Living in Portugal

Portugal’s Minimum Wage in 2026: Should You Move Here for Work?

A brown leather wallet with a gold zipper is partially open, showing several euro banknotes in various denominations protruding from it. The wallet lies on a reflective surface, highlighting the intricate designs and holographic features of the banknotes.

Portugal has become one of Europe’s most talked-about destinations for relocation — and for good reason. The culture is warm, the weather is excellent, and by Western European standards the cost of living has historically been lower. But if you’re considering a move here for work, or you’re weighing up a job offer, the question of what wages actually look like is crucial. Here’s what you need to know. What Is the Minimum Wage in 2026? As of 1 January …

a box of medications with days of the week

Moving abroad is scary enough. But when you have a pre-existing condition? 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 …

A close-up of a person's hand using a calculator. The person is holding a pen in one hand and pressing the buttons on the calculator with the other. In the background, there are documents, papers, and a notebook with a spiral binding.

Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax scheme has been a topic of significant interest and controversy in recent years. Although the NHR program officially ended in 2023, the Portuguese government has since introduced NHR 2.0 (often called TISRI or the scientific and innovation regime, among other things). In July 2024, the new government announced plans to bring back the NHR regime – but crucially the new regime will exclude dividends, capital gains and pensions or social security. This article examines the …

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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 …

The ministry of Financas building in Lisbon, with bright yellow walls and white accents stands under a clear blue sky. The central part features a balcony with a Portuguese flag. Several windows and doors are visible, along with a few people and a red car in front of the building.

This article outlines the key government departments and services you’ll encounter during your transition and stay in Portugal. From immigration procedures to healthcare access, understanding these institutions is crucial for successfully managing your affairs in your new home. The following breakdown covers essential entities such as AIMA (formerly SEF) for immigration, Finanças for taxes, Segurança Social for social security, and various other administrative bodies. Familiarizing yourself with these departments and their functions will help you navigate the Portuguese system more …

Moving to Portugal is an exciting adventure, but it often comes with a crucial decision: whether to buy a car. While Portugal boasts charming cities with decent public transportation, having your own set of wheels can open up a world of possibilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car in Portugal, from assessing your needs to navigating the purchase process. Do You Really Need a Car in Portugal? It’s a question …

A display of beef jerky products labeled "Azores Beef Jerky," with one package of pork jerky in the center. Each packet is paired with a bowl of jerky pieces. The setup is decorated with a festive red and green plaid border on a burlap cloth.

In this interview, Tricia Alker explains how she moved from the US to the island of Pico in the Azores. She talks about how they had initially planned to start another business within the seafood industry, but life had other plans and they ended up starting Azores Jerky, a beef jerky company. What motivated you to move from California to Pico island in the Azores? In 1998 my husband was asked by a colleague/friend in California to help in a …

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Portugal is still a very affordable country by Western European standards, but the cost of living has increased over the past few years — in particular, the cost of renting and buying a property. This is especially true in Lisbon, which has become one of the most desirable places to live in Portugal, but those increasing costs are also increasing all over the rest of the country, particularly in Porto and the Algarve. Looking at the cheapest places to rent …

Continente supermarket at Vasco da Gama shopping centre in Lisbon

If you’re moving to Portugal from the US, Canada, or the UK, grocery shopping is going to feel a little different — in mostly good ways. Portugal has a lot of supermarkets. Even small Portuguese towns typically have two or three supermarkets within easy walking distance. Larger towns often have four or five different chains, sometimes next to each other. The tradeoff, especially if you’re living in a city like Lisbon or Porto, is that you’re unlikely to find a …

A person is holding a tablet displaying an Amazon webpage. The webpage shows a search for Portuguese dictionaries, featuring listings for "Oceano Pocket Dictionary" and "Dicionário de Portugais 100% Visual." The handheld tablet has a black case.

Yes, you can shop at Amazon from Portugal. Amazon doesn’t have a warehouse in Portugal so you’ll have to shop at one of the Amazon stores in another country (for example Amazon UK, Spain, or Germany). Which Amazon should you shop at? Generally speaking, Amazon.es (Amazon Spain) is the best option for several reasons: The second best option is Amazon.de (Amazon Germany). The products are sometimes cheaper here, but you will typically need to pay for postage and, due to …

Portugal’s Minimum Wage in 2026: Should You Move Here for Work?

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

Does Portugal Still Have An NHR Tax Regime?

Wills in Portugal: What Expats Need to Know Before It’s Too Late

9 Government Departments You’ll Come Across in Portugal

Buying a Car in Portugal as a Foreigner: The Process, the Costs, the Traps

Interview: How Tricia & Griff Alker Started a Beef Jerky Business in the Azores

Where Are the Cheapest Places to Live in Portugal?

Supermarkets in Portugal: Continente, Pingo Doce, Lidl — What to Expect

How To Shop At Amazon from Portugal