James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist.com, a website he created in 2016 to make moving to Portugal more simple.

He’s also the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition and with more than 400 reviews on Amazon. Through Portugalist, James has helped thousands of people plan their move and settle into life in Portugal with clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information.

Portugalist has been featured in countless publications including the WSJ, New York Times, and Independent.

Follow him on Linkedin and Amazon

Can You Move to Portugal With Pre-Existing Health Conditions?

a box of medications with days of the week

Moving abroad is scary enough. But when you have pre-existing conditions? It gets properly terrifying. Right now, you’ve got a setup that works. Your doctor knows your history, your prescriptions are sorted, your medical records are more or less all in one place. Everything’s familiar, even if it’s not perfect. Then you start thinking about Portugal. What happens to your medications? Will insurance companies cover you? How long until you can access the public health system, and can you access …

Selling Your Property in Portugal: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you considering selling your property in Portugal? Portugal’s property market has been thriving in recent years, attracting both domestic and international buyers. With its stunning coastlines, vibrant cities, and warm climate, it’s no wonder that so many people are interested in moving here or owning a second home here. As a seller, this means you have a great opportunity to capitalise on the demand and get the best value for your property. In the following sections, we’ll cover everything …

A simple minimalist room with a teal cushioned chair on the left, a wooden sideboard with open and closed compartments holding a decorative vase and a small sculpture in the middle, and a large, colorful Greek-style vase on the right against a white wall.

Anyone living in Portugal, whether they’re renting or have bought a house, will have to buy furniture at some point or another. Maybe you need to furnish an entire apartment or house, or maybe you just need one or two small things. Either way, the question is: where should you go to buy furniture in Portugal? The answer depends a lot on the type of furniture that you’re looking for, and where you are in the country. For some people, …

Picture this: It’s 2010, and Portugal has just become one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. While Portugal might not have been first to the party (the Netherlands claimed that honor in 2001, followed by Spain in 2005), it did beat several other progressive nations to the punch, including France, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Germany. And it was just one of several progressive bills. But let’s get to the question you’re really …

A Couple holding passports at an airport with boarding passes inside.

On 30 September 2025, Portugal’s Parliament approved a sweeping reform of the Foreigners Law. The new measures mark a major tightening of immigration rules, with decisive backing from the far-right Chega party and other right-wing factions. The law now awaits presidential sanction and publication in the Diário da República before it takes effect, but here’s what’s changing — and what it means for you. Important Pointers Before we continue, there are a few things to be aware of. Key Changes …

Medieval hilltop castle of Arraiolos

Ever heard those stories about European countries paying people to move there? They’re true! Sardinia’s offering €15,000 to populate its rural villages with populations of 3,000 or less, Spain’s Rubia’s dishing out monthly payments of €150 per month while Ponga is offering €3,000 to young couples willing to stay for five years, plus an additional €3,000 for each child. But what about Portugal? Will this sunny slice of southern Europe actually pay you to make it your home? Let’s dive …

A person with light pink nails holds a pen poised over a stack of documents on a black desk. The documents appear to have text and sections for signatures. Another hand rests nearby, seemingly guiding the writing process.

Let’s talk about something that might not be the most exciting part of your Portuguese adventure, but it’s definitely worth getting right: estate planning. Whether you’ve got a lovely villa in the Algarve or a bank account in Porto, having a clear plan for your assets can save your loved ones a lot of headaches down the road. Do You Need a Portuguese Will? While there’s no legal requirement to have a Portuguese will, here’s the deal: if you own …

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 …

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 …

A woman with short curly hair sits on a rooftop terrace using a laptop. She is wearing a white crop top and black and white striped pants. The terrace overlooks a scenic city with a river and distant bridge visible. A tablet and camera are on the table.

Wondering if you’ll be able to binge-watch your favorite shows or video call your friends back home without buffering nightmares? Well, get ready for some good news – Portugal is home to some wonderful high-speed internet. BUT…(and this is a big but) not everywhere in Portugal has fibre-optic internet. While fibre optic broadband (called internet fixa or banda larga) is available throughout Portugal, and according to our own research, 76% of Portugalist readers have been able to get it at …

James Cave

Can You Move to Portugal With Pre-Existing Health Conditions?

Selling Your Property in Portugal: A Comprehensive Guide

Furnishing Your Home: Where to Buy Furniture in Portugal

Is Portugal LGBTQ Friendly?

Portugal Approves Stricter Immigration Law: What You Need to Know

Will Portugal Pay You to Move There?

Understanding Wills in Portugal

How to Stay Warm in Portuguese Houses During Winter

Portugal Mortgage Calculator: Check How Much You Could Borrow

Internet in Portugal: Get Your Home Connected to Fibre Broadband