Pros And Cons Of Living In Portugal: Complete Guide
Are you considering a move to Portugal?
Ever wondered what life in Portugal is like?
Dive into this comprehensive guide as we unravel the intricacies of the Portuguese lifestyle.
From the sun-kissed beaches to the vibrant culture, we’ll explore the pros and cons of living in this beautiful country.
So, let’s embark on this journey and discover what life in Portugal truly has to offer.
Advantages Of Living In Portugal (Pros)
Suppose you’re thinking about moving to Portugal.
In that case, you should know that the country has many advantages, including a warm climate, beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, a low cost of living in comparison to other European countries, a high-quality education and healthcare system, and attractive tax benefits for expats if structured properly.
Here, we’ll review some of the advantages of living in Portugal.
Warm Climate
When it comes to climate, Portugal has a very good average. Most days are sunny, but it all depends on which city or region you choose to live in.
The weather is generally colder to the north of Lisbon and warms up as you travel south.
Inland temperatures can reach extremes depending on the season, but Portugal is generally mild compared to other European countries.
Of course, if you come from a tropical country like Brazil, the colder waters and slightly lower temperatures will take some getting used to.
If you enjoy nature and dream of living somewhere with lots of sunlight and warm weather, Portugal is the place to be.
For example, Lisbon has an average of ten hours of sunlight every day during the winter, which is a total treat compared to Northern European countries.
So, it is indeed not an exaggeration to say that Portugal is a haven for expats seeking sunshine, warmth, and a temperate climate. The climate in Portugal varies depending on where you live.
The further south you move, the warmer it becomes. While the north can be cold, especially in the winter, the winters in Portugal are generally mild, and the summers are sunny and warm.
Affordable Cost Of Living
Portugal has a lower cost of living than England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and Germany, making it one of the most affordable in Western Europe.
Depending on where you live, life could be 20 or 30% cheaper, particularly in terms of food and housing.
Although the latter has obviously increased significantly over the last decade, it is still easier to buy a house in Portugal than in other European cities and countries.
The cost of living in Portugal is significantly lower than in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, and neighboring Spain.
As a result, Portugal is one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe, particularly for expats and digital nomads.
The low cost of living is a very appealing aspect of the country. To give you a brief idea, the cost of living in the United States is approximately 42% higher than in Portugal.
It is also worth noting that top-quality real estate properties, groceries, restaurants, groceries, and commodities are available at reasonable prices in Portugal.
Safety And Low Crime Rate
According to the insight from World Population Review in 2022, Portugal ranked third among the safest countries in the world and fourth among the most peaceful countries in the world.
This was according to the Global Peace Index.
When compared to other European countries, the crime rate in Portugal is very low, as you will see if you live there. The Portuguese are extremely friendly and treat their visitors with warmth and kindness.
Even if you require assistance and do not speak Portuguese, you will always be able to find someone who will attempt to communicate with you in English and address you.
Also, the fact that the Portuguese people are exposed to sunlight for the most part of the day may be one of the reasons why they are generally very welcoming, with a good appreciation for life and a smile on their faces.
Outstanding Diversity
Portugal’s 1800 km of coastline provides incredible diversity to its residents. Depending on the region, you’ll find a wide range of landscapes and lifestyles.
If you wish to get away from the summer heat and crowds, head to Northern Portugal, where the weather is cool and tranquility ensues.Northern Portugal, known for its numerous national parks and winter ski slopes, is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
If you want to experience city life, stay in the multicultural and dynamic cities of Porto and Lisbon.Co-working spaces, cultural activities, businesses, restaurants, bars, and discos abound in these major European hubs. There will never be a day when you will be bored here.
If you wish to live in the countryside, surrounded by peace and quiet, Central Portugal is the place to be.The lifestyle is very relaxed and slow-paced here, and the cost of living there is lower than in other parts of the country. It’s also an excellent place to live if you enjoy hot weather.
If you enjoy sun-kissed beaches, breathtaking scenery, and a laid-back lifestyle, the south of Portugal is the place to be. Indeed, many expats, including celebrities, have fallen in love with the Algarve.
Quality Of Life
At the end of 2019, the Social Progress Index ranked Portugal 18th among the best countries to live in.
Ahead of countries such as England, France, Spain, and Austria. Portugal stood out for its performance in terms of rights, freedoms, and guarantees, as well as for being regarded as an inclusive country.
Forbes Magazine ranked Portugal as one of the best places to live out your retirement years, being “one of the friendliest, easiest, and safest countries in the world“.
Quality Of Education
Portugal provides families with an excellent education system, and there are numerous options for schools and universities in Portugal.
The Portuguese education system is well-known for its high quality, and Portuguese universities are internationally recognized, attracting many international students.
Due to Portugal being a member of the European Union (EU), graduates can easily find work in any EU country.
Portugal provides free education to its citizens, and legal residents, including Golden Visa holders, can also enroll their children in Portuguese schools.
Portugal’s higher education system adheres to the European Bologna System standards, and it is regarded as one of the most affordable higher education systems in the European Union.
Most universities offer university courses in both Portuguese and English.
Quality Of Medicine
According to the insight from Global Health Expenditure 2022, Portugal spends approximately 9.53% of its GDP on healthcare each year.
Public hospitals in Portugal provide free medical care to both citizens and residents.
Private clinics, on the other hand, provide medical care for a fee, provide appointments faster than public clinics, and provide very high-quality services.
In Portugal, you can also find various health insurance policies that offer different packages at different prices, and the majority of them cover a significant portion of the total cost of treatment.
Portugal’s tax policy attracts investors, self-employed professionals, and others, making the country a very desirable destination for expats.
Some private clinics also provide telephone consultations, which can be extremely beneficial and even life-saving in some severe cases.
Attractive Tax System
When compared to their home. Portugal’s tax policy can be very appealing to expats, attracting investors, self-employed professionals, scientific research, know-how, intellectual property, and other talents.
If you choose to change your address to Portugal for tax purposes as a foreigner, you can apply for the non-habitual resident tax status, which provides tax benefits for ten years.
If you are an expat living in Portugal, you can take advantage of the Non-Habitual Residency (known as NHR) tax system after 183 days of residency.
The NHR tax regime (non-habitual resident) in Portugal provides numerous tax benefits to its beneficiaries. It includes:
- A 10-year period of special personal income tax treatment.
- Almost all foreign-sourced income is exempt from taxation.
- A 20% flat rate for certain Portuguese source incomes (including specific professions and self-employment), as opposed to standard Portuguese income tax rates of up to 48%.
- Gifts or inheritances to immediate family members are exempt from taxation. There is no wealth tax.
- Free money transfer to Portugal.
The English Language
Portuguese is the official language, but you will find someone who speaks English wherever you go, particularly in tourist areas and hospitals.According to the new EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), which takes into account 100 countries and regions around the world.
Portugal has the seventh-highest English proficiency among non-native speakers in the world.
The Real Estate Market Is Booming
When considering moving to a new country, one of the essential questions you have to ask yourself is, “Can I buy property as a foreigner?”. The answer is a resounding “yes” in Portugal.
Portugal has many appealing properties on offer, thanks to a thriving and affordable real estate market.
Whether you want to renovate an old barn in the countryside, buy a brand-new apartment in Lisbon, or buy a beachfront villa, there are plenty of options available to meet your needs at very stable prices with little market volatility.
Several Immigration Schemes Offer Residency In Portugal
As evidenced by its numerous immigration schemes, Portugal has earned a reputation for welcoming expats with open arms.
The immigration procedures are relatively simple, making moving to Portugal and getting a residency visa a simple process.
The Portugal Golden Visa program and the D7 visa are the most well-known immigration options for expats looking to live in Portugal.
Strategic Location
Portugal, as an EU member state, has easy access to the major European capitals.Because of its geographical location, it serves as a gateway to Europe and a meeting point for Europe, Africa, and America.
Lisbon is only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Madrid, 2 hours and 30 minutes from Paris and London, 3 hours from Rome, and 4 hours from Berlin.
Natural Beauty
Portugal is a nature lover’s paradise, with its nature reserves, mountains, rivers, lakes, and diverse biodiversity and wildlife.
With over 800 kilometers of the Atlantic coastline dotted with beautiful beaches, Portugal is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts, including surfing, kitesurfing, SUP, water-skiing, and fishing.
Culture
Portugal has a diverse and rich cultural offer. Cultural life is intense, as one would expect from a country with such a long history.
Theatrical comedies, operas, shows, international exhibitions, and a wide range of artistic interventions make the country an appealing destination that also embraces the cultures of resident communities with roots in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Cuisine
In comparison to the rest of Europe, Portugal has the highest per capita consumption of fish. The mild climate all year allows for an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Portuguese eating habits are based on the well-known Mediterranean diet, which is not only healthy but also delicious.
Disadvantages Of Living In Portugal (Cons)
Every country, like any other, has advantages and disadvantages. Along with the benefits mentioned above, living in Portugal has some drawbacks.
Some Portuguese residents complain about at least one of the following issues.
You Need To Learn Portuguese
If you are an expat living in Portugal and do not speak Portuguese, you will navigate the streets and tourist attractions with your English, but in government offices, Portuguese is generally spoken.
Most people in government offices speak only Portuguese and are unfamiliar with the English language, making it difficult to get things done if you don’t have someone with you who speaks Portuguese.
Always Have Some Cash In Your Pocket
Yes, we were in 2022, and some merchants in Portugal are still refusing to accept bank cards.Bank cards in Portugal are issued through the Multibanco system, and Visa and MasterCard are not widely accepted.
There is also the “MB way” option, which allows you to pay with your phone number and was revolutionary when it was first introduced.
Check to see if the place you’re going accepts cash only or bank cards as well.
Most establishments have a sign on the door indicating that only cash is accepted, or you may notice one of these two sentences: “No temos Multibanco” – “Multibanco fora de serviço”.
Labor Market
Portuguese wages are low in comparison to the European average, and there are few job opportunities.
With advances in distance working and online resources, it is easier to live in one country while working in another, which helps bridge the wage gap, and while wages in Portugal are lower than in many other
Western countries, the truth is that there are a number of new job opportunities emerging in Portugal.
As a result, when compared to other European countries, Portuguese salaries are significantly lower.
The truth is that an increasing number of international companies are relocating to Portugal, particularly in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto, and providing numerous job opportunities.
Bureaucracy And Life Pace
Both Portuguese and foreigners agree that one of the most significant disadvantages of living in Portugal is the amount of red tape and paperwork required to deal with administrative issues.
One of the main concerns for both foreigners and Portuguese citizens is bureaucracy. Everyone agrees that one of the most significant disadvantages of living in Portugal is the bureaucracy.
Most things in Portugal take a long time, and paperwork is even slower.
It could take months to apply for or receive a driver’s license. Even the process of making an appointment before visiting the office takes time.
So, if you’re planning a move to Portugal soon, keep in mind that the pace of life there is quite relaxed, which can be both a good and a bad thing, so be prepared.The country’s culture includes taking time off for lunch, and almost all stores are closed on Sundays.
Cold And Non-Isolated Houses
In Portugal, you won’t find a radiator in your house as you might in other European countries during the winter.
To stay warm, you’ll need to invest in a heater because walls retain the majority of the humidity throughout the day, and it can get very cold at night.One of the main disadvantages of houses in Portugal is that there is no isolation.
Because of the walls inside most Portuguese houses, you can sometimes hear your neighbors and even your own voice, which can be annoying.
This can be a major issue for someone from a quiet area, but if you’re used to being in noisy environments, this should be less of an issue.
Conclusion
With its unique blend of sun, sea, and culture, Portugal offers a lifestyle like no other. However, like any country, it has its challenges.
Understanding these allows you to fully embrace the Portuguese lifestyle and make the most of your expat experience. Here’s to your new chapter in Portugal!
Happy moving!
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