Living in Portugal as an expat can be an exciting and rewarding experience. With its rich culture, stunning scenery, and friendly people, Portugal is an ideal place to call home. Portugal is a western European country known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscape.
With its excellent climate, great food, and welcoming people, Portugal has something to offer everyone. Whether you want to settle down, start a business, or experience the culture, Portugal can be the perfect place to call home.
Read about the advantages and expenses of living in Portugal and how to go about your Lisbon property hunting.
Benefits of Moving to Portugal from Abroad
Climate. The nation, situated in the southwest of the continent, regularly experiences warm, sunny weather. The air rarely exceeds 0 degrees Celsius, even during the winter. Every year, there are about 300 sunny days.
Portugal Experiences Year-Round Sunshine
The Atlantic Ocean encircles Portugal on all sides. Due to the ocean, the nation has a variety of climate zones, enabling everyone to find a place suited for habitation.
It is milder and sunnier in the south. The summers are hotter, and the winters are colder the further you go from the coast. Unusual snowfall happens all year long, especially in the highlands.
Portugal is happy with its surroundings. Portugal, for instance, was ranked as the 27th most environmentally friendly nation out of 180 by the Yale Institute for Environmental Law and Policy.
Low Cost of Living
Multiple immigrant diasporas. Portugal was one of the top 5 countries for expats in 2021, and 84% of those who relocated there were happy with their new lifestyles. Seventy-five percent of individuals worldwide claim to be satisfied.
In Portugal, 6.4% of the population was born overseas. Brazilians make up the bulk of immigrants, followed by persons from African nations that speak Portuguese, including Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Several people from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova are among the European immigrants.
Culture
In terms of culture, Portugal is known for its rich history, which can be seen in its architecture, music, and cuisine. The country has numerous museums, galleries, and other attractions, making it a great place to explore and learn about the culture.
Immigration Options for Those Wishing to Settle in Portugal
One of the EU's member states is Portugal. To enter Portugal to live and work there, citizens of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein do not require visas. Citizens of the other 26 EU member states and EFTA countries are also eligible. As long as they have no criminal convictions, EU/EFTA nationals are not subject to any restrictions.
Even after Brexit, British people are still permitted a 90-day visit to Portugal every six months. However, a resident visa is required if the UK citizen intends to stay in Portugal for an extended period.
There are several legal options for non-EU citizens to relocate to Portugal, including marriage to a Portuguese citizen, employment, or university study. Over the following two to six months, investors and others with passive income can become Portuguese residents in one of two ways:
The "Portuguese Golden Visa" residency visa is one of the tactics employed to promote foreign investment in the nation's economy. The holder can live in Portugal and travel freely throughout the Schengen Area. The investor can apply for a Portuguese passport five years later, giving them visa-free travel to more than 180 nations.
Lisbon D7 visa. While still in their native country, anyone can apply for a D7 visa. There are two entries allowed in Portugal throughout the four-month validity term. The holder of a D7 visa must apply for a residence permit after arriving in Portugal. The same benefits are accessible while requesting a D7 access, but no investment alternatives are required.
Conclusion
Overall, Portugal is an ideal destination for expats looking for an affordable place to live with plenty of culture and activities to explore. The country is also home to a vibrant ex-pat community, making it easy to meet like-minded individuals and make new friends. To live in Portugal, you can seek property hunting services in Lisbon.
ITSK is your one-stop property agency. From hunting your (Golden Visa) property, and taking care of the legal part, to designing + rebuilding the interior to your taste. Contact us for Lisbon property hunting!