Pros And Cons Of Living In Portugal

Looking to move to Europe, but not sure where to rest your head for a while?

If you’ve been thinking of moving to Portugal, check out the following pros and cons of living in Portugal.

Portugal is a country with lots to offer ex-pats. From its cultural cities to its pristine beaches and idyllic islands, there is a mix of destinations to choose from for anyone considering moving to the country.

With some of the best bang for your buck anywhere in the world, a diverse community, and some incredible beaches, it’s no wonder so many digital nomads and ex-pats are drawn to the European nation, but is it all it appears?

In these pros and cons of living in Portugal, we’ll be diving into the biggest advantages AND the drawbacks you might not have considered of living in the country before you take the leap.

Pros Of Living In Portugal

There are many pros of living in Portugal as an expatriate. Whether you’re looking to move to the country for a season or forever, here are the top reasons that will make you book a flight ASAP.

Low Cost Of Living

One of the biggest advantages of living in Portugal is its affordability. Even in the capital city of Lisbon, you can live well on EUR 1,000 per month. To put it into context, the cost of living is on average 40% less than in the United States.

While you could pay around EUR 700 for an apartment in an expensive neighborhood in the city, you can pay as little as EUR 570 for an apartment of the same size in a less wealthy neighborhood.

If you step away from the main cities altogether, you’ll find the costs of housing are even cheaper.

Utilities are also affordable and will set you back roughly EUR 100 per month. This includes electricity, WiFi, and gas.

The cost of living in Portugal does vary depending on where you live, for example, Alvor is known to be a little cheaper than Lisbon. However, wherever you settle, you’ll find the prices to be significantly lower than in the western world.

Stunning Scenery

Portugal has a vast number of incredibly beautiful and clean beaches around the country. Some of the best of these are located in and around the Algarve area.

In places like Lagos and Albufeira, these beaches are surrounded by breathtaking cliffs and the crystal clear water is extremely inviting.

If beaches are not your thing, there are also mountains throughout the country waiting to be explored through hiking, cycling, and road trips.

A huge bonus is that Portugal has a pleasant climate all year round.  During August, the warmest month, temperatures rise to around 28 degrees Celsius and it is often extremely sunny across the country.

Their winters are sunny and mild in Portugal with an average temperature of around 16 degrees celsius in December.

English Is Widely Spoken

If you’re looking for a country that doesn’t take much acclimatization, you should consider Portugal. From hospitality to public transportation officials, most of the population can speak at least passable English.

As you travel further out of the main cities, you’ll hear English a lot less, and it’s not as common to be able to converse with a local in your mother tongue. However, if you don’t know any Portuguese, you’ll still be able to get by in rural towns across the country.

On the other hand, if you stick to the cities, you’ll find communication is easy, and you might find you don’t need to learn a single word (although we advise you do!)

Safety

Portugal is known to be a relatively safe country. There is a low crime rate across the country. It is slightly higher in cities like Lisbon, but for the most part, it is low in comparison to other European hot spots.

Pickpocketing is the main crime in crowded areas, so you need to be mindful of this as you do in most major cities.

It is an ideal country for solo travelers in terms of safety and is considered very safe for female solo travelers. As is the case everywhere, it is up to the individual to be cautious, especially in a new place.

Cons of Living in Portugal

There are more benefits than disadvantages to living in Portugal. However, you should consider these points so that you’re not shocked or disappointed on arrival.

High Demand For Properties

The housing market in Portugal is seeing a rise in demand in the past few years in particular. There has been a 10% rise in demand for properties during 2020 and 2021.

The main reason for the rise in demand is the fact that there is a housing shortage in a lot of places around the country. This can make it difficult to either buy or rent a house in Portugal.

With many expats coming to Portugal from abroad to purchase property, it is also driving the prices up further.

There is also some corruption when it comes to renting in Portugal with many landlords avoiding rental contracts and tenants being left without rights when it comes to renting.

Work

If you want to work locally in Portugal, you will find that the average salary is definitely on the low side in comparison to other European countries. The average salary is not enough to have a comfortable standard of living, especially in places like the Algarve which attracts a lot of tourists. So it is much better to be a digital nomad in this case.

The minimum salary in Portugal is EUR 705 in 2022, before tax. This is definitely low in terms of the price of living in Portugal.

Driving

It is widely known in Portugal that driving can be dangerous, especially for expats. This is mainly due to the winding and narrow streets across the country that are not always maintained to a high standard. Driving on high ways can be expensive due to the large number of tolls.

Local people are likely to be driving fast around these roads they are used to and this makes it more dangerous for expats driving here for the first time.

Final Thoughts On Living In Portugal

Now you’ve heard the pros and cons of living in Portugal, which side of the fence do you sit on?

Portugal is one of the best countries in Europe for making your money stretch while maintaining a fantastic quality of living. If you love witnessing an array of amazing coastlines, each with its own customs, foods, and beaches, Portugal is definitely for you.

Likewise, if you’re looking to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life, you’ll love the relaxed pace of life in Portugal.

However, if you’re looking for a destination that is completely unspoiled, with fewer tourists, Portugal may not be for you. If that’s the case, check out these other destinations:

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