James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist and the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition with more than 450 reviews on Amazon. He also wrote German Men Sit Down to Pee and Other Insights Into German Culture, a humorous guide to German culture, which has more than 650 ratings on Goodreads. Originally from Ireland, James Cave has lived in northern Portugal, Lisbon, and the Algarve, and has written about moving to Portugal since 2016. He is known for no-fluff guides to the D7, the Golden Visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa, along with citizenship and buying property in Portugal. Follow James Cave on Amazon, Goodreads, and LinkedIn, or at james-cave.com.

What is a Fiador and How Do I Get one?

A person signing a document with a black and gold pen on a wooden surface. Nearby, a set of keys lies on top of the document, partially visible, suggesting the signing might relate to property or real estate.

If you’re applying for Portugal’s D7 or Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll almost certainly need a rental contract as part of your application. Most consulates want to see a 12-month contract in your name; a few will accept six months, but 12 months is the safer assumption. That means you can’t just book an Airbnb and hope for the best – you usually need a proper long-term lease that’s registered with Finanças. And this is where many people hit a very …

A small green door with a "For Sale" sign written in Portuguese ("Vende-se") and English, along with a phone number. The door is set in a weathered stone wall with patches of blue paint, surrounded by greenery.

In Portugal, estate agents typically charge 5% (or more) commission + VAT. For many expats living in Portugal—and an increasing number of Portuguese—that’s too much. 5% of a €250,000 property is €12,500. If your property is more expensive, say €750,000, you could be paying €37,500 just in commission. Some estate agents will drop their commissions ever so slightly, but it’s unlikely that you’ll get them below 3%. Even getting them to drop below 5% can sometimes be a struggle. But, why …

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 …

Aerial view of a coastal area with a long sandy beach on the left, lined with sun umbrellas and calm blue water. On the right, there is a residential area with houses surrounded by greenery and trees. The scene extends to the horizon under a clear sky.

Nestled in the south of Portugal, the Algarve has long been a destination for those seeking sun, sea, and a touch of luxury. At the heart of this region lies the Golden Triangle, an unofficial term for the area encompassing the prestigious resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, along with the charming town of Almancil. The Golden Triangle is strategically located in the Central Algarve between Faro, the Algarve’s capital and home to the international airport, and …

A scenic coastal view featuring rugged cliffs with layers of reddish-brown rock, lush green vegetation near the edges, and the expansive blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky. The horizon stretches, seamlessly blending water and sky in the distance.

The Algarve has earned a fantastic international reputation: sunshine, beaches, and an global community that makes moving abroad feel less like jumping off a cliff and more like stepping onto something almost familiar. But it’s also Portugal—which means you get the good (safety, lifestyle, pastéis de nata) and the frustrating (bureaucracy, housing quirks, healthcare bottlenecks). And because so much of the Algarve runs on tourism, the experience can change dramatically depending on where you live and what month it is. …

A European Union border sign with the word "España" in the center, surrounded by yellow stars on a blue background. Graffiti at the bottom reads "OLIVENÇA É NOSSA, É PORTUGAL" in white paint. The sign is positioned in a rural area with trees and grass.

Drive over the bridge that crosses the Guadiana River, the river that separates Portugal and Spain, and you’ll be greeted with a sign welcoming you to Spain. Like the hundreds of other signs that are dotted along the Spanish border, it’s a blue sign with the word “España” surrounded by 12 gold stars: the EU symbol for unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe. This sign is slightly different, though. In contrast to the symbolism the 12 stars …

A man and a woman lying in bed under white blankets appear disturbed. The man, on the right, covers his ears with a pillow, while the woman, on the left, looks annoyed and is holding her head. A lamp on a nightstand is in the background.

Apartments and houses in Portugal lack insulation. This means that not only can they be absolutely freezing during the winter months, but noise travels between apartments very easily as well. And while there are things you can do to stay warm in Portuguese apartments, it’s very hard to solve noise problems. For many people, this won’t be an issue. For those that are sensitive to noise, wake up easily, or are going to be working from home a lot, it …

A man and a woman, bundled up in winter clothing including hats, gloves, and scarves, sit next to a radiator. The man warms his hands by blowing on them, while the woman holds her hands close to the heat source, appearing cold.

Parts of Portugal like the Algarve, the Alentejo, and Lisbon are blessed with some of the mildest winters that Europe has to offer. Outside, that is. Inside a Portuguese house is another story altogether. Old Portuguese houses and apartments are typically poorly insulated and almost never have central heating of any kind, although some may have an air conditioning unit with a heat function. Newer properties tend to be better insulated, and some may even have a heating system of some …

Flags of Australia and Portugal are shown side by side, with the top half of the image featuring the Australian flag with its Union Jack and stars, and the bottom half displaying the Portuguese flag with its red and green sections and the national coat of arms.

If you’re an Australian looking for a gateway to Europe, a change of pace, or simply a different way of life, Portugal is increasingly worth considering. The country offers a mild climate, a slower pace of life, stunning coastlines, rich history, and generally lower day-to-day expenses compared to major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne. According to the Relatório de Migrações e Asilo 2024 (published by AIMA, October 2025), there were 1,161 Australian citizens officially residing in Portugal as of …

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal

In this guide, we’ll take you on a fun and exciting journey through the best places to live in Portugal as an expat. We’ll explore the vibrant city life of Porto and the beauty of the North of Portugal, the peaceful charm of the Silver Coast, and the laid-back lifestyle of the Algarve in the south. Along the way, we’ll give you a taste of what life could be like in each of these amazing locations, so you can find …

What is a Fiador and How Do I Get one?

How to Sell Your House in Portugal Without An Estate Agent

The Complete Guide to Retiring in Portugal

Living in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle: Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo & Vilamoura Compared

The Pros & Cons of Living in the Algarve

Olivenza: The Town That’s Geographically in Spain but Culturally Portuguese

Dealing with Noisy Houses & Apartments in Portugal

How to Stay Warm in Portuguese Houses During Winter

How to Move to Portugal from Australia

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal