a year: go to the police station and legalize your foreign license for 6 months.
More than a year: get a local license or convert your local license.

To convert your local license you will need:

Application Mod No. 3A
Application Mode. No 011/DLC
Your driver’s license
Two copies of your license
Copy of your Macao Resident Identity Card
Two passport photos

If you cannot convert your driver’s license, you can get a local license by passing a written and driving test.

FAQs

Was Macau a Portuguese colony?

Yes, Macau became a Portuguese colony in 1557, as part of a business deal. It was handed back to China in 1999, however, Macau will remain independent from China’s government until 2049.

Is Macau a rich country?

Macau is the second richest country in the world, after Qatar. The GDP per capita was at $86,118 in 2019.

Is Macau connected to mainland China?

Yes, Macau is a peninsula connected to the province of Guandong in mainland China.

How far apart are Macau and Hong Kong?

Macau and Hong Kong are 40 miles (64 kilometers) apart.

Final Thoughts

Living abroad can be challenging, but Macau has a lot of promise for expats. It’s one of the best places to move to because of the mix of Eastern and Western cultures and the job opportunities offered.

Although it might be an initial culture shock, you’ll easily adapt to life in Macau!