Americans Live in Portugal
Americans Live in Portugal
Retire to Portugal
Retire to Portugal and stretch your retirement savings. Enjoy Mediterranean climate, diet, quality of life, and vibes in the Algarve, Madeira, or Lisbon.
How to Retire in Portugal
Retiree Visa
Portugal’s simple D7 Visa requires a monthly pension, investment, or social security income of €850.
Digital Nomad Visa
Still working? Move to Portugal on the D8 Digital Nomad Visa with a remote monthly income of €3,300.
Golden Visa
For those with EU citizenship ambitions, the Portugal golden visa requires a €250,000+ investment. Investors must maintain their visa for only five years to qualify for citizenship.
Portugal in Photos
Affordable European Living
Portugal is one of the cheapest places to retire in Europe, with costs up to 50% lower than in the U.S. When you consider the boost in quality of life, that’s quite the arbitrage.
High-Quality Healthcare
Portugal’s public and private healthcare systems rank among the best in Europe – with U.S.-level care at local prices.
Mild Climate
Sporting a California-like climate, Portugal never sees snow unless you’re in the mountains. Winters are cool, and summers are warm and breezy.
Expat-Friendly
Cities like Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and Faro have huge and growing American expat communities. If you seek community, you can find it here.
Safe & Stable
Portugal is ranked as the 7th safest country in the world, with low crime and robust political stability. The Iberian nation is rarely on the major geopolitical stage.
Easy Travel Access
With direct flights to major cities across several continents, Portugal is the perfect base to explore Europe. Lisbon and Madeira are even within a direct flight of the United States.
Great Food & Wine
Fresh seafood, world-class wine, and traditional Portuguese dishes, Portugal offers some of the best dining in the world. Mediterranean diet anyone?
EU Citizenship
Portugal offers one of the fastest, easiest paths (five years) to an EU passport, which unlocks residency rights across Europe.
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How Life in Portugal Compares
Cost of Living in Portugal
Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe. However, Lisbon, Porto, and other expat-friendly areas are getting pricier as more foreigners recognize its exceptional quality of life.
Taxes in Portugal
Portugal’s attractive Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax program ended a few years ago. Thus, the Iberian country is not as tax-friendly as it used to be. However, with double tax treaties with the U.S. and cryptocurrency tax incentives, you may not have to pay more taxes if you settle here.
Community in Portugal
Portugal is a very foreigner-friendly country. Expats are welcomed in major cities like Lisbon and Porto. But English is less common outside of Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Algarve.
Quality of Life in Portugal
With its Mediterranean climate and diet; strong healthcare system; and affordable, European lifestyle, Portugal offers a high standard of living for Americans retiring abroad. And through its several residency pathways outlined above, moving abroad can be seamless.
Safety in Portugal
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, with low violent crime and a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere. Indeed, Global Peace Index ranks Portugal as the seventh safest country worldwide.
Travel Connectivity in Portugal
The Westernmost continental European country, international airports in Lisbon and Madeira offer short, direct flights to New York, Miami, and Boston. Plus, centrally-located Lisbon offers flights to countless European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern cities.
Infrastructure in Portugal
Portugal has great roads, high-speed trains, and public transport. As in many countries, expect downgraded infrastructure in more rural areas.
Healthcare in Portugal
Portuguese healthcare is universally free or low-cost for residents. However, like in many European countries, the public healthcare system can be overloaded. Many expats prefer private insurance (for €500-€1000 annually) for faster access to specialists and operations.
English Proficiency in Portugal
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but outside of Lisbon and Porto, basic Portuguese helps a lot. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, Portugal has the sixth most English-proficient population in an already highly-educated Europe.
Bureaucracy in Portugal
Immigration, banking, and legal processes can be slow and frustrating, but once settled, things get easier. The Freedom Files can help you move to Portugal, deal with local processes, and handle any issues that (hopefully don’t) arise.
Where to Live in Portugal
Population: 2,899,670
Lisbon
The historic capital city of Lisbon is Portugal’s most cosmopolitan city, offering everything from trendy cafes and modern comforts to Michelin-starred restaurants and riverfront walks. The city is more expensive than other parts of Portugal, but public transport is excellent, and the international airport connects you to the U.S. and the rest of Europe. If you love big-city energy with old-world charm, Lisbon is the place to be.
Population: 467,343
The Algarve
The Algarve is Portugal’s most popular region for retirees, thanks to its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, affordable cost of living, and huge English-speaking expat community. You’ll find quaint fishing villages, golf courses, and stunning cliffs overlooking the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The main city in the Algarve region, Faro offers a booming foreigner population.
Population: 256,622
Madeira
Nicknamed the “Hawaii of Europe,” Madeira is a volcanic island off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. The cost of living is lower than Lisbon, and healthcare is excellent just as on the mainland. Notably, ocean temperatures in Madeira are warmer than the coast of Portugal. With direct flights to many European cities and the U.S., Madeira makes for a quiet, nature-filled retirement.
