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The Complete Guide to Retiring in Portugal

Three elderly women walk along a beach shoreline on a sunny day. They are casually dressed in light jackets and pants, and they seem to be enjoying their time together. The ocean waves gently touch their bare feet, and the background features greenery and distant trees.

For many people, retirement isn’t just about leaving work behind. It’s about choosing how — and where — you want to live the next chapter of your life. Portugal has become one of the most popular retirement destinations in Europe for Americans, Canadians, and Britons alike. A mild climate, excellent food, walkable towns, strong safety ratings, and a slower pace of life all make it deeply appealing. In many cases, daily living costs remain lower than in North America or …

Glasses of red wine and green grapes on a ledge, overlooking Portugal’s terraced vineyards and river in a lush, hilly setting.

If you’re thinking about moving to a European country but you’re not sure which one, you may have short-listed Portugal and Italy. Both are beautiful countries with fascinating histories, excellent food, and a million other reasons to move there. But while that may make both countries great to visit, which is the better country to move to? The answer is: it depends. Both have their pros and cons, which this article will take a look at. Residency Visas In short, …

A man and a woman are in an appliance store. They stand together examining a front-loading washing machine. The store is filled with various household appliances, including washing machines and other equipment displayed on shelves.

If you’re planning on moving to Portugal, you may be wondering where you buy electronics and appliances and what the cost is likely to be. For those coming from the UK or US, the cost may be more than you’re used to paying, but due to the cost of shipping, the challenges of getting your stuff through Portuguese customs, and the differences in power, it can often make more sense to sell your stuff and buy afresh once you move. …

A smiling family of three poses outside, sitting close together. A young girl in a pink shirt holds a soccer ball, with her father in a plaid shirt kneeling beside her and her mother in a denim jacket standing behind, embracing them.

If you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen planning to move to Portugal with a non-EU spouse, partner, or children, you have good news: your family members don’t need to apply for standard Portuguese visas like the D7 or Golden Visa. Instead, they can join you through a streamlined family reunification process called “Article 15.” However, while this process is simpler in theory, getting an appointment with AIMA (Portugal’s immigration agency) can be challenging (and some choose to go the visa route instead). …

A close-up image of two flags side by side. The flag on the left is the Canadian flag, featuring a red maple leaf on a white background with red borders. The flag on the right is the Portuguese flag, showcasing a complex coat of arms on a red and green background.

If you’re a Canadian looking for a warmer climate, better quality of life, or simply a change of pace, Portugal is increasingly on the shortlist. The country offers a mild climate, a slower and more communal pace of life, stunning coastlines, and generally lower day-to-day expenses compared to many parts of Canada—especially major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. According to the Relatório de Migrações e Asilo 2024, there were 2,876 Canadian citizens residing in Portugal as of 31 December 2024. …

A charming facade features a green door and a wooden door, both framed by stone walls. Cascading purple wisteria blossoms wrap around the entrance, their lush foliage nearly covering the doors. Cobblestone pavement adds to the quaint, picturesque scene.

Brexit has left many people scratching their heads, especially those who dreamed of spending more time in Europe. It’s natural to have questions about how this change might affect your plans, particularly when it comes to buying property abroad. If you’ve been eyeing a lovely villa in the Algarve or an apartment in Lisbon, you might be wondering if it’s still possible to make that dream a reality. Well, we’ve got some good news for you! The Good News: You …

A person wearing a plaid shirt is sealing a cardboard box with packing tape using a tape dispenser. The scene appears to be indoors, with other boxes and a small potted plant blurred in the background.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you’ll get different advice on what to bring. Most people will tell you to come with as little as possible and avoid the challenges and costs of shipping your stuff. However, re-buying everything is expensive, particularly in Portugal, so there’s definitely an argument for at least thinking about shipping your stuff. There are some things you probably shouldn’t bring, particularly if you’re coming from outside Europe. This includes electronics that won’t work here …

Person using a calculator with a small model house and a bag with a dollar sign on it nearby. The person is wearing a white shirt and the background is plain white.

Are you thinking about purchasing a property in Portugal but are confused about how much you’re able to borrow? Buying a property in Portugal can be confusing, but don’t worry: Portugalist is here to help. Use our mortgage calculator below to estimate: *This part of the process requires more information. A mortgage broker will get in touch to discuss your income and expenses in order to calculate how much you’re able to borrow. Why We Created This Calculator There are …

The exterior of a Costco Wholesale store, featuring a large red and blue company sign above the entrance. The building has brick accents and several red bollards and trash bins lined up in front. The sky is clear and blue.

Costco doesn’t have a store in Portugal, at least currently. There are, however, Costco stores in neighbouring Spain. Although Costco has stores in a handful of locations in Spain, the most popular store for people living in Portugal is the Seville store. If you live in Faro, the drive time to Costco in Seville is just a little over 2 hours. If you live in Lisbon, the drive time is around 4.5 hours, depending on traffic. For those living in …

A serving of fish and chips on a tray lined with newspaper. The golden-brown battered fish is accompanied by a lemon wedge, a side of mushy peas, and a small cup of tartar sauce garnished with chopped chives. French fries are piled on the side.

You might think you won’t miss British food while living in Portugal, but every now and then you’ll get a craving for a taste of home. It could be something as simple as a bar of a cup of tea and toast (easy to replicate) or something more complicated like a pint of ale in a cozy pub. Thankfully, there are a large number of British people living in Portugal and because of this, there are quite a few shops …

The Complete Guide to Retiring in Portugal

Portugal VS Italy: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?

Where to Buy Electronics & Appliances in Portugal

Moving to Portugal with a Non-EU Spouse or Family Member: How It Works

How to Move to Portugal from Canada

Can Brits Still Buy Property in Portugal After Brexit? (Yes, With Caveats)

What To Bring When Moving to Portugal

Portugal Mortgage Calculator: Check How Much You Could Borrow

Are there Costco Stores in Portugal?

20+ Foods British Expats in Portugal Miss Most (And Where to Find Them)