Portugal is a small country with a huge variety of landscapes, including beautiful beaches, mountains, highlands, and lowlands. The government of Portugal has worked hard to make the country a hub for non-traditional economic and cultural exchange, which makes it a popular place for ex-pats to live. Portugal has everything you could want in a place to live and work as an ex-pat. It has many sunny beaches and lively cities.
When deciding where to stay in Portugal and what area is best for you, there are a number of things to think about. In this post, we’ll look at some of the best places in Portugal for foreigners.
Highlights of the best places to live and work remotely
Lisbon
There are a lot of different places for ex-pats to live in Lisbon, whether they want to be in the middle of the action or away from the noise.
It’s the first thing anyone should do when they move back to the country from living abroad and want to get a great job. Jobs are being done in fields like online shopping, fashion, and technology because of the presence of large international companies in the area. Google, Amazon, Mercedes-Benz, and Zalando, the German e-commerce giant in the fashion industry, have all opened offices in the capital of Portugal.
Along with the city’s extensive tram and bus networks, the four metro lines that run through Lisbon make for a perfect public transportation system.
The average monthly cost of living for an ex-pat in Lisbon is roughly €1,629, though this cost is lower than in many European capitals.
- Population: 504,718
- Rents: €500 - €1200.
- Average Annual Income: €33,000
- Quality of Life Index: 147.51
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €644
Pros
- Compared to other European cities, the cost of living is quite low
- A community that does well on the world stage
- Excellent options for both going out at night and meeting new people
- Chances to start and run successful businesses
Cons
- The slow pace of bureaucracy
- During the summer, there are too many tourists
Porto
As an expat, you can do well in Porto if you are of any age. It’s great for young families, attracts digital nomads, and has enough to offer seniors who want to live near the water in a lively (but not too lively) city. The cost of living in Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, is about €1,315 per month, which isn’t too bad for people from other countries. In general, foreigners can get access to and pay for healthcare in Porto.
Porto gets almost as many tourists as Lisbon, and many people think of it as the cultural center of Portugal. Foreigners and people who work in IT may find a lot of job opportunities in the busy tourism and entertainment industries. Porto is where the famous Port wine comes from, and many of the city’s cafes, restaurants, and wineries offer wine tastings for tourists.
- Population: 214,349
- Rents: €550 - €800.
- Average Annual Income: €29933
- Quality of Life Index: 157.83
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €575
Pros
- A culture that is relaxed and friendly
- A way to live near water
- Excellent care and services in the medical field
- Breathtaking architecture
Cons
- Less foreign entertainment
- A smaller group of people who live abroad
Braga
Portugal’s third-largest city is Braga, which comes in third after Lisbon and Porto. This area is in the northern part of the country and has the best of both a laid-back way of life and access to the best educational and professional institutions. People looking for work in Braga may do well in sales and customer service, web development, and helping with information technology (IT) (in several languages, outside of call centers). Braga is also near Porto, which makes it easy to get to. It takes about 45 minutes to drive there.
Braga is one of Portugal’s oldest cities, so it has a long history and a lively nightlife to match. It has been called one of the best places to retire in the world and one of the happiest towns in Europe. With a monthly cost of living of about 1,112 euros, Braga is one of the more affordable cities in Portugal for people who don’t live there.
- Population: 193,333
- Rents: €300 - €650
- Average Annual Income: €25029
- Quality of Life Index: 182.83
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €527
Pros
- It's a great place to meet new people and make new friends
- A good health care system with doctors and nurses who are well trained
- Very good for doing business
- Fit for families with young children to use
Cons
- There aren't many cafes, restaurants, and other places to hang out and have fun
- Very wet and muggy weather
Funchal (Madeira)
The beautiful Madeira Islands are on their way to becoming a major hub for people who work from different places. People who work from home like the area because it is quiet and close to the beach and hiking trails, all of which are easy to get to from the location. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places in the world, but the Wi-Fi there is also very fast.
Outside of Funchal, the capital of Madeira, there are a number of other good options for digital nomads. The cost of living for an expat in Funchal is only 1,172 euros per month, which is low compared to other countries. From cafes to hotels, the islands have everything a remote worker might need. They were made with them in mind. It’s true that Ponta do Sol, Madeira is habitat to the world’s first Digital Nomad Village. This is a joint project between the Regional Government of Madeira and startup incubator Startup Madeira, and it has been a huge achievement in attracting freelancers from all over the world.
- Population: 105,795
- Rents: €350 - €750
- Average Annual Income: €27108
- Quality of Life Index: 176.98
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €536
Pros
- All year long, there is always light
- Affordable living expenses
- On Madeira, there is a lot of safety for people
- Remote worker friendly
- Madeira's taxes were cut
Cons
- Because the islands are so far apart, Never enough work to go around
Ponta Delgada (the Azores)
The Portuguese islands that make up the Azores are some of the most beautiful places to live in the world. Ponta Delgada, the largest city on the island of So Miguel in the Azores, may not seem like the most accessible Portuguese city, but the beautiful look of the island makes it a top choice for residents. The Azores are a nice place to live, and the scenery is beautiful. These are very special islands, and living on one of them full-time could change your life. Ponta Delgada is not packed with tourists, but the cost of living is higher than on the other islands nearby. A foreigner living in Ponta Delgada for a month will spend close to €2,000. This makes it one of the most expensive places to live in Portugal. In addition to its natural beauty, the area is becoming known for its tourist practices that are good for the environment.
- Population: 67,287
- Rents: €450 - €1,800
- Average Annual Income: €22000
- Quality of Life Index: 171.93
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €950
Pros
- Great place to meet new people and make new friends
- Internet speed is really fast
- High level of education in high school and college
- The way people interact with the government is based on the ideas of democracy
- You can talk to locals in English if you want to
Cons
- Food and lodging are both very expensive
- The level of medical care is not very good, and there isn't enough modern equipment or trained staff
Aveiro
Aveiro is a great place to live because it has beautiful waterways, colorful boats, local shops, and cafes that you can enjoy every day. Families want to move to Aveiro because it has good schools, especially for college students.
The low cost of services, food, and rent is a good thing about living in Aveiro. In Aveiro, there are many industries that are doing well and that offer a lot of jobs. Recent growth rates in the shipbuilding and salt-making industries have been impressive. The World Health Organization says that Portugal has the 12th best health care system in the world. Buses from both private and public companies make it easy to get around the city of Aveiro. For an average expat, the cost of living in Aveiro is about 1,795€ per month.
- Population: 80,880
- Rents: €180 - €1300
- Average Annual Income: €21000
- Quality of Life Index: 162.35
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €530
Pros
- Even in the summer, there aren't a lot of people coming to see it
- Education that is up to par
- There is safety in the city
- Roads are well arranged
Cons
- Access to medical care is limited
- There is a chance that the weather won't be exactly what people expect
Coimbra
Coimbra is the place to go if you want a city that has both the peace and quiet of a college town and the boundless energy of young people. Residents of Coimbra get to enjoy the best of both worlds: the lively atmosphere of an old university town and the quiet, peaceful way of life that Portugal is known for.
For many expats, the cost of living has already gone down since they moved to Portugal. The cost of living in Coimbra is even lower than in other popular places for expats in Portugal. Prices in Coimbra are about half what they would be in Lisbon, making it a great place to save money. Many people in Coimbra don’t have cars because they can get around the city easily on foot or by cheap, reliable public transportation. Costs for a month in Coimbra for a person who doesn’t live there would be about 1,876 euros. Still, it may be hard to get a job in Coimbra because the city has a high unemployment rate and pays low wages.
- Population: 143,396
- Rents: €335 - €825
- Average Annual Income: €27,072
- Quality of Life Index: 182.87
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €532
Pros
- Very favorable business climate
- There are a lot of things to do, cafes, restaurants, and places to hang out with friends or just have fun
- No pollution means the air is clean
- The roads are great and the traffic is very well run
- Getting a good education
Cons
- During winter, it can get quite cold
- A lot of people smoke in the city
Portimão
Portimao is the largest city in the western Algarve area of southern Portugal. It used to be a center for the fishing and shipping industries, but now it’s a great place to shop and visit. Like the rest of the Algarve, Portimo has a large number of tourists who come to enjoy the services of a big city. You can get the things you need at any of the nearby stores, medical or dental clinics, or public or private hospitals. Since this is a big city, there are many public transportation options that make it easy for people to get around without a car.
People from all over the world have been going to the Algarve for a long time, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding things to do. This village looks like it was built by and for the Portuguese working class, which is different from other nearby villages that are more popular with tourists. Costs for a month in Coimbra for a person who doesn’t live there will be about 1,710 euros. The job market is stable, and foreign workers are welcome.
- Population: 55,614
- Rents: €350 - €780
- Average Annual Income: €21000
- Quality of Life Index: 197.37
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €481
Pros
- In the spring, the weather is mild
- Everyone talks to each other in English
- It was easy to do business with them
- The best education that can be given
- Most of the time, the air is good
Cons
- In the winter, it can get pretty cold
- There are a lot of people who smoke tobacco
Setúbal
When compared to Lisbon, Setúbal is a more affordable choice and offers a higher quality of life in a more rural setting. Like Lisbon, it has above-average temperatures all year and just a handful of wet days in each season. If you compare the downtown areas of Lisbon and Porto to those of Oporto, you will find that Oporto has a much cheaper cost of living. Setúbal’s private health insurance market is quite inexpensive, with individual policies costing as little as €40 per month. It’s no secret that Monte Belo is among the city’s most desirable and sought-after neighborhoods.
Setubal has a median cost of living of €1430 per month for an average expat. Still, there is a substantial expat community in the region, and its members can be found at local meetings and on social media like Facebook. Since the tourist and technology industries are expanding, finding a job in Setúbal shouldn’t be too difficult.
- Population: 118,166
- Rents: €450 - €820
- Average Annual Income: €24840
- Quality of Life Index: 133.40
- Cost of Living for a Single Person: €610
Pros
- Lisbon is only 40 to 50 minutes away by car from Setubal
- Some of the country's best beaches
- From housing to transportation, prices are low
- Flat and easy to walk or ride a bike around
- Since there are good ways to get around, it's possible to live here without a car
Cons
- Setubal's beaches can get very crowded
- It can be hard to get to Lisbon
Comparison
Here is a comparison of the cities we’ve talked about so far,
| Cities | Population | Average Cost of Living | Average Annual Income | Quality of Life Index | Cost of Living for a Single Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 504,718 | €1,629 | €33,000 | 147.51 | €644 |
| Porto | 214,349 | €1,315 | €29,933 | 157.83 | €575 |
| Braga | 193,333 | €1,112 | €25,029 | 182.83 | €527 |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 105,795 | €1,172 | €27,108 | 176.98 | €536 |
| Ponta Delgada (the Azores) | 67,287 | €2,000 | €22,000 | 171.93 | €950 |
| Aveiro | 80,880 | €1,795 | €21,000 | 162.35 | €530 |
| Coimbra | 143,396 | €1,876 | €27,072 | 182.87 | €532 |
| Portimão | 55,614 | €1,710 | €21,000 | 197.37 | €481 |
| Setúbal | 118,166 | €1430 | €24,840 | 133.40 | €610 |
There are people from about 87 different countries living in Lisbon, making it the most popular place for foreigners to live in Portugal. The city’s many different people and cultures give it a lively feel and make it a great place to live. Even though it has potential, an expat might not want to live there.
Coimbra and Portimão could be the best places to live in Portugal, whether you live there or are just visiting. The Quality of Life Index gives these two cities very high scores, which shows that they are way better. Braga also comes close, in this case. There are more and more people from other countries living in each of these cities nowadays.
Do You Need Assistance to Move in Portugal?
It’s not very hard to move to Portugal compared to other countries. Still, it’s normal to have some doubts. You might have to take care of a few of the steps that go along with this Move to Portugal. In that case, you might need assistance moving in Portugal.
The Portuguese government recognizes six main ways to get permanent residency: marriage, family reunion, education, employment, investment, and retirement. If you are not a citizen of the European Union, you will want to get the right visa to take part in any of them.
If you meet all the requirements set by Portugal’s nationality laws, you can become a citizen after living there for five years.
Anyone from outside the European Union (EU) who wants to move to Portugal and live there permanently must get a temporary resident visa. Under Portugal’s “Golden Visa” or “Residence Permit” program, investors from outside the European Union can live there permanently for up to five years. As such, it is part of the Portuguese government’s plan to get businesses from other countries to move there. Know more about Portugal’s residency Programs and How to Apply for it.
When your visa is approved, you will ask the Portuguese government to let you live there permanently. That should give you a good start on your move to Portugal. But if you don’t speak Portuguese and want to buy a house and get basic services like health care and education, you’ll need to hire a professional assistant to help you.
Final Words
When they come to Portugal, many people from other countries choose to stay in less crowded areas outside of the country’s major cities. This is helpful for expats because it can be hard to find a place to live in a town where there are no other foreigners. Some of the people who live in these areas are immigrants who have decided to stay in Portugal.
I hope you now know where a person from outside Portugal should live. When you get to Portugal, you’ll see right away why so many people from other places choose to live there permanently.
