Moving to Portugal & Living as an Expat
For decades, Portugal was a relatively unknown country, tucked away in the western corner of Southern Europe.
For decades, Portugal was a relatively unknown country, tucked away in the western corner of Southern Europe.
Discover Portugal
For many years, Portugal remained a lesser-known country, nestled in the western corner of Southern Europe.
Recently, an increasing number of people have discovered Portugal and everything it offers, revitalising the country and bringing it into the international spotlight.
Portugal attracts millions of visitors yearly, many of whom are so captivated by its beauty and lifestyle that they ultimately decide to make it their home.
What is it about Portugal that makes it so unique? When considering the life-changing decision to move abroad, it’s essential to ponder several aspects, including, but not limited to, cost of living, healthcare, safety, education, employment, and business opportunities, among others.
This guide aims to illuminate what life is like in Portugal. Simply remember, nothing is quite like experiencing the country yourself.
One of the main driving factors enticing expats to move to Portugal is the affordable cost of living.
The prices of essential goods and services in Portugal are generally lower than in other countries with similar standards. This is reflected in multiple aspects of everyday life, such as food, groceries, bills and utilities, medical care, and childcare.
Overall, Portugal offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other Western European countries, making it an attractive destination for expats and retirees.
In 2024, the average cost of living for a single person in Lisbon ranged from €800 to €1,500 per month, including rent. Porto is somewhat more affordable, with costs ranging from €500 to €1,200.
Expenses like utilities, groceries, and transportation are generally low and contribute to a balanced cost of living, especially compared to countries like the UK or Canada, where overall consumer prices and rents are significantly higher.
The Real Estate market in Portugal is currently at an all-time high, as reflected in property prices.
Statistics Portugal (Instituto Nacional de Estatística – INE) revealed that the average median price for family houses in Portugal was €1,611/m2 in 2023.
With the trend on the rise, more people will likely continue to invest in the Portuguese market, especially in Lisbon, the capital, recently recognised as one of the best European cities for Real Estate investments.
Expats already represent a significant portion of those currently interested and actively investing in Portugal, with an increase of 65% and 69.8% in the Greater Lisbon and Porto areas, respectively.
Interest in Portuguese Real Estate is witnessing immense prosperity and is unlikely to waver soon, so investing in Portugal sooner rather than later is fundamental.
Whether buying a house to live in Portugal as an expat or purchasing property to invest in, Portugal Homes is with you before, during, and even after the process. Portugal Homes’ team takes care of your property and everything related to it with our Tax Representation and Property Management services, from filing your annual taxes to setting up your utilities.
It is no overstatement to say Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world.
Portugal has a long history of consistently ranking among the top ten most peaceful countries in the Global Peace Index. In 2017, it reached its highest-ever position, ranking third, thanks to its low levels of violent crime and political instability.
In 2023, the Global Peace Index ranked Portugal as the seventh-most peaceful country in the world. This ranking was maintained in 2024, reflecting Portugal's consistent position. The slight decline in ranking is more indicative of the global situation, rather than a significant decrease in internal security.
In Portugal, most criminal activity comprises petty theft, such as pickpocketing, so being aware of your surroundings is essential. Violent crime is rare, making it generally safe to walk at night.
Despite recent world events, Portugal and Europe remain some of the safest regions globally, which the EU bloc strives to keep. As a member of the European Union, Portugal is also involved in and adheres to high standards of security and safety, which is further emphasised in the context of the tourism boom the country has experienced in recent years.
Portugal has high-quality public and private healthcare systems.
They’re some of the best in Europe, featuring in Statista’s Top 40 of the 2023 Health Index Score. You can enjoy its benefits when you and your family move to Portugal and become residents.
The Portuguese National Healthcare System offers access to primary care through family doctors and specialised and urgent care in hospitals.
Portugal offers a wide range of affordable private health plans, which provide access to various healthcare services. Many private clinics and hospitals accept these plans. On average, a private healthcare plan for an adult male between 40 and 60 years old costs between €30 and €60*.
Prices may vary according to the chosen plan and the beneficiary's age.
The Portuguese public healthcare system is universal, tax-funded, and covers most of the population. However, depending on the situation, you may be required to pay an exam or procedure fee.
There are also pharmacies nationwide, providing easy access to over-the-counter medication. Prescription medicine requires doctor approval.
Overall, Portugal’s healthcare system greatly benefits expats seeking to move to the country.
Portugal is a great country to relocate to with your family. It offers your children a wide range of educational options.**
Moving abroad can be daunting, especially when you bring your family along. Many questions may arise, but the most important ones are: Where will I enroll my children? How does the education system work? Will my kids be able to learn in a safe and nurturing environment? Well, Portugal has all the answers.
Portugal has a reliable public education system. It is free and compulsory, and children start primary school at age 6 and finish high school by age 18.
Public schools are an excellent option for fully integrating into the Portuguese way of life. However, if you want your children to maintain a connection to your home country, consider enrolling them in one of the many international schools in Portugal.
International schools often offer classes designed specifically for students from diverse backgrounds, following alternative curricula like the International Baccalaureate (IB), British, and American systems, typically taught in English. Most of the 55 international schools in Portugal are in the Lisbon area.
Portugal also stands out in the higher education landscape. The Financial Times recently highlighted Portugal as having 4 of the best business schools in the world. This prestigious recognition demonstrates that Portugal has a high-quality and high-calibre education system.
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The prospect of moving to Portugal as an expat is exciting, but deciding where to settle may require some exploration and research beforehand.
That is why knowing how to move to and travel around Portugal is essential, especially in the earlier stages of the relocation process. Although Portugal may not have the best transportation, it offers practical solutions.
Portugal is served by a total of 10 airports, 8 of which operate international flights:
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) – Lisbon;
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) – Porto;
Faro-Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO) – Faro, Algarve;
Beja Airport (BYJ) – Beja, Alentejo;
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) – Funchal, Madeira;
Porto Santo Airport (PXO) – Porto Santo, Madeira Islands;
Ponta Delgada-João Paulo II Airport (PDL) – Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores;
Lajes Airport (TER) – Vila das Lajes, Terceira, Azores.
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport is the busiest in the country, serving 146 destinations worldwide through 58 different airlines. Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport places second, serving 119 destinations through 31 airlines.
The country also has its airline, TAP Air Portugal, which owns approximately 100 aircraft and flies to 80+ cities in Europe, North, Central and South America, and Africa.
TAP is also known for its Stopover Programme, which has allowed countless people to spend up to 10 days in Portugal before progressing to their destination.
Many American citizens have enjoyed this opportunity due to the abundant flight connections between the United States and Portugal.
Portugal is an excellent country for expats to move to due to the many benefits it offers its residents and citizens.
However, a car is an absolute necessity when living outside the great urban centres of Lisbon and Porto. Portugal's relatively small size lessens this impact.
10M
Population
Click on one region to see the details.
Portugal may be small, but it features a diverse landscape across its main regions.The territory is divided into nine areas, and its geographic characteristics vary mainly based on their location.
Nearly every region features a variety of landscapes, including cliffs, flatlands, mountains, and waterfront views. Despite these shared characteristics, each region retains its distinct identity, making Portugal a unique place to explore.
This is great news for you as an expat, as you will always have something new to explore in your new country.
The following pieces are to be displayed when hovering over the several regions on the map, which requires an update to feature 9 (nine) areas, not 7 (seven); the Regions of Portugal: There Is More to Visit Than You Think blog post is also outdated and contains incorrect information
Portugal has a steady climate year-round, with variations depending on the region.
Before moving, it's essential to research the climate and weather of your desired city or town. Overall, Portugal enjoys vibrant summers and charming winters.
The country's closeness to the Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate, resulting in mild conditions that rarely experience extremes.
As an expat moving to Portugal, you should know that the country enjoys 2,500 to 3,200 hours of sunshine each year, which is comforting for visitors and residents.
In the first quarter of the year, winter in Portugal is particularly chilly in the North. January brings the coldest temperatures, with Porto averaging 10°C (50°F), Lisbon at 11°C (52°F), the Algarve slightly warmer at 12°C (54°F), and Madeira offering a milder escape at 17°C (63°F).
Rain is frequent, especially in the North, though clear, crisp days provide opportunities to explore cultural sites without crowds.
February remains cool but with fewer rainy days and more sunny intervals as Carnival celebrations brighten the country.
By March, spring is more pronounced in Central and Southern Portugal. Temperatures range from 15°C to 19°C (59°F to 66°F), creating a pleasant climate for outdoor activities.
Defining culture can be tricky, as this broad concept can have many different definitions depending on the context. We will use it as a background to help us better understand Portugal’s main characteristics.
The country’s history is incredibly rich, and its traces still play a significant role today. The Age of Discovery, for example, is a source of pride for the Portuguese and the reason for many discoveries and advances in the country and the world.
History is also behind the tiles, often seen as Portugal’s leading visual brand, a heritage from when the Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula.
Nowadays, Portuguese culture is based on democracy, freedom, justice, equality, and a laid-back pace of life. Indeed, Portuguese people tend to be more relaxed.
A strong cultural legacy in Portugal is the importance of family, which is at the centre of social life. For instance, it is common for Portuguese families to meet for Sunday lunch and maintain close communication between generations even after the children are grown and have their children.
Suppose you listen to Fado, Portugal’s most famous music genre. In that case, you will pick up on the fact that some Portuguese people, especially from older generations, might be inclined to some nostalgia. Yet, you will generally find a cheerful and friendly population in Portugal.
As a Western country with a strong Catholic heritage, the nation celebrates many popular national holidays, including Easter and Christmas, which are usually commemorated together.
Other religious gatherings, such as the Santos Populares (Popular Saints), are also significant. However, they have evolved beyond their spiritual origins and become more extensive and universal. People of all beliefs gather to enjoy the celebration with good food, beverages, music, and, most importantly, friends.
During the summer, many music festivals take the country from North to South, becoming a big part of the Portuguese calendar, especially for younger generations.
Lastly, we cannot discuss Portuguese culture without mentioning food and wine. From seafood to pastries, the sweetness of Port wine to the amazing blends made nationwide, Portugal knows how to celebrate its flavours.
Plates are well served, and cups are rarely left empty.
Romance Languages derive from Latin, such as French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish, and—you guessed it—Portuguese.
Portuguese influence during the Age of Discovery (15th-17th centuries) cannot be understated, spreading its impact to many overseas territories, including former colonies like Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Macau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe, whose official language is Portuguese.
Portuguese is one of the most spoken Romance languages in terms of number of speakers, second only to Spanish. However, this number is vastly based on Brazil’s large population.
Spanish speakers often understand Portuguese, and it can be reasonably easy for a French or Italian speaker to read and understand the main context of a Portuguese text.
Although learning some basic Portuguese is advised when moving here, as this will increase your chances of blending in more seamlessly with the local community, it is perfectly possible to communicate in English, considering Portugal is the 8th most English-proficient country in the world.
The Portuguese government also offers free translation services to foreigners through the Telephone Translation Service (Serviço de Tradução Telefónica – STT).
Quick Portuguese expressions to use in your everyday life
Hello | Olá;
Good morning | Bom dia;
Good afternoon | Boa tarde;
Good evening/Good night | Boa noite;
Thank you | Obrigado (for men)/Obrigada (for women);
My name is | O meu nome é/Chamo-me;
Excuse me | Com licença;
Please | Por favor;
How much? | Quanto custa?/Quanto é?;
I don’t understand | Não percebo/Não estou a perceber;
Do you speak English? | Fala Inglês?
Goodbye | Adeus/“Tchau” (same as Italian’s “ciao”);
You’re welcome | De nada/Não tem de quê.
Portugal may be a small country in area, but it is grand in its diverse landscapes. From charming villages to busy cities, the quiet of the countryside to the bubbly coastal living, choosing where to live in Portugal is a matter of deciding what type of day-to-day life you wish to have once you get here.
The capital is located on Portugal's west coast. It offers the perfect lifestyle for anyone looking to live in a city with lively neighbourhoods and experience the relaxation of spending a day at the beach.
Porto, the second-largest city in the country, is famous for its wine, but it has much more to offer. Located in Northern Portugal, by the Douro River Valley, Porto has old charm and stunning views. The Ribeira area around the river has many nice restaurants and a vibe that is hard to match.
With incredible beaches and lovely cities, it is hard to pick just one from the southern region of Portugal. The Algarve boasts stunning views and a quality of life that feels like a permanent retreat, making it a highly desired holiday destination.
Fermentelos, Grândola
Malhou, Louriceira e Espinheiro, Alcanena
Cacia, Aveiro
Azambuja, Azambuja
Mexilhoeira Grande, Portimão
Recardães e Espinhel, Águeda
Cascais e Estoril, Cascais
Commercial
Alcabideche, Cascais
Canidelo, Vila Nova de Gaia
Mild Climate: Experience comfortable weather all year round;
Welcoming Lifestyle: Low cost of living, a warm culture, delicious food, incredible sights, and an excellent work-life balance;
Perfect Location: Portugal is ideally located for travel throughout Europe, Africa, and the Americas, allowing for visa-free entry to 29 Schengen countries for those with a residency permit or EU citizenship;
Safe and Family-Friendly: It is one of the safest countries in the world, with highly ranked education and affordable healthcare;
Ease of Communication: English is commonly spoken by everyone, making it easier for non-Portuguese speakers to adjust.
More than just a place to live, Portugal is where your family's new chapter begins.
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