There are several reasons to live in Portugal, including the temperature, friendly people, fantastic food, charming towns, and breathtaking landscape. Here is what you need to know before moving to Portugal.
1. The cost of living is low
Portugal is undoubtedly one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe regarding living costs. Almost everything, from housing to food, is reasonably priced. Portugal’s cost of living is around 50% less than that of the United States, making a living in Portugal an extremely tempting proposition for expats.
Shopping for groceries in Portugal is relatively reasonable, particularly when purchasing fresh food such as fruits and vegetables, fish, and meat from the local markets. The general rule is that everything cultivated or fished in Portugal is inexpensive.
2. The Portuguese don’t speak Spanish
Portuguese is Portugal’s official and most widely spoken language. Portugal’s most commonly spoken languages aside from Portuguese are English, Spanish, French, and Mirandese.
The distinction between the Portuguese language and Spanish lies in their pronunciation and phoneme count. Each Spanish and Portuguese speaker understands around half of what the other says.
3. They have excellent healthcare options
Portugal has an outstanding state-run healthcare system. While it is not entirely free, you will avoid going into debt to cover medical expenses. The Serviço Nacional de Sade (SNS) is open to all Portuguese nationals; it is free for those under 18 and above 65 and significantly subsidized for others.
Fortunately, non-citizens may also access the SNS at a slightly reduced rate. All that’s required is acquiring a Portuguese social security number and registration as a resident.
Portugal’s private health insurance is generally quite cheap. It is readily offered by various reputable international and domestic private insurance companies.
4. An abundance of natural beauty
Portugal is home to gorgeous landscapes, including some of the world’s most beautiful countrysides. This Southern European nation is laid-back and hospitable, surrounded by the sea and warmed by the sun.
The Portuguese have traditionally been stewards of the earth’s greatest resource, nature. Untouched, you will find breathtaking scenery all around the country. Facing the island of Sao Miguel, the Azores Archipelago’s largest island, and the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, this tiny island is really the visible portion of a magnificent underwater volcano.
From the Azores to northern Portugal, Madeira to the Algarve, Portugal has the most stunning natural treasures.
5. The Portuguese are crazy about fresh fish
Portuguese people adore their fish! Whether they’re creating a delectable fish soup or fish stew, grilling them, or baking them with Portuguese-style potatoes and olive oil. Every year, the Portuguese celebrate bacalhau and sardinhas celebrations around the country.
The greatest and largest bacalhau festival is held in Aveiro’s Jardim Oudinot, in the Gafanha da Nazaré. This is a five-day celebration devoted entirely to codfish. With various events, culinary demonstrations, restaurants where you can sample a million different ways to prepare bacalhau, exhibits, and most importantly, wine tasting!
6. The weather in Portugal
Portugal is known for sunshine, with temperatures averaging 64°F throughout the year in the south and rising to 104°F in summer on occasion.
The warm weather, especially the summers in Lisbon, is pleasant, dry, and mainly clear.
We’re sorry to break it to you, but the sun doesn’t shine all year. The winters are freezing, damp, windy, and partially overcast. The temperature ranges typically between 47°F and 83°F throughout the year and are seldom below 40°F or over 94°F.
7. Lisbon is thriving
Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is one of Europe’s most visited and popular cities. The city of Lisbon and the Lisbon metropolitan region receives a large number of visitors each year, attracted by its historical and cultural legacy and its excellent transportation and tourism infrastructure.
The low cost of food in Lisbon is one of the biggest shocks for travelers. Fresh fish and seafood options abound in many places, befitting a maritime nation.
Traditional tascas nestled away in the city’s backstreets provide substantial regional food. The delights of this stunning city include hidden pubs to explore, architectural marvels to admire, outstanding restaurants, and museums.
8. Retirees love the Algarve
While you may know the Algarve as a fantastic vacation location, Portugal’s southern area is also an excellent spot to retire. The Algarve provides an outstanding quality of life for retirees regardless of their budget. Tavira, Vilamoura, Lagos, Faro, Albufeira, Alvor, and Ferragudo are the most popular destinations for expats in Algarve.
The region’s mix of perpetual sunlight, sea, a peaceful pace of life, and comparatively inexpensive expenses makes it an attractive retirement location.
9. Catholicism is still thriving in Portugal
Christianity, primarily Roman Catholicism, is the most prevalent religion in Portugal. Portugal does not have an official religion, while the Catholic Church was the national religion in the past. Throughout Portugal’s long history, religion, especially Catholicism, has played a prominent role in social and political life.
The Catholic Church and the state were split legally, ushering in a new age of secularization in Portugal. Most Portuguese residents nowadays self-identify as Roman Catholics (81 percent).
10. Festivals and carnivals throughout the year
Every day, somewhere in Portugal, a festival takes place. Attending a traditional festival (Festa) is a terrific opportunity to learn about Portuguese culture and meet the locals. Portugal’s festivals are not limited to the traditional. Local governments regularly sponsor film, music, and cuisine festivals to increase tourism.
Lisbon, Loule, Nazare, and Viana do Castelo are famed for their Brazillian-style Rio Carnival parades featuring stunning floats, music, and colorful costumes. Aveiro hosts the Feira de Março, a traditional folk and rock festival from late March to late April.
11. Portugal’s unofficial symbol ‘The Barcelos Rooster’
The Barcelos Rooster, sometimes referred to as the Portuguese Rooster, is thought to embody the Portuguese zest for life. Based on the tradition of the “Old Cock of Barcelos,” the Rooster is a sign of trust, good fortune, and justice. According to folklore, the Rooster of Barcelos, a dead rooster miraculously proves the innocence of a man wrongly condemned and sentenced to death.
12. Futebol is like a religion in Portugal
Portuguese love watching or playing football, also known as soccer. In fact, the sport is so popular and the Portuguese so devoted to it that it may be compared to an unofficial religion.
Often, futebol will elicit strong emotions and enthusiasm. Indeed, football is often a topic of discussion and an excellent method to engage with your Portuguese opponents. Soccer, or futebol, is continuously featured in Portuguese media, whether in specialized newspapers and news websites or even over prime-time television with chat programs and recaps.
13. Purchasing a property is simple
One of the most exciting aspects of Portugal is the absence of limitations on foreigners purchasing property in the country. Additionally, the Portuguese government provides incentives for foreign investors to invest in the property market in Portugal through the Golden Visa program.
Portugal has some of the lowest costs in Europe compared to other European countries. Given that property in Portugal is far less expensive than in Spain and that Lisbon and the Algarve provide high rental returns, it’s easy to see why Portugal is such a popular investment destination.
14. They are one of the world’s leading wine producers
The Douro Valley (shown above) is Portugal’s most famous wine valley. This lush river canyon, located just outside the city of Porto, is famed for its port wines. The wines produced in this region have become legendary—so much so that UNESCO just named the valley a World Heritage Site. Port is Portugal’s most renowned and imitated wine, and it is grown in the Douro Valley.
15. Getting around in Portugal
Portugal is a small country with good train and bus links. Despite its size, Portugal boasts a well-connected public transport system that links major cities and international destinations, and taxis and trams are easy to use throughout the country.
While regional trains are typically cheaper and provide stunning landscapes, using the bus is almost always quicker, especially on shorter or less apparent routes.
16. Portugal used to be an empire
Portugal built the first European colonial empire. In the fourteenth century, it started when Portuguese rulers sought commercial routes between Europe and the East Indies.
The Portuguese Colonial Empire was one of Europe’s longest-lived empires. It began with the capture of Ceuta in 1415 and continued until 1999, when Macau was transferred to China.
17. Taxation
Residents of Portugal are taxed on their global income on a sliding scale of 14.5 percent to 48 percent. For higher incomes, there is an extra Solidarity Tax ranging from 2.5 percent to 5%. Non-EU country residents are taxed on only income derived from Portugal.
Portugal and the United States have an income tax treaty in existence. The primary objective of a tax treaty is to guarantee that funds generated by American citizens, Portuguese citizens, expats, and inhabitants of the other nation are taxed appropriately.
18. They have beautiful beaches and coasts
Portugal is fortunate to have a 590-mile Atlantic coastline. Much of the nation benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate, and it is home to some of Europe’s most incredible beaches. The most famous dunes are located in southern Portugal’s Algarve area. There are plenty of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and beautiful vistas to select from between the mainland, the Azores, and Madeira.
19. The quality of life is outstanding
Portugal was deemed to have the highest quality of life, up from second place last year, followed by Spain and Taiwan. Additionally, the nation increased by three positions in terms of safety and security, particularly political stability.
20. Delicious food and local produce
Portuguese cuisine is greatly inspired by explorers who set sail for the New World. Consequently, seafood reigns supreme in Portuguese cuisine. From seafood-studded soupy rice to sweet and flaky egg tarts, Portugal’s great food highlights are available in Michelin-starred restaurants, rustic pubs, and curbside barbecues.
Cereals like wheat, barley, corn, rice, as well as potatoes, grapes for wine, olives, and tomatoes are the primary crops farmed in Portugal.
21. They are a family-friendly country
Lisbon is the world’s second-best city for families, and this is due to its low crime rate, good quality of life, and excellent public and private school education. Most parents choose an international school for their kids.
Portugal is a fantastic destination for families with kids, teenagers, and adults, and it has so much to offer guests of all ages.
FAQs
How long does it take to get a Portuguese residence permit?
Before applying for a residence permit, you must first get a resident visa to visit Portugal only to apply for a Portuguese residency permit. The residence visa is valid for four months and entitles the holder to a maximum of two entries. A resident visa takes 90 days to process, and you must lodge your application at a Portugal embassy/consulate.
What is Vila Nova de Gaia known for?
The port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia have a long and rich history. The fortified wine was carried in by river from the east and stored in cellars, many of which are now open to the general public.
How long does it take to get a Portuguese visa?
In most cases, a Portuguese visa is processed within 14 calendar days. However, it may take longer depending on the conditions, such as the time of year, if you have all of your paperwork in order, and so forth. In any case, start organizing your visa well in advance before moving to Portugal.
Can a Portuguese citizen get free healthcare?
Portugal gives free healthcare to children under the age of 18 and individuals over 65. If residents do not fit these criteria, and unless they need immediate treatment or have a particular circumstance, the SNS provides public healthcare cheaply.
How long does the Portugal golden visa last?
The Portugal Golden Visa is only valid for a year. If you keep your investment up to date, you can keep it for two more years. After five years, you can apply for permanent Portuguese residence or citizenship.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of moving to Portugal and taking up permanent residence, there are many incentives to living in this country. The visa process is quick and painless. The people, the food and wine, excellent medical care, and the beauty that is Portugal will have you enjoying every moment of your expat life!
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