Portugal – 7 Reasons to Live there!

This is a guest post by Amy Green from Move to Algarve. 

Portugal, positioned on the Atlantic Ocean on the Iberian peninsular and bordering with Spain offers a warm idyllic place that is optimal for expats. The country borders with Spain and is well known for its climate with mild winters and warm summers. Many people are relocating to Portugal from the UK and USA for a number of reasons. Here are our top 5….

1. Weather – the cold weather in the UK and the North of the USA can be rather depressing with cold winters, snow and dark evenings. The Portuguese weather will rarely drop below 20 degrees in the summer months. This will boost your vitamin D. Even the winters are mild, rarely dropping below 10 degrees in Lisbon and the Algarve.
2. Cost of living – The currency of Portugal is the Euro and you will probably find that you get more for your money than back at home in dollars or GBP. Eating out is cheap in Portugal and you can pay just 10 Euro for a meal and drink in the capital of Lisbon. When you head out to less touristy destinations you can pick up a beer for just 1 or 2 EUROS! 
3. Property Prices – Although the property prices in Lisbon and on the coast of the Algarve are quite pricey, if you are willing to head inland from the beach or even into the countryside you can still pick up a house to renovate for around 20,000 EURO. In the smaller towns it is possible to pick up a decent 1 or 2 bedroomed apartment for just 100,000 EURO.
4. Tax Benefits – If you are able to sign up for NHR (non-habitual residency) in Portugal then you are eligible for tax breaks for up to 10 years. This could mean that you pay less tax on your pension and income from abroad.
5. Food – Fresh fruit, vegetables and fish are popular in Portugal and are very cheap as they are readily available and do not need to be imported. Grilled sardines and potatoes and Paella are popular dishes. There are also some dishes that you may want to avoid – so make sure that you use Google translate – I once ordered chicken giblets by mistake!!!
6. English is widely spoken – If you don’t speak Portuguese you may be reassured to know that many people in Portugal speak English. This is especially the case in Lisbon and the Algarve, especially in business and tourism. However, it does help you to integrate if you speak a little Portuguese!
7. Laid back pace of life – The Portuguese way of life seems to be much more laid back than in the UK and USA which can reduce your stress levels. It’s a natural Portuguese phenomenon to be slightly late – 5 or 10 minutes, and that’s accepted as ok. No need to stress, enjoy the chilled out lifestyle!

Overall, living in Portugal will probably be healthier and better for you mentally. If you can make the move, you won’t regret it!