Moving to Portugal

"Do your research! What are your priorities? Food, wine and weather were ours! Keep in mind that whatever your guess/estimate is it will cost 2-3 times as much as you think and will take as much more time than you think. Find a good realtor and attorney in your new country. Go there and look around and see what feels right. Trust your gut but know your parameters," replied a member in Porto.

"Rent a small property first do not buy as there are too many hurdles to cover without knowing the Portuguses system. There are also at present unscrupulous estate agencies and unless you know who they are you could be on a hiding to nothing," commented one expat who made the move to Tomar.

"We travelled extensively around Portugal, and although we wanted to live in the far north it was too cold in winter so we travelled further south and loved Tomar with its peaceful atmosphere, good connections, good shopping for my wife, good facilities and excellent access. We lived close by for 3 years," said one expat in Tomar.

"We came to Portugal last year for 2 weeks. We explored two areas only: first, the Algarve and next, Lisboa. These selections were based on weather, as we didn't want the colder weather in the North of Portugal. The Algarve is dead in winter, congested in summer, and just stuffed with Brits. The Lisboa area was delightful but we were sold when we took a train from Lisboa to Cascais. This is ideal: generally reliably nice weather, pristine beaches, restaurants all over the narrow streets and squares as well as along the pedestrian esplanade along the ocean. An easy train ride into Lisbon any time you want more culture or diversions, while plenty of museums, shows and parks in the Estoril/Cascais area. IDEAL," said one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"We rent a condo. Yes, most of our expat friends have done the same, although, as it turns out, our landlords are also expats who own several condos and a single family house that they live in," said one expat who made the move to Porto.

"The average cost of housing in Portugal is generally considered to be quite reasonable. Prices vary depending on the location, size and quality of property, but most one bedroom apartments in the city centre cost between 500 and 700 euros per month, while larger family homes can start at around 1000 euros. Rent prices are generally cheaper outside the cities, and Portugal's extensive coastline means that beachfront properties can be slightly more expensive than inland properties," said one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"My home loan was 200k euros and I pay around 600 euros a month. Property takes is another 1k a year and generally speaking water, electric, heating, cable tv and such round off to about 350 euros monthly. It's MUCH cheaper out here than in the US," explained one expat living in Braga, Portugal.

"Housing costs are lower here, but we're comparing a mortgage on a million-dollar plus condo in the US to rent on a 2 bedroom apartment with ancient appliances. It is easy to find a clean, modern, 2 bed/2 bath apartment with new appliances in the upscale, coastal Estoril/Cascias area for less than $2200/month if one works with a local realtor, and can cut those costs in about half in the smaller towns and villages inland. Utilities per month can add about $100. Internet service is about $30. On average, this feels like one can get a bit more with less but Portugal's Lisboa coast isn't a low cost choice. South and North and inland are less costly," said one in Cascais and Estoril.

"Housing cost is less than half of what we were paying in Denver, Colorado. Depending on the size of place you need and location, $700-1200/month can be average. Porto is more affordable than Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a 10 minute drive from Porto, across the river can be several hundred dollars cheaper than Porto. Neighboring smaller cities are even more affordable," explained one expat who made the move to Porto.

"I am renting an apartment. It was difficult at first because a number of realtors didn't show an interest in helping me. When I found the right realtor, it went fairly easily. The biggest issue was having to pay for an entire years rent due to having no family in Portugal. There is also a scarcity of rental properties that are long term rentals," said one expat in Cascais.

"Deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Portugal depends on your personal budget, lifestyle, and goals. If you are looking for a more permanent living situation and a long-term investment, purchasing a home in Portugal could be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for short-term accommodation or want more flexibility, then renting a home may be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between buying or renting a home in Portugal should be based on your individual needs and preferences," said one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Three things I wish I would have brought my golf clubs, my dog & my furniture. Three things I wish I would have left are all of my kitchen appliances (converters burn out quckly here)... that's about it," explained one expat living in Braga, Portugal.

"Three things I wish I had brought were my CDs,all my clothes and my flat screen TV. Three things I wish I had left behind are: tent
business briefcase
bicycle," said one expat in Tomar.

"Really, I wish we had not shipped anything. The process was a nightmare and cost three times as much as the original quote. After sharing stories with other expats it seems that the entire overseas shipping business is one big bait and switch. You are given a quote and after they pick up your shipment they up the price by half or more. What can you do? Nothing, they have all your things and the "full price" of shipping that you already paid! I wish we had left all kitchen glassware, most of the DVDs, and a lot of the books. Leave most of the things of sentimental value. I wish the 2 boxes that were lost in transit made it. Take unique art pieces, special kitchenware (antique cast iron) and favorite music if you must," said one expat who made the move to Porto.

"Your question depends, in part, on where you are moving from. The previous answer to your question that I read is a basic, "what to bring when you move anywhere." I'm not sure that was your question. My answer will also be incomplete as I have not moved to Portugal, yet! BUT, I have moved internationally 11 times, to and from 3 different continents. So, I have a little experience. I'm going to assume you are not bringing furniture. If you are, that's up to you. IF you are moving from the US, most beds are a different size than American beds, so don't bother bringing anything but pillow cases, if that's important to you. There are plenty of places to get bed linens there (that actually fit the bed you are going to sleep in). And there's always amazon spain (no duty). From what I've read on other forums, bring your cotton clothing, as that seems to be hard to get ahold of (don't know why), and clothing in general if you are larger than a US 12. I've also read that, unless you are prepared to spend a bit, the quality of the clothing is not what some Americans are used to. I can't attest to this, as I haven't bought clothes there. Also, shoes if you are larger than 39 (US 8.5), I've read. Bring any skin care products to get you through the first few months at least, so that you have time to find an equivalent -- you do NOT want companies from the US to send things to you, as you will not only pay international shipping to the company, you will pay enormous duty costs in Portugal, AND I've read that the mail service is not necessarily terribly reliable. About kitchenware: Unless something has sentimental value, sell what you have, go to IKEA for cutlery and glasses/dishes, once you're in Portugal, or buy some exquisite Portuguese ceramics, and get chef-worthy pans in one of the malls. No need to bring those. Bring rain gear and warm clothing (especially if not in the Algarve), as winter is chilly and damp, and homes are not insulated. Buy a heater and perhaps a dehumidifier when you get there. Unless you have a large and powerful electrical converter, don't bother bringing most electrical appliances (from hair dryers to small kitchen appliances to giant tvs). The small converters (to be differentiated from adapters that are only good for laptops and other appliances that have either automatic or dual electrical voltage (like SOME hair dryers, f.ex.)) won't be able to handle high voltage appliances. I had a big one that worked well, but that weighed about 15 lbs (but, granted, that was back in the 90s. Perhaps they've updated them by now??). Just sell what you have, and buy what you need once you get to Portugal. Other people who live there already can tell you what they miss (and if they say food or drinks (especially soda -- eye roll), just remember you are moving to experience a new culture, NOT bring your culture to a new place). When I move, I bring clothes (paired down because I don't need the slacks I haven't worn for 2 years), hand-blown glasses I got from my dad years ago (because they mean a lot to me -- and they're unique), books, pictures, paintings, and possibly one pillow so I know I have one that I like, until I can find others in the country I move to), skin care and make-up for a few months, a tool kit (simply because I have it -- IKEA!), and my cat and his accessories! Oh, I will be bringing some cat food and litter, so I can ease him over to something new without it being as much of a shock as 17 hours of transit, and a new home. Hope that helps! I hope that helps," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"When moving to Portugal, be sure to bring comfortable clothing suitable for all seasons. Depending on your living situation, you may also want to bring a few of your own kitchen and bedroom items. Remember to pack electronics and any necessary adapters for Portuguese outlets. Additionally, you may want to bring some of your favorite items from home that make you feel comfortable and remind you of home. Finally, make sure to bring any necessary documents, such as your passport and other paperwork for any visas you may have," said one in Portugal.

"It is important to show respect for Portuguese culture by avoiding certain activities that could be considered rude or inappropriate. When visiting, it is best to dress conservatively, avoid discussing religion or politics in public, and maintain eye contact when engaging in conversation. Likewise, visitors should avoid pointing with their finger and try to learn some basic phrases in Portuguese, as a gesture of respect. Additionally, it is important to remember that physical contact between strangers, such as shaking hands and hugging, is not common in certain parts of Portugal," said one expat in Portugal.

"Yes. I ordered a take away dinner from a cafe ahead of time and misunderstood the time to pick it up. When we arrived to pick up our meal, all the food was gone, we were too late! They called someone who was in charge and referred to me as the "foreign lady," estrangeira. I was surprised at myself that I was hurt and offended to be called such, even though I am! It shows how badly I want to fit in, but don't," said one expat who made the move to Vila Nova de Gaia.

"One major attraction of Portugal for expats is its fantastic Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches. The country offers something for everyone, with vibrant and bustling cities, charming rural towns and villages, and stunning landscapes. Portugal is also known for its friendly and welcoming people, offering a rich culture and colourful lifestyle. The cost of living in Portugal can also be surprisingly affordable when compared to other Western European countries. In addition, the excellent transport network and English taught in many schools make it easy to integrate into Portuguese life. Combined, these factors make Portugal an attractive destination for expats," commented one expat who moved to Portugal.

"Connect with other expats to obtain physician references and sources of private insurance so you can benefit from their research and experience. Bring copies of your medical records with you. Quality of care can be very high in Portugal's major communities. Costs are much lower, by about half, and prescriptions range from a tenth to a half of the costs in the US," said one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Portugal offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, mental health services, and specialized care. The public healthcare system in Portugal is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Portugal is generally good, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents in Portugal are also eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in Portugal can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health authority and obtaining a health card. This card allows them to access the same services as Portuguese citizens, including free or discounted medical care," offered one expat living in Portugal.

"Portugal has a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides free or low-cost medical services to its citizens. The country also has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer a wide range of medical services. Portugal has a well-developed network of primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals that provide quality medical care. The country also has a number of specialized medical centers that offer specialized treatments and services. Portugal also has a number of medical research centers that are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and treatments," stated one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Finding a specialist takes trail and error. But that is true even in my home country," remarked one expat in Lisbon.