Moving to Portugal

There is no single place in Portugal that stands out as the best place to live. The country has so much to offer that it’s often best to consider your reasons for moving and choose the place that best aligns with your needs. Lisbon, for example, offers a vibrant city lifestyle that is ideal for families or professionals. The Algarve, with its warm weather and endless beaches, is often a popular choice for retirees. Then, of course, we have inland cities such as Braga and Coimbra, steeped in history and offering a slower, more affordable pace of life than the popular Lisbon and Porto. Ultimately, it comes down to you, your budget, your needs and your preferences. We’ve outlined some key places below.

Portugal offers much to families. The Algarve has year-round warm weather, a big expat community and a wealth of international schools to choose from. This can make it an easy choice, especially if you want an easy integration for your children. It’s relaxed and generally safe, but job opportunities can be limited. This is where Lisbon and Cascais tend to leap up the list. You’ll find the best international schools in Portugal here, along with a much larger pool of job opportunities. You benefit from coastal living and city amenities, making it practical and relaxing. Just be wary of costs, though, as these areas are among the most expensive parts of Portugal. Porto is another great option. It is considerably more affordable than Lisbon, with a great range of schools and ample green spaces. Other areas worth investigating for families include Braga (affordable & safe) and Coimbra (strong education culture and slow pace of life).

The digital nomad population is rising in Portugal, and when it comes to a place to call home, just like families, you are spoilt for choice.

Lisbon is a hugely popular place for digital nomads. With plenty of coworking spaces and a large community of like-minded professionals, it’s quite easy to settle in, meet new people, network and get yourself truly immersed in the community. Whilst it may be a draw for many reasons, rising costs often make it worth considering somewhere else.

Ericeira, just 40 minutes from Lisbon, offers a relaxed vibe by the sea without the high price tag. It also has a big digital nomad community to help your integration run more smoothly. You could also consider Madeira and its official digital nomad village. This is a built-in community that brings everyone together. It’s one of the most community-driven nomad setups in Europe. Lagos and Faro, in the Algarve, are also worth noting. Cheaper than Lisbon, year-round sun, and a rapidly growing expat scene make it ideal.

If you are moving to Portugal on a D7 Visa to enjoy your retirement, there are several options worth investigating. Lagos, Faro and Tavira in the Algarve offer plenty of sun, large expat communities and a relaxed environment. Just be aware that some areas experience increased tourism during peak summer months.

Cascais on the Lisbon coast is always worth adding to your list. Close to Lisbon, safe, clean and home to some of the best Portuguese hospitals, it offers much of what you are looking for. It just comes at a cost. It’s among the most expensive places in the country.

An alternative is Obidos, Peniche or Nazare. These are much cheaper than the Algarve, have stunning beaches, are peaceful and are slowly building strong expat communities.

Portugal is, overall, very safe. However, some areas may present expats with challenges or risks they are uncomfortable with. Inner-city areas of Lisbon, such as Anjos and Intendente, whilst generally safe, are slightly run-down and may not give the polished impression you crafted in your mind. Chelas, Seixal and Amadora may also be best avoided. Petty crime can be higher, language barriers are more prevalent and urban density removes some of the charm. You’ll also find that many remote areas, such as Alentejo, can make you feel very isolated. Hospitals, schools and other services are often a drive away and may not provide much expat support.

For most expats moving to Portugal, a visa will be required. It can be a complex process as there are several different visa types available depending on your circumstances.

Before diving into these, it’s important to note that citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa to live, work or study in Portugal. However, if they plan to stay longer than 90 days, they must register their residence with the local authorities and obtain a registration certificate.

For everyone else, a specific visa is usually required depending on the purpose of the stay. That said, certain EU nationals can enter Portugal visa-free for 90 days within a 180 period for tourism or business meetings. They cannot work or study in Portugal during this time. This applies to citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and more. If a stay exceeds 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

A visa may grant entry to Portugal, but your residence permit allows you to stay long-term. Once granted, you have the right to live, work and study in the country as well as make use of public services. You’ll need to apply upon arrival in the country by attending an appointment with the immigration authorities. This is normally within 30 days.

It’s typically granted for two years with an option to extend as long as you meet the requirements. Then, after five years of legal residency, you may be eligible for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.

Opening a bank account in Portugal as an expat is easy, and you can even do it before you have an address in the country. Whilst handy, it does mean you will be limited to non-resident accounts, which are often more limited.

If you are already living in Portugal, visit the bank of your choice with your NIF (Numero do Identificação Fiscal), your ID, proof of address and proof of employment. You should then be able to complete an application. Some branches may have additional requirements for foreign customers.

Major banks offering multilingual support or services for expats include Santander, Novo Banco and Caixa Geral de Depositos.

Once the account is open and your card is issued, you’ll be able to make contactless payments of up to €50. You should always carry some cash, as remote locations and rural areas tend to favour cash over cards.

Living in Portugal as an expat, you might be surprised at the relatively affordable cost of living, especially if you have moved there from the UK, France, Germany or the USA. City rents can be 50% less than in London, and both utilities and monthly travel passes are considerably cheaper than in many other European countries.

Portugal does have one of the lowest minimum wages in Europe. At the time of writing, it was set at €920 per month, paid in 14 payments. This results in a minimum gross salary of just under €13,000.

The average salary is approximately €25,000, which is some way off the UK, France and many other Western European nations. However, the lower cost of living, idyllic climate and lifestyle may mean you are willing to sacrifice earnings for a better way of life.rther than in the UK, USA, Canada and many other European countries.

Using the latest Numeo data, we’ve highlighted some common expenses in Portugal and compared them to those in one of Europe’s most expensive countries, the UK.

Relocating anywhere can be a headache, and moving to Portugal is no different. Perhaps one of the largest challenges is finding a home. Whether it be the sun-drenched Algarve, the historic charm of Porto or the quiet and slower pace of Braga, you’ve got plenty of options. Luckily, buying or renting property in Portugal as a foreigner isn’t too complicated.

Renting a home in Portugal as a foreigner isn’t too challenging, and it matches much of what you may be used to back in your home country. You can attempt to navigate the market yourself, but it may be best to go with an estate agent. This will cost a little more, but you’ll benefit from a more streamlined process and perhaps less stress.

Once you have found a rental property, through an agent or directly through a landlord, you’ll need:

You’ll then sign the Contrato de Arrendamento. This is your contract that’ll normally be valid for one to three years. You then pay one or two months’ rent in advance plus a security deposit of the same value. Contracts renew automatically, so if you do plan to move out, make sure you give at least two months’ notice.

Buying a home in Portugal is quite easy and can be faster than in some other countries. Just have your Visa and NIF, and you should be ready to go. Speak to an estate agent or browse sites like Casa Sapo or Idealista to find a property and book viewings. Once you are happy, follow the steps below:

Moving to a new country can be daunting, and adjusting to a new way of life can present many challenges.

Portuguese is the main language in Portugal, although English is widely spoken. This becomes less prevalent in rural areas and smaller towns.

Portugal is often thought of as similar to Spain, and whilst it does share some similarities, both countries see themselves as very different.

Family comes first in Portugal, and it’s not uncommon for family gatherings to spring up everywhere with children running free, enjoying the surroundings while adults chat, drink, eat and unwind.

Greetings are also important. When meeting people, a handshake for a man or a cheek-kiss for a lady is expected, and anyone you inadvertently ignore is likely to take offence.

Punctuality is also a matter of pride, but not in the way you may expect. Arriving 15 minutes late for a social gathering can be deemed rude, but being 10 minutes late is not a problem. In the business world, it is a little different. The expectation is that you are always on time.

Meal times are also quite different. Dinner is often eaten late in the evening, and during festivals, time loses all meaning as meals are eaten anytime, and bedtime for children ceases to exist!

You may also find that conversations are loud! This isn’t rudeness or aggression, it’s just the direct manner Portuguese people often use when.

Work-life balance in Portugal is highly valued, with a focus on family time. Workdays are typically 9 am-6 pm with 22 days of annual leave alongside 13 national holidays. 4-day work weeks are also increasingly common, as is overtime in some sectors.

The weather in Portugal varies. Hot dry summers, mild wet winters and a pleasant spring and autumn make it welcoming for most of the year.

In 2026, the public holidays in Portugal are as follows: