What are the most challenging aspects of retiring in Portugal?

We asked retirees what they find the most challenging about retiring in Portugal. They wrote...

"One of the most challenging aspects of retiring in Portugal is learning a new language. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, and while English is widely spoken, being able to converse in the native language will greatly enhance one's retirement experience. Additionally, Portugal can have a comparatively high cost of living compared to other countries, which may make it difficult to financially manage on a fixed income. The country is also known for having a slower pace of life and slower pace of work, which may be difficult to adjust to after a lifetime of hustle and bustle. Finally, the weather in Portugal varies greatly throughout the year and depending on the region, ranging from quite wet to quite hot, which may require change of lifestyle and housing to best suit one's preferred climate," remarked another expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Adjusting to using public transportation instead of a car, setting up a household in a country where I don't speak the language, and starting the process of making friends and learning the language," explained one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

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What are the most challenging aspects of retiring in Portugal?

If you live in Portugal, newcomers to Portugal would love to hear your answer to this question.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.