15 Reasons Why We Moved to Portugal

About 5 years ago we started toying with the idea of moving to Europe and enjoying a slower pace of life and we recently turned that dream into a reality. But before we get into how we made the move; we are going to answer the question we get the most: Why did you choose Portugal?

It all started in 2018 when I was scrolling through my LinkedIn feed and came across an article about the 10 countries that are so cheap to live, you don’t have to work or something along those lines.  I can’t remember the exact title, but it had something to do with retirement, or not working, and inexpensive – all things that sounded appealing to me.  :-)

At the time, I was looking into how I could go about getting Italian citizenship and dreamt of living the European lifestyle that my ancestors had abandoned over a century ago.  After reading a few books, reviewing my family history, and researching the qualifications, I determined that it was going to be a long, tedious, and expensive process.  So as the prospect of Italy began to fade, I shared the article I saw on LinkedIn with Kandace and the wheels started turning once again. If I remember correctly, Portugal was about midway on this list with a position of 5th or 6th and in 2024, it’s considered the number 1 retirement haven in Europe and number 2 in the world according to International Living.

Other than the obvious reason of being an inexpensive place to live, Portugal had checked so many boxes for us that we started writing down short term and long-term goals that would result in a move after my youngest had graduated from college.

Early on in our research, there were two major benefits that made moving to Portugal a top choice for us.

1)    After 5 years of residency, we could apply for citizenship. This seemed like an interesting loophole that could eventually lead to living in Italy.  Live in Portugal 5 years, apply for citizenship, get an EU passport – move to Italy.  Seemed like a solid plan to me!

2)    Portugal was offering an incredible tax benefit to expats through their NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) program that significantly lowered and, in some cases, eliminated taxes for a 10-year period.  An inexpensive place to live AND pay little to no taxes – sign me up!

Unfortunately for us, Portugal modified the NHR program in late 2023 and it’s not likely we will qualify for this tax benefit based on the new rules; however, we are still going to apply as there is a chance we can get accepted. Ultimately, we determined that even without the tax benefits, it was not a big enough reason to keep us from going forward with our move. (If you are interested in learning about the NHR tax benefits under the new rules, there’s an endless amount information about it online that you can dive into the see if you qualify.)

So, why Portugal you ask?  For us, it’s this:

Weather

Portugal, situated on the Atlantic's west coast, often mirrors the balmy California conditions we're familiar with. Expats in Porto equate its climate to Oakland's, while the Algarve resembles the sunny days of San Diego or Newport Beach. Lisbon's weather fluctuates, sometimes resembling the foggy days of San Francisco, yet reaching temperatures akin to the East Bay Area. Overall, it strikes a perfect balance, neither too hot nor too cold, just like we're used to.

History

Did you know that Lisbon was established as a city even before Rome? From the cobblestone streets and their intricate designs to the tiled buildings that were influenced by Moorish and Islamic cultures in the 8th century, there is so much history here that we are eager to unlock and explore. 

The Charm

After visiting once, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Portugal. There are so many features that contribute to the charm and allure of the country.  From the cobblestone streets and sidewalks to the colorful buildings to the lines of laundry waving in the wind the charm of this beautiful country captivates people from all over the world.

Food

It’s no secret that the American diet is full of highly processed foods full of salt, added sugars, saturated fat and refined grains.  The European Union more tightly regulates food additives and therefore has fewer unhealthy foods to choose from.  In Portugal, there are daily markets offering fresh fruits and vegetables and even the healthy foods section in the grocery stores are 2 to 3 times larger than those in the US. The bread is also healthier in Europe as American bread contains many preservatives and fillers that are banned here.

The People

The warmth of the Portuguese people is truly remarkable. With just a bit of effort in speaking their language, they embrace you as one of their own. A recent encounter with a bus driver illustrated this perfectly. When we inquired about the route to Lisbon, she not only got out of her bus to direct us, but went the extra mile to ensure we didn't miss our ride. That's the kind of kindness that makes Portugal feel like home.

Community

Thankfully, countless American expats have paved the way for newcomers in Portugal, smoothing the transition. Pages like “Americans & FriendsPT” on Facebook offers invaluable support and answers to questions, while local community pages like “Our Setubal Community” foster connections among expats. Without these supportive networks, our move here would have undoubtedly been far more challenging.

Beaches

Portugal boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the golden beaches of the Algarve to the crystal-clear waters of Praia do Galapinhos to the relaxing sands of Cascais, paradise is never too far away.  And of course, there’s the islands of Madeira and the Azores that bring a touch of magical paradise to all who venture there.   

Travel

One of our goals while living here is to visit as many European countries as possible. Whether via train, plane, or automobile we will be able to get to most countries within a few hours.

Lots to Explore

Portugal offers so much to do from port tasting in the Douro Valley to the castles of Sintra, there is an adventure at every turn. When we are craving a lively city vibe Lisbon and Porto offer a vibrant experience similar to San Francisco or Chicago.  There are also beautiful national parks and secluded waterfall hikes that offer endless opportunities for adventure that we can’t wait to explore.

Excellent Healthcare

The public and private healthcare system is very good, and for residence the medical fees are minimal. Healthcare in Portugal’s national system is free for children under 18 and adults over 65. For everyone else, state healthcare provides subsidized medical costs at a low rate. 

Safety

According to the Global Peace Index, Portugal is the 7th safest country in the world.  For comparison, the US ranks 46th on the same list. There is a very low crime rate and violent crime is even lower. The most common crime is petty theft (bag snatching and pickpocketing) in high tourist areas, but that is common throughout the world. In our small town of Setubal, the local expats talk about how they can leave their purses and cell phones on the table when dining outside and walk away to use the restroom with no worry.  Oh, and gun violence / mass shootings are practically zero. 

Similar to California

From the steep streets and cable cars of Lisbon to the Abril de 25 bridge aka the sister bridge to the Golden Gate, there are so many similarities to California, it’s difficult to miss home.  There are vibrant cities, chill beaches, quaint small towns, and robust wine regions throughout the country that would make any Californian feel like they never left.

Slower Pace of Life

One of the rewards for working hard and paying your dues is being able to step away from the “everything needs to happen now” western lifestyle.  With the lower cost of living in Portugal we saw an opportunity to shift our work life balance and found more value in removing ourselves from a high stress environment and inserting ourselves into a healthier more relaxed pace of life.  We feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered an early semi-retirement option abroad versus working well into our 60’s in the states!

-Life Beyond the Leap is a collection of stories documenting our journey of living a life less ordinary.  Here you will learn about what life is like after taking a leap of faith, quitting our jobs, selling most of our things and enjoying a nomadic lifestyle.  Enjoy travel tips, food recommendations, our journey to living in Portugal, and much more……..