Digital Nomad Life in Portugal

"In my experience, restaurants and cafes afforded me the opportunity to meet new people, develop friendships, and practice speaking the language. At nearly every turn, I was able to find people willing to speak English with me and to offer useful help in developing the ability to speak Portuguese. For my part, I have not made any attempts to join expat communities. Instead, a little humility and lots of hard work trying to learn the language has opened doors to friends and families in the local community. All this began by trying to frequent the cafes and restaurants that had employees and clients who were willing to communicate," said one expat who made the move to Lisbon.

"Many expats in Portugal join social groups and local clubs specific to their interests and professions, such as book clubs, running clubs, wine tasting clubs, and even language exchange groups. For example, the Lisbon Expat Networking Club is an online group focused on networking, business, and career development for expats in Portugal. Other ways expats can meet people in Portugal is by attending cultural events or being involved in community activities. Many cities and towns across the country also offer language classes, which is a great way to meet people and improve language skills. Additionally, expats can reach out to other people through social media platforms and websites such as Expat.com," explained one foreigner living in Portugal.

"There's a little bit of everything in Lisboa (Lisbon). Public transportation is a must in this city. There are a number of outdoor cafes where you can enjoy a coffee and people-watch. However, sports is the priority in Lisbon. Futebol (Soccer) is king here. Sporting and Benfica are the top soccer teams in the city. Be careful about wearing green (Sporting colors) in the Benfica neighborhood," said one person in Lisbon.

"Expatriates and digital nomads who are living in Portugal find a balance between a modern local lifestyle and a relaxed Mediterranean one. With low cost of living and great weather, the country is a popular destination for many expats and digital nomads to live, work, and explore. From the bustling cities of Lisbon and Porto to the picturesque coastal towns, the diversity and culture of Portugal offer many opportunities to discover its traditional foods, landscapes, and people. Expats and digital nomads have access to excellent healthcare and education, as well as a vibrant expat community to help them settle in. For those looking for a location to work remotely, there is plenty of space in Portugal to get work done and stunning views to go along with it. Overall, Portugal provides a great experience for expats and digital nomads who are looking to experience a new culture, learn a language, and enjoy all the country has to offer," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Portugal.

"One way to find a place to live in Portugal is to search online. You can search for real estate websites, such as idealista.com and imovirtual.com, which often list a variety of different types of rentals ranging from holiday apartments to long-term residence. Additionally, you can search on Facebook groups and Expat forums, as many expats offer advice and help finding accommodation on these platforms. For a more customised option, you may wish to consider using a rental agency or estate agent, as they will be able to find properties to fit your exact requirements. Finally, you can also search for classified ad sites, such as OLX, for places to rent," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"We travelled extensively around Portugal, and although we wanted to live in the far north it was too cold in winter so we travelled further south and loved Tomar with its peaceful atmosphere, good connections, good shopping for my wife, good facilities and excellent access. We lived close by for 3 years," said one person in Tomar.

"I first lived in an apartment near the University. You can never go wrong living around a large school. People tend to be more open to help. I eventually bought a proprty and built a four bedroom home in a quiet section of the city. The land was a bit more expensive than other areas but it was well worth it. If your going to build.... please watch your contractor closely and NEVER pay for anything up front, only for work that has been done. You can get yourself into trouble that way," said one expat who made the move to Braga.

"By cost and internet posts on Idealista. I had 10 days to get an address. Price was a big concern. I looked at 3 listings, 1 in Porto and 2 in neighboring Gaia. I chose the bigger place in Gaia. It was the right size and price. I was lucky that the Remax agent was honest and super helpful and spoke English! It is a good place in a nice neighborhood. Do your research beforehand and have representation, preferable an honest attorney," explained one foreigner living in Porto, Portugal.

"Before retiring in Portugal, expats should research the cost of living, health care and pension systems, local taxes, and available banking services. Expats should also examine the type and standard of housing available and understand any possible cultural differences. Additionally, it is recommended that expats obtain local legal advice, familiarize themselves with the relevant immigration regulations, and check for any visas or permits which may be required. Finally, it is wise for expats to learn some Portuguese as English may not be spoken in more remote areas," said one expat in Portugal.

"If there is any area in Portugal where English IS widely spoken, it's the Algarve, because of all the tourists. We have lived here for a year and as yet speak very little Portuguese but have never had any problems communicating with anyone. In fact if you try in your broken Portuguese they often reply to you in English, as their English is probably going to be a lot better than your Portuguese! Translation apps help also," remarked one member in The Algarve.

"I live in Albufeira. We have a lot of tourists in the summer. There are certain areas I don't frequent because of the tourists. The strip, to a lesser degree Old Town. Go down some of the side streets and eat in restaurants the locals do. The food is great, inexpensive and they will even help you with your Portuguese. There are closures in the winter months but enough stays open that you don't suffer. The beaches are great, instead of going to Marinha where you can spend an hour looking for a parking spot, head to Sao Raphael in Sesmarias by Albufeira. Beautiful beach with a nice restaurant and good parking. I am a 25 minute walk from the beach and west of the strip and old town. Go closer to the beach.... you get more tourists. Come in the summer and spend two weeks, you will get a good feel and see if it is for you. If you come to Albufeira drop me a line and I will give you a tour," explained one expat living in Albufeira, Portugal.

"Kind, helpful and genuinely friendly Portuguese people. The beautiful and, mainly, pristine beaches, forests, villages, towns, rivers and ocean," remarked one member in Cascais.

"Expats in Portugal appreciate the warm and hospitable culture that residents have for foreigners. They also enjoy the beautiful landscapes, world-renowned beaches, delicious seafood, and vibrant nightlife. Another highlight for expats is the relaxed lifestyle in Portugal, allowing them to enjoy an overall slower pace of life and plenty of opportunities to explore Portugal's rich cultural heritage. Additionally, many expats find the friendly locals to be very welcoming and enjoy the multi-cultural atmosphere of Portugal’s cities as different nationalities mingle, creating a unique and exciting atmosphere," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"Expats in Portugal may find it difficult to adjust to the slower pace of life as well as the more relaxed attitude towards timeliness and deadlines. Language can also present a challenge for expats, as Portuguese is the predominant language and English is not always widely spoken. Other cultural adaptation issues for expats can include understanding the subtleties of local customs and etiquette, such as taking the time to greet others prior to engaging in a conversation or conducting business. Portuguese culture is also very family-oriented, so expats may find it difficult to transition to the longer working hours and different expectations for childcare," said one person in Portugal.

"Pace of life and government bureaucracy. Pace of life is easy to adjust...slow down and enjoy. When dealing with government agencies just be prepared for extreme bureaucracy," said one expat who made the move to Cascais.

"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 foreigner living in Lisbon, Portugal.

"The bureaucracy is frustrating at times but eventually as your life chills out so does your reaction. You have to just roll with it sometimes and be patient. Leave lots of time for health, financial related issues," said one in Tavira.

"If you plan to stay in Portugal for a while, you will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining. You will need to apply for a Long Term Residence Visa at the Portuguese Embassy or consulate in your home country. Depending on your length of stay, you may also need to apply for a Residence Permit once your visa is approved. Additionally, you may need a Temporary Residency Card if you plan to stay in Portugal for more than three months," said one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"My wife and I had appts on 2 different dates. We brought all our papers and got there when they just opened and asked if they could take my wife. We got a very stern NO! Then the guard asked if my wifes appt was at the same center which it was. He left us for a moment and came back and said they would process both of us. I would go to the center where your appt is and ask if they could take you. Have a good reason and hope you get a good response," explained one foreigner living in Albufeira, Portugal.

"I applied for a Type I Visa from the Portuguese embassy in the US. It was basically a Schengen Visa which enabled me to be in Portugal for 4 months. During this 4 months I was supposed to obtain my resident card. However, due to the large backlog, I didn't obtain this until I was here 5 months. The process, starting with the Portuguese embassy in Washington D.C. was not really difficult but it was very stressful and took a long time. It started with an FBI background check - which took about 12 weeks. Then I had to obtain medical insurance, collect financial documents showing I had enough income to support myself without working, write a statement of why I wanted to retire in Portugal, fill out an application, have passport type photos taken and a copy of my passport notarized. The biggest challenge with this was being unable to find out exactly how much money/ income was required. After mailing all of these documents to the embassy, it look almost 5 weeks to get the approval. Then I mailed my passport to them and a request for a baggage certificate. The certificate enabled me to ship things to Portugal without paying duty. I received my passport back within a couple of weeks with my Visa attached. The resident card I just obtained is good for one year," said one in Cascais.

"It is important to show respect for Portuguese culture by avoiding certain activities that could be considered rude or inappropriate. When visiting, it is best to dress conservatively, avoid discussing religion or politics in public, and maintain eye contact when engaging in conversation. Likewise, visitors should avoid pointing with their finger and try to learn some basic phrases in Portuguese, as a gesture of respect. Additionally, it is important to remember that physical contact between strangers, such as shaking hands and hugging, is not common in certain parts of Portugal," said one person in Portugal.

"Yes. I ordered a take away dinner from a cafe ahead of time and misunderstood the time to pick it up. When we arrived to pick up our meal, all the food was gone, we were too late! They called someone who was in charge and referred to me as the "foreign lady," estrangeira. I was surprised at myself that I was hurt and offended to be called such, even though I am! It shows how badly I want to fit in, but don't," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Vila Nova de Gaia.

"Connect with other expats to obtain physician references and sources of private insurance so you can benefit from their research and experience. Bring copies of your medical records with you. Quality of care can be very high in Portugal's major communities. Costs are much lower, by about half, and prescriptions range from a tenth to a half of the costs in the US," said one member in Cascais.

"Portugal offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, mental health services, and specialized care. The public healthcare system in Portugal is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Portugal is generally good, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents in Portugal are also eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in Portugal can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health authority and obtaining a health card. This card allows them to access the same services as Portuguese citizens, including free or discounted medical care," explained one expat in Portugal.

"Speak to locals (especially other expats for have been around for at least a few years) to recommend health care providers, especially specialists," remarked one global nomad in Porto.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the relaxed lifestyle and warm climate that Portugal has to offer. They also enjoy the low cost of living, with affordable housing and food, as well as the country's rich culture and history. Additionally, the country's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy to be challenging. Additionally, the country's limited job opportunities can be a deterrent for some," wrote one digital nomad living in Portugal.

"The weather is generally very good, access to goods and services makes it easy to live here. Covid has impacted everything of course which has made things more difficult. Health care is accessible and affordable. Learning the language has taken longer but English is often understood. There's access to lots of outdoors activities like cycling, hiking, water sports, which is important. There is an old world charm and a lot of history to learn about. Also access to other places in Europe make this location good. Previously lived in several countries in Asia. Europe also closer to the US for trips back- when possible again," said one foreigner in Lisbon.