Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

Summary: The pros of living in Portugal include its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. Portugal is also known for its low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for expats. Additionally, the country is known for its excellent healthcare system and its friendly people. On the other hand, the cons of living in Portugal include its high unemployment rate, which can make it difficult to find a job. Additionally, the country has a high crime rate, which can make it difficult to feel safe in certain areas. Finally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who do not speak Portuguese.

What are the pros and cons of living in Portugal?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Portugal responded:

"Portugal is very orderly and people are respectful of one another. You take a number at most retail shops or medical facilities and simply wait your turn. I like this aspect of life here a lot. No one tries to jump a cue. Also people are generally very nice and helpful to one another. The one thing I hear the most complaints about is the government bureaucracy. But again my experience is one of just waiting your turn or number to be called," said one expat in living in Lisbon, Portugal.

"There is little to dislike, so I will start with that. Lisbon has a lot of grafitti. In many ways it distracts and detracts from the charm of the city, but over time you look past it and appreciate the other aspects. The portuguese drivers are impatient and act agressively on the road. Their personal space, including the cars on the street, is less than in America. It took some time to adjust. If you buy a place, don't expect any neccessary upgrades to be completed as quickly as in the States. The good things...the weather, the beauty of the varied geography of the country, the bread, the wine, the warmness of the people towards strangers ( being friendly to someone and inviting them into their home are different things here. It may take a good friend/acquaintance some time before they invite you into their home), the literature (another good reason to learn the language), the comedy (again language), the rich culture, and the overall comportment of the portuguese (they are very slow to anger and are far less prone to violence than americans), etc. A final note on learning the language. Without being conversant, one can do well here and enjoy many things. With a good knowledge of it, you can experience everything that the country has to offer," wrote one expat in Lisbon.

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What do expats in Portugal appreciate most about the local culture?

"My vastly improved diet. Without any actual effort, I’ve lost 25 pounds since I got here, which I attribute to eatting a lot more fresh fruit and vegetables and walking on cobblestoned up and downhill sidewalks. The extreme level of consideration for other people among the Portuguese. Because of an obstruction in the left venticle of my heart, I have to stop and catch my breath about every block, and I had to learn almost immediately how to say “I’m OK. I’ve got water. I just need to take a short rest before I move on,” because people stop all the time to ask," said one person in Lisbon.

"The appreciation of living. Taking time to enjoy coffee, wine, cheese, and good conversation. Hurrying is frowned upon. Toxic politics do not dominate discussions. They do not come up," remarked one expat in Porto.

What do expats find most challenging?

"No real challenges, more like inconveniences. Instead of being able to go to one grocery store to get all of your groceries, we usually end up going to two or three," remarked one in Usseira.

"Mastering the language. This sounds silly, but steaks I can afford and no A1. Sizes. I’m built on a much bigger frame, particularly compare to Portuguese my age, and I wear size 8.5 3E shoes. I’ll just have to look for men’s shoe that will fit and pass. CUSTOMS which basically prevents ordering anything from beyond the EU. And Covid of course, though Portugal has handled it beautifully in my opinion," explained one expat.

Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

What are the pros and cons of living in Portugal?

What do expats in Portugal appreciate most about the local culture?

What do expats find most challenging?

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