8 pros and cons of living in Portugal

October 19, 2021

Through the Facebook group Amoureux du Portugal and the page Vivre au Portugal, I see many testimonials from people who dream of a life in Portugal, but who have many fears in relation to this project. And they’re right! Moving abroad is not a decision to be taken lightly, as I regularly tell you in my other blog posts. There are advantages and disadvantages.

Yes, life is great in Portugal, and that’s why I’ve been here for over 8 years, but over the years I’ve seen too many people move to Portugal and then leave after just 6 months, 1 year, 2 years. It’s important to remember that vacationing in Portugal is not the same as living there. When you spend 2 weeks or 1 month in a country on vacation, you tend to see only the good aspects.

Today, in this article, I’m going to try to point out the advantages and disadvantages of living in Portugal. Some will say I’m putting too many advantages forward, others that I’m not talking enough about the disadvantages, but it doesn’t matter. I’m giving you my feelings, those of a 33-year-old woman who has been living in Portugal for over 8 years and has lived in several regions and cities of different sizes (important to specify). So, go … We’re off!

DISADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1 – Renting

Living in Portugal often starts with finding accommodation, and it’s not easy to find a long-term rental in Portugal. Why is this?

There are few long-term rental properties available. There’s a lot of demand and not much supply, so rents are high, and it’s first come, first served,
Long-term rental properties are sometimes dilapidated: with insulation problems, damp and no heating, like many homes in Portugal. Yes, there are some renovated properties, but these are often used for short-term rentals (seasonal lets),
There are very few furnished properties, and those that are are often decorated and furnished in an old-fashioned way,

So it’s hard to find a decent long-term rental for less than €600 a month in Portugal (and even harder in Lisbon and Porto). On the other hand, you’ll need to be reactive and have some money to spare, as you’ll probably be asked to pay at least 6 months’ rent in advance if you don’t have a guarantor in Portugal.

Find out more : see my article on renting in Portugal

Renting in Portugal

2 – Health

In Portugal, there are no supplementary health insurance schemes to top up reimbursements, as is the case in France. Portuguese social security only covers expenses incurred in the public sector, not those incurred in the private sector. The public and private sectors are therefore totally independent of each other. The private sector is only accessible with private health insurance.

Private health insurance gives you access to private healthcare services in Portugal, which can be very attractive when you consider the waiting times in the public sector. Indeed, apart from major emergencies, waiting times in the public sector are extremely long, whereas those in the private sector are almost immediate. Waiting times for an appointment with a specialist or for an operation are so long that many people opt for private health insurance to benefit from faster care in the private sector. This reduces the cost of consultations and examinations. The cost of private health insurance varies according to your profile, averaging €70.

Find out more : discover my article on health in Portugal

3 – Work

Life in Portugal also means finding a job. There are a few things to keep in mind:

Portuguese salaries are low, among the lowest in Europe. The minimum wage is €740 per month(source: Eurostat).
Working hours are longer than in many European countries. In Portugal, people work 40 hours a week.
In terms of vacations, there are 22 days of paid leave per year, plus national vacations of around 13 days per year.

To find out more : read my article on working in Portugal

Minimum wage in France, Spain and Portugal in 2020 – source: Eurostat

4 – Cost of living

People often talk about Portugal’s low cost of living, but in reality… Be careful! Yes, some things are cheaper in Portugal than in other European countries, but many things are the same price as in neighboring countries, or even more expensive. Also, let’s not forget the previous point: Portuguese salaries are much lower, so beware of the ratio of Portuguese salaries to the cost of living in Portugal, which can play tricks on you. Here are a few examples of daily costs to bear in mind when deciding to live in Portugal:

Energy bills : in Portugal, electricity is around 20% more expensive than in France. And you need to bear in mind that many homes include electric heating or reversible air-conditioning, as the majority of homes in Portugal have no heating system at all.
Health insurance: as mentioned above, you’ll need to budget for health insurance in Portugal .
Internet & Phones : the national average for a fixed-line Internet package is €40. On average, expect to pay €60 for internet and telephone.
Shopping : obviously, imported products are more expensive, especially hygiene products, most of which are French brands.
Petrol: prices in Portugal are high. In mid-October 2021, the price of petrol in Portugal even reached €2 per liter.
Rent : let’s finish with what will be your biggest expense: rent. As you can imagine, rents vary greatly from one part of Portugal to another. Rents have risen enormously in the cities of Lisbon and Porto in recent years, which is why I’d say that the cost of living in Portugal isn’t all that low(at least in the big cities). The high cost of renting in the big cities compared with your income can make you sweat if you want to move to Portugal.

Find out more : discover my article on the cost of living in Portugal

ADVANTAGES of living in Portugal

1 – Security

The feeling of security when living in Portugal is omnipresent. I’m a young woman and I’ve never had any fears or worries in Portugal, no matter where or when. I don’t cling to my phone in the metro, I’m not afraid to leave my computer on a café table when I have to pay, or I never have any fears when I wander the streets alone after midnight.

But be warned, it’s not the land of Care Bears, and crime does exist in Portugal. In fact, there have been quite a few incidents involving rival gangs in Porto and Lisbon in recent weeks. However, crime in Portugal is relative and lower than in many other countries. In 2021, according to the Global Peace Index, Portugal is considered the 4th most peaceful country in the world, just behind Iceland, New Zealand and Denmark.

Ranking of the world’s most peaceful countries – source: Global Peace Index

2 – The weather

As Portugal is located in southern Europe, temperatures are much milder than in the rest of Europe. It’s often said that there are 300 days of sunshine a year, and it’s true! From Lisbon to the Algarve, rain and gray skies are very rare! In the north of the country, the sun is a little less present, but temperatures are mild almost all year round.

In winter, temperatures are often around 15º during the day and rarely dip below 5º. In summer, temperatures often exceed 30º during the day and drop to 15º in the evening.

As I write, it’s mid-October and 28 degrees during the day. An Indian summer that allows you to make the most of Portugal, its beaches, its landscapes, its monuments, its villages, its towns…

October in Portugal

3 – Gastronomy

In Portugal, cuisine plays a very important role, and know-how is handed down from generation to generation. Portuguese cuisine is “no-fuss”, family-style, tasty, made “with love” and generous. As you may have noticed, the dishes served are often copious portions. The further north you go, the fuller your plates will be. In fact, in many restaurants, you have the choice of ordering a “dose” or a “meia-dose”.

Even though the Portuguese love to cook, eating out is an integral part of their routine. Even in the morning, it’s customary to have breakfast at the local café, whereas in France it’s very rare to eat out. This craze for restaurants can be partly explained by their very affordable prices.

Each region has its own specialities. In my opinion, it’s worth sampling these as you travel around Portugal.

Read more : discover my article on gastronomy in Portugal

Bacalhau a bras: an essential dish in Portuguese gastronomy

4 – Quality of life

If you ask an expatriate what they love most about living in Portugal, one of the most likely answers will be: the quality of life. In fact, this quality of life is highlighted in every report on Portugal, and appeals to a large number of people.

What is quality of life? It’s all of the above: the sun, the temperatures, the safety, the gastronomy… but also the traditions, the landscapes, the beaches, the architecture, the activities, the welcome of the locals… all of which undoubtedly contribute to this Portuguese quality of life.

In conclusion

I don’t know if I’ve already told you, but I didn’t come to Portugal “by choice”. It kind of fell into my lap overnight. I didn’t know Portugal at all, I’d never been there, I didn’t know its culture, its gastronomy or its architecture. I followed my partner, who was there for professional reasons. Today, I consider Portugal my adopted country. I feel at home here, I like the smells, I like strolling in the streets, I like the sun… In short, an incredible quality of life.

But be warned, Portugal is not all advantages, and you need to be aware of this if you decide to live there. My advice: take the time to weigh up the pros and cons, get informed before you leave..

Also, don’t do what I did 🙂 Before you leave for good, go to Portugal several times and get to know the region you’re planning to settle in. Above all, be curious, get off the beaten track, be open and discover the real Portugal. Discover the culture and adapt yourself as much as possible to the country and its people.

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