With its beautiful natural scenery and pleasant climate, Portugal is an ideal home for many expatriates. Despite this, many people believe that immigrating to Portugal is a trap, citing limited local job opportunities and the belief that it is unsuitable for the average person, but in reality, this is not the case.
1. Pleasant climate, suitable for living
Many immigrants choose Portugal primarily because of its beautiful natural scenery and pleasant climate. The country enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, and the climate depends largely on the city and region where one lives, as temperatures tend to be lower the further one is from the equator.
2. Experience more water sports
If you are a fan of water sports, such as surfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, water skiing, and many other marine sports or activities, then Portugal is the ideal destination. Portugal offers the best weather conditions along its 800 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, allowing for sailing, fishing, or other ocean-related activities. Hawaiian athlete Garret McNamara surfed the largest wave ever recorded in Portugal, reaching a height of 27.5 meters. It is said that among surfers, Portugal offers 364 days of high-quality surfing per year.
3. Real estate prices
We will not deny that housing market prices have risen over the past decade; however, compared to almost any other major city or country where prices have already soared, buying property almost anywhere in Portugal remains much cheaper. In particular, the price-to-performance ratio of properties is very high. Many of our clients have mentioned that they have been able to purchase high-quality properties (3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 living room, 1 dining room, and a terrace, often with a swimming pool) for between 175,000 and 240,000 euros. In cities slightly further away from major hubs like Porto or Lisbon, one can find excellent real estate deals.
4. Quality of life
Portugal is one of the countries with the highest quality of life, with cities like Lisbon ranking among the top in the world, thus attracting many expatriates. Although the quality of life in Portugal is high, the local cost of living is not, making it an ideal home for expatriates.
5. Cuisine
When it comes to a good quality of life, nothing is better for an individual's health than good dietary habits. Incredibly, Portugal is the country with the highest per capita consumption of fish and various seafood in Europe, and not just the famous cod. In its local markets (a very typical feature of Portugal), there is plenty of fresh fish. As mentioned above, thanks to its geographical location, Portugal enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, making fruits, legumes, vegetables, and other fresh produce cheaper and more abundant, thus making it easier to obtain high-quality natural food.
6. Cost of living
The cost of living in Portugal is lower than in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Nordic countries, and Germany, and it is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe. In fact, unlike in the UK, depending on the area one chooses to live in, rent can be 20% to 30% cheaper. For example, a retired couple can live a modest life for 1,400 euros (including housing, food, and moderate leisure), depending on where they live. Such a life is much more elegant and comfortable than it would be in the UK or Germany.