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

Getting Your Water Connected in Portugal

A hand is holding a clear glass under a chrome kitchen faucet, filling it with water. The background features white tile walls.

When you move to Portugal, sorting out your water supply is key, along with sorting out other utilities like electricity and gas and arranging home internet. In Portugal, water services are managed by local municipalities. This means you don’t get much choice with your provider; it depends on where you live. Each area has its own supplier, and information about your specific provider is available through your local municipality. For example, Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo looks after …

Podcasts are a handy language learning tool to have your arsenal, particularly if you have some regular free time where you can listen to them such as during a commute to work. They can work well when used in addition to a Portuguese course, providing you with new vocabulary and repetition of things you may have already heard. The following are some of the top podcasts for learning Portuguese. We’ll start with European Portuguese, because this blog is about Portugal, …

A train station platform with several people sitting on benches under a canopy, waiting beside the yellow and white train. Train tracks run parallel in the foreground, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Portugal has a great train service. It’s old, and it’s a little slow in comparison to the trains in many other European countries, but it’s functional. Sometimes the air con even works as well! There are four different types of train in Portugal: Train routes run throughout Portugal and connect all of the major regions by rail. Not every town has a train station, but the majority of the large towns and cities do. If you can’t find a train …

A scenic coastal view featuring a secluded beach surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery. The calm ocean waves gently lap against the sandy shore under a bright blue sky with a few scattered clouds. Cliffside vegetation adds a touch of green to the landscape.

The Algarve is often split into three sections: the Eastern Algarve, the Central Algarve, and the Western Algarve. Every region of the Algarve has its areas of natural beauty, but the Western Algarve, and in particular the Western Coast of the Algarve, is considered to be the more scenic part of the Algarve. It’s made up of rugged cliffs, a national park, and numerous small, often empty, and incredibly beautiful beaches. One of the most appealing aspects of the Western Algarve is its …

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, …

Smiling elderly couple on a sunny street in Portugal; woman with glasses, green scarf, man with brown cap and green striped shirt.

Have you ever dreamed of holding a European passport? If you have Portuguese roots, that dream might be closer than you think. Let’s dive into the world of Portuguese citizenship and discover how you can claim your heritage. The Portuguese Connection: Parents and Grandparents Got a Portuguese parent? You’re in luck! You’re likely eligible for citizenship through decent right off the bat. But what if your connection is a generation further back? Here’s where it gets interesting: you can indeed …

A person stamps a passport at a wooden desk. Several stamps and ink pads are scattered on the desk, along with a few documents. The person is wearing a white shirt and a blue tie.

So you’ve heard the stories: the sunshine, the pace of life, the pastel de nata addiction—and the fact that Portugal is one of the easiest places in Europe to get residency. But if you’re not from the EU, the big question usually comes first: “Can I actually move to Portugal?” Yes. You can. If you’re British, American, Canadian, Indian—whatever. There are visa options available. In fact, Portugal has some of the most welcoming residency pathways in Europe. If you can …

piggybank and calculator next to a notepad and keyboard

The short answer is yes—but it’s not quite as simple as showing the Portuguese government a bank statement and declaring you can support yourself. You’ll need to qualify for a specific visa or route to residency that accommodates your financial situation. Let’s explore the options available for moving to Portugal with savings. 1. The Golden Visa (For Those with €500k or More in Savings) The Golden Visa is specifically designed for individuals with substantial savings. The concept is straightforward: you …

A hand holding a Portuguese passport in front of a blurred background resembling the colors of the Portuguese flag, green and red.

Whether you have Portuguese roots, fell in love with the country, or you’re simply looking for a Plan B passport, Portugal remains one of the most accessible paths to EU citizenship — but it’s not always straightforward, and recent changes matter. This guide explains every route, what the requirements actually are, how long it takes, and whether it’s worth it for your situation. We’ve helped tens of thousands of people understand their Portuguese citizenship options since 2016, and this is …

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 …

James Cave

Getting Your Water Connected in Portugal

10+ Great Podcasts For Learning Portuguese

Portugal Trains: How to get around Portugal by Train

A Guide to Living in the Western Algarve

Portugal VS Italy: Where Should Expats Choose to Live?

Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship Through Parents or Grandparents

Can I Move to Portugal If I’m Not an EU Citizen? (Yes — Here’s How)

Can You Move to Portugal With Savings?

How to Get Portuguese Citizenship in 2026 & Beyond

How to Move to Portugal from Australia