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

The Pros & Cons of Living in the Algarve

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. …

View from an airplane window showing a blue sky with a few wispy clouds above and farmland below. The airplane's wing extends from the bottom right corner of the image. The window frame is partially visible.

Thousands of people move to Portugal every year and the vast majority of them end up staying, at least for a good few years. But some people decide that Portugal just isn’t the right fit for them. The reasons people decide this are endless, and are often very personal, but having spoken to lots of expats who’ve made this big decision, there are a few common reasons. The purpose of this article isn’t to present a list of reasons you …

A toyota Camry car - one of the most popular cars in California. But should this be imported into Portugal?

Thinking about bringing your beloved car to Portugal? While it’s possible to import a vehicle tax-free when moving here, the process isn’t always straightforward. Let’s break down what you need to know. The Tax-Free Window When moving to Portugal, you have a one-time opportunity to import a vehicle without paying Portugal’s hefty vehicle tax (ISV) and VAT (IVA). This can save you thousands of euros, but there’s a catch – well, several catches. Main Requirements Important: Miss any of these …

Close-up of two flags overlapping. The top flag is the Irish flag, consisting of vertical green, white, and orange stripes. The bottom flag is the Portuguese flag, featuring a green left section, red right section, and national coat of arms in the center.

Are you an Irish citizen considering a move to sunny Portugal? You’re not alone! Many Irish folks are trading in their raincoats for sunscreen and making the leap to this stunning coastal country. But before you start packing your bags, there’s a lot to consider. From navigating visas to finding the perfect place to call home, moving abroad is a big undertaking. Don’t worry though – we’ve got you covered with this in-depth guide to making the move from Ireland …

A man stands in front of an open electrical meter box, taking a photo of the meter's display with his smartphone. The meter shows the reading in black numbers on a white background. He appears to be documenting the reading.

Close-up Of A Male Technician Doing Meter Reading Using Mobilephone

Picture this: you’ve just stepped into your new Portuguese abode. The sun streams through the windows, casting a warm glow on the terracotta tiles. The aroma of fresh pastéis de nata wafts in from a nearby bakery. It’s perfect, except for one small detail – you can’t turn on the lights, run the tap, or cook your dinner. Welcome to the often overlooked, yet crucial chapter of your Portuguese adventure – setting up utilities. Setting up water, electricity, and gas …

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 …

A person in a pink shirt is using a laptop on a white desk. The laptop screen displays a photo of an outdoor patio with greenery. Also on the desk are a glass of water, a pen, a notepad, a calculator, and a rotary phone.

If you’re familiar with Zillow or Realtor.com in the US—or Rightmove and Zoopla in the UK—your instinct is probably to look for “the one big website” that lists every property for sale. In Portugal, that doesn’t exist. There is no MLS system, and that means two things: Think of Portugal as a patchwork: different agents upload to different portals, some post only on their agency website, and a surprising number of rural owners still list only on classifieds. Below is …

A large library in Portugal with shelves filled with books, a metal staircase leading to an upper level, and a white sculpture of a person riding a bicycle suspended in mid-air from the ceiling.

Buying books, especially foreign-language books, can be a challenge in Portugal. And, if you can find the book you want, it often costs a lot more than you’re used to paying for a book. Getting used to the higher prices for books is just a part of living in Portugal, but the bigger challenge is not being able to find the book you want at all. All of this wasn’t such a big issue prior to Brexit. However, now that …

A wide, sandy beach under a clear blue sky with gentle waves breaking onshore. In the background, there’s a rocky hill with numerous buildings perched on top, and more buildings spread along the coastline, giving a picturesque coastal town view.

Imagine waking up to the sound of Atlantic waves, strolling along golden sandy beaches, and immersing yourself in authentic Portuguese culture. This is the essence of life on Portugal’s Silver Coast, or Costa de Prata. Stretching roughly 150 kilometres (93 miles) north from Lisbon, this picturesque region offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities. The Silver Coast is home to a diverse array of towns and cities, each with its own unique character. From the …

A person with shoulder-length curly hair wearing a striped shirt and denim overalls is standing against a plain background with their arms outstretched and palms up, displaying a puzzled or unsure expression.

Ah, fiscal representation. Just when you thought you’d gotten your head around all the paperwork involved in moving to Portugal, this term pops up and throws you for a loop. Don’t worry, amigo – we’ve all been there, done that, and I’m here to break it down for you in plain English (or should I say, plain Portuguese?). At Portugalist, we’ve been helping people move to Portugal since 2016. And during that time, we’ve helped lots of folks with fiscal …

James Cave

The Pros & Cons of Living in the Algarve

16 Reasons People End Up Leaving Portugal

Want To Import Your Car Into Portugal? Check It’s Worth It

From the Emerald Isle to the Iberian Peninsula: Moving from Ireland to Portugal

Utilities in Portugal: How to Set Up Water, Gas, & Electricity

How to Sell Your House in Portugal Without An Estate Agent

The Best Property Websites For Buying Property in Portugal

Buying Books in Portugal

Silver Coast Guide: What It’s Like to Live on Portugal’s Costa da Prata

Do You Need a Fiscal Representative? We Can Help