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," said one expat in Porto.

"The same advice related to a move anywhere. You must be here for some time - a month or two - before you select your home. Walk the many neighborhoods, see what amenities are around you, and work with a local realtor who comes recommended. If you like a quiet, more rural life, there are many villages and towns that meet this need. A good urban life is in Lisboa, and the coast just outside of Lisboa offers access to everything. If you're an EU citizen, everything you do is easier. For Americans, the process of getting a residency is twice as complicated and twice as time consuming, so getting advice from someone who has done/is doing it will help reduce your effort and anxiety," remarked one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"I would come here in the summer before you move. It is over flooded with tourists. I live in Albufeira and travel in the summer. While Albufeira has a reputation as a party town, it is limited to two areas. The quality of life is very high, it empties out quite a bit in the winter but plenty is left open," explained one expat living in The Algarve, Portugal.

"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," said one expat in Tomar.

"I would recommend Gualtar or Trofa as an area of Braga to live in. It's part of the city, yet doesn't have the "city" feel. It's atmosphere is more "suburban" than anything. The city has everything you need to live a life that you've been accustomed to in the US. Additionally, it's location is spectacular because you have the beach 30 minutes to the west, (awsome) Geres mountains 15 minutes to the east and Spain 40 minutes to the North.... you can't go wrong. :)," said one expat who made the move to Braga.

"I first lived in an apartment near the University. You can never go wrong living around a large school. People tend to be more open to help. I eventually bought a proprty and built a four bedroom home in a quiet section of the city. The land was a bit more expensive than other areas but it was well worth it. If your going to build.... please watch your contractor closely and NEVER pay for anything up front, only for work that has been done. You can get yourself into trouble that way," remarked one expat in Braga, Portugal.

"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 in Cascais and Estoril.

"By cost and internet posts on Idealista. I had 10 days to get an address. Price was a big concern. I looked at 3 listings, 1 in Porto and 2 in neighboring Gaia. I chose the bigger place in Gaia. It was the right size and price. I was lucky that the Remax agent was honest and super helpful and spoke English! It is a good place in a nice neighborhood. Do your research beforehand and have representation, preferable an honest attorney," remarked one expat who made the move to Porto.

"I live in a single family four bedroom home. To be honest I don't really know of any US expats in my area. The people up north are very friendly, so most of our support circle is Portuguese," explained one expat living in Braga, Portugal.

"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," said one expat in Porto.

"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," remarked one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"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.

"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 in Portugal.

"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.

"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," explained one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"We wish we'd brought more of our clothing...costs here are higher than in the US even before you add in the exchange rate and it's difficult to find the quality and styling to which we are accustomed; to have brought binoculars; and we should have purchased an eReader and filled it with books as finding English books is tough. Left behind...nothing, we were really selective," remarked one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"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.

"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," explained one expat living 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 in 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.

"Speak to locals (especially other expats for have been around for at least a few years) to recommend health care providers, especially specialists," offered one expat living in Porto.

"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," wrote one expat living in Portugal.

"Finding a specialist takes trail and error. But that is true even in my home country," replied one expat when asked about moving to Lisbon.

"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.