Digital Nomad Life in Cascais, Portugal

"Expats in Cascais often join clubs and activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, and surfing. Expats can also join local language classes, book clubs, and wine tasting groups. Additionally, expats can meet people by attending local festivals, visiting local markets, and exploring the city's many restaurants and bars. Expats can also join online forums and social media groups to connect with other expats living in Cascais," said one person in Cascais.

"Americans in Portugal ([email protected] and on facebook) offers social activities to mark the US holidays and some informational meetings on taxes or similar topics during the year; International Women in Portugal is also helpful on a broad basis related to settling in," said one expat who made the move to Cascais.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Cascais is generally quite pleasant. The city is known for its stunning beaches, beautiful architecture, and vibrant culture. Expats and digital nomads can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities to explore the city and its surroundings. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to live and work abroad. The city also offers a wide range of activities and attractions, from outdoor activities such as surfing and hiking to cultural attractions such as museums and galleries. Additionally, the city is well-connected to the rest of Portugal and Europe, making it easy to travel to other destinations," explained one person living in Cascais, Portugal.

"All of the things you mention. There is a wide range of social activities and sports but a lot of young families with children. The city provides many fun activities and festivals during the year," said one expat in Cascais .

"Cascais is a beautiful coastal town in Portugal, and there are many options for finding a place to live. One of the best ways to find a place to live in Cascais is to search online for rental listings. There are many websites that offer listings for apartments, houses, and other types of rental properties in Cascais. Additionally, you can also search for rental properties in local newspapers and classifieds. Another option is to contact a local real estate agent who can help you find a suitable place to live in Cascais. Finally, you can also ask around in the local community for recommendations on rental properties," said one expat who made the move to Cascais.

"Cascais is a popular destination for expats looking to retire in Portugal. Before making the move, it is important to understand the cost of living in the area, the availability of healthcare and other services, and the local culture and customs. Expats should also research the local climate and the best time of year to visit. Additionally, it is important to understand the Portuguese language and the visa requirements for living in Portugal. Finally, expats should familiarize themselves with the local real estate market and the process of buying or renting a property in Cascais," explained one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"After basic research using internet sites, so you understand the cost of living and ease of speaking English, spend time here--two weeks or so--before making any commitment. Renting for a few months or longer is most common and affords the flexibility to try other towns, as the life style varies quite a bit between city and village or rural life. This is not a dirt-streets beach town; it is historic, relaxed, casual yet chic," said one person in Cascais.

"Expats in Cascais appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and the friendly locals. They also enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area, with its beaches, cliffs, and forests. The city's vibrant cultural scene, with its museums, galleries, and festivals, is also a draw for expats. The city's excellent transportation links to Lisbon and other cities in Portugal make it easy to explore the country. Finally, the city's excellent food and wine scene, with its traditional Portuguese dishes and local wines, is a great way to experience the culture," remarked one member in Cascais.

"Kind, helpful and genuinely friendly Portuguese people. The beautiful and, mainly, pristine beaches, forests, villages, towns, rivers and ocean," explained one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Expats in Cascais may find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture. Portuguese is the official language of the country, and many locals may not be able to communicate in English. Additionally, the Portuguese culture is very family-oriented, and expats may find it difficult to make friends and build relationships with locals. Furthermore, the Portuguese are known for their laid-back attitude, which can be difficult for expats who are used to a more fast-paced lifestyle. Finally, the Portuguese are known for their strong sense of pride and patriotism, which can be difficult for expats to understand and appreciate," said one person in Cascais.

"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," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Cascais.

"If you plan to stay in Cascais for a while, you will need to obtain a residence permit. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa before entering Portugal. Once you have arrived in Portugal, you will need to register with the local authorities and obtain a residence card. You may also need to provide proof of health insurance and proof of sufficient financial resources," said one person in Cascais.

"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," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Cascais.

"It is important to be mindful of local customs and etiquette when visiting Cascais. It is considered impolite to be late for appointments or social engagements, so it is important to arrive on time. It is also important to dress modestly and conservatively, especially when visiting religious sites. It is also important to be respectful of local traditions and customs, such as not eating in public during religious holidays. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the local language and to avoid speaking loudly in public. Finally, it is important to be respectful of the environment and to avoid littering," explained one person living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Cascais offers a wide range of healthcare services to its citizens. The public healthcare system is provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and is free of charge for all citizens. The public healthcare system includes primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and emergency services. Additionally, there are several private healthcare providers in the area that offer a variety of services, including general practice, specialist care, and hospital care. These private providers often offer more personalized care and shorter wait times than the public system. Cascais also has a number of pharmacies that provide prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs," said a member in Cascais.

"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," explained one person living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Love the location, beauty of the city, sea, etc. Love that it's so easy to assimilate without knowing the language. Very easy to meet people and make friends. Pre covid - lots of fun activities sponsored by the city of Cascais and in Lisbon. Public transport is great here in Cascais and in Lisbon. Train is easy and inexpensive to get between the cities. Lots of cultural activities here and even more in Lisbon. Good medical services with English speaking doctors. Love that Cascais is small enough to get acquainted with shop keepers and restaurant staff and owners. The climate is quite good a significant portion of the time. Easy to fly to other parts of Europe inexpensively and quickly. Lots of places within Portugal to explore. The seafood and wine. Movies and TV programming in English. Portuguese people are welcoming and tolerant of expats. Shopping at the Mercado for fruits and veggies - and fish, is great. Fruits and veggies taste so much better than in the States. The city of Cascais goes to great effort to keep the city clean, flower beds fresh and everything looking beautiful. Free bus service for residents. Negatives - in normal times the tourist density is bad during the summers. Women's clothing that I like is very scarce. Vitamins and minerals are very expensive. OTC medications are only sold in very small amounts," remarked one member in Cascais.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Cascais appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the area, with its picturesque beaches, rugged cliffs, and lush green hills. They also enjoy the mild climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 10°C in the winter and rarely rising above 30°C in the summer. Additionally, the city is well-connected to Lisbon, making it easy to access the capital's many attractions. Expats and digital nomads also appreciate the friendly locals, who are welcoming and helpful. On the downside, the cost of living in Cascais can be quite high, and the city can be quite crowded during the summer months," explained one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.