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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Joel wearing a beige cap and green t-shirt is holding a baby dressed in white. The man is looking down and smiling at the baby, who is staring at the camera with a curious expression. They are indoors, with a shelf and a television in the background.

Practice Portuguese is one of the most comprehensive (and most popular) tools for learning European Portuguese. It’s something many people living in Portugal will be familiar with, but most people probably don’t know the story of how it came to be. In this interview, I chat to Joel Rendall about how he came to live in Portugal, the difference between life here and life in Canada, and his personal tips for learning Portuguese. Also worth mentioning: Practice Portuguese normally costs …

An elderly couple stands in shallow ocean water, holding hands and leaning back, with smiles on their faces. Both wear light blue tops and light-colored pants, enjoying a playful moment on a sunny day at the beach. The sky is clear with a few clouds.

Have you heard about the D7, sometimes known as Portugal’s retirement visa? If you’re reading this article, you probably have and you’re wondering where should I retire to in Portugal? In theory, you could move anywhere in Portugal. Yes, there are some parts which are more popular with retirees (like the Algarve and Silver Coast, for example) but that doesn’t mean you have to move there. You could move to somewhere more remote like the far north of Northern Portugal …

If you’ve spent any time looking for Portuguese-learning resources, you’ve probably already discovered one of the big frustrations: most of what’s out there is for Brazilian Portuguese, not European Portuguese. That’s exactly the gap that Mia Esmeriz has been filling since 2017. Through her website, YouTube channel, and a complete set of courses from A1 to B2, she’s helped thousands of students learn real, everyday European Portuguese—from pronunciation and listening skills to grammar and natural conversation. In this interview, Mia …

An older woman and man sitting at a table looking concerned. The woman is holding paperwork and red glasses, while the man has his hand raised and is looking at a calculator. A pink piggy bank is placed in front of them on the table.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you are probably wondering how much money you need to have in order to live there. This is quite a difficult question to answer, but it can be broken down into two parts: Income Requirements for Residency Moving to Portugal long-term involves obtaining residency there. There are different processes depending on whether you hold EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship (e.g. you have a French or Irish passport) or whether you hold a citizenship from the rest …

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

Can You Move to Portugal With a Pre-Existing Health Condition?

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

From Cruise Ship Musician to Practice Portuguese Co-Founder – An Interview with Joel Rendall

11 of the Best Places to Retire to in Portugal

Mia Esmeriz On Learning Portuguese in 6 Months

How Much Income Do You Need to Live in Portugal?