Pros And Cons Of Living In Madeira

Considering buying a one-way ticket to Europe and spending your days hiking and admiring incredible views of the ocean?

Check out these pros and cons of living in Madeira first.

Made up of two islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese archipelago consists of the main island Madeira, and a smaller island Porto Santo. It is located a 90-minute flight from Lisbon and is close to Morocco and the canary islands.

Madeira is an extremely welcoming, laid-back, and affordable part of the world and we would strongly recommend it for any digital nomads looking to experience island life, while still being in Europe.

There is a big focus on the digital nomad community here, think fast wifi, a digital nomad village, and lots of networking to connect with other expats.

It is also a haven for nature lovers as it has some of the best natural landscapes in all of Europe.

In this post, we’re going to dive into the pros AND cons of living in Madeira to give you an insight into what to expect.

Considering a move to Portugal soon? Check out this guide to getting a Portuguese digital nomad visa.

Pros Of Living In Madeira

There are lots of reasons why you should consider Madeira as a place to live. Here we have listed some of the top reasons why.

Great Climate

The first pro, and the main reason many people choose to situate themselves here, has to be the weather.

Madeira luckily experiences a great climate all year round, making it a very attractive destination for expats. In fact, the climate is even better than in mainland Portugal.

During the summer, it is sunny and dry, without getting extremely hot. It hits on average 25 degrees celsius during the day, so it is really comfortable.

In the Winter, it is also pleasantly warm during the day, with the temperature rarely dropping below 20 degrees Celsius.

Of course, some destinations on the north side of the island can get a little colder during the Winter months, but the top destinations of Funchal and Ponta do Sol are usually warm.

So, on the island of Madeira, you will never be too hot or never be too cold which makes it really appealing as an option for living.

Beautiful Nature

The stunning natural landscapes on the island of Madeira are some of the best in the world. The island’s nature is one of the main reasons people choose to travel here as it is so incredibly diverse.

This makes it the perfect place to move to if you are the outdoorsy type as you will have endless options for hikes, walking trails and watersports.

You will have some of the most breathtaking mountains and hiking you could imagine and you will have views of the many banana and sugarcane farms across the island, and you will have incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean in every direction.

It is perfect for expats looking for a place to completely unwind, be immersed in nature, and switch off after a week of work.

For nature lovers, some of the best spots to visit include Cabo Girao, which is the highest cliff in Europe and offers the best views on the island.

Levada forest is also a must-visit, here you can experience “The 25 fountains walk” which is given its name from the 25 waterfalls you will see while walking through here.

Affordable Cost Of Living

Something that makes Madeira a very attractive place to live, is the incredibly affordable cost of living here.

This makes Madeira a great option for anyone looking for cheap island living, without traveling as far as Southeast Asia.

Bear in mind it won’t be quite as cheap as Southeast Asia, but it is definitely very affordable compared to other European destinations.

For example, you can expect to pay between EUR 500 and 700 per month for a one or two-bedroom apartment which is great value for Europe.

The food in restaurants and supermarkets is also super affordable and very high quality, for example, you can get a great bottle of wine for EUR 3.

High Quality Of Living

A huge upside to living in Madeira is the fact that there is such a high quality of life here. It has an extremely low crime rate and is a very safe place for people to live.

Another thing that adds to the quality of life is that the island is very laid back and has a slower pace of life. This leads to a less stressed lifestyle on the island and people can experience peace and quiet while living here.

As the island is all about getting outdoors, it encourages healthy living and has some great options for unwinding when you are not working.

There is a well-functioning and easily accessible bus network in place on the island, which makes it very straightforward to get around, again adding to the easy way of life.

Digital Nomad Community

A huge draw for people to Madeira is the fact that it has a thriving digital nomad community.

The digital nomad village in Ponta do Sol was launched in 2021 and draws hundreds of remote workers to the village to join each year.

Through this digital nomad village, you can benefit from the use of a free co-working space and a lot of organized community events which makes it much easier to make friends.

You will also benefit from the fastest wifi in all of Portugal while on Madeira.

There is also a great fitness community here, and several Facebook groups to join to meet people with similar hobbies and interests.

Incredible Beaches

With the weather being so beautiful in Madeira, it’s important to have some amazing places to enjoy it. This is where all the stunning beaches on the island come in!

There are some volcanic sand and pebble beaches on Madeira, but they are still perfect for enjoying a day out at the sea. Praia Do Vigário – Câmara De Lobos is a must-visit and a perfect place for a beach with some swimming and a picnic.

If you want to experience the best beach in all of Madeira, you should definitely visit Porto Santo Beach on Porto Santo island.

Porto Santo island is nicknamed the golden beach because it has the most incredible stretch of golden sandy beach all along the coast and it is definitely the best beach in all of the archipelago.

Cons Of Living In Madeira

As with anywhere, there are also some downsides to living in Madeira, which we have listed here.

Remote Location

Since the location of Madeira is over 1 and a half hours from the Portugal mainland, this island is indeed a bit remote.

If there is something you urgently need that you can’t get on the island, it is not going to be very easy to get it.

For the most part, you will have access to everything you need. However, in terms of getting things delivered, you will probably have longer wait times than if you were in the mainland of Portugal.

For day-to-day living, this will not be an issue, however.

Food Variety Is Limited

Travelers with food intolerances or travelers who are vegan, sometimes have trouble finding dishes to fit their diet.

There can be very few options for vegans or vegetarians and there is only one vegan restaurant on the entire island.

However, this is slowly changing, more restaurants are making an effort to offer a vegan or vegetarian option, but progress will take time.

Job Opportunities For Expats Are Low

If you are going to Madeira in search of a job, the options are going to be low for you.

The majority of jobs will go to locals and it can be especially hard to come by a job if you don’t speak Portuguese.

Because of this, working online or as a digital nomad will be your best bet for having an income while living in Madeira.

Things Move At A Slow Pace

This is both a positive and a negative. There is a nice relaxed atmosphere on the island, but things can move at a slow pace in terms of productivity, work and formalities too.

Business tasks or applying for residency can move quite slowly here as a result of the laid bad lifestyle.

Public Health System

According to people living in Madeira, the public health system leaves a lot to be desired.

It is said to be overcrowded and underfunded in comparison to other European countries.

Hopefully, this isn’t something that will affect you during your time in Madeira, but it is important for people to keep it in mind while considering a move here.

Final Thoughts On Living In Madeira

Now you’ve read all about the pros and cons of living in Madeira, does it seem like the right place for you?

If you’re interested in exploring some of the best nature in the world and wish to live on a lower budget, Madeira could be an excellent option for you.

If, on the other hand, a faster pace of life and a bustling city appeals to you, you might wish to keep searching for your dream location.

If you want to compare Madeira with other destinations, check out these posts:

• Pros and cons of living in Croatia
• Pros and cons of living in Amsterdam
• Pros and cons of living in Turkey