After greater than 2 years of nearly continuous journey, like many different digital nomads, I’ve began occupied with discovering a house base for the medium-to-long time period. Portugal is a powerful contender for me. If you’re feeling prefer it may very well be an excellent choice for you too, I’ve put collectively this checklist of the principle execs and cons of residing in Portugal.

I did this work partly that will help you resolve whether or not it’s more likely to be an excellent place so that you can stay. But additionally, if I’m completely trustworthy, partly for myself. There’s an excellent probability I would really find yourself transferring there in the following few years!

I really like Portugal, the individuals, the meals, the local weather, the surroundings, nearly all the things about it. It’s simply one of my favourite international locations in Europe. It’s not good – nowhere is. But for me, the advantages of residing in Portugal vastly outweigh the downsides.

15 Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

I’ve spent a good quantity of time in Portugal over the previous couple of years, together with final summer season once I lived in a tiny village in the mountains close to Porto. This checklist of benefits and disadvantages of residing in Portugal is due to this fact primarily based primarily by myself experiences.

I’ve additionally relied on the experiences of just a few of my Portuguese associates in addition to just a few fellow digital nomads who’ve frolicked residing in Portugal. So, I hope this information gives you with some helpful perception and inspiration.

Where is Portugal?

Portugal is positioned on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwest Europe. The capital, Lisbon, sits at roughly the identical latitude as Washington DC.

The nation shares its solely land border with Spain to the east and north. To the west and south is the Atlantic Ocean, giving Portugal a protracted and gorgeous shoreline.

It’s straightforward to get to Portugal by street from most elements of mainland Spain, particularly the Spanish border areas of Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla y León, and Galicia. For these coming from additional afield, Portugal has a number of well-connected airports with direct flights to locations all all over the world.

Pros of residing in Portugal

There are many execs of residing in Portugal. Here are 10 of my favourite issues about it:

1. Affordable Cost of Living

One of the most important execs of residing in Portugal is the price of residing. Portugal is one of probably the most reasonably priced international locations to stay in Western Europe. From hire to day by day necessities and even eating out, issues typically price much less in Portugal than in many different European international locations, and actually the UK.

This means you could take pleasure in a better commonplace of residing right here than in locations like France, Germany, or the UK whereas spending a lot much less general. According to Numbeo, a single individual’s estimated month-to-month bills are lower than €700, excluding hire.

It’s not exhausting to discover a 1-bedroom condo for round €700-€900 per 30 days, as long as you keep away from Lisbon. When I used to be residing in Portugal, I’d commonly exit for a meal in a mid-range restaurant and spend lower than €20 per head, together with a bottle of home wine and a pair of beers.

2. Natural Beauty

Another nice benefit of residing in Portugal is the large quantity of pure magnificence on supply right here. From the rugged cliffs and golden seashores of the Algarve to the plush vineyards of the Douro Valley, Portugal’s landscapes are numerous and usually spectacular.

I really like mountaineering and Portugal has so many superb trails to discover. One of my favorites is the Passadiços do Paiva, which is a 9-kilometer (5.5 mile) route primarily consisting of boardwalks and picket steps snaking alongside the scenic banks of the Paiva River, in the mountains southeast of Porto.

Of course, Portugal can also be well-known for its beautiful seashores and coastal surroundings. With 1,794 kilometers (1,115 miles) of shoreline, you’re spoilt for selection. Whether you like accessible seashores with loads of services, or wild untouched seashores, you received’t battle to discover a good spot.

3. Rich Culture and History

Portugal has a particular tradition, formed by its historical past over the centuries. From Moorish influences in the south to Celtic and Roman influences in the north, Portugal’s distinctive historical past has left numerous marks on the nation and its tradition.

The nation’s wealthy historical past is etched into each cobblestone avenue, historical village, fortress, and historic monument. The structure alone is sufficient to transport you again in time, and many locations really feel splendidly timeless.

Experiencing the soulful melodies of Fado music, common festivals and different celebrations, and conventional markets are just a few of the various benefits of residing in Portugal. There’s at all times one thing new and fascinating to find as you discover Portugal’s numerous cultural choices.

4. Friendly People

One of my favourite issues about Portugal is how genuinely pleasant and welcoming the persons are. Far from being a cliche, the heat of the native individuals right here is simply unbelievable.

The second I arrived on the place I stayed at most just lately, the household subsequent door appeared. As properly as introducing themselves, they gave me an enormous basket of recent fruit and greens, chilly beers, and a bowl of do-it-yourself soup as a result of they assumed – accurately – that I’d be hungry after a protracted journey.

Simple acts of kindness like that aren’t, in my expertise at the very least, in any respect unusual in Portugal. People exit of their solution to make you are feeling welcome. It’s fantastic and makes settling into a brand new place all the simpler and extra nice.

5. Great Weather (One of the Biggest Pros of Living in Portugal)

Another large professional of residing in Portugal is the climate. With over 300 days of sunshine a yr, it’s one of the sunniest international locations in Europe. The local weather right here is usually pretty temperate with scorching summers and gentle winters. Although, relying on the place you might be, temperatures can differ fairly a bit.

For instance, summer season temperatures in the Algarve usually soar to 35 levels Celsius/90 levels Fahrenheit, whereas in the mountains, you’ll be able to anticipate cool evenings in the summer season and even snow in the winter. But, general, the climate is nice for many of the time.

This means you could take pleasure in outside actions just about year-round. For me, that is one of the largest execs of residing in Portugal. I really like spending time exterior, whether or not it’s mountaineering, swimming, and even eating outdoor – one thing I might hardly ever do again dwelling in England!

6. High-Quality Healthcare

Portugal affords high-quality and reasonably priced healthcare, which is one other benefit of residing right here. The public healthcare system in Portugal, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde, is superb. Many procedures (together with most pressing care) are free of cost to all authorized residents in Portugal, together with expats.

Private healthcare can also be out there at pretty affordable costs and is commonly accessible with out ready instances for appointments or procedures.

Portugal’s high quality healthcare system means you could really feel safe figuring out that medical care is at all times attainable if wanted. And particularly in the event you’re from someplace just like the US, the affordability of Portuguese healthcare will most likely be a breath of recent air.

7. Safety

Safety is a crucial consideration when selecting a spot to stay, particularly in a rustic that you just aren’t accustomed to. Happily, Portugal excels on this entrance too. In truth, Portugal is persistently ranked as one of the most secure international locations in the world.

According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Portugal ranks because the seventh most peaceable nation in the world in addition to one of the most secure. The nation has a low crime fee and a powerful sense of group that contributes to its general security.

This basic sense of safety in Portugal extends to its political and social stability too. It means you’ll be able to really feel safe and relaxed residing in Portugal, whether or not you’re strolling across the metropolis at night time or exploring the countryside alone. I’ve by no means as soon as felt even a tiny bit unsafe in Portugal.

Of course, the standard guidelines apply on the subject of conserving your self and your belongings secure. However, you’ll be able to loosen up and take pleasure in all of the superb experiences and alternatives Portugal has to supply, with out being overly involved about your security.

8. English Widely Spoken

One of the challenges of transferring to a brand new nation will be the language barrier, however in Portugal, this hurdle is considerably lowered, due to the widespread use of English, particularly in bigger city and widespread vacationer areas.

This helps make on a regular basis duties a lot simpler and extra handy, from buying to asking for instructions. It additionally helps on the subject of constructing significant connections and relationships along with your neighbors and different individuals you meet.

This, in flip, will hopefully show you how to combine extra easily into native Portuguese life and enormously enrich your day by day experiences whereas residing there.

9. Delicious Food and Wine

Top-quality meals and wine are different highlights of residing in Portugal. The meals right here is just not solely scrumptious but additionally numerous; reflecting the nation’s historical past and maritime heritage. For somebody who enjoys exploring a spot via its flavors, Portugal is a culinary delight.

If you want seafood, you’re in for a deal with. Dishes like bacalhau (salt cod) and recent sardines are nationwide staples, discovered on virtually each menu all through the nation. Pair this with the nation’s very good wines, and you have got a match made in heaven.

And the affordability of consuming and ingesting out in Portugal is the icing on the cake. As I discussed above, you’ll be able to simply exit for a meal at a high quality native restaurant and spend beneath €20 per individual together with drinks. It’s superb and undoubtedly one thing I might get used to!

10. Laid-back Lifestyle

The laid-back life-style is one other main profit of residing in Portugal. As somebody who spent the bulk of their 20s in a fast-paced metropolis (London), it’s so refreshing to savor the slower tempo of Portuguese life. The Portuguese desire to take their time and take pleasure in life slightly than rush blindly via it.

Even in Lisbon, individuals take time to take pleasure in their meals and espresso breaks, and weekends are meant for stress-free and spending time with household and associates. Work-life steadiness is a severe factor right here. And exterior of the capital, it will get much more chilled!

This relaxed lifestyle is an enormous draw for me. I spent far an excessive amount of of my life to this point being careworn, overworked, and under-rested. Living in Portugal affords a refreshing change from all that, which is one of the various causes I’m contemplating transferring there extra completely!

Cons of Living in Portugal

Of course, nowhere is ideal. Despite the various execs, there are of course just a few cons of residing in Portugal too.

Not all of these will apply to all people. But it’s necessary to think twice and realistically about what a transfer to Portugal would really contain. Consider the great in addition to the dangerous when deciding whether or not it’s one thing that’s more likely to be best for you.

1. Language Barrier in Rural Areas

While English is extensively spoken in the city and vacationer areas of Portugal, the identical usually can’t be mentioned for the extra rural areas. For instance, in the village the place I lived in northern Portugal final yr, no one spoke any English in any way.

This gave me a wonderful crash course in fundamental conversational Portuguese, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. However, evidently, the language barrier can usually pose a problem, particularly in your day-to-day interactions with the locals.

If you wish to stay in a rural space away from the vacationer crowds, studying at the very least a little bit Portuguese turns into nearly a necessity. For most individuals, this can require time and effort and may very well be a major draw back of residing in Portugal. Unless you’re keen on studying new languages!

2. Bureaucracy

Another drawback of transferring to (and/or residing in) Portugal is the quantity of paperwork concerned. The course of of getting your residency, tax numbers, and different obligatory paperwork generally is a bit tedious, time-consuming, and even downright irritating at instances.

Once you get via the preliminary paperwork, issues do get simpler. And Portugal is actually extra environment friendly than another European international locations that I’ve spent in depth time in (identify no names… however Italy).

However, my Portuguese associates inform me that it’s not unusual to come back up towards bureaucratic hurdles each time you might want to get something official finished, whether or not that’s submitting your taxes, shopping for property, and even coping with utility corporations. It’s simply one thing it’s a must to be taught to take care of. Patience will serve you properly in these cases!

3. High Tourist Numbers in Peak Season

Portugal’s recognition as a vacationer vacation spot is a double-edged sword. During peak season (June–August and public holidays), widespread places can turn into extraordinarily crowded. This is especially noticeable in locations like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, which may really feel nearly overrun at instances.

The excessive numbers of guests usually result in inflated costs and longer queues for widespread sights and eating places. And surges in tourism have led to some areas being suffering from memento outlets and companies catering solely to vacationers, taking away from the genuine native appeal.

It’s undoubtedly one thing to consider in the event you’re planning to settle in one of Portugal’s extra widespread areas. But in the event you’re contemplating transferring to a quieter, much less known-about space, this isn’t one thing you might want to be involved about.

4. Limited Job Opportunities

If you’re a digital nomad or another sort of distant employee, this one received’t apply to you. But for anybody on the lookout for common employment and job alternatives, notably exterior of main cities, alternatives will be restricted and usually require fluency in Portuguese.

The nation’s economic system is closely reliant on tourism and agriculture, and I do know a number of Portuguese individuals personally who left and emigrated to different international locations (the UK and Sweden, in this case) because of the restricted job market and lack of choices again dwelling.

While not more likely to have an effect on all people planning on transferring to Portugal, it’s an necessary issue to think about in the event you’re more likely to be reliant on native employment.

5. Income Disparity

This is said to the above level on restricted job alternatives. While the price of residing is usually decrease than in different European international locations, common salaries in Portugal are considerably decrease as properly, making it troublesome for these on a decrease revenue to make ends meet.

This will be notably difficult in costlier cities like Lisbon and Porto, the place the financial disparity is much more pronounced. As a consequence, there will be stark contrasts between rich neighborhoods and poorer areas.

Even in the event you earn good cash from overseas, the revenue disparity in Portugal is a actuality for many individuals residing right here, and it might shock you. And in the event you’re searching for native employment, you may have to suppose realistically about your life-style expectations and what you’ll have the ability to afford to do.

Is Living in Portugal Worth It?

I believe residing in Portugal is unquestionably value it. Yes, there are just a few downsides to residing in Portugal. But, for me at the very least, the professionals vastly outweigh the cons. This implausible nation has an enormous quantity to supply, no matter your price range, pursuits, and preferences.

Of course, all people’s totally different. But in the event you’re severely contemplating a transfer to Portugal, I’d say go for it. Why not? I would even see you there. Writing this publish has jogged my memory simply how a lot I like it there!