Let’s face it: nowhere is perfect. There are lots of pros to living in Portugal but there are, unsurprisingly, one or two cons as well. Some of these downsides include bureaucracy, low-quality housing, a lack of a customer service culture, the challenge of integrating into Portuguese culture, low wages, and the rising cost of property.
Most articles (and especially YouTube videos) focus on the upsides rather than the downsides but it’s important to get the full picture before you move somewhere new. Portugalist absolutely recommends that you consider moving to Portugal, but it wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t give you realistic expectations.
The problem starts with the YouTube vloggers who promote a false picture of what it’s like to live in Portugal. This is why so many are sucked into the dream of becoming an expat in Portugal. None of what the vloggers promote is a reality for day-to-day living. – Donna
It’s also important to point out that this is a list of the downsides of Portugal primarily from the point of view of an outsider (although some Portuguese people agree with some of the things on this list). It’s also not a list of things that Portuguese should change, and it’s definitely not a list of things that Portugal will change – no matter how sensible that change might seem to you. Portugal is Portugal, and you shouldn’t come here hoping for change or expecting change. Instead, weigh up the pros against the cons and then, being honest with yourself, decide if Portugal is right for you.
As one commenter points out, although there are some downsides to living in Portugal, there isn’t enough space on the internet to list all of the upsides.
Bottom line is, you found 23 things that suck about this place. But there isn’t enough space in the internet to list all the good ones. Pastries, food, wine, olive oil, roasted chestnuts outside of the metro station, crime stats, one of the lowest gun violence in the world, drug policy, beaches, water sports, the country side, Fado, fish and vegetable markets, the cheeses, chouricos, vineyards along the Douro River, the amazing amounts of different fruit and seafood (best in Europe), the people, the art, history, architecture, health care, actual freedom. – Danny
Similarly, despite pointing out a few downsides, Aaron lists a lot of upsides:
Amazing fruits and vegetables, amazing raw materials for good cooks (only partially taken advantage of in culinary traditions) lots of egg-creme pastries, cheap quality tipple, cheap quality meats, compassion for other humans (very important) and great emergency medical care (the SNS is great. consultations can take some time to get bookings for, and generally Concelhos will vary in terms of the competency and friendliness of the local health center and getting assigned a family doctor, etc.)
It’s a great place to raise children and generally very safe and family-oriented, which is probably the cause of some of the boredom I’ve complained about above. I get the sense that family and village life basically overshadow any independent decisions people make, and they are concerned about social judgement at every turn. – Aaron
With that in mind, here are a list of some of the different downsides to life in Portugal.
Pro: Attainable Residency Visas
If you don’t have an “EU Passport” and need a visa to move to a European country, Portugal can be very appealing for a number of reasons. Firstly, the visas are considered more attainable than other European countries: the D7, for example, requires you to have a regular income that’s at least more than €705 per month – an achievable amount for many people while the D2, or entrepreneurship visa, doesn’t specify a minimum investment amount.
For those that have cash to spend, the golden visa can be particularly appealing because it only requires you to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal in order to meet your residency requirements.
For many people, these attainable visas make Portugal a very attractive country as Portugal offers an easy route into Europe.
Con: Paperwork, Bureaucracy, & Inefficiency
Try to get anything done in Portugal, whether it’s starting a business or applying for planning permission, and you’ll run into hurdles. Often it’s paperwork related. Sometimes it’s just down to the fact things move slowly.
When it comes to paperwork, it isn’t so much that there’s a lot of paperwork. That in itself would be manageable. It’s that:
- Yes, there’s a lot of paperwork and lots of hoops to jump through
- Every government department seems to have a different opinion on which pieces of paper are required
- Departments are understaffed so getting an appointment, if you need one, can often takes months
It’s messy and frustrating, and it’s also just something you’ll have to get used to if you live in Portugal.
You can avoid a lot of the headaches if you use a lawyer or accountant rather than trying to tackle these challenges yourself. You’ll still have the challenge, and it’ll probably take a while for it to get resolved, but at least you’ll avoid the majority of headaches. Having a lawyer double check a rental contract, for example, might feel like an unnecessary cost but could save you money and a lot of headaches in the long run.
In all the countries I’ve lived in, I never needed a lawyer to sort my usually regular stuff like taxes, properties, banks. In Portugal, even if I can’t really afford it, I had to hire them. – KC
Being rich helps definitely to soften the high level of personal and state dysfunctions, your lawyer “knows” people at the city hall etc. Paying some “extra fee” here and there doesn’t really matter, its the price for a second villa in a sunny place. And they don’t have to rely on the Portuguese services, infrastructure or government. Being physically in Portugal is actually quite nice, it is just not so nice to be reliant on anything there. – Martin
It took me 1½ (if I remember correctly) years to get the tax-free import of my car sorted out.
Kurt
As well as lawyers and accountants, there are also companies that will:
- Get you a NIF number or open a Portuguese bank account remotely for you
- Help you obtain your NISS or social security number
- Check what internet providers are available at your home
- Work alongside you when buying a property
- Help you pick the right insurance policies
It’s one thing saying paperwork but sef deserves its own category for a downside. We have been waiting for an appointment for more than 8 months and all the time get told there are no appointments available. This means that our id is now out of date. It’s sort of accepted in Portugal as people know about the delays but it means we are nervous to fly anywhere or leave Portugal unless it’s by land. A similar thing with the driving licence. It can take more than a year for your driving licence to be exchanged. They give you a piece of paper while you’re waiting but this means you are without a driving licence for a long time. It’s not suitable for visiting another country. If the only problem was obtaining pieces of paper it would be fine. The problem is the delay in getting appointments or documents returned. – Rowena
Portuguese bureaucracy and lack of customer service is another bad point. True that people don’t help you and you have to figure out everything by yourself. So frustrating. – Julia
I said I knew this wasn’t SF or NYC. Nonetheless, there is a difference between a slow way of life and some crucial things being less efficient than a 3rd world country. For example, the IMT (for foreigners: driver license government office) is basically completely broken at this point. Their driver license exchange process can take up to 2 years. Nobody answers the phone or emails. Tens of thousands of people like me are stuck either with a temporary license that only works in Portugal (so you can’t rent cars anywhere else if you travel), or with an expired foreign license (my case now). It’s pretty much the same for the SEF (immigration office). – Taurus1
Bureaucracy isn’t unique to Portugal, and it’s something you’ll come across in many European countries like Spain, Italy, and Germany, but many would argue that Portugal takes bureaucracy to new levels. Not everyone agrees, however.
Bureaucracy, well as I mentioned previously I am international I think Belgium, France and others have no less nor more bureaucracy than Portugal, and the corruption is probably about the same. – Frank
All that talk of bureaucracy and corruption in Portugal is way exaggerated! – Kurt
Pro: The Kindness of People
This one is quite subjective as everyone’s experience of the Portuguese is different. However, a number of people who have commented on Portugalist remarked at the kindness of Portuguese people.
Sometimes the kindness i receive from total strangers brings me close to tears. once i was leaving a metro station in the pouring rain trying to use a newspaper for cover when someone appeared beside me and offered me an umbrella and insisted i take it. another time i was trying to hail a cab with bags of shopping when an older gent told me they wouldn’t stop there and then proceeded to lift my bags and take me to a place where i could catch a cab and patted me on the back when i thanked him profusely…these are the best people i have encountered in Europe – unassuming, polite, warm and helpful to strangers and often showing such tenderness as you are unlikely to find elsewhere. There are many things to like in portugal but the best thing about portugal is the portuguese.
Gloria
And she’s not the only one.
I have lived in Central Portugal for a while and I have been shown nothing but kindness, eggs, vegetables and even a lovely casserole left on my doorstep.
Christine
I’m a Canadian native, but born to a Portuguese mother and a Japanese father. I have many stories from my visits to Portugal, but I’ll keep it to this: the unwavering, friendly “Good morning”s from strangers and passersby. That warmth and humanity that so many places on this great, wide earth are deprived of. It’s one of the many things that makes Portugal special.
AA
Con: Housing issues
Portuguese houses can be cold in the winter – fridge levels of cold. However, it varies considerably from property to property. Some simply require you to put on a sweater while others demand a jacket, gloves, and three or four pairs of socks.
My electricity bill for the first winter month in Portugal was 3 times more than what I paid in Switzerland’s winter even though I already tried to accept/cope with lower indoor temperature! It was a nasty surprise. I’ve found ways to adapt by now so it doesn’t stop me from enjoying life in Portugal. – WL
The most disappointing part for me is that I am constantly freezing in their apartments due to the lack of heater and I am spending a fortune paying trying to stay a little warm. True that we have to stay fully dressed at home and it’s becoming unbearable those cheap constructions and energy drainers houses. – Julia
Two identical properties next door to each other could be different due to the ability of one to catch the sun during the day. Some properties also have central heating or another heating system while others have better energy ratings. Finding the right lottery is part knowing what to look for and part lottery.
However, just because you’ve purchased a cold house, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be cold forever. You can improve the insulation or install something like gas central heating or an effective pellet heater. All of that costs money, obviously, but it’s almost definitely worth it.
The cold and the noise, both due at least partly to poor insulation, are the main issues with Portuguese properties but at least one commenter has found an issue with the pipes in older houses as well.
These are all good but youre missing the biggest downside of them all…the flushes in the toilets. Some have been unbelievably weak!! If I’m going to be stuffing my face full of bacalhau and cream I want a crapper that can take a bit of a beating, not something I have to flush twenty times to get it to work!!! Is there bureaucracy in the pipes as well???! – John
This isn’t unique to Portugal, and it’s quite common across Southern Europe. Houses here are more designed for summer rather than winter. Thankfully, there are one or two things you can do to stay warm inside.
Pro: Ease of Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship
After living in Portugal for 5 years, you’ll be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship. This is much faster than in many other European countries. You need to have lived for 10 years in Spain, for example, before you’re able to apply for Spanish citizenship.
And, unlike many other European countries, you only need to show an A2 level of Portuguese. In comparison, Germany and Italy require a B1 level.
Con: Integration
In Portugal, the Portuguese and non-Portuguese typically run in different circles. Even people who have lived in Portugal for years will usually be able to count the number of close Portuguese friends they have on one hand.
Making friends- easy for me as my work entails meeting people. But if your work is by yourself and alone and do not involve other people, it can be hard and lonely. People stay with their close tight knit families and it can make you sad and lonely if you have that sort of constitution.
…the Portuguese are to me generally helpful, warm and friendly. Just don’t expect them to show up or call you after you feel like you’ve found a good friend. Most of the ones I met seem to strangely ghost, vanish, flake then they come up the surface again and your like super close again. Okay this might not be helpful but it does affect quality of life.-KC
It takes two to tango though. While the Portuguese can be a little closed, even to each other sometimes, very few expats make the required effort to integrate – at least after a few months of trying. Integrating is a marathon rather than a sprint, and one that requires you to learn Portuguese to a very good level. And it’s much harder if you don’t work in an office, attend university, or do something else that puts you in close contact with people for many hours every week. Putting in the effort is worth it, though. While it can take a long time to make Portuguese friends, particularly when compared to other countries, once you have a Portuguese friend, you have a friend for life.
If you make friends with a Portuguese, they will be your friend forever, and will be there when you needed it. In 2016 I came back to visit with my wife and two kids after living in the US for almost 20 years. My childhood friend that I haven’t seen in over 25 years, immediately invited myself and my entire family to stay with him and his girlfriend in his apartment in Lisbon. And this wasn’t even the only invitation extended, many other friends from my pass reached out wanting us to stay with them. – Danny
I really enjoy living in Portugal, for me its one of the best countries in the world, I find the people friendly and pretty much easy going, making friends is difficult for Portuguese are very family oriented, but I don’t see this is a bad thing. – Frank
…it’s been years and years since I dated anyone and I’m not ugly nor poor nor lazy, etc. I’m foreign. I will always be foreign. I will never enter their world, and that basically is clear to me, that underneath all the liberal-minded rhetoric, that one is welcome to be a foreigner spending money here, but that one is probably best off staying in ones own enclave. – Aaron
Because integration can be so challenging, that means you’ll have to mainly make friends with other expats. While most are wonderful people, and many will become lifelong friends, there are definitely a few you will find yourself trying to avoid.
I came to Portugal to be happy and I am happy to be here. Yes there are some things I wish were different but overall it’s a great quality of life. But unfortunately I don’t speak Portuguese so I am surrounded by these people [other expats]! – Carl
But just because it’s challenging to make friends, that doesn’t mean that the Portuguese aren’t friendly.
First of all, the people have been most welcoming. From immigration to getting paper work done, only USA immigration officials have been inappropriate and arrogant. Here, you’re treated like a human and not whatever label society has given you. I do notice that the Portuguese are friendly, but keep to themselves. I haven’t entirely been able to integrate with them although I am learning the language and can say a few things here and there. – EM
The challenges of making friends fast isn’t unique to Portugal. People who’ve moved to other Southern European countries like Spain and Italy, to Scandinavia, or to Eastern Europe often report the same challenges in integrating.
Pro: Large Expat Community
Integrating might be hard sometimes, but at least there’s a large, welcoming expat community.
Having a large expat community has its downsides – as it means people tend to integrate more into expat communities than local communities – but it’s definitely a pro when you first move. You’ll instantly be able to get to know other people, people in the same boat as you, and it’ll be easy to get answers to questions you have about settling in Portugal.
Con: The Language
Portuguese is nowhere near as difficult as Chinese, Arabic, or maybe even German, but many consider it harder than other romance languages and less appealing. That said, it doesn’t take too long to learn enough Portuguese to get by in daily life, and even in more difficult bureaucratic situations. However, it does take a long time to learn enough Portuguese to really integrate – but that’s true of all languages.
Learning European Portuguese is becoming a little easier thanks to all the new apps, websites, and YouTube channels that teach it (in the past there were only dry, boring textbooks). There are lots of great courses, particularly for beginner’s level Portuguese, that’ll teach you the essentials and help you pass those exams, should you decide to apply for citizenship or permanent residency.
I don’t mean to be contrary but I have to say I disagree with you about Portuguese being a difficult language, or it being any harder than other Romance languages. I would say Portuguese is the easiest Romance language for an English-speaker to acquire; the hardest is Romanian. – Fraser
And the rewards are there for those that put in the effort.
Culture is also one of the very best points about Portugal, from fine arts to poetry, prose, music, performance, theatre, but again, you’ll have to be embedded in the culture to enjoy these. – Emanuel Sousa
This is obviously unique to Portugal in that Portuguese is seen as harder than some other European languages, particularly Spanish. That said, it’s probably not any more difficult than German.
Pro: English is Widely Spoken
English is widely spoken in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and other Portuguese cities. In other parts of Portugal, English is less widely spoken but it still won’t take long to find someone that speaks English.
Although your intention might be to learn Portuguese, and to learn it to a fluent level, knowing that other people are likely to speak English is very reassuring – particularly when you’re speaking to a doctor, for example.
However, if you want to integrate even a little, you should definitely make an effort to learn Portuguese.
Con: Some Things are Expensive
A lot of people think that just because food and wine are cheap in Portugal, everything else is. Unfortunately, that’s not true.
Electricity and petrol are two good examples of things that are really expensive in Portugal. Per kilowatt, Portugal is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. It’s also one of the most expensive countries for fuel. Rent, particularly in somewhere like Lisbon, can be as expensive as a major Northern European city. Then there are cars, furniture, electronic appliances, books, branded international foods, cosmetics, and toiletries, all of which are typically more expensive than elsewhere.
It can be frustrating paying double or triple what you’re used to paying for something, but it’s often offset by the lower prices for other things (eating out, for example) and the fact that you get to live in Portugal.
Pro: The Food
At any Portuguese market, you’ll find a great variety of fish and seafood and excellent fruit and vegetables. Most large supermarkets, similarly, will also have a large fish counter. Price-wise fruit and veg is much cheaper than the US, and the quality is better. By European standards, it isn’t particularly cheaper but the quality is better than in many Northern European countries.
Eating out in traditional Portuguese restaurants is also extremely affordable, particularly at lunchtime. Here €10-15 can get you a 3-course meal complete with coffee and wine. International restaurants are more expensive and often non-existent in more rural parts of Portugal, but with access to good-quality, affordable ingredients, you’ll be able to make up some great dishes yourself at home.
Con: Standard Taxes
Portugal doesn’t have the highest taxes in Europe, but it definitely doesn’t have the lowest taxes either. Portuguese taxes, particularly when combined with social security, are high – at least in their simplest form. They can also be a little complicated, and requiring an accountant does add a cost that you might not have if you lived elsewhere.
We pay taxes like Germany but and have an income like Lithuania or so. – João Pedro
The Portuguese government does have several tax regimes and schemes which are designed to simplify tax payments and to make Portugal more appealing to outsiders. The most famous is the NHR tax regime, which is designed to reduce the amount of tax you pay in Portugal for the first 10 years and, in some cases, allows you to be taxed elsewhere. Despite its apparent simplicity, it can still be complicated and it’s recommended that you speak to an accountant to get an accurate overview of what your tax obligations are likely to be.
Pro: Compelling Tax Regimes
While Portugal’s standard taxes aren’t typically appealing, there are one or two ‘tax regimes’ where you could end up paying less, depending on your income. The most common is if you stand to benefit from Portugal’s NHR tax regime, which is a special tax regime aimed at newcomers and those returning to Portugal. It is particularly beneficial if you’re a high earner or have a particularly large pension but to be certain that you would benefit from it, you should speak to an accountant.
Another reason Portugal is considered attractive is its lack of a wealth tax, something which neighbouring Spain has and which can deter high net worth individuals from moving there.
Con: Feeling Like You’re Part of the Problem
It seems like everywhere in the world has a housing and cost of living crisis, so it’s easy to feel a little guilty if you can afford to buy or aren’t as affected as others by the rising cost of living.
In Portugal, that’s particularly the case. Property purchase and rental prices, in particular, have increased, and that’s definitely in part to the number of more affluent foreigners coming into Portugal.
It’s not that anyone moving here is doing anything malicious, or without caring about the problems they might create: it’s simply a consequence of Portugal’s very open immigration policy. And it’s an open immigration policy because Portugal wants foreigners to come and benefits from the money that’s brought into the country.
Some people will point out that the problem is really the government not building more affordable housing or the low wages despite many companies bringing very health profits. That may be true, but it’s still easy to feel like you’re part of the problem. Then again, there are a lot of other parts of the world, including where you’re moved from, where you could feel exactly the same thing.
Pro: Affordable Healthcare
Particularly for Americans and those outside of Europe, Portugal’s tax-funded healthcare system is a big attraction. There’s no need to worry about having the right insurance when you go to the hospital: access to public healthcare is considered a right.
For Europeans, Portugal’s healthcare system is less of a novelty and in reality it suffers from many of the same problems as other European countries: emergency healthcare is good, but waiting lists for non-urgent treatment can be long – sometimes more than a year or two.
However, one area in which Portugal trumps many other European countries is in the cost of private healthcare. Health insurance and the cost of paying out of pocket are much lower than in many other European countries, and many expats are able to use the private system for the majority of their needs, which often allows them to access better quality healthcare than they would elsewhere.
Con: Noise
Besides being cold, another problem caused by a lack of insulation is the way noise travels. This is more a problem in apartments rather than houses, but even houses aren’t immune from noise problems – the sound of barking dogs, which can sometimes go through the night, is a problem in rural areas.
The dog bark is absolutely unbearable, I have a woman living 100m away from me , in another house and she lets the little bastard on the balcony all day, today at 10 pm the beast is still barking, but apparently everybody of my so much appreciated Portuguese neighbours has no problem with this.! – Tom Baum
Generally speaking, however, most noise problems are with apartments. The most noise seems to come from the apartment above, but depending on the way the property is built, may come from the apartment below or to the side as well. As with the cold, noise problems can vary considerably from property to property, depending on when it was built, what floor the apartment is on, and who the neighbours are. In some apartments, you won’t hear anything. In others, you can hear the neighbour’s conversations almost word-for-word.
The dog barking I can just about deal with – it is the children that scream and run about, encouraged by the parents, as if the screaming should be shared by everyone. – Confoosed
As with the cold, these problems are somewhat fixable and can be avoided entirely if you spend enough money.
Noise problems aren’t unique to Portugal and are common in some neighbouring countries like Spain.
Pro: Inviting Beaches
Portuguese beaches, particularly those in the Algarve, have been voted as some of the best in the world. So if your dream is to spend your time soaking up the sunshine and listening to the waves, this is definitely the country for you.
As well as great beaches, Portugal also has several great surfing hubs such as Sagres, Ericeira, Nazaré, and Costa da Caparica.
If you’re planning on living inland, you don’t be disappointed either. Whether it’s the Douro, Gerês, Azores, Madeira, or Serra de Arrábida, Portugal has plenty of areas of natural beauty for you to enjoy.
Con: Treatment of Animals
Although it’s rapidly changing, the treatment of animals can be a problem in Portugal. In parts of rural and suburban Portugal, it’s not uncommon for dogs to be left chained up or on balconies all day (which is part of the reason that there are noise problems).
Dogs and the treatment of animals in general is a big problem in Portugal. – Andrew
This isn’t to say that it’s a problem everywhere in Portugal. While you will see mistreated animals from time to time, you will also see pets that are looked after to extremely high standards.
Pro: Lower Cost Of Living
This is a slightly trickier one, but for the most part, Portugal has a lower cost of living. Of course, it depends on where you’re coming from and what you’re buying. If you’re moving from New York or San Francisco to Portugal, you’ll notice a considerably lower cost of living. However, if you’re moving from the North of England or Spain, you won’t see a major difference and you might think Portugal is more expensive.
Portugal is cheap for some things and expensive for others. It’s cheap for eating out, for example, where a meal in a three-course lunch menu can cost you less than €10. However, other things like cars, utilities, and fuel are typically more expensive.
Again, it depends where you’re coming from. Americans typically find groceries and cell phone plans considerably cheaper than the US while many Europeans don’t notice a difference or find them more expensive.
Of course, it’s not just about price but the lifestyle you get for that price. There are few places where you can live close to the beach, enjoy fantastic weather, and eat out regularly for the cost of living that’s found in Portugal.
As an American living in Portugal, I can tell you that the Cost of Living is much better/cheaper here than in the USA. And the Quality of Life far better. And the people friendlier, the culture superior, etc. I couldn’t get out of the US fast enough and am much happier (and healthier) in Portugal.
Dan
Con: Dog Poop
Whether it’s the blue skies or the tiled walls, there are lots of beautiful things to look at in Portugal. Don’t look up too long, however. Doing so could mean you step in something you didn’t want to. Similarly, it’s always a good idea to really inspect the grass before sitting down for a picnic.
I have seen more dog poop on the sidewalks while in Portugal than I do in the US but in our Alentejo town, there are dispensers with free poop bags. – Ms G
There are two things that drive me totally mad in my country: dog poop/trash all over and cars parked in driving lanes and on sidewalks. – Andrea E
Dog poop is one of those minor downsides that you get used to with time, and it may not even be that noticable if you’ve lived in other European countries where it’s also a problem.
Pro: A Feeling Of Safety
There’s some debate as to how accurate the oft-quoted statistic of Portugal being the third safest country in the world is, but the reality is Portugal feels incredibly safe – especially when compared to the US, Latin America, and parts of the UK. It’s somewhere where children, the elderly, and women typically feel comfortable walking alone, even late at night.
In fact, Portuguese culture is incredibly family-friendly: children are adored and the elderly are treated with respect.
Con: Corruption
Ask a Portuguese person what the biggest downside to life in Portugal is and almost all will say corruption. According to Transparency International’s 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index, Portugal was ranked 32nd out of 198 countries for corruption. Backhanders can permeate every area of life, from your local council right up to the higher echelons of government. It’s just seen as a part of life or a tax for getting around the bureaucracy.
While corruption doesn’t affect most people’s lives on a day to day basis – you won’t have to bribe the police to get home – it does affect whether money is properly invested into the country and that can make a difference.
Con: Casual Racism
It isn’t a problem for most expats, but many people – particularly from Brazil and other former Portuguese colonies – report experiencing prejudice or being treated differently in Portugal. It’s probably not something you’re going to see on a day-to-day basis, but if you live here long enough and if you make friends with people of colour from Africa or South America, you may hear some stories.
As white American it doesn’t appear racists here as I don’t see confederate flags and other glaring examples but I know from Brazilians there is racism here. I have also heard comments from Portuguese about Brazilians that could be taken as racist. – Brian
But as one commenter points out, it’s quite a complex issue.
The best thing about portugal is its people. yes, they’ll scam you if you have to deal with them professionally and aren’t careful; yes, they won’t turn up on time; yes, i almost always experience racism especially when dealing with older people or in establishments that cater to rich people and the way they treat Africans can be jaw dropping. but they are always relentlessly humane. i know that i can always find the humanity in them; they are the most unassuming people i have ever met…
…Right in the centre of Lisbon is a square that has been colonized by Africans – i can’t imagine any other country in Europe allowing that (portugal has been cosmopolitan for hundreds of years). I have lived and travelled in many parts of Europe but nowhere have i seen Africans more completely at home than in Lisbon i have seen African women with their babies strapped to their backs and once an African woman carrying a load on her head and walking along. – Gloria
Casual racism is a problem everywhere, unfortunately, including many European countries. While Portugal fairs much better than many other Western countries, including the US, this doesn’t excuse the fact that it still occurs.
Pro & Con: The Slow Pace of Life
The slow pace of life is one of the main reasons that people move to Portugal, but that slow pace of life can also be a downside. When you have something that needs doing, suddenly you find yourself wishing that the slow pace of life wasn’t a thing in Portugal.
We live in rural Algarve, and our toilet seat broke 3 weeks ago. In 3 weeks, our landlord went 5 times to the local plumbing store. It was always closed for no reason, or the manager was on lunch break, and finally… they did not have the part. Our landlord thus had to drive 1 hour to a bigger store to get the part, which might or might not work… we will see soon. Maybe this week after 3 weeks, the toilet seat will be fixed. Maybe it will take a couple more weeks. In the meantime I fixed it with tape… I live in a villa for nearly $2000/month w/ utilities with a duck taped toilet seat. This is just a ridiculous example for how inefficient and slow everything is here. Our landlord is great, bless him for wasting so much time on this. But when a toilet seat takes a month to be fixed, it gives you an idea of the struggle everything else is….
…I don’t think that it’s necessarily that the locals are lazy. It’s mostly that they like it slow. They don’t see what the problem is with not answering the phone or closing the store unexpectedly. They don’t think it will bother anyone because nobody lives here to get things done. You live here when you have time. I’ve come to understand: it’s not their mistake for being slow, it’s mine for wanting to move fast in a slow place. This is not New York City or San Francisco where everybody is trying to make a gazillion dollars and everybody wants to help you get from A to B as fast as possible. This is not a place for ambition. This is a place for dolce vita, retirement and humble family life. – Taurus1
Even in simple tasks like going to the supermarket, you’ll find yourself queuing for a lot longer than you would in countries that don’t have a slow pace of life. It all depends on which you value more: the slow pace of life (for when you do want it) or constant efficiency.
This isn’t unique to Portugal, but common across most Southern European or Mediterranean countries.
Con: The “Glass Half Empty” Mentality
The Portuguese mentality can be frustrating for a lot of people, particularly for entrepreneurs and go-getters who see opportunities around every corner. In Portugal, people often look at the world in less optimistic terms. This is changing somewhat, and younger generations and those who have lived abroad tend to look at the world in more of a glass-half-full-sort-of-way but it a can’t do attitude is something you’ll come across from time to time.
Portuguese are deep thinkers and are compassionate really to the core. But if you tend to be on the anxious depress side, probably not great place as you’ll be surrounded with melancholy and sadness. It’s not obvious apparent but in years of living here, it does affect you. It’s the reason why people are flaky. Lots of anxiety and depression. – KC
Sense of humor is often lacking, but there is a lot of sincerity (often combined with unhappiness) – Gaius
I disagree with the cant do attitude being attributed to Portugal for this can’t do attitude is very much European. – Frank
This isn’t completely unique to Portugal, but it does seem to be more common in Portugal than in neighbouring European countries.
Con: Customer Service
In Portugal, it can sometimes feel like the customer is never right. Getting a problem resolved is often a battle of wills, and problems can take hours and hours of your time to get resolved. There is the complaints book (Livro de Reclamações) for when you can’t seem to get a resolution, but even that isn’t a threat to some companies (utility and communications companies particularly). Then there’s AIMA (the immigration department previously known as SEF), Finanças (tax department), and other government departments, all of which aren’t particularly popular in Portugal.
Again, this is something that is improving but it’s something you will come across from time to time.
When you do complain, there is more often than not a lengthy explanation about how it is not their fault but everyone else’s, how they are always the victim, or even insulting you. – Ava
In Portugal most services and companies will more or less spend some effort to attract your money, but after you pay you can forget about it. Once you pay, you are at their mercy and don’t expect high quality of service or goods. Forget about a refund unless it is a box store. They will respond to emails at their convenience and most emails won’t be responded if it creates inconvenience to them. – Gargantois Pantagrüell
The bigger downfall is the lousy quality of lawyers, accountants, and estate agents. Many are in each others pockets and at times, it feels like the wild west. – Jacob
Official complaints in “Livro das Reclamações” are useless. Service providers are always right and their operators rarely apologise. – Antonio
I think a lot of US people think “anything European” is romantic and the pace is slower, so you can relax more. However, once you get to the European continent, you immediately start comparing that culture to the US and then gripe because there is “no customer service, the bureaucracy, crazy drivers, etc”. – The Old Ranger
This isn’t unique to Portugal. Customer service isn’t always a big priority in Europe and government departments, particularly immigration, seem to be particularly unfriendly in most countries around the world.
Con: Workplace Culture
Sexism, micromanaging, not being allowed to show any initiative – talk to a Portuguese person about the downsides of living in Portugal and one of the main things they’ll mention is workplace culture. It’s not every company, obviously, but it is something that gets mentioned frequently.
All of what written here is true, as a Portuguese guy, life is hard for the average person here, there is no merit system in the workplace, it’s all about who you know, wages are the lowest in Western Europe, and civil society is dormant. – Portuguese guyy
Thankfully, it’s a downside that many foreigners moving to Portugal get to avoid as many bring their own jobs here, work for a foreign company, or move to Portugal for retirement.
Con: Job Opportunities
Portugal traditionally attracts much older expats, particularly retirees. There’s a reason for that, and that’s that people don’t usually come to Portugal to work: salaries are low by European standards, and there are a limited number of jobs here.
I don’t think Portugal is the right country if you are seeking employment, wages are very low, good jobs are hard to find; But for retirees and people with foreign income, it is a great possibility! – David
The good news is that, even though salaries are still a long way from catching up with other Western European countries, there are an increasing number of job opportunities in Portugal. Many people also bring their work with them – either starting a business here or working remotely for clients outside of Portugal.
This isn’t totally unique to Portugal: Across Southern Europe, job opportunities are fewer and salaries are lower when compared to Northern Europe. That said, Portugal does have some of the lowest salaries in Western Europe.
Con: It’s all about “Who You Know”
To get ahead in a lot of industries in Portugal, it’s all about who you know. This maxim is true in a lot of countries, of course, but it’s especially true in Portugal.
In a lot of English-speaking countries, like the UK and US, who you know opens doors but it doesn’t make it impossible to break into certain industries. In Portugal, not knowing the right people can make it impossible to do business in a lot of industries that you could break into in other countries.
This isn’t unique to Portugal and is quite common across most of Europe.
Con: The Driving
They drive like (use soft language) crazy and bring themselves and others in dangerous situations just to get in front of you to the get stuck behind the same truck we where already driving. – Martin
All the downsides are true however having lived in italy and Spain they are not unique to Portugal. If you want bureaucracy and crazy driving try Italy lol. – Mike
Whether it’s people flashing their lights because they’re desperate to overtake, drink driving, or tailgating, driving in Portugal can be challenging and sometimes scary. Indicators are rarely used, touch parking is common in the cities, and in rural parts of Portugal people often park diagonally across two or three spaces. It’s just one of those things about Portuguese life that you have to get used to and, depending on where you come from, it mightn’t be that bad at all.
Aside from the dogs running out into the street I think the driving in Portugal is fine. I would take driving here any day over driving in Southern California or along the US East Coast. The gas here is ridiculously expensive though, probably double to triple what it costs in the US (about $2 per liter). – Jerry
This isn’t unique to Portugal. According to Statista, in 2018, there were more road accident fatalities in 10 other European countries like Romania, Greece, and Luxembourg. However, Portugal faired worse than neighbouring countries like Spain, France, and Italy. And although people often drive somewhat aggressively, it’s definitely milder than the road rage most Americans will be used to.
Con: The Cold Ocean
A lot of people move to Portugal for the beaches and are surprised by just how cold the water is. Yes, it can be very cold because it’s not the Mediterranean Sea: it’s the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of those small downsides, but something to consider if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the water. If you’re a surfer, the quality of the waves may make up for the temperature of the water.
Another really disappointing point is that despite all those beautiful beaches, it’s impossible to swim due to the ocean being so cold. I wrongly assumed that the water would be as nice and warm as the Mediterranean sea, big mistake. – Julia
Take cold ocean for another example, I also kind of knew it but still hoped to find warmer ocean down the south. Once I realized that I can’t stay in the ocean comfortably for more than 30 minutes in Lagos – one of the most visited areas in Algarve in southern Portugal – even in August, I gave up the ideal of limiting myself to southern Portugal. – WL
This is unique to Portugal. Other Southern European countries like Spain, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus are all on the Mediterranean Sea so typically have warmer waters.
Con: Overtourism
In the past few years, tourism has boomed in Portugal. Lisbon, in particular, has become one of the hottest destinations to visit and it has attracted millions of tourists from all over the world. Porto, and the Algarve, likewise, have seen a huge increase in tourism as well.
Unfortunately, places like Lisbon and Porto are much too small to handle the sheer volume of tourists that are visiting. The streets are narrow, and the cities themselves are quite compact and small. Historical attractions like the Torre de Belém in Lisbon or the Clérigos Tower in Porto are often full to the brim and very uncomfortable to visit.
Tourism has also led to other problems in the local housing market and has put a strain on public transport and other services. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like over tourism is going to decrease anytime soon, particularly as the Portuguese economy is so focused on tourism – and doesn’t look like it’s going to dramatically shift to anything else anytime soon.
Insane amount of tourists who are here because Anthony Bourdain raved about it or whatever. Even the smaller cities outside of Lisboa feature the ubiquitous “instagram tourist spots” so you will be sure to see all the brain dead people stumbling off of huge buses, waiting their turn to take a selfie in front of some giant letters or a fountain. – Mike
This isn’t completely unique to Portugal. Lots of other cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam are struggling with overtourism.
Con: Deliveries & Customs
Many people who move to Portugal come from countries where online shopping is extremely developed, to the point where they can get their orders on the same day. That’s not the case in Portugal, especially as most online shopping is done with companies outside of Portugal. In fact, a huge percentage is likely with Amazon Spain.
The challenge of getting things delivered, whether an online shopping order or a letter from overseas, is a constant complaint amount expats. It is something you get used to, though, and, like many of the other things in this list, is a small price to pay for what you get in return.
The Postal Service (CTT). It is ASTONISHINGLY inefficient and bureaucratic. Many times things simply do not get delivered. The employees are exceptionally unhelpful. – Gaius
It’s all okay except the fact that when we order something from a foreign country it takes like 1 to 3 weeks to arrive to Lisbon, but from Lisbon to the Azores we almost always wait for 1 month to 2 months!!! – Alberto
While we’re on the subject of shopping, it’s worth mentioning Portuguese customs. Just about every country has a customs system which charges import fees on products purchased abroad. That’s annoying but reasonable. In Portugal, however, the fees charged for anything imported from outside the EU are so high that it’s not unusual for import charges to equal the value of the product purchased (and sometimes they’re even more). Even gifts that are clearly handmade by family members are stopped, valued at much more than they could ever be worth, and slapped with big import charges.
Even if you agree to pay these charges or they have been prepaid, it can take days, weeks, and even months to get your deliveries released from Portuguese customs. Basically, try to avoid shipping anything from outside the EU (excluding your belongings if you have a certificado de bagagem as these will be treated differently).
Con: The Smoking
While smoking is on the way out in many countries, smoking is still reasonably common in Portugal. While one commenter like
Second hand smoke is present everywhere here, public transportation, parks, outdoor cafes and restaurants, beaches, where you work and live and so on. – Carlos
Portugal has been slower to phase out smoking in bars and restaurants than many other European countries—while most restaurants and bars are non-smoking, you will stumble across places that still allow it in sections—but new laws coming into place in 2023 are likely to make smoking even less common inside [source].
Portugal definitely isn’t the only European country where smoking is common. It’s similar in France, Spain, and Germany.
Comments Policy: This article attracts a mixture of comments: some people who believe the pros of living in Portugal outweigh the cons and others who are frustrated with life in Portugal and want to vent their anger. While comments pointing out the negative sides of Portugal are allowed, there’s a diplomatic and a constructive way of doing this and there’s a way that’s unhelpful and simply negative. Comments that are negative and without any substance will be removed.
I agree with you José! We've had multiple daily power cuts during the work hours. Some last "just" half an hour and some last several hours! A couple power cuts lasted a couple days! Most power cuts happen during beautiful sunny weather. Yet the power company will not give us any credit fort the trouble and even raised the bill. Extremely inconsiderate. That destroys my work schedule and my PC. Takes time to restore all the alarm clocks and other equipment in the house after a rude power cut. Feels like living in Burkina Faso, Guinea or Nigeria. How did they accept such country into the EU? Must be the geopolitical thing.
Frequent power cuts during busiest times of the day and right after people return home from work! Can last for hours and days at a time!
The darker ones are like flies, they won't take NO for an answer and will keep on calling and messaging even after being asked to STOP! They would call all the houses for sale in the area and demand the house to be rented to them at a ridiculously low rate with power and everything included!
A lot of Portuguese (and their services) are surprisingly inconsiderate...
I like the following post by a Spaniard on Quora:
Eduardo Marqués Collado
·
Follow
Lives in SpainUpvoted by
Tiago Silvestre
, lives in Portugal (1996-present) and
Elma Moneo
, lives in Spain (1959-present)Updated 2y
Related
How different are the Portuguese people from the Spanish?
We’re quite similar to our Portuguese brothers, but there are of course differences, specially when you take different regions into account:
The Portuguese character is more subdued, less prone to bombastic statements. They have a more “low key” nature, so to speak. They understand sublety.
Portuguese people are less noisy. This is a very easy to confirm fact, and thank God for that.
We Spaniards are night owls, while the Portuguese are morning people.
The Portuguese like to stay at home more, both for family and party reasons. Us Spaniards love the streets.
They are also more polite, since after Franco’s death us Spaniards brilliantly concluded that courtesy and respect were fascism’s cousins. Our Portuguese brothers are not as stupid in that regard.
Portuguese are more pessimistic and melancholic, although one can argue that so are the Galicians as well, which is the Spanish region with the highest level of cultural affinity with Portugal.
Portuguese people strikes me as more traditional than we are (not to confuse with “conservative”). Us Spaniards are the opposite: We’re very conservative in the strict sense of the word, but also quite neophile at the same time, both for good and bad.
The Portuguese are more patriotic. Or I would rather say that they don’t hate themselves with our level of cardiac arrest due to our festering, open civil war wounds.
The Portuguese people don’t share our “whatever”-ism when it comes to things like PDA, public drinking or LGTB issues. They take their Catholicism more seriously than we do, or so it seems.
Portuguese people are less prone to anger than us Spaniards. They have a sweeter, mellow character. But they also find it harder to feel enthusiastic (not to be confused with “being happy”).
The Portuguese are even more family oriented than we are, which is already a lot. It can sometimes feel even a little tad opressive (talking from the experience of my fellow Portuguese friends).
The Portuguese have a way more “no nonsense” attitude than us, and I love them for that. They are very down to earth, in a good way. Once you step out of Lisbon, the pretentiousness level reaches absolute zero.
However, that attitude can also be self-defeating too, when taken to the extreme. Portuguese people have the talent, but they often lack the confidence to put said talent to work. They view the “think big” mentality with suspicion. Why be ambitious when you know that things are going to get awry?
The Portuguese can sometimes be distrusful of outsiders. They are not xenophobic at all, but you will need more time to gain their trust. Once you do, however, they will be loyal till the end. Same thing that happens with people from Galicia.
In short, we’re two countries and peoples with a lot in common: We’re both welcoming, family and friend-oriented, outward-looking, ancient Southern European cultures, and it shows.
Yes, we have lots of differences as well, and in a way, some people use said differences in order to define themselves and search for their identity.
But in my heart the Portuguese people are our brothers, so I wish them a long life and eternal prosperity 🙂
In the European Union the following countries have banned GMOS: France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia. How about POORTUGAL?
Why can't we be protected from this ONSLAUGHT of loud motorcycles driving past homes in towns without mufflers revving at full throttle, even at night?
Stay away from FedEx Portugal! "Money-Back Guarantee (section 19 of these Conditions of Carriage) is not applicable to local payors based in Portugal, until further notice." Source: https://www.fedex.com/en-pt/conditions-of-carriage.html
Fique longe da FedEx Portugal! "A Garantia de Reembolso (secção 19 destas Condições de Transporte) não se aplica a pagadores locais com sede em Portugal, até novo aviso." Fonte: https://www.fedex.com/en-pt/conditions-of-carriage.html
I once went with my wife to a fast food burger restaurant (McD) for breakfast, and we were very surprised when we heard the employee apologize to us for not serving coffee in porcelain cups, but rather in cardboard cups. She said they can’t provide any more porcelain cups because they were all stolen by customers, Portuguese customers. I need to say more? (sighs)
Portugal, the worst country I have been. The people I have met there were rude, negative, sarcastic, vicious, toxic and had no sense of humor what so ever. I have been scammed by real estate brokers, lawyers who did not do anything, except lying, customer services do not exist in that 3r world country. They are racist towards every one with a black skin, mostly Brazilians and I did not even mention the level of corruption, how they educat their colonial past ( the call it provinces ) the dirt on the street and the poverty. I stop now otherwise I get despressed myself.
After reading the below article I finally understood why for many years on a continuous basis FedEx Portugal takes 1 to 2 weeks to dispatch documents shipments internationally from Lisbon, Portugal!
"Portugal is the European country with the highest rate of depression and the second in the world, but it is estimated that one third of the population with severe mental disorders are not being treated, Lusa news agency reported.
According to the coordinator for the European Alliance Against Depression, psychiatrist Ricardo Gusmão, the United States is the only country that is ahead of Portugal in the rate of depression and mental disorders in general.
Gusmão believes that, although the use of antidepressants is much higher in Portugal than in other countries, there are still many seriously ill patients without treatment. “The most serious consequence of untreated depression is suicide and most suicides occur in the context of depression,” he said."
Source: https://portuguese-american-journal.com/portugal-is-the-european-country-with-the-highest-rate-of-depression/
Only absolutely mentally ill people and companies run by such mentally ill and depressed people can ignore such business common sense to dispatch shipments ASAP within hours of being picked up since they are a SPEED COURIER for God's sake!
Stuck in Portugal being dependent on their horrible Fedex "service".
"There are still many seriously ill patients without treatment in Portugal" and they are running businesses in a really depressed way. How do they remain in business that's another question. Perhaps most of their customers are mentally ill as well?
Portugal is a wonderful country, but for doityourselvers only. Otherwise, to receive a good quality workmanship and service you will have to pay ten times more than it's worth and spend years of your life to achieve your goals. If they will show up. If you're lucky. It's cheaper to import Norwegians, the Swiss or the Japanese to do the same work and with better quality and much faster. That's what we did, we had nationals of another western European country fly in their equipment on a charter plane and do the work and that saved us a lot of grief on missed time and targets. My Portuguese wife wholeheartedly agrees with me. Portuguese are wonderful people.
How come you have never written about the chocolate in Portugal? The pingo doce and continente chocolate is shit. I can only get good chocolate in lidl and aldi. Sometimes in Auchan but it is usually imported chocolate. Why Portugal no like good chocolate?
I'm not sure whether I completely understand the bizarrely dismissive nature of the Portugalese, but they seem to be extremely sensitive and they react to any otherwise reasonable wording or behaviour by quietly dismissing all the projects and punishing you for any even smallest of your "mistakes" you have made while interacting with them. You have to be extremely, I mean EXTREMELY, I mean E X T R E M E L Y C A R E F U L what you do and what you say to the Portuguese and even when you are absolutely careful, they will still "punish" you for non-existing misdeeds. Even if you paid them more for their work than anyone else ever did.
A good example is when you work in the garden and throw the weeds onto your driveway so you can take them away or burn the weeds at a later hour, your passing-by neighbours may think you are intentionally throwing the weeds their way and being rude about it. Or you are very politely are asking the worker to do this and that for you, to make sure they don't cut the wrong tree or build the stone wall in a wrong direction (happened to me too many times!). While the worker quits the job immediately, lying that they will return tomorrow and blaming the drizzle that never came, soon you will be dismissed and boycotted by the entire village (for "throwing weeds at them", even if they passed by your house within 50 meters of where you threw the weeds and not even in their direction to be exact) and no one will work for you and you will end up doing DIY on everything, or leaving the country.
No matter what you do, you will be boycotted, no matter how well you behave, because you are not them. Should I say, overly sensitive, inconsiderate, selfish and extremely superstitious nature of Portugalese people is staggering. When they come into your house they will never (almost never) bring anything, even if you donate things to them, they'd rather steal than bring you pleasant surprises, like little gifts, and yes there are exceptions, but not as part of culture. Inconsiderate driving, inconsiderate treatment of each other while standing in line, with some simply cutting in line "since they are in a rush", too many examples to mention.
There are too many TIME WASTERS in Portugal, but there are good people in Portugal as well as an occasional good deal, if you're careful. But beware of scam and fraud!
Most services in Portugal have all kinds of problems in order to reach them. It is either their website is dysfunctional or some feature is not working and they rarely respond email inquiries or answer their phones. If you are lucky to reach them, they show indifference to "serve" your order or to sell to you, which usually ends up in a disaster, such as bad quality merchandise, wrong colour, sent to a wrong location, items missing, bad installation, workers not showing up. You're left on your own, to fend for yourself.
I spent some months in Portugal. They were the worst months of my life. Wanted to buy a property. I met dishonest brokers, lawyers. Being rude, they lie when you ask why they did not follow up. Bureaucracy is a nightmere. Hospitals, doctors do not speak English. Customer services do not exist. Very difficult to make friends with Porutguese. Mostly narrow minded and not very wordly. They are not interested in the rest of the world. They are proud of their colonial past. Racism is a big problem there. Poverty, corruption.... I can go on an on an on. I wished I could have a different opinion, but I do not have from my own experiences. I left the country. Good luck Portuguese !
Unfortunately I have to admitt that PT, most of the people I have met ( maybe I have been unlucky ) were from not nice to horrible. And everything in between. They are depressing, the envy, they are toxic and lying passive agressive. ( sorry for all the nice Portuguese which I did not meet a lot ) The bureaucracy is better called bureaucraZY. It is a nightmere. The level of English of Doctors, lawyers, architects is none or very bad. I tried to purschase a dwelling in PT and never experienced more mistakes, lying, stress in those 7 months then in my entire life together. I am glad it did not work out and I left asnd will never come back. The Portuguese are rather passive then to step up. Things will never change there. I feel really sorry for the younger generation.
Most if not all Portuguese services are a failure. Caixa Geral bank website is broken, thus I am unable to login into my bank account in order to pay the 23% IVA import duty (Customs clearance charges). Customs wants to charge me a huge amount for a gift received from United States, but their (CTT, Alfândega = Customs Dept.) website is broken and is severely dysfunctional, always hanging up and having other problems, while CTT (for Customs Clearance) emails always arrive with "broken" images and "dead" links. Thus I have to discover everything myself, which costs time and money. Now the electronics purchases in this country are usually dangerously unprotected and of low quality, failing, while the companies usually do not keep the warranty promise and try to avoid repairing goods or refunding the money. I had two appointments made already with the warranty repair technician who did not show up the second time. Thus I called my bank in order to submit a payment reversal on the split a/c unit (HTW Spanish brand), and the bank's phone and website appear to be broken and are unable to service my needs... The lawyers are crooks, and so on and so forth and it's a closed circle trying to survive in this country. What seems to be "affordable" turns out to be very expensive and costly to your health and well being.
Unable to report my electric meter readings to the local el. power company. Their el. meter reporting center or as they call it a Call Center (in English, no Portuguese version), is not responding. The voice recording after a very long wait says: This number is inactive, use an alternative contact method! There is NO alternative contact method and their website seems to be down. This is the kind of disrespect and ignorance exists in this country. They do not respect people and their customers. They won't explain why it is down or closed and if I don't report electric power meter readings today the power company makes their own calculations and issue "fines" for late reporting even if that is THEIR fault! I was never able to get my money back for those "late reporting fines" (their fault). Everything here works like a monopoly. And their grocery stores can close in the middle of day for no reason and no notice is posted on the doors. Screw the customer, they don't need to know, or perhaps they think the customer "knows" why the store is closed for the day. Such a disrespect and incompetence to the highest, or rather lowest level.
Portugal might be a good country to live, if, your income is not from Portugal, but overall there are better choices in Europe and in the World.
To live in a expat bubble, is not a decent life i think, and that is what´s gonna happen to 95% of expats unless you dominate the language and do a lot of effort to integrate, some fault on the expats here, and on the portuguese as well, guilt rarely dies single as we say in Portugal.
People might find Portugal beautiful, but what they do not know, is that the Portuguese landscape is one of the most modified and deturped in Europe; full of burned landscapes, thanks to the Eucalyptus and Mimosa Trees which are not endemic to Portugal but cover the country onte tip to another, no European country has such cenario, thankfully.
If you dig deep down, society is rotten to the core, because Portugal was a country created by a elite, it was always dominated by elites, and has a very rigid social hieararchy system, which kills ambition and inovation, and sedates people through football and other means; it's a country of sad, apathetic, and mentally ill people for the most part, things you wont nottice as a tourist.
Work and service culture are third world, as it is a lot of the infrastructure outside Lisbon or Porto.
It is a country that would it has what it has thanks to the EU and you can see it's not much, i am Portuguese and i live Abroad, and i do firmly believe the cons vastly outnumber the pros, unless you are a tourist or you wanna live in a secluded expat bublle, then it might be paradise, it's more of a hell to many, many portuguese people, who happen to see and understand a bit further, hope this helps.
Hello everyone.
I commented back in 2020 and reading my comment again reminded me of how hard and stressful it was to get all the admin type stuff sorted out here. I think one commenter rightly said that if you are rich enough to be able to afford agents to do all the admin for you then you will be fine. The richer ones will also be able to pick themselves up if they feel they made a mistake. Those coming over on a small budget need to think hard about the decision.
I am retired. I would never have come here to work. I asked one of the young waitresses in a local cafe what she earned - 2.40€ an hour. Shocking. The wages here are very low. For remote workers, the internet here in Portugal is better than I have ever experienced before.
I am still here after nearly 4 years and have finally found my piece of paradise in Praia de Mira. I have bought a piece of land in a “condominium” and am currently renting a property on the same estate. I can sit out in the sun from April onwards. It is May now and it was actually too hot to sit out this afternoon. Bearing in mind that this it is much cooler here on the Western coast than in the Algarve.
But even here in paradise there are cons. I bought the land over a year ago and still no nearer to seeing anything being built. I have been given a start date of January 2024 and I will take that with a pinch of salt. The architect was a nightmare and ghosted us for wanting three changes. As a result, the design took over 9 months. Yes, I should have just bought a house and heeded all the warnings about building a house in Portugal. I guess my emotions took over!
There is also the perennial barking dog next door but one. We thought that by coming onto a condominium we wouldn’t have that problem, but we still do. There are also some dogs who “walk themselves” around the estate. We think they come from neighboring areas. On the other hand, there are lots of very loving dog owners who take their dogs out for walks (though they still don’t pick up the poo!).
In the space of three years we have rescued 7 cats. We just couldn’t leave them in such bad situations. The good thing about this condominium is that some of the nice Portuguese owners have taken the street cats to the vet to be neutered and chopped - this is why it is paradise!! Yes, the cats still roam the streets, but at least there are not lots of starving kittens. One thing about Portugal, you can pick up a feral blue-eyed Siamese type cat from the streets for free. It would cost a fortune in the UK, but for some reason there are loads of them in Portugal. We now have two and they are absolutely gorgeous!
We have noticed prices rising rapidly here, and reckon that food prices have gone up by about 30% since we came here in 2019. Rental prices are astronomical. Also utility bills have gone up a lot, just as elsewhere in Europe. Please don’t believe all the bloggers who tell you how cheap it is to live here. Try doing an internet search on something like Continente online and compare your normal shop. I spend 600€ a month at the supermarkets for two people plus quite a lot of cheap cat food.
We have signed with the local SNS doctor, but haven’t been provided with a named family doctor, however I can still get a prescription renewed. We tend to go to a local private clinic. 40€ to see a GP, no waiting, just turn up. 70€ to have a 15 minute consultation with an English speaking, highly qualified specialist. There are many local “Analysis clinics” to get blood tests, scans etc, at much lower prices than in the UK. Our Portuguese is a bit better now so we can usually get past the receptionists!!
I do my tax return online using the Finanças portal. As long as I copy what I did last year, it is now a 10 minute job to do both my husband’s and mine. Much easier than doing a UK paper tax return. I am extremely lucky to have a Portuguese friend, who speaks good English, and she helps me if I have problems. I don’t know what I would do without her, to be honest. I have found Portugal to be a very safe country (apart from maniac drivers), I can walk around here on my own without a worry.
Sorry for the wall of text, but I know a lot of you want to know personal experiences about actually living here. Although there are a lot of negatives, we are still here, so the positives must outweigh. It is not easy to live here, but it is something that gets easier with time. Good luck.
WARNING! Do not buy any cars, electronics, home appliances in Portugal! You will most likely get scammed and taken advantage of big time. Most businesses, stores will not honour the warranty! Mark my word. Do not buy anything with a brand name "HTW" such as air conditioning units or "TRISTAR". Do not buy anything made in Spain, Portugal or Italy. Lawyers in Portugal are useless con artists and so are most merchants and installers. They take cash and don't give you any warranty or cash receipt! And the services are of the lowest "quality". If you want to live in a Stone Age, then build from stone, concrete, DIY and that's it. Use the most durable materials and don't expect any return for your investment.
I lived in Portugal for a while. Come from Denmark. I have had very bad encounters in the country. First of all I experienced a passive and fatalistic people. Very difficult to approach. Very difficult to make friends. I have encountered very dishonest real estate brokers who flat out lied in to your face and when you come with proof that they lied, they become angry or just laugh at you. Lawyers who do nothing for their money, are not reachable, do not what thay promised to do. I am not even talking about the very noticable corruption in the country. The Portuguese are proud of their former colonies, are very selfcentered. I cannot and do not want to tell / share all my very bad experiences. I am glad I leaved the country. Back in Copenhagen.
Stop complaining and move to the Azores, away from the more expensive and crowded main island (São Miguel). The climate is almost tropical in the Azores, with warmest winter nights than anywhere in Europe and temperatures constantly in 15C to 27C and with extremely affordable real estate. Plenty of empty public pols and spectacular coastline and trails. Azorian people are wonderful and no racism at all.
What a great blog! I think Portugalist either was hacked recently or they must have changed their host since for a couple weeks it had a "hacked" appearance. I was afraid it won't be restored to its former glory, but it was. Although I think there were more comments pre-2019 if I'm not mistaken. And so very informative! Thank you James and thanks to all the participants.
Oh and my personal awards goes for the following comment by Jack on September 6, 2020:
"Only other thing I'd add is how self-absorbed Portuguese can be, in a rather inconsiderate way. I would actually compare it to L.A., but no fakeness here. People do not give a FUCK about others, and it shows."
What has happened to PORTUGALIST website and all the comments dated 2019-2023 that disappeared in the past couple weeks?
Ouch!
A deeply unpleasant, yet honest admission.
Of course you'll be crying when the foreign money is gone 🙂 and bitching when the foreigners in the EU and IMF bail you out 😉
xau querido 😉
Sad to see that there are so many complaints about Portugaland its people. Especially the dishonesty, cheating topic and the indifference about it. With your comments you only confirmed the statements. I would understand the Portuguese frustration if the locals and traditions are not being respected. But purposely lying, cheating and damaging other people's reputation by spreading gossip and lies about someone to ruin someone's life just because you can't stand other people's luck, success or blessings? So childish and pity jealous behaviour.
Plenty great Portugese people just sad, disgruntled people like you spoil the country and the reputation of your people. Good job!
Thanks for your comment Mr Horse, All the negative comments on Portugal and their people have been vindicated by your opinion! Your backward mentality and open hostility and racism have already earned you a ban on the Quora Forum where you incessantly insulted others who were critical on your country. James take note!
You care to think and think to care.. Thank you ..
To all those foreigners, expats and tourists - don't come to Portugal bitching, we don't want you here. We have enough of your complaints and yes, those who live here will have fake or true rumours and fake or true gossip spread around the local community so you won't be able to get anything done to your house or yard. Stay in your own country, please. Obrigado!
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry the experience in Lisbon was so difficult for you, Laura! It sounds very traumatic on many levels. I hope you are able to heal the trauma from the sexual assault. Thankfully, you were able to leave Portugal and are able to share your scars with those of us who are being mesmerized by the numerous blogs, articles and videos stating Portugal is the best place to live. My husband and I have been seriously considering moving there, but after reading your post along with the others, I feel like the blinders are being removed and Reality is saying "Don't!" Thank you for having the courage to speak so honestly. I really wish you the very best and know you are a strong woman and will heal the wounds from living in Portugal...and be stronger because of it.
I think the Portuguese mentality and negative attitude towards foreigners is just a huge problem for people who move there! Generally it is safe to assume that there are lots of other much friendlier countries where life is much better quality and huan relationships with the locals are sigificantly more gratifiying. I generally keep contact to the Portuguese to a minimum after experiencing what has been comprehensively described by other vloggers!
Locals are extremely passive aggressive.
the incompetence and indifference are next level.
people are rude and uneducated. the friendliness is a facade. The infrastructure and public services are third world.
rents in lisbon are sky high.
this country is not at all what it seems to be.
beautiful scenery and landscapes.
but rotten to the core. thanks to the people. the overflow of anglo saxon expats makes it worse. don‘t believe the hype. good place for retirees. pain in the bum for ambitious, positive, outgoing go getters.
Thank you Janet, I appreciate it.
Hi Manuel,
It sounds like this is an issue with you sending items from outside the EU to Portugal. Have you spoken to Sendmybag about this? They have a page on their website that discusses the documents needed.
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
This is how crooked many Portuguese services are. Here's a true complaint of a FedEx/TNT customer in Portugal and there are many thousands of complaints like this coming every day!
"In early August (2022) I hired a company called Sendmybag to send 3 bags from London UK to Portugal (Coimbra). After much hassle, the bags were delivered to the destination address. 6 months after that, TNT Portugal (now acquired by FedEx) sent letters to the destination address, where I don't live, charging me customs fees. I'm not opposed to paying those fees, but I want to understand why, after 6 months, they thought it was a good idea to send someone an account. To make matters worse, they sent the letters in the last 2 weeks of December, when everyone is traveling!! Now I'm told that TNT wants to pass the debt on to a debt collector, which is nonsense. I called FedEx Portugal and they said they don't handle this over the phone, I had to send an email 3 days ago (January 9, 2023) and still no response. This is disgraceful and I demand an explanation from FedEx or TNT or whoever is responsible for this mess."
A lot of Portuguese, probably 50%, their services, their workmanship and their products are like this: dishonest, inconsiderate and of a low quality and standard and the entire "thing" has a strong Third World vibe even today. A used item for a Portuguese is still new as long as it is not falling apart. Their "super friendliness" is only superficial. Enter and deal at your own risk. Yes, yes... there are "nice" people in Portugal too that are quite sincere, but not too many. Americanization is also an issue. Welcome to Portugal, the land of past discoveries!
I had to fire 2 cleaning ladies, just less stressful to do the work by myself. Apart from being completely unreliable, their work ethic sucks and they like to argue.
What a poor mentality and unprofessional egotistic attitude most local people have here, is hardly imaginable!
In Portugal and especially in the isolated and remote islands called Azores the cashiers at the grocery stores have the nerve to abuse their customers by not handing them their card or change back until they submit to the cashier demands. I am not kidding! That's especially popular at the "COMPRE BEM" supermarkets. Compre Bem cashiers are not trained to be polite. They frequently do not greet the shoppers and often are rude to them and even abuse the customers by rude and very oddly rude behaviour indeed.
Laura, thank you so much for sharing your story. I thought I was the only one feeling like this. I have lived in Lisbon for six months only, but had the chance to feel the effects of the problems you have mentioned full-time and full-width. I come from a poor country which I thought was socially and culturally underdeveloped, where corruption is still a huge problem. I was looking for a better place for me and my children, but the quality of people back home turned out to be so much better. Portugal has a very beautiful scenery. But that's the façade. Beautiful on the outside, ugly on the inside. You can't really integrate there. The reasoning behind most cooperation is money and you almost never get good service for a lot of it. I was kicked in the face by most people who offered their friendship unequivocally. And that rate is 100%! Even those who were more "spiritually" inclined, turned to be very business-oriented. Portugal turned out to be a huge disappointment and left a few scars on an already broken heart...
Thank you for this. Especially the last sentence.
What country were the tourists from who beat him up and broke his ribs? I hope those touristing criminals were arrested and sued.
Bravo to you, Happy Here. As someone considering moving to Portugal from the U.S., I can't thank you enough for your detailed, honest & spot-on comment. I share your sentiments about the U.S. 100%. Your credible insights soften the blow of the horribly negative comments here. Obrigada <3.
At your own risk only.
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are helping others.
Do I understand you to mean don't go to any dentist in the Azores?
Everyone who has got some issues living in the continental part of Portugal, where some people may be more rude than average, should move to the secondary islands in the Portuguese island called Azores, such as Santa Maria, São Jorge, Pico for instance. If Portugal is considered safe, then Azores are extremely and absolutely safe. Just stay away from local dentists. While there's some light crookery going on and some of the workmanship and services are of a poor quality, in the Azores you will do just fine, especially if you're into DIY. The people are just fine and there are many very very extremely kind and friendly ones out there.
Thank you for this article. I am coming to this thread very late and do not normally post on forums but feel obliged to add my experience to the many helpful and I believe honest testimonies posted here. This because I wish that I had read such accounts before I moved to Portugal and I hope that future readers might realise that this is not just a case of a bunch of 'whingers' as some people have written but a genuine effort to warn people of things that they might experience there.
I lived in Lisbon for about seven years after living around the world for several decades and can attest that I have never encountered anything close to the difficulties and upset that I encountered there.
Portugal is an absolutely beautiful country, and Lisbon has wonderful museums, an excellent cinematheque and a very impressive cultural offering for a city of that size. The weather and food are fantastic and interactions in shops, restaurants, parks, one's daily route etc tend, in most cases, to be a joy. Most of all I have rarely encountered kindness like that of a handful of strangers, neighbours and a few other people, whom I encountered during my time there. I will carry an appreciation for their kindness, generosity and honesty (in the midst of what I can unfortunately only describe as a morass of corruption) in my heart for ever and greatly appreciate their gestures and my interactions with them. They are the people who should represent Portugal, and I hope that one day I will forget what I witnessed there, and only remember them.
However for the most par my experience was relentlessly depressing and exhausting due to a never ending barrage of cheating, devious behaviour, lies, sloppy work, lack of care and professionalism and deep institutional corruption, encountered at so many levels and in many areas of life. This, among other things, necessitated a constant recourse to lawyers, who often turned out to be more dishonest or unreliable and hopeless than the people whom I had hired them to deal with. The fees I paid were in general higher than fees I have paid top lawyers in cities such as New York or London (for excellent jobs) for work that was at best sub standard and more often than not terrible, riddled with errors and lack of care). In at least one case, the lawyer’s stance clearly went against my own interests and begged the question whose interest he and his top law firm were working for. In at least one case, I had to hire lawyers from three separate firms in succession to examine whether my initial lawyer ( partner in a major law firm) was working against my interests. After examining the documentation, all concluded that there was a clear conflict of interest but told me that I would never get anywhere in Portugal making a complaint against such a highly placed lawyer, nor disputing his fees which they confirmed were clearly not as agreed and inacceptable.
I am aware of several other foreigners who had major issues with lawyers (and real estate agencies) and also have friends who left the country because the issues they experienced with major law firms were so severe that it caused them to loose all faith in the system. I constantly hemorrhaged money both due to the feckless lawyers and the myriad of dishonest practices, people and scams that led me to them. Frequently people who appeared to be kind and constantly smiling at first turned nasty from one minute to the next. I was also threatened on more than one occasion, when it became obvious that I was prepared to go to court or reveal the corruption I had found. Every time I emerged from one problem and hoped to be able to move forward and appreciate the country in a constructive way a new problem would emerge. The above occurred both on a macro and micro level. Among other things, I got a glimpse into high level corruption in an area involving the state, banking and real estate and that caused me to lose faith and trust in political fabric of the country. I began to feel that everything was stacked against the honest citizens of the country, whose function seemed mainly to bankroll a corrupt elite through taxation, which gave them almost nothing in return.
I did also encounter quite frequently the passive aggressiveness and pettiness detailed in this forum and it was not pleasant, but I think it is something one could try to ring fence and rise above as a downside of living in a beautiful country, if one is not too troubled by such things. However, I never worked out how to avoid the pervasive corruption and relentless cheating and it was utterly soul destroying. I felt stuck in a terrible swamp and came to believe that the only way to live in Lisbon and avoid or not notice it was perhaps to be a digital nomad, live exclusively in an expat bubble, work remotely, never purchase property or live in some form of retirement community or better be a tourist.
It was a challenge to work out how to ever integrate into the society and make friends in the kind of way that I was used to integrating into, and contributing to, other countries where I have lived. This because of so often being brought back to my/our foreigness and the less than subtler reminders and statements about how foreigners were making life financially unviable for the Portuguese and destroying the city. I completely agree/d that the expulsion of the local population from the centre and the general touristifaction of Lisbon, in combination with the wild west that is the Portuguese real estate market, was unfolding in an outrageous and deeply unjust way but this was almost never discussed, in my presence, in any from of politically constructive way, or in a way that I felt I could constructively respond to, help in any form to solve or contribute to at any level, and after a while it felt more like a constant reproach and an invitation to leave. Living in Lisbon was the first time in decades of living in different countries that I felt that I was an "expat" (with seemingly no way to escape that labelling) instead of a person who happened to have come to live there, with things to offer and contribute and who wanted to participate.
I agree that noise was an issue (mostly bound up with the out of control tourism and the mayor’s office seeming total disregard for the inhabitants of Lisbon, out of control construction etc). In my area it was only realistic to get about four or five hours of sleep per night, even with ear plugs in and despite other attempts to drown out the noise. But though not ideal, one does get in some way used to it and personally I wouldn’t cite it as a primary reason not to live in Lisbon.
The country is secure in general. It was a consistent privilege and pleasure to feel that one could walk around safely in much of Lisbon or other cities at night and almost never witness physical fights between people or other violence or feel under threat. However, I, too, question how much crime is actually reported. I was sexually assaulted at around 7 am on a Sunday morning in Lisbon. I managed to fight off the assailant in the midst of his assault but one of the most distressing aspects of the attack was that there was a line of taxis in view of what was going on, with some of the taxi drivers standing beside their vehicles chatting and none of them came to my aid.
Having fought off the assailant, I started running after him, screaming and imploring the taxi drivers and others come to my aid but instead of helping me the taxi drivers found it extremely funny. When the attacker managed to get away, I got myself to a police station. The police officer's initial response was to tell me that Portugal was a great place for holidays but that I could forget if I wanted to get justice for a sexual assault and that such things were better dealt with in the North of Europe and best to return to my country. When I kept insisting and asked him to seek out CCTV footage he said there were no CCTV cameras in the area. When I kept insisting that something be done because the man could proceed to attack others, he called for some colleagues to come in a police car. They did not address me directly but took me to their car, commanded me to get into it, and started circle endlessly back and forth around the area where I had been assaulted, instructing me to tell them if I saw the assailant. They did not ask me any questions about the assault or talk to me but just sat joking and chatting with each other, as if I was not there I interrupted their chatter several times to point out that the assailant had run into the small pedestrian streets of the Alfama and that it therefore seemed completely fruitless to circle inanely around the area of the original assault but they just ignored my comment each time and kept on circling, chatting and joking. After a while I found the situation so humiliating that I burst into tears and asked to be released from the car. At no point did they or their colleague at the station, ever ask me if I was OK although I was visibly shaken and in pain, and I had very clearly stated that I had been sexually assaulted. They did not ask if I would like a female police woman to be present or arrange a medical examination.
After giving up on the police, I decided the next day that the best course of action would be to warn various local women (acquaintances and people I would pass on my route), in the area about the assailant out of fear that he might strike again. I was worried that whereas I had been wearing trainer, they wore high heels or more traditional shoes and that running on the cobblestoned streets, especially if raining, would be difficult. I hoped if I spoke to them they would in turn plan for this and warn other women that they knew in the area to be vigilant in the coming days and weeks. Instead of thanking me for the warning or showing any concern as to whether I was doing OK after a sexual assault, each immediately launched into a monologue about how there were no rapists in Portugal and he must have been a foreigner, asking me questions about details that would have proven he was obviously foreign. When I insisted it was completely irrelevant if he was foreign or Portuguese and that my aim was to warn local women that there was a potential rapist in the area, in the face of the inaction of the police, I got nowhere. It felt as if I had hit on a taboo, their sole interest seemingly to be to prove he was foreign. After a few conversations, I gave up finding it so dispiriting and pointless and I never talked about the sexual assault again.
I must add that when I had a similar but more quickly escaped (and therefore less traumatic) experience one day in a different area, Parque das Nacoes, a Portuguese woman leaped to my aid and was utterly fantastic and courageous. I continued to run into her in the months after and was always struck by how very kind and caring she was - another example of one of those lovely strangers one can encounter in Lisbon.
Aside from my own failed police experience, I had a foreign friend who lived in a building in Lisbon full of airbnbs. One night he knocked on the door of an apartment where a loud party was taking place in the early hours of the morning and asked them to stop the party. Two drunk tourists inside beat him up, breaking some of his ribs, resulting in a few weeks hospital stay. The police in his case were also totally hopeless. They did not want to deal with the crime because of the assailants having been tourists. Once again absolutely nothing was done, and he ended up leaving the country.
All but one of the foreigners who I met during my seven years in Lisbon left, disheartened and in several cases traumatised, although many of them had moved there like me with a plan to stay there for life.
The things that I have written here, are just a tiny fraction of the difficulties I encountered in Portugal and which I cannot find the words to describe well. I have loved living around the world, speak several languages and am used to working and sometimes living in what others judge to be very tough and extreme conditions. I do not normally give up and tend to adjust to wherever I go/ My experience in Portugal was unprecedented and has left deep mental scars (more impactful than the financial losses) and I am still struggling to rebuild my trust in people and myself, elsewhere. The country is clearly a fantastic option for some people with many beautiful and quite exceptional sides to it, but please reflect on what I and others have written before deciding if it is the right place for you. And taking all our points in mind please carefully consider if you would thrive there or potentially be very damaged by living there.
Extremely slow internet connection and frequent (unannounced) power cuts! One such power cut has just happened before 21 H when everyone was in the dining room celebrating. All of a sudden, DARKNESS and CHAOS. The power was restored 20 minutes later, but the holiday spirit was almost lost. Some guests went home...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"What about the fact that the government (finanças) can take money out of your bank account if they think you owe them money? In most countries they send you a bill and you can challenge it. In Portugal they just take it."
Yes, Brian that was my and many other people's experiences in Portugal who did not even live in Portugal but owned property and had a bank account in PT. The crooks (plenty of them in PT, in some communities almost 90% of the population) would purchase a car from the foreigner after he's done driving it around and not change the ownership of the car. Then the previous owner has road tax accumulating over the years and if they happen to have a bank account in Portugal the Finanças will simply take money from their bank account, unannounced, without a prior notice, just like that! Even if it is €600 or €5000, any amount! Just like that! Like a bunch of thieves!
Hello everyone and I wish you all a great merry Christmas,
I'm not surprised to find a blog about downsides in Portugal. I am so pissed, this is so typical of Portuguese workers to call me and ask for work and then to not show up to work nor answer their mobile phone. Or showing up late and leaving early but demanding a full day's pay. Everything in Portugal has to be done by DIY if you're a homeowner and avoid being involved in their silly mind games. No wonder their economy is lagging even behind Eastern Europe now. This is such an insult to an employer to be so misled to say it softly by the workers who need work and don't show up ruining my plans. I will never answers those workers calls again and from now I am hiring Mexicans, having flown them over to Portugal to do the job.
Good luck dealing with those idiots.
What about the fact that the government (finanças) can take money out of your bank account if they think you owe them money? In most countries they send you a bill and you can challenge it. In Portugal they just take it.
Thank you for the beautiful PORTUGALIST blog and thanks for all the beautiful and friendly Portuguese people that I have met. I agree that deliveries to Portugal take part of our life to receive, especially if they are sent by mail and not by a speed courier. And sometimes our letters are cut open and looked inside and sometimes the contents is missing, but the biggest problem is that mail to the Azores takes 1+ month to arrive from Lisbon alone and it can take 1,5 to 6 months to arrive from China, India, Brazil or America or even from somewhere else in the E.U. It is NOT a small price to pay, because I am a self employed person who heavily depends on my self-employement income and while at the best of economic times I used to make about €1000 to €1500 per month with my limited self employement income, during the crises past the year 2007 and until today my income heavily depends on every whim of worldwide postal services and on every whim of the CTT as well and therefore every mail theft., every mail robbery, every loss, every grocery store raising their prices on a commercial whim and every mail delivery delay and every food price increase takes my family back to stone age where we have to live without enough electricity and water at times. This is why we have moved to the Azores (Portugal) because only here we don't have to pay property tax for a cheap house under €94000 in value and only here I can surevive on about €150 to €400 per month. And only in the Azores we do not use electricity to heat the house or to even bath. We are must to use cold water to bath. I do not like to ask for any kind of state support, but I ask the Portuguese governement, PLEASE make sure the CTT delivers mails much faster for everyone to the Açores than it is now and please assure a safe delivery of mail cause every theft or loss means we will be undernourished and unwell. And please INVESTIGATE all te PRICE GOUGING going on by the grocery stores cause it hurts the most. The price of milk went up from 50c to 1.05 and we can't afford to keep our cats anymore because also cat food went from €4 to €9 per 4 kg bag. The kids don't receive their fair share of cookies anymore. Are you happy? Make rich people happy, will you?
I have read so much hate here from Portuguese and non-Portuguese reacting to the list. I am Portuguese and agree with every item on that list. Every country has it's good and bad side, and Portugal is not all sunshine and sardines. Let's just take this criticism and use it to build a better Portugal, and take what is good about Portugal and share it.
Phillip, when southern Europeans don't want to work, they won't. Unless the weather is perfect they won't show up to work, even if here's little drizzle for 5 minutes in the entire work day they will not show up to work.
I am really pissed on the local workers and everyone else driving into my yard, in the back of it, hundreds of meters into the property, even if gates are closed (but not locked). They open the gates and help the,selves into my property and take whatever they need. Not stealing but just taking anything that's theirs, that they left there, even if it's been locked up (to prevent rust from rain) without even ringing my door bell and asking whether they can enter (or not). Oh no, that's too difficult of a task for them, to ask the property owner whether they can enter! And they will build anything in their own way and style despite me telling them politely, asking them the way I want it to be built, they would say NO, it's going to be their own way, not my way. This pisses me off completely and I am beginning to DIY everything myself. They don't care! They don't need the job. They can live off their €400 "support" that the socialist government seems to be giving them on a monthly basis. This is the Portuguese mentality that really pisses me off. And they seem to be "okay" with that. Guess what, I wanted to have one guy to build a stone wall in a specific way, but he built it in his own way even that his hourly pay was raised by me on his demand, he still did it his own way! Guess what, is €12,50/hour is too little for them while others are making €5 an hour? From now on everyone will work for €5 or get out of my yard. DIY all the way. Don't cry rivers when your e-con-omy goes bust!
This is not Portugal, this is worldwide, but I am reporting from where I live, in Portugal. Just recently in 2022 a liter of locally made milk in grocery stores used to be €0.47 or so, then went up and down a few cents but usually stayed around €0.50 but now ALL OF A SUDDEN, BOOM! €1.05 ! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Many food price4s are skyrocketing! Just to hurt us! This is definitely not inflation, but some worldwide "elite" conspiracy to create hunger and rob people out of their savings! And we are voting with our FEET! From a usual €60 weekly grocery bill including some luxury food items now we are spending €30–€40 per week just to HELP destroy or damage all those grocery stores that obey to this sadistic globalist policy to hurt as many people as possible without raising our salaries and we are even losing our income especially those that are self employed. Yes, we are eating less luxury or even "healthy" food but we hope everyone does this just to teach a lesson to the greedy bastards. And the government is not helping, so they will receive less funds as well.
Thanks everyone for your comments. I do read them occasionally since I am considering moving to the Azores, which are part of Portugal. Yet I am concerned about many, way too many Portuguese companies not delivering to Madeira and the Azores, while they deliver to China, Chile and even to Fiji and New Zealand! They claim that there are no services in Portugal that deliver to the Azores and Madeira which is a huge blatant lie and an absolutely lame excuse. CTT delivers to the Azores, so does Fedex, DHL, DPD, GLS and other delivery services such as EMS, UPS and CTT Expresso. Those Portuguese companies are just too lazy to drop the parcel at the CTT post office or have it picked up by FedEx, UPS, DPD, GLS etc.
Portuguese category of people that are thieves are masters at stealing cheap but essential, hard to get things, from your house. To them, and some of them are kleptomaniacs, the most important is the game making the loss as painful as it can be and not the value of the stolen stuff. And that is a majour downside. The rest are Upsides!
We live in Madeira (island) and it's a beautiful island away from Portuguese mainland, closer to Africa than to Portugal and the people here are wonderful, while the climate is the best in the world. We do not heat or a/c year round including "winter" nights. Yet the CTT (mail delivery) is a huge problem since any internet based order of goods from anywhere in the world and that includes orders from Portuguese or Spanish mainland take months to arrive. Before "CONVID-19" all mail used to take "just" a week from Lisbon to Madeira, but now it takes between 3 weeks and 2 months and we are tired of waiting. Yet Portugal teaches a lot of patience, which is a good thing. Be patient and it will arrive.
Here is an example of a substandard Portuguese workmanship. The photo is from Facebook of a carpenter boasting of his work. Take a closer look at the fine details of the wood work. I am no specialist but I think there are numerous problems and unfinished work as well.
https://postimg.cc/hhxfzsfb
What is the green on the left edge of this furniture? Why are there so many tree "branches"? Only a very low wood is used with "branch holes". How can the carpenter show off and boast with such subpar workmanship?
But of course if the price is very cheap I would probably accept such workmanship. And for a rustic home maybe its' okay! If cheap enough though... but... And if you find anything cheap and affordable in Portugal to order from a catalogue offer, the local furniture store will ignore your order. Yet Portugal is NO Switzerland!
I bought locally made furniture in Portugal and the work is usually rushed and is properly unfinished yet the price tag is huge, such as €500 for example for a little chest for the kitchen or a wardrobe. The quality is low.
Here are prices for Sardines in cans in Portugal and with a medium salary of 600 quid per month:
https://www.portugalvineyards.com/en/113-sardine
As you can see the tiny cans start at €1.45 per can! The £0.32 or €0.40 price per can in the U.K. is fantastic!
https://loja.bompetisco.pt/products/sardinhas-em-oleo-picante-120g
€1.42 per can of 120 g. of sardinhas! That's cheap! This one more "normal at €2.80 !!
https://loja.bompetisco.pt/products/sardinhas-sem-pele-e-sem-espinhas-120-g
These are not foreign sardines! They are Portuguese sardinhas! And their LOCAL fruits should be cheap, right? No! Local town bananas and other fruits for example are much more expensive than imported ones!
Wow, surprise, €0.99 !!
https://supermercadolavrador.pt/loja/sardinhas-em-oleo-lider-120gr/
Portuguese consumer must be rich because they must be stealing and scamming everyone other, right?
That's terrible at Portuguese salaries. For a Portuguese salary and a big family it is easy to eat 10 cans of fish a day, so all we can afford is 400 such cans and nothing else! No electricity, no water, no rent payment, only eat sardines and live on the street! Portuguese businesses and services are notoriously greedy, ignorant and unprofessional (low quality) but boasting a lot of their work "experience".
Thank JoeB, what a wake up call! Cheapest fish product ever I saw in Portugal is €0.55 for a small 120 gram can of SAMACAIO ATUM in tiny chunks, Made in Azores, but only as a special deal at the CONTINENTE supermarket. All other fish cans and at other supermarkets cost €1 or more now. Avocados were about €4 per kilo and now €5. Two people saving on everything having a very limited income of around €600 total a month we are spending almost €100 per week on groceries. What's left goes to pay the electric and water bill etc. They have just raised food prices by at least 20% recently and I was shocked the low food prices in the UK. Not all prices are lower in the UK, but some are significantly lower. Keeping in mind that a medium monthly salary in the UK is about £2000 quid and in Portugal where we live is about €700 per month (600 quid). Soon we won't be able to afford even the basic foods. Gladly we don't have to pay property tax here because our house is valued at a lower bracket and we save on everything growing vegetables, and fruits of our own. Still, groceries minimum cost is at least €300 per month for two for very limited basic foods refusing to buy any luxury food and of course we never eat out. We buy one tiny chocolate per week and no other sweet or junk foods. Only vegetables, fruits and some black bread (Pumpernickel if lucky) if we can find it here. And there's often shortage of certain food that we need to survive on. For example whole grain black bread is very hard to obtain in Portugal. The only enjoyment is work in the garden and going for walks.
You mention food (and wine) being cheap, but I beg to disagree. While wine is indeed very cheap in Portugal, often one fifth of the equivalent product prices in the United Kingdom, food isn't. Just do a 1 to 1 (exact same product and own brand varieties) comparison today between Lidl PT and Lidl UK. You will find that almost everything is 2 to 3 times more expensive in Lidl PT (Portugal). Lidl UK is the cheaper of the two (again for exactly the same products) by a large difference. Take a can of Lidl Nixe sardine (quite native product here in Portugal); see the prices in the UK:
https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/tins-and-jars/nixe-sardines-in-tomato-sauce/p44774
https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/tins-and-jars/nixe-sardines-in-sunflower-oil/p44773
Can you match these prices at any supermarket in Portugal? Instant coffee, toothpaste, chicken fillets, bread loaf (600-800gm),.... everything is 2 to 3 times cheaper TODAY in the UK.
Wake up Portugal!
Portugal is like this: Portuguese people are easy to deal with and are easy to entertain and everyone is your friend, while living in Portugal is a piece of a cake. Although I miss intelligent conversations, but many some people are really clever and they can really be gay and entertaining as well as are easy to entertain. Then they are back to their family and kids. Family is important in Portugal. It is really easy to live in Portugal and bureaucracy is minimal. Yet I won't talk about services which can be hard or very pleasant indeed. It all depends. And the Portuguese people are absolutely lacking the dreaded entitlement mentality, which has deeply affected the United States. Really easy life in Portugal and very nice people.
If you think Portugal is racist try living in Spain. The Portuguese are both condescending and judgemental to Brazilians and Portuguese Africans as well as ciganos (gypsies) but confrontational racism is rare. Finding a country in Europe that isn't racist is difficult. Even the so called educated countries in Scandinavia are extremely backward in their thinking.
Years ago I have placed a large order at the local aluminium doors and windows workshop warehouse and after they have manufactured and installed everything I went and paid for everything without checking the invoice. A couple months later I had the time to look at the paid invoice and I have noticed that €400 were charged too much and even worse, the car that I sold to them for measly €200 they actually reversed the bill and made me pay the €200 to them instead. So actually I ended up losing €400 for nothing plus paying them €200 to take my car away for free. Next time I went there they wouldn't do anything for me. I understand why. Because if I did they fear that I will deduct the €600 I lost to them.
So next time I needed windows, doors, roof material etc. I went to a different company in town. The owner came to inspect and he told me the quality of the previous guy was really bad and that he just for a little extra can do much better. And he did. And I paid him every single invoice of his, and sometimes even paid with cash up front and no problems, except some delivery quality issues (plastic roof panel window arrived bent in half) which I never complained about. Yet over the years he apparently became tired of my orders and started to shun my orders. I would wait many months after placing a large order for many windows and doors and nothing. And he kept telling me to wait longer, but never produced anything. So I quit, and for a couple years I did not even bother them. Then came time to have one window made and he sent me a drawing, which was incorrect despite perfect instructions, so after I corrected him he just never replied to me again. His employee told me his boss is just like that, he does not care. Yet as it seems way too many businesses, almost ALL (!!) are like that in Portugal. Indifferent, inconsiderate, lazy. They just do low quality and they never place you in a queue even if they are busy or simply they ignore you. Same with labourer, workers - they just don't care to show up and are glad not to work. From now on I order my doors and windows in a Central European country and have them installed myself with a little help from one local guy who seems to need work (surprise!). Oh and I need specific envelopes for my office and the papelaria down the road stopped having them, so I asked them to order for me, but despite promises they never have those envelopes again. This is the attitude and this is why Portugal is poorer than even some of the Eastern Europeans countries now.
Violent crime is Not a rare occurrence in Portugal however; very under reported or excused as an isolated incident, if reported at all by their public safety officials, Pedro...Violent crime is a fact of life everywhere in the world and therefore to compare it to other regions that have honestly reported the violent crimes occurrences in their country when Portugal represents itself as one of the safest places in Western Europe is extraordinarily misleading. Portugal is no safer than any other Western European nation that actually conducts and accurately reports their crime...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1392324/British-tourist-dies-brutal-attack-popular--Portuguese-holiday-resort.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12703350/brit-tourist-stabbed-street-robbery-mugger-portugal/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-11231658
I would just like to emphasize the SMOKING part. This is no joke, there are a lot of smokers, like 30-40% of the population, most flats, apartment buildings and so on have serious smoke infiltration issues from inside and outside, you can't open a window without smoking getting in. Construction is miserable and we have no ventilation. Some public hospitals even tolerate smoking inside/indoors. It doesn't matter if it is tobacco or alternatives, this is extremely serious and dangerous for your health. Second hand smoke is present everywhere here, public transportation, parks, outdoor cafes and restaurants, beaches, where you work and live and so on. We are the number one country in European Union with highest percentage of Asthma. If you want to live here make sure you have very strong lungs, otherwise you'll start to have respiratory problems real soon. A typical Portuguese residential building is a gas chamber with high amounts of VOCs and Gases like formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
Living here is just so frustrating. I had high hopes for this place, but everything that has been mentioned in the article and by commenters is true. They should change the name of this country to Scamtugal.
I am so disappointed.
Here is a good example of the mentality that some people have. A thin and fragile collectable book was shipped to me from Portugal. It arrived damaged by dents and bends because the Portuguese seller used free booklets from post office and from banks (free for all, but not to be abused) to protect the book instead of using a rigid cardboard stiffener to protect the corners of the book from damage and to protect the book from bending. That wasn't done and I was charged a few €uros more than what appeared on the package. Even allowing €5 more for S&H I was still overcharged by at least another €5 for shipping. I would have not complained about that, but because the shipper did not use proper protection (while overcharging me for the shipping) he kept those €5+ for himself instead of using rigid cardboard to protect the book. Now the book's value has been destroyed by rough handling and lack of protection. Yet that's not the point. Many sellers do this, but after I complained about the damaged costly book and the €5 was not used to protect it, the seller apologized and wrote that he regrets the situation, but he blamed the CTT for roughly handling the book. That's the point! He blames the CTT but does not blame himself for not protecting the book with proper packaging and for not insuring it or for not claiming insurance for the damaged book for me. Blaming someone else is the mentality and then it doesn't cost anything to apologize and to remain polite. But of course. You can kindly rip me off and as long as you apologize and "regret the situation" I should be just fine even if your action destroy hundreds of Euros worth of value. No offer to refund at least those €5 was issued.
Portugal is the definition of a mediocre country. No dynamic here, zero ambition, nobody takes pride in what they do, total lack of quality in all aspects of life. It’s not just inconvenience, it is a daily piss take. Everybody is out to make a quick buck off a foreigner. Overcharging is completely normal, as is dishonesty and flakiness. Government is completely useless and does not give a warm luke f… about their citizens. The country is boooooming!?!?! Where does all the money go? People with ambition and purpose will have a hard time here. You will be forced into submission. You will be forced to be sad, despressed, melancholic and mediocre. Portugal has absolutely no chance of survival in this world on their own. Asian countries with ambitious, hard working people will eat Portugal’s lunch in no time. Yeah the weather is good, food is ok, living is fairly expensive but manageable, the country is beautiful, but it is impossible to overcome these subtle yet immense cultural differences, and I am from western Europe myself.
Water is metered in Portugal like everywhere else, yet the toilet manufacturers (and other manufacturers) do not provide spare internal parts for toilets they produce. The toilet that I've got is impossible to repair in the way that it won't leak a stream of water down the bowl. Every day 500 liters or more run down the drain just from the leaking toilet that's impossible to repair, because the replacement parts are unavailable and those that are available do not match it well thus creating leakage and other problems. That's leakage of at least 65c a day just from a useless Portuguese toilet. Our household is unable to fit into 8 cubic meters of water per month charged at €0.32 per cu.m. Above 8 cu.m. usage we must pay double rate, which doubles again to €1,23 per cu.m. after 30 cu.m usage are reached. It's easy to use 1 cu.m. per day or much more if not being extremely frugal. Must purchase a new toilet in Portugal every time the internal plastic crap breaks and the water begins to leak. Even with new toilets water is leaking very easily. Why is humanity while dreaming to move to Mars (dumbest idea ever) but can't clean up their own oceans from their own rubbish and manufacture toilets that don't leak?
Here in Portugal I used to pay a low water bill, such as €5 per month for many years and I forgot how it was before and before (I looked it up) my water bill used to be between €7 and €18 per month (normal, ok, acceptable). Then BOOM suddenly my bill quadrupled to over €20 (usage of 20+ cubic meters at more than a €uro per cu.m!) and for the next month I was promised that my water bill will go up ten times than it used to, or more! Something like €60+!! Because I see now 80 cu.m. on my new water meter since it was installed, so somehow during October we (3 people in the house) used up 60 cu.m. in a single month!! It turns out for the entire 7 years the water meter was broken and the municipality just kept billing me for the cost of the service. Were they nice to me or just lazy, incompetent, inconsiderate? Being busy I did not realize that! Now that they have replaced the broken water meter (contador de agua) with a new one I am watching my every water usage. Strangely enough the water bill does not have a water meter number (record) printed on it and why not? So all those years the municipality did not care to replace the water meter and I was watering a large fruit garden of nearly a hectare all those years without paying for the water. Now that they had me hooked up and after I planted so many fruit trees thinking water is cheap here I do not know what I am going to do the next summer after investing lots of money into all those pipes and fruit trees! Watering of which will take at least several hundred cubic meters at a cost of €1,25 per cu.m. and we have a limited income of around €500 per month for all our survival needs! Now we will have to spend it all on water... If I had a functional water mater I would have never planted so many plants and fruit trees in the first place. Why would a municipality not repair the water meter for all those years? They never told me my water meter was broken and I wasn't good at reading any kind of meters, until now. Someone even advised that the water here was free until a certain usage was reached. That kept me ignorant. Please share your story.
Hi Dawn,
Sent you an email. Prices are up and it's definitely competitive, but for €3,000, you should be able to find your own place.
I'm sure if there's an article on the downsides of living in Belgium, there are plenty of comments from disgruntled expats as well 🙂
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
I have to mention frequent power cuts at the most inconvenient times of the day, such as 19 H after work or in the middle of the day after lunch or at 10 to 11 AM in the morning and sometimes those power cuts last for hours. So doing urgent work or stock market trading is too problematic while living in PT. Yet the majority of the people are very pleasant and friendly which almost makes it up for all the downsides.
I'm moving to work at the university in January and these comments and the article terrified me. But even though I'm not there yet, I've already encountered slowness in responses from companies, sky high used car prices unlike anywhere I've seen, and high rental prices. Brussels, where I have a friend, is so much cheaper and better regarding rental properties.
If anyone knows a nice and normal person who loves cats and wants to share a house with big garden in Lisbon district (up to EUR 3000)....
Hi Antonio,
Thanks for adding these. All fantastic points!
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
I am Portuguese, lived there my first 28 years and I had lived, studied and worked the last 20 years in several countries. I own a property in Central Portugal and I go there often.
I agree with all the 23 downsides mentioned in the article but I'll add a couple more:
1. Second hand things seem made of gold, with ridiculous asking prices. Sometimes close to what it costs new.
2. I cannot trust any service provider, or the government. Every service or request tends to be very slow, unprofessional and/or overpriced. Also as I livre abroad, I am often over charged by traders and builders.
3. Official complaints in "Livro das Reclamações" are useless. Service providers are always right and their operators rarely apologise.
4. Courts and justice are costly, slow and riddled with Kafkaesque processes.
5. Houses are cold. Often it's warmer outside than indoors!
6. Electricity and gas are expensive.
Portuguese workers like to execute the work accordingly to their own liking even that is against the homeowner's wishes. Once I asked the stonemasons to build me arched niches in the stone wall in a certain way and specific design that is easy to execute. They made wooden forms accordingly to a design of their own and they told me that this is how they are going to build it and not the way I want. I was shocked. It was built the way they wanted even if I protested. I have never had this happen to me in any other country. Such things happened to me at least several times when they do something accordingly to their own decision and liking. And the private property is accessed by foot and even with a shot gun and a shotgun is discharged on my property without permission in a reckless manner a lot of times! No wonder a lot of people are killed by reckless "hunters" in France and Southern Europe.
Where is Martin from? He says North west Europe?
I would like to know which country?
Thanks
@Marsh
So you know all about it?
Well the problem is that the media and is not mentioning any of this. Channels boasting and praising their fake lovely lives in Portugal, but are actually miserable and desperate for handouts tru YouTube by making shitty videos. I guess you know the kind I'm talking about, you know those with those fake property videos where they are juicing up the people with fantasy and dreams for witch they fell themselves years ago. Those channels are despicable, I guess you know them aswell. They push the house prices in the region and fill their pocket with YouTube by drawing people to their channels with BS.
40,1250192, -7,5431670
I am glad i am not the only one seeing it. Sad people who lie for a living.
Here's why in Portugal people are of a zero (nothing) importance to the corporations and big companies:
Electric "power" company has not delivered its electric bill as usually they do. I have asked around and the other folks also told me they are still waiting for their usual electric bill (to pay). How good people are! They want to pay and not be late to pay the bill. Yet the el. powah company is ignoring our emails sent to them and the rumour is spreading around consumers that they want to raise the cost per kWh, that's why they are not sending us (via email) the bill and it's been 17 days past the usual date when we receive the POWAH BILL.
But there's more! In the recent past, until around 2017 the el. power company sued to send the bill via CTT and CTT was always late. So when we received our powah bill, we would only have one day to rush to the CTT post office to pay it! And on some monthsCTT would deliver the power bill so late that the pay deadline wouold be expired long ago and the el. power company would send us late charges for not paying the bill in time! When we complained the el. power company told us that we just have to pay it and go complain to the CTT! Almost everything is like that in Portugal with some rare exceptions.
And so one recent month just a few months ago the electric power company's meter reporting phone stopped responding. No warning, no notification came from the el. power company. It just shut down and ignored it's customers! Finally I found out that they got hacked! yes, hacked! So they told me to wait for a week or longer and then try to report the electric meter readings by calling the number "in a week or two". That's what I did, after about 2 weeks I reported the el. meter readings. But then when the bill arrived it was abnormally and unusually high. El. powah company's office explained to me that "this is normal". Yet I felt like they're being shady.
So now, it's another trick up to their sleeve? No bill. No early notification on what's going on. No response to the emails. Nothing. Full ignorance of the customers again. Most Portuguese are submissive like sheep, so they just spread rumours and keep on guessing. Never questioning the ""authority" (except a handful of exceptionnelles).
And so is the water bill. This month the power bill went up 500% for no reason. It says "for water consumption". Yet we checked, we do not have any water leaks and did not use much water either. Yet at the street counter as it seems they must have replaced the water meter with some piping. So perhaps they are trying to make the consumer pay for their meters! Perhaps that's how it should be, but why not being honest and state that in the water bill. Be transparent, which they are not. I am not saying this only happens in Portugal, since in the XXI c. around the world people are being scammed by their governments and "elites" with all kinds of staged events, false flag operations, fakely assigned viruses, inside jobs, sky baloney etc.
We Are Nothing! Yet We Have Woken Up!
I have lived and worked in both Portugal and Spain. While Portugal is slower paced and people more reserved and introverted, Spain is more dynamic and vitalistic, more modern in many ways. Spaniards are outspoken and a lively folk who seem to have energy for everything.
Why Portuguese workers do not value work (jobs) so much? They don't show up even if they are paid big bucks, such as €3000 per month cash! And the work quality from the most workers is ludicrous. This is disrespectful to the work provider. Only very few show up on tie and do a quality work. I will bring in foreign workers from now on and don't complain that your other salaries are tiny and you don't have jobs in Portugal.
@Martin,
These are not the groundbreaking revelations you think they are.
Yes. People with certain titles (e.g. doctors, engineers) often expect you to address them with their job position (o senhor o doctoro). It's a class based thing to goes back to Salazar's days. Some people still follow it. Some people don't. It's really not a big deal. Much more annoying is that they still put a huge focus on age and respect - respect should be earned not something you get simply because you've lived a few more years.
People buy expensive cars on credit. Yep, like everywhere else. Who knew that people who drive BMWs and Audis think they're better than everyone else.
The communist party is popular and powerful in Portugal. They organise one of the biggest music festivals in the country. Your local politician might be a part of the communist party. It's weird, but just a part of life in Portugal. The bigger issue (if you're used to a more capitalist country) is that the Portuguese have communistic and socialistic tendencies. Many people would be happy, or would have been happy, if Portugal became communist.
Can't comment on freemasonry etc but isn't this the same everywhere?
In edition to my message from October 20, 2022 at 8:54 am I have to add the following.
The people are jealous, and all those with any title it being a doctor, lawyer, judge or whatever, they love the status of that title and will not shy away from using it all the time and even expect you to bow down to these figures.
The same goes for people "with money" displayed by big cars with (mostly credit) having some proud people inside of them looking down on all those poor people beneath them. We drive a nice car aswell but we never would behave like that.
Another important fact is that they celebrate communism openly, the hamer and sickle are all over on political banners and invites to communist events.
Lastly, Portugal being a historical hub for The Nights Templars, Freemasonry, Rotary and Lions clubs are all over. They have a hold of the school-system, hospitals and so on, many scandals to find in the newspapers from the past until now. They even have an Masonic pyramid in Miranda Do Corvo where they hold masonic rituals. To hide it all behind the veil of being a Ecumenical Temple.
Don't believe any of the above, just do a short search online and see.
Just a little extra I forgot to mention.
Oké, let's see how this post will be ridiculed or even deleted. We are living in central Portugal for almost a year now. And I can honestly say we are surprised and even shocked how different it is from what you hear in the media like YouTube or articles like this. Everyone seems to walk on eggshells or they are atleast expected to do so. Even here you can see this being played out, just below this article in the responses.
We did met some kind and friendly Portuguese people but for the most part we have similar experiences like most of the people who gave honest views or criticism on this country and its people. And yes I know if we don't like it get 'the F... back to where we came from'. We already saw that rhetoric below plenty of video's and articles where people where honest about their findings.
We found, and I am going to generalise a bit just to show that I am not a woke person trying to kiss the ring of the Portuguese people.
We heard so much good about Portugal but we found the following about the Portuguese people.
The people we dealt with, it being lawyers, realestate-agents, or just almost anyone we dealt with where absolutely untrustworthy, unreliable and blatantly lying, even the nice ones. With some exceptions.
As for the local people, the older generation is mostly lovely, but from like 50s and below we found them proud, arrogant and disrespectful. You either going to be ignored or going to be stared at.
In my home country northwest Europe we learn more than one language, here genaral people and even lawyers in the city's don't speak a word of foreign language. And yey we will learn the language don't worry.
Service,
That word is unknown to most people and businesses. From letting wait on the table for ages or not responding to mail, app or phone is very normal here. They just can't be bothered with anything.
They drive like (use soft language) crazy and bring themselves and others in dangerous situations just to get in front of you to the get stuck behind the same truck we where already driving.
The food is tasteless, gas and groceries expensive, and for the foreigners they will use different prices especially for English-speaking people.
So take my advice and rent before you buy anything and beware for scams and lies.
This is just a short recap, I can write a book about it.
In the city's its a little different and more up to date, the rest looks like it's ages behind that includes behaviour.
I know the warriors will tell me off, but this is my experience.
Maybe my comment is a different angle coming from a south East Asian girl and who have lived in Bangkok, UAE, UK prior to Portugal.
Consider the factors for me--where I derived my experiences and thoughts here.
Independent worker. Not retired. 2 people with income. Only 2 people to feed/live.
Excuse the grammar and English as it's my 3rd language.
Maybe hopefully some bits helpful to those who are considering to move here or are already here and deciding. You can skip to the bottom part if you like. With the **.
In all the countries I've lived in, I never needed a lawyer to sort my usually regular stuff like taxes, properties, banks. In Portugal, even if I can't really afford it, I had to hire them. First, the difficulty of the language. It takes time to learn the language, and dealing with documents in Portuguese especially documents and taxes is another matter even if you speak Portuguese. Without drama or emotions, the lawyer we have hired -- who we like very much, a very good warm heart and we think is very efficient when he actually does get the work done-- is been strangely flaky, right word can only be ghosting. To the point it's intense and extreme. He would only call back 2-3 weeks after a phone call or email. Will not reply to WhatsApp messages. And this is us messaging and emailing maybe once a week. Or once in 2-3 weeks (we are fairly patient people and do tive people a lot of space). This happened for over 3 years. We stayed with him because we do put a lot of patience in undertaking people when we live in new places and we are careful not to be burning bridges, keeping people. Yes to a point of stupidity and being played. (But let's not dwell on this). We stayed because a lawyer having all your history/ documents it gets quite tricky and hard to change services when your in middle of things. And we don't even have any legal cases this is just about taxes and standings and residency. The point being is that--we experience many of these here with professional services unfortunately. Same with Accountants. (This is the same experiences of my local friends here just that they are trained and maybe or accustomed to it). It's very very slow to get things done. The big heart is there, Portuguese are warm people--but if you are not retired yet and trying to grow or reach your dreams here in a way--it's slow going. Small businesses here pop up for 6 months- 1 year is already long and then it closes.
Portuguese language is very very hard to learn, but very beautiful language. And I am not even too bad at learning other languages. I started learning it and apparently I sound Brazilian and this is pointed out all the time to me. I didn't know what they were meaning. I am just happy to speak any kind of Portuguese as a starter. I mention this because it does hamper the kind of life you want to have if you don't speak the language. It takes away a bit of your confidence in yourself and you start to feel a bit stupid. I understand more of it written than vocally, as three four words in spoken Portuguese sounds like one word. And the truth of it is it takes time to learn it. Being able to speak and express yourself in the language is what makes life easier if you move here. if this communication is very important for you, especially if you are not yet retired and about to embark on some kind of work, business or even a hobby that involves other people--have to really learn the language. Unfortunately, even functional Portuguese doesn't even help much in building a community around you, meaningful friendships. That's not easy to do anywhere anyway, making friends and building life around you- imagine not speaking the language. This means you will always be relying on other peoples' help and services due to the language. Every email, message, notice--of course will be in Portuguese as it's Portugal. You will be missing English even if it's not your native language, especially if you come from even a fairly big city. English is my 3rd language and I even miss it, it's like a taking an inhale sometimes and exhale. Then again I do like the PT language.
Houses and utilities. If you got a bit of money, as in everywhere else life is okay in Portugal. By a bit of money I mean if you are retired and have a bit saved up, you can get decent apartments in decent neighborhood. Everything has gone up considerably now of course. Gas and electricity cost us 80€/ month (for 2 people who are maybe not even home 2 weeks in the month), Wi-Fi, cable and 2 phones with data 80€/mo. Property tax annual 250/year. Food groceries for 2 (and that's 1-2 meal a day only for us) 180-200/month for a generous budget. 100/150/€ going out to eat etc. (50-80€ to make it a bit tight budget but okay). That's for a good life here I would say. We don't even really eat and go out that much. We don't spend a lot. We are not fancy type people who go to fancy restaurant. But Portugal doesn't make you feel you can't do and join the fancy bits when you want. To a degree.
Many good parts. Depending where you choose to live-- in Gaia along the river is really beautiful. Long walks. Safe. Well lighted. Expensive properties like mad sky high prices right now.
I'd say after about 5-6 years you'd be feeling the slow going pace of life here when your trying to to get things done. The place is insulated in a sort of bubble --world view is only pretty much in Portugal which I think keeps them I guess locked away and fairly safe from the effects of the very fast modern world (but it's coming). In good and bad way they are insulated. It's safe because it is insulated from the world (you'd see and know this if you come from a fairly big place/city/country).
It's' slow going and growth for small business is almost impossible.
*******And this. If you are introverted and okay with lots of quiet--then it's a great place. Let me just put this for Gaia Porto as I don't know the whole Portugal. I have in my line of work --without any prior inkling, idea, or without researching or googling anything before I have noticed this--about 4 out of 5 people I have met I have realized and discovered later on are seeing therapist/psychologist. I have no issues with these and good for them if they need. But the point is, lots of people here are in fact sad and depressed. I come from a very sunny disposition always happy and shining to a fault --decades of growing up in sunny places and not having time for sorrow because the hungry stomach you hear first-- and therefore without meaning to have been feeling and stumbling this suspect feeling that people are unhappy and dad. After a while, this sunny disposition I noticed had been affected and dwindled down surrounded with melancholy and sadness permeating the air and my line of work. This is because when your happy and sunny you tend to attract the sad people who need your happy energy (don't worry I'm not woke or need age!) but this is my experience. You tend to listen because well you care and they are lovely. And then this keeps happening,, after a while you realize well you are becoming their therapist. So don't be. If this is something important to you then do some research. Now I have researched, Portugal is on the top 6 countries suffering high number depression in the whole world. I reckon it's why they drive a little crazy-- it's the only daily tool that they can expel and express some of that depressed restricted emotions. Chase the demons out. I have an angel of a friend that wouldn't hurt a fly, and then she drives and something else comes out. That's my close Portuguese friend.
Otherwise, the Portuguese are to me generally helpful, warm and friendly. Just don't expect them to show up or call you after you feel like you've found a good friend. Most of the ones I met seem to strangely ghost, vanish, flake then they come up the surface again and your like super close again. Okay this might not be helpful but it does affect quality of life. Just mind, if you like someone here and they liked you a lot--and I'm not just talking about dating, it's all facets of life--choosing lawyer, accountant or anyone you need help with - mind that it doesn't mean they'll be there. They tend to vanish. Ghost. Flake. They are the most intense in this kind of way- of all the countries I've lived in. In fact I didn't know people can be as bad with time, punctuality and reliability before here. Sad truth (I'm not millennial so you can be sure f this is not from a young let's party observation, I don't even go out and party). This problem is astounding here, it's mind blowing. The younger generation in fact - lates 20s-30s are much more reliable in terms of replying to messages, emails if its to do with work and or friendships.
All the little bits like -they don't pick up their dogs litter and poop, most Locals working on restaurants don't always look happy (that's why they have the Brazilians they say themselves), how hot meals is only really served between 12-2pm if your out eating on a normal cafe/restaurant, and don't order the coffee with milk (meia de leite) at lunch time they look at you funny (my local friends said they only order it from 4pm)---well these things are small stuff we all can managed and doesn't impede way of life. (Although I do miss anytime any day ordering of hot meals on any regular small restaurant. You can find these of course but it's not the practice).
Tax and lawyers and growing some kind of a dream--is truly challenging in here and I'm not even ambitious or wanting an empire.
Rest and quality of life, food, security, safety -- great 5*
Business/work. - No. 1*
Friendships/community-- if your very friendly, not combative, not argumentative, quiet disposition, you'll be fine. Portuguese are deep thinkers and are compassionate really to the core. But if you tend to be on the anxious depress side, probably not great place as you'll be surrounded with melancholy and sadness. It's not obvious apparent but in years of living here, it does affect you. It's the reason why people are flaky. Lots of anxiety and depression.
Taxes and legal documentations. Hard and challenging even for a small kind of earning /living/ person with no legal cases.
Language- beautiful but hard. That's from a person who speaks 4 languages. With effort.
Weather wise. It's not all sunny here, we have 5 months of cold damp rainy (non stop rain and gray skies especially February to March /May. weather in Porto. 2 years ago, March it rained the whole
Month non-stop. Gray skies. 10c. Houses are quite cold here, even the good ones, not well insulated.
Lots of beautiful beach/coast-- in Porto --but all very cold water.
If your an artist-- painter, writer--it's a very inspiring beautiful place.
Making friends- easy for me as my work entails meeting people. But if your work is by yourself and alone and do not involve other people, it can be hard and lonely. People stay with their close tight knit families and it can make you sad and lonely if you have that sort of constitution. (This is for Porto Gaia) Lots of older local people here--but all with their families or have families. Older generation do not get together and socialize with expat community like other big cities.
**Please no need to argue and debate what I have expressed here and no need to get offended for anything. Take it with a pinch of salt. Fight the right battles. Just people argue and debate so many things nowadays.
Great candid and un-biased comment. Love it and totally support you. Many thanks for your hard work!
I will be leaving Portugal as soon as I can, with my Portuguese partner. We are fed up. Getting planning permission to rebuild our house has taken years. We had to hire a second architect as the first one just went awol. The second architect did get planning permission - and then decided she was too busy to oversee the project. Luckily, I found the next one. We found our own builder. Meanwhile the next door neighbour decided to take part of our land while we were away. We are on year two of the court case to get it back - we have had 2 judgements so far in our favour - but they were "prelim". We are back in court next week - it is exhausting and stressful. My partner has his own apartment and decided to refurb it. Another nightmare. Builders never turn up, if they their eventual bill always turns out to be higher than agreed - with no real explanation of why. Our impression is everyone is on the take and generally untrustworthy - and workers and employees in all organisations really don't care at all about customer service. Having lived in the US, UK, Ireland, Spain and Belgium, this is the worst experience. We feel we have no quality of life here. Many of our friends are on the move too.
Portugal being a great country also has got some downsides, such as PRICES in supermarkets are often unmarked or missing and sometimes the price on the shelf is much lower than at the cash register. That does happen in the United States as well, but in Portugal this happens on a larger scale. Let's take the "CONTINENTE" supermarkets (Portugal). Gosh, how ashamed or embarrassed they are pricing some of their products. Let's take nuts. No price tag. I go to the cash register, she tells me the little bag of nuts costs €5. Since I've got ~€30 to buy food for the week on that particular week I say Thank you to the cashier and walk back and put it back on the shelf. Too expensive. What's wrong with admitting that you want to sell it for €5 and put a price tag on? Those are not accidental because this is on a continuous and massive scale. Price tags are missing at the front of the supermarket while the price checker machine, which often is broken, is situated at the back end of the store. We are not embarrassed to ask for the price since we have limited money available to buy food and it's becoming up to €400 per month that we spend on minimal amounts of food every month, which is a huge expense. Raise food prices further and we will be starving or walking constantly half full and eating unhealthy foods that kill fast. And this is happening in the so called developed world.
I've heard some interesting things said about Portuguese women by Portuguese men but not the black magic one. I think this was probably a joke that didn't translate. Also taxi drivers worldwide are notorious for talking complete sh*t whether it's about foreigners, politics, or women, so I wouldn't use them as a source of information.
Perhaps you could expand your comment a little more? Another commenter, Danny, has the same viewpoint but was able to back up his viewpoint with lots of examples and personal experience.
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I completely agree, Danny.
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I was reading this article and definitely there are some things that are accurate, such as gas prices, rents on the rise due to all the foreigners moving in, the driving can be hectic(specially when your driving in a 2000+ year city) and the CTT. But then I started looking at the comments and saw some deeply disturbing things. Portuguese women are not into "black magic", and you should be so lucky to marry one of them, because they cook and clean constantly. Portuguese people are hilarious, you can not be around a group of Portuguese people and be bored or sad, that's just impossible. And someone here said uncultured! Now, yes Portuguese people are passionate and say what's on their mind whether you like it our not. But it's usually for the best. If you make friends with a Portuguese, they will be your friend forever, and will be there when you needed it. In 2016 I came back to visit with my wife and two kids after living in the US for almost 20 years. My childhood friend that I haven't seen in over 25 years, immediately invited myself and my entire family to stay with him and his girlfriend in his apartment in Lisbon. And this wasn't even the only invitation extended, many other friends from my pass reached out wanting us to stay with them.
Bottom line is, you found 23 things that suck about this place. But there isn't enough space in the internet to list all the good ones. Pastries, food, wine, olive oil, roasted chestnuts outside of the metro station, crime stats, one of the lowest gun violence in the world, drug policy, beaches, water sports, the country side, Fado, fish and vegetable markets, the cheeses, chouricos, vineyards along the Douro River, the amazing amounts of different fruit and seafood (best in Europe), the people, the art, history, architecture, health care, actual freedom...etc
Bullshit article from somone who either never lived in Portugal or made any effort to ingratiate into society. Failing that, is socially inept.
I find most people in Portugal very friendly. Well, at least half of the Portuguese are very nice. While there are many cons, downsides and disadvantages, but it is a doable country unlike Russia, which you can see where it ended up at right now. Owning a house in Portugal is not a problem. There sometimes is a lack of professional workers or builders, such as contractors, but if you learn a little bit of DIY it's all good. But then we Eastern Europeans are used to all kinds of living difficulties, so we can easily survive and do well in Portugal, which is by the way one of the most beautiful countries next to France and Italy, with unique and very tasteful architecture. Regarding the CTT post office service, they have been privatized in 2014 and I find them quite helpful and while there are issues, slowness of mail delivery (as everywhere else) and even occasional mail disappearance, everything seems to be fine.
I think a lot of US people think "anything European" is romantic and the pace is slower, so you can relax more. However, once you get to the European continent, you immediately start comparing that culture to the US and then gripe because there is "no customer service, the bureaucracy, crazy drivers, etc". One thing you have to remember, first and foremost, is that the Europeans don't care about how things were back home.. you are now on their home ground and if all you do is gripe about things... the living quarters are so small, the walls are too thin, etc, of course you are going to be shut out. I've visited a few places around the world over my business career, and decided the US is best for me. I lived in cities, now I live in the country. I'm an hour from the "big cities of 30-40 thousands" and I love it. Yeah, there are shootings in those towns, but none any where close to where I now live. I have neighbors who I enjoy when we get together, but we also respect each others privacy. For those of you who move to another country, first thing you should do is research .. I did a lot of research before I moved to my present location and I was pretty much up to date on how things were before I moved here... but then I visited and talk to the natives before investing in a house. I'm constantly amazed how people will "believe" what is written without checking out the source. If you visit a place, you have to talk to the natives who have lived there for a long time ... then you have a better idea of what it is like to live there. Is my current location perfect, of course not, but it's pretty darn good compared to where I lived in the larger cities. You make your happiness, you cannot expect others to make you happy. I've visited other countries and would think "this might be a cool place to live", but then I start talking with people who have lived there for quite a while and then realized "that might be tough to live with". So, as an American (half native American), I decided my roots are here, I'm happy where I am, and I have peace and quiet in a beautiful location. I may have to drive 30 minutes to get to a decent restaurant, but I have a beautiful view for my morning coffee, good neighbors (but also privacy) and we look out for each other when requested. Remember it was your choice to move to where you are, so it is also your choice to move if you don't like it. Most of you just need to grow up some.
I totally agree with most of the above, especially the pervasive “Glass Half Empty” mentality. Here are a couple more to be aware of:
- The Postal Service (CTT). It is ASTONISHINGLY inefficient and bureaucratic. Many times things simply do not get delivered. The employees are exceptionally unhelpful.
- Be careful of realtors and car dealers. They take lying to a whole new level and then get very macho and pride-wounded when you catch them in a lie - their lies are SO obvious!
- The driving is pathological (but I have seen worse).
- The people are usually very basic and uncultured (but not sure if that is really different from anywhere else).
- Sense of humor is often lacking, but there is a lot of sincerity (often combined with unhappiness)
- I have to say that many men spend their time at little cafes drinking and smoking (very congenial places) but I figured out they do it to get always from their wives. My taxi driver today told me that many women in Portugal practice black magic. No comment.
I have left out the good things because there are so many! What a great country! Just don't marry a Portuguese woman, buy a house or use CTT, you'll be fine!
Thanks Tina!
Great advice at the end!
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So The article is good and I agree with it but certainly not as drastic as so many people are complaining about. Sure I have lived in many countries and so many have downsides and upsides. I struggled a lot when I arrived here but it has grown on me. Sure not perfect by any means but there is lots to love about this country too.
One comment above talked about rent. My apartment (2 story small) goes for 650 and is in Monte Estoril a good area and looks out into a garden with a pool gym and tennis courts walking distance to beach, supermarket restaurants vets and cafe. BUT yes the rents are getting higher all the time.
I have made very close Portuguese friends took me a while but worth it as well as loads of other nationalities. I love that.
I am a surfer and yes some places(as commented) there is localism but so many other places all over the world its the same. I love my surf spots I surf on my own so many times its worth being in the water by 8am 🙂 especially in winter.
If you chose to live somewhere you have to take the good and the bad. Finally if you are not happy just move and find a new home.
It is precisely all the French, Americans, English, Germans and Swiss who have overloaded the country too much, and this will have led its major capitals Porto, Lisbon and Faro to enormous radical changes.
- what they still have today twenty four years later... That is to say, since the beginning of all these changes, it is still very hard to face all these so enormous and numerous changes.
And that's all.
I AM AN EXPAT AND I GET TO LIVE IN A WARM COUNTRY BUT I AM SO ANGRY BECAUSE SOMETIMES THIS NEW COUNTRY ISN'T EXACTLY LIKE MY OLD ONE WHILE ALSO BEING WARMER AND CHEAPER! WAH, WAH, WAH!
Having lived in Spain, and visited Portugal during my first year, decades ago I recognize how Western Europe has changed and the effect of wold economy, the Euro and the EU all impact every country. Portugal while a bit isolated and insulated in the past it now suffers the ills of megatourism, but so many other countries including Spain are surviving the same. Non-europeans will find adjusting to Spain of Portugal if this is their first time to visit. The US lifestyle is so very comfortable and convenient, maybe even economical depending on how much of a home body one is. Western Europe is by contrast, very inconvenient and often uncomfortable on a daily basis. The compensation is the quality of life, often outdoors and slower pace. The bureaucracy exist in both environments and neither are easily navigated. Familiarity with one is not generally helpful in dealing with the other. The native residents in each of the countries don't suffer from the challenges because they are accustomed to all of it , their entire life. Criticism therefore is not welcome and is very poorly received, as you should imagine. It doesn't matter that you are right in your complaints. The goal is to learn the way around each obstacle and pace yourself for the long haul from the start. The "spoiled American" with a great track record of getting. things done their way by perserverance, may meet their match if they are not flexible and ever patient. A cool head is the only way to get through most situations. I learned that the phrase "vuelva usted mañana" was not only a literary quote but rather an important reminder of how you will need to quit, regroup and return tomorrow . "Live to fight another day". Living overseas is an adventure, but it can be so different in unexpected ways. When challenged or frustrated, it is wise to remind yourself , 'it is different here', not better or worse just different. I have lived in the Phillipines, Canada and in 10 states of the US . University study and marriage has provided me motive and opportunity to visit Spain , for months on and off for 44 year. I am actively making plans to stay 5 months this trip and evaluate seriously a long term change to Spain and Portugal. To be a foreigner overseas is an adventure and a daily challenge.
The localism and surf violence should probably be on this list as well. I have been faced with it on far too many occasions here in Peniche. It has gotten so bad that I will move out of Portugal, since I agree with most of the other points raised.
Vodafone in particular is terrible. I’ve logged many complains via the official “complaint book” and always get generic responses. They debited over €500 from my bank card and I’ve been trying to get it back for over 18 months. Probably called them over 10 times. This is normal in Portugal. It’s not that they can’t help, the Portuguese don’t want to help. People excuse it because wages are low but the prices for things and corruption in the private sector is out of control.
A lot of the negative comments on here come across as unhinged (It's not just this Ruud person). If you don't like Portugal (and not everyone does) just leave. Portugal and the south of Europe isn't for everyone. Things are slow, bureaucratic, complicated, and challenging. It's the price you pay in return for all of the other benefits you get.
There is also this strange obsession with the EU and whether Portugal should be allowed in the EU. That's up to the EU and not some rambling person on the internet. If the EU has a problem with Portugal, they can kick them out. There are standards within the EU and Portugal is clearly meeting them otherwise they wouldn't be a member state anymore. Yes Portugal isn't the same as Germany or Denmark but that's something we all know.
Creating websites or Quora accounts or coming on here just to slander Portugal is really really odd as unhealthy. I think Portugal clearly attracts people with some issues and when something goes wrong (which lets face it isn't unusual for Portugal) they go off on some weird obsessive quest to bring Portugal down and get them out of the EU. I don't think it's a good place for people with anger issues to move to as clearly there are things that will f*ck you off and some people just can't handle that.
It's one thing saying paperwork but sef deserves its own category for a downside. We have been waiting for an appointment for more than 8 months and all the time get told there are no appointments available. This means that our id is now out of date. It's sort of accepted in Portugal as people know about the delays but it means we are nervous to fly anywhere or leave Portugal unless it's by land. A similar thing with the driving licence. It can take more than a year for your driving licence to be exchanged. They give you a piece of paper while you're waiting but this means you are without a driving licence for a long time. It's not suitable for visiting another country. If the only problem was obtaining pieces of paper it would be fine. The problem is the delay in getting appointments or documents returned
All the downsides are true however having lived in italy and Spain they are not unique to Portugal. If you want bureaucracy and crazy driving try Italy lol. All the people reconsidering Portugal should reconsider Europe in general if these sound like negatives. For me they are just the price you pay for living here. You will be inconvenienced but that is just part of the culture here. People are nice and if you are nice you'll get by
Malaga is well on its way to becoming Lisbon with all of the same problems.
I imagine Ecuador and Panama both have their downsides as well. I'd recommend coming to Portugal for as long as you can as a tourist and then deciding if it's for you.
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The United States is one election away from becoming a Fascist dictatorship so I agree 100% with you: it is time to move. And like you I was beginning to have my heart set on Portugal based on all the information I had read about the country. After reading this article and the comments it is back to the drawing board. Looking seriously at Cuenca Ecuador and Boquete Panama now.
I am in exactly the same situation as you Brian. I am a US citizen who has been researching places to expatriate to for the past year. I had pretty much settled on either Panama or Ecuador. But I had heard from many sources that Portugal was considered the number one place to emigrate to. This article and the accompanying comments are enough to cause me to completely re-evaluate my thinking on this. Sooooo disappointed but unfortunately this is a very credible presentation.
Only males make positive statements about Dubai. It was and is one of the worst countries on this planet for women.
It's because of ppl like you, ranger, that I'm leaving the States, election deniers, insistent ignorance, adherence to the big lie, a corrupted right wing Supreme Court, demands for civil war, and calls for the execution of USAG Merrick Garland, FBI and IRS agents is frightening to those capable of reasoned thinking. Breaking down the rule of law and calling for national christianity to rule instead of the Constitution is a major step toward fascism. Increasing violence against Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, LGBQT+ communities, and denying the existence of Trans people, plus striking down basic health care for women, shutting down entire libraries because there are books with LGBQT+ people, removing books like the Diary of Anne Frank, changing history/math/social studies etc. text books to favor right wing beliefs, and giving guns more rights than any living person all points to the end of our country as a democracy.
I have called Republican Senators and Representatives who are pushing the big lie and are inciting the extreme right to begin a civil war. Almost every single representative of those in Republican congress stated "they didn't care" about my concerns. When I told them that a civil war would mean they would have no safe place to rest or sleep, no money, no electricity, no safe water, no stable food source, no medical help, no medicines, no transportation other than their legs or a bicycle if a working one could be found, millions of people would die in the war, but tens of millions more would die of disease and starvation, and they would most definitely care when they the ones dying.
The Republicans have maneuvered and planned and paid for our country to be in this state, so one of them could be King. Republicans have pushed so that the elite could rule in absolute power and those not in the white male army would become slaves of the State or worse.
A very dark and dire future. Republicans are charging as fast as they can toward that future as they refuse to use reasoned thinking. And I'm leaving the States before The Handmaids Tale becomes fact.
So for me, the few vagaries of Portuguese paperwork, slow pace of life, and other complaints are minor almost quaint when compared to the purposeful destruction of the United States.
Grav, I've lived in Portugal for 26 years now and couldn't be happier. I too find the people kind, friendly and unassuming. The red tape as far as renewing one's Residencia is concerned is a horror, I'll admit, but it's best to get a professional to do it for you, who you have to pay of course, but at least you're spared the headaches and frustrations. The reason the price of houses and flats have become ridiculously high is very much due to the fact that many people who have come here can afford to pay these prices which has made it very difficult for the Portuguese themselves to buy property. Which brings me to say that what is really horrifying is all the construction going on which means that Portugal (and here I'm talking about Sintra and the Cascais areas) is rapidly losing it's lovely personality. All the beautiful green areas are disappearing rapidly, to make place for rather ugly and expensive 'condominios'. Greed has taken over. But I doubt whether Portugal is the only country going through this. So driving can be a bit frightening, but I've lived in other countries which are far worse, so it's no big deal. People here aren't armed, there are no mass shootings and it's safer here than in many countries. Actually I feel very priviledged living here and can't think of anywhere else that I would be so happy.
There are a lot of miserable people here. Sadly the Portuguese expat community attracts a lot of them. People who complain about their own countries and then move somewhere else and complain about everything there. Then they move back but after a little while start complaining again and then come back to Portugal.
I came to Portugal to be happy and I am happy to be here. Yes there are some things I wish were different but overall it's a great quality of life. But unfortunately I don't speak Portuguese so I am surrounded by these people!
Grav,
Well said, brother. Well said!
Michelle,
As an American living in Portugal, I can tell you that the Cost of Living is much better/cheaper here than in the USA. And the Quality of Life far better. And the people friendlier, the culture superior, etc. I couldn't get out of the US fast enough and am much happier (and healthier) in Portugal.
Joan,
And what, precisely, would the beliefs of Salazar be?
Brian,
Having just moved to Portugal from the US recently, I can thus far only say "Bah humbug" to all of this negative talk. The people I have found more often than not delightful. The cost of living far lower than the US. The weather, architecture (aesthetics), culture, transportation, etc. far superior. As is the cuisine and entertainment. And I couldn't care less about many of the whiny sounding so-called "negatives" such as cigarettes, narrow streets, pedestrian woes, etc, etc. In one week I felt much healthier, more relaxed, than I had in years anywhere in the US. Life is, as always and everywhere WHAT ONE MAKES IT! I suspect many of the commentators
here wouldn't be happy anywhere... Come to Portugal. You'll be glad you did.
Agreed.
The Portuguese work hard when there's work to be done. They just know when to relax when there isn't work needing to be done.
The apartments built in the second half of the last century are ugly, yes, but they're ugly everywhere in the world - in Spain, Germany, the UK, Eastern Europe, wherever, the focus was on cost rather than style.
The buildings in Lisbon and Porto on the other hand are incredibly beautiful. The tiles on the outside are wonderful. Plenty of beauty. Definitely not primitive in design.
Spot on! Quality does not exist in Portugal. European prices rule but you get no quality. And as for customer service? Doesn't exist.
Worst housing in Europe. They know it and still get away with corrupt ways of construction. In the Algarve they mix sea sand with cement - no wonder everything is mouldy and grim. A 4 year old could have drawn the houses/flats. They are all the same with no sense of beauty, function. Ugly, primitive place.
Its extremely hard to make Portuguese friends. Americans, especially African Americans don't know the real Portugal, but when they do, it's not going to be pretty. They generally don't like foreigners, and they really despise Black people.
Yes he got that one wrong. Portuguese people are very hard working.
You nailed it. You said everything that I think about Portugal, but when I say these things, I get called a hater and Portuguese say I've never been to Portugal. They think that anyone who goes there will fall in love with the place. It is beautiful, but it's not the country for me. As you said, they can't take criticism and you can't improve until you accept you faults.
I could not have said it better myself.
In other words, Portugal is an Eastern Euopean / African country. Not to insult those Eastern European countries that now are wealthier and more efficient than Portugal, or always were.
Portugal should be located next door to Moldova, or Russia...
Where is Malga? Malagasy as in Madagascar?
Done all those things, lived here 28 years and spoke Portuguese for 27.5 of them, and this article is spot on.
There must be a reason why the country is cheap.You get what you pay, always!! Visited Portugal multiple times as a tourist, it was very obvious to us some of the issues addressed in the article. Hard to get use to burocracy,corruption and inefficiency when you come from a “functional “ country. Awesome place to visit, hard place to reside.
I have lived in Northern Portugal fot 17 years. All the negatives above are soo sadlly true. There are many more unseen problems. In my case favoritism from the medical center was the cause of me not getting medical referrals for 7 years. This fact has cost ne a fortune. I also had a dear death car accident. The court was biased and so was the legal system. Also I had to pa 1,000 euros for a tranlztor for the trial. No traslator was provided. Ia planning to move to Malga as soo as I can Enough is enough! Eileen vicente
These are only a handful of the problems with Portugal. Don't get me wrong, I love Portugal, but Portugal has far more problems than this. You forgot the main ones. The Portuguese peoples incapability of taking criticism and the roads. Denying the existance of these problems won't make them go away.
I detest how Portuguse people can't take criticism. Just read the article, which is obviously written by a Portuguese person, who pretends to point out the negatives of Portugal..........but quickly proceeds to try to justify them by informing us that other countries are like that too, as if that makes it okay then. Pathetic. And then read the comments underneath the article from mostly Portuguese people, incapable of taking criticism. of their country. Wow! Great way to live your life and improve your country.
As for the roads, everything is a problem there. Drivers are extremely rude and aggressive and dangerous. I have yet to meet a polite Portuguese driver. The cost of fuel is shocking, all from sub-standard 'service' stations. And vehicles are old and noisey and a haven for pollutants. And don't get me started on the roads. They are horrible. They are dreadful and in order to go from A to B, you have to go all over the place, even on the so-called motorways that cost a fortune to pay for, are sub-standard. The most expensive I've ever come across. Paying a fortune for a pothole ridden 'motorway' that goes from A to F to Y to Q to Z......to get to B. Ridiiculous.
No-one wants to think that their country is bad at something, but denying a problem won't change it. It will just continue to be exist. Gtow up and address your problems. Learn to take criticism and work on improving it.
Believe it or not, I love Portugal, not so much the people, and this is why it is so frustrating for me to see that the Portuguese people deal with their issues by proclaiming that 'it's worse in other countries'.
Gggrrrrr!!!
These are only a handful of the problems with Portugal. Don't get me wrong, I love Portugal, but Portugal has far more problems than this. You forgot the main ones. The Portuguese peoples incapability of taking criticism and the roads. Denying the existance of these problems won't make them go away.
I detest how Portuguse people can't take criticism. Just read the article, which is obviously written by a Portuguese person, who pretends to point out the negatives of Portugal..........but quickly proceeds to try to justify them by informing us that other countries are like that too, as if that makes it okay then. Pathetic. And then read the comments underneath the article from mostly Portuguese people, incapable of taking criticism. of their country. Wow! Great way to live your life and improve your country.
As for the roads, everything is a problem there. Drivers are extremely rude and aggressive and dangerous. I have yet to meet a polite Portuguese driver. The cost of fuel is shocking, all from sub-standard 'service' stations. And vehicles are old and noisey and a haven for pollutants. And don't get me started on the roads. They are horrible. They are dreadful and in order to go from A to B, you have to go all over the place, even on the so-called motorways that cost a fortune to pay for, are sub-standard. The most expensive I've ever come across. Paying a fortune for a pothole ridden 'motorway' that goes from A to F to Y to Q to Z......to get to B. Ridiiculous.
No-one wants to think that their country is bad at something, but denying a problem won't change it. It will just continue to be exist. Gtow up and address your problems. Learn to take criticism and work on improving it.
Believe it or not, I love Portugal, not so much the people, and this is why it is so frustrating for me to see that the Portuguese people deal with their issues by proclaiming that 'it's worse in other countries'.
Gggrrrrr!!!
I have been coming to Portugal for over 34 years. I am an American married to a Native. I like what you said about the weight that one places on these negatives. I am now retired and live here full time. We live north of Lisbon where we have owned an apt for 15 years, it has more than doubled in price. I left the US because as a retired firefighter we don't have access to health insurance until we are 65yo. My wife and I were paying over $1000 a month for health insurance. I feared becoming ill and loosing all we worked for due to the sky high price of any hospital procedure. Here a policy for us is 165 euros a month. I have had an operation in a private hospital, 5 star service. You cant move to another country and expect it to be the same as the one you left. All of the statements about red tape are true. Yes there is a large amount of dog crap on the sidewalks from north to south. Working wages are low. People can seem rude and short in the government service offices. I am the one that handles legal things in our home and it can be daunting, almost impossible to resolve anything. Been trying to trade my drivers card for 2 years now, still waiting. Despite all these things ,I love it here and plan to stay. I don't recognize the US. I was a city Firefighter and I have seen the dark underbelly of American life. Shootings, stabbings, poverty, racism. Most cities or towns have an area where this happens regularly. Not to mention the lustful worship of weapons and mass shootings. Kids don't have shooting drills here in school. With all its imperfections Portuguese kids aren't shot in school. Shootings are rare. I am lucky and look at Portugal through the lens of a retiree who worked his ass off in the US, saved money and now enjoy the Portugal of someone retired with nice pensions. I speak the language well and have many Portuguese friends, and some family. Life is completely different for someone working here with the current wages. I see the major cities becoming so expensive most locals cant afford to live there, like NYC, San Fran, Chicago, etc etc. Its not perfect but it is safe. The Portuguese people are hospitable, generous, kind and caring. But unlike the US where people pretend to be nice (fake) immediately. Here they are little more reserved, need to know you first, you have to build a relationship. Portugal is a great place to live, I am lucky and privileged to be here. But it took me 3 decades of work and savings in the US to live the good life here. The streets aren't paved with gold. Temper your expectations or stay home.
Hi Karen,
I imagine the claim about Portugal being third best refers to safety. It frequently gets mentioned as one of the safest places, based on rankings from the Global Peace Index.
I don't think there's a scam here. These promo videos (which, importantly, are typically made by YouTubers rather than the PT government) don't mention the downsides but every country obviously has its downsides. They paint Portugal as a paradise but that's surely not believable. And for most people that move here, the downsides are manageable, especially for what you get in return - and especially if you're looking for an easy way to get out of the US right now.
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Hi Karen,
I imagine the claim about Portugal being third best refers to safety. It frequently gets mentioned as one of the safest places, based on rankings from the Global Peace Index.
I don't think there's a scam here. These promo videos (which, importantly, are typically made by YouTubers rather than the PT government) don't mention the downsides but every country obviously has its downsides. They paint Portugal as a paradise but that's surely not believable. And for most people that move here, the downsides are manageable, especially for what you get in return - and especially if you're looking for an easy way to get out of the US right now.
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If you are a millionaire, you'll get better medical treatment in the US than Portugal. If you're an average Joe, you'll get better medical treatment in Portugal rather than the US. Even with health insurance (recommended) it also won't bankrupt you.
Portugal isn't the best in Europe, but care is good and the private system is very affordable.
I also hate it when people call themselves ex-pats because they don't like to associate themselves with the word "immigrant".
The quality of medical care is far from the best in the U.S. It's not even in the top ten. And apparently Portugal isn't the 3rd best in Western Europe either, as I had repeatedly heard on these promo videos.
I feel so let down right now..fortunately I haven't invested anything financial but my heart has been vested in Portugal and my dreams to retire to a country that had a completely different picture in my mind based on everything I had seen.
I feel like this has been the biggest of the scams because not being honest about some of the negatives was and is complete fraud...
particularly if you are claiming to aid people in acquiring temporary visa's. These are life decisions. Not everyone has half a million to 5 million saved. Some may have 100k and would be living off their SS.
I was invited to apply for Portuguese citizenship a couple of years back as part of a lg group of "sephardic jews " (members or descendants of Spanish & Portuguese Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism or face expulsion from Spain after 1492)
It's a very tedious process and takes a good year proving your connections & documentation so I procrastinated...but continued researching Portugal... never imagined the videos of older people would be scamming people my age and older. I still have 3 yrs until my son's out of college.
Right now I feel like I've been drugged, spun around 50 times, thrown in a van, and been driven to a strange place called Portuhell...not quite the place I imagined.
I have no idea what to do with all this. I'm done here. I know that.
America is no longer what it once was. It's time to move on.
Wow, people are lazy here, Portuguese people are hard working people, not sure where you get that idea of being lazy. Obviously you leave in a bad area but not the norm in Portugal.
I agree. I spent some time in Kuala Lumpur and I thought the food would be spicy... it wasn't.
However, since they also have large populated areas that are from India and from China, you can get plenty spicy food in those areas of KL, but Malaysian foods are quite bland. My friends who lived in Portugal for about 10 years (in 3 different areas) said... 'you better like seafood' if you live close to the Atlantic. The foods further inland are more geared towards pork and fowl, which was more to their liking, but they had to add seasoning to get more flavor. But then, Texans do like their spicy...
All of this is really depressing. How many of you can make small talk in Portuguese? Have you ever bought and read a newspaper a magazine or a book in Portuguese? How much do you know about Portuguese history? How many cities or islands have you visited in Portugal? In a nutshell, who much do you know about the country where you live or wish to move to?
All of what written here is true, as a Portuguese guy, life is hard for the average person here, there is no merit system in the workplace, it's all about who you know, wages are the lowest in Western Europe, and civil society is dormant.
There are a lot of historical, sociological and political causes for this, the half a century dictatorship has left it's scars inf the form of submissivness, to the status quo, strong patriarchy, formality, etc ; the age of discoveries also dteriorated the identity of the Portuguese as a Iberian European Nation, through a ideology called "lusotropicalism" which said that portuguese people were specially apt to live and mingle with third world populations, hence, many trees that you see in cities are tropical, strong brazillian and african cultural influence, and of course that is a recipe for disaster.
Environmentally speaking the country is rich, or it was rich, it's the country in all of europe who has most of its land covered in a invasive and foreign species (eucalyptus and acacia trees) so environmental conscious is weak here.
Life is expensive, things are surely cheaper than in most european countries but not that cheap, specially housing and renting, which foreigners are indirectly guilty because they can buy at higher prices making them go further and further up.
People are mostly dull and there is a lot of mental illness in the country, not a horrible country, some people are open minded, and not insane but most people will be either crazy, flaky, or just dull, if you learn to speak the language integration will be easyer, if not, expect to live in a expat bubble the rest of the time you are here, the world is vast and there are better options honestly.
Hi Carol, glad to see you leave the US and not come back. I'm 80, lived in the US my entire life so far, and I love my country and I love where I retired. I've lived on both coasts, in the mid west, and the southwest. I've visited all 50 states. I retired to central Arkansas where things are quite good... basically it is the largest (landwise) gated community in the US (we have people from all 50 states plus 22 countries). The taxes are low, services are plentiful in the immediate area, and big city is less than an hour away. We have great neighbors, a lot of good friends in our Village of 15000, peace and quiet, and excellent quality of life, including a very safe place to live.
I always liked reading about Portugal being a great place to live, but I had some friends who lived there for 10 years, in 3 different locations, and have since returned to the US... where according to my friend's statement "got down on his knees and kissed the ground, thankful he was back home. Their experiences in Portugal were a real mixed bag, some good, but others were very frustrating and perplexing. They had a few good friends who still live there, but they have no plans to go back to Portugal, even to visit. I personally think the country is a beautiful country (based on the pictures) but I have known several Portugese living in the Northeast, and based on them, I would never want to live next to them, which means I wouldn't want to live where they came from. To each his or her own is the catch phrase, but obviously you are a liberal college prof, and we here in the US are happy you live elsewhere. In case you wondered (probably not lol), I hold several degrees in 5 different areas, based on various jobs I've had over the years, and even with a non-president in power, I'd still rather live here in the US. The only countries I would consider outside the US would be Italy (my grandmother's side) or Ireland (my grandfather's side), but all in all, I'll stay right here in the US. Good luck to all of you posting, and I hope you find a good place to live, no matter where you decide to go... it's a big world and no place is perfect.... but we're pretty close here in the Village.
Portugal is 3 to 5 times less expensive than the U.S. and the salaries are 10 to 20 times lower...
Just open up a bank account at Caixa Geral.
Well, the content are quite intuitive and with facts. Bureaucracy, yes be ready especially for a foreigner like myself that doesn’t know portuguese, I only have a Portuguese husband that helped me a lot with papers, without him, I couldn’t cope. The people that will attend you in those public establishments, whether it is the bank, SEF, parish council, etc., is always a matter of luck, because it will depend on who will attend you or not, there are a lot of inconsistencies with information so be mindful of that. With Portuguese people I couldn’t complain much, at first yes I was shock with their behaviors, some were really arrogant+ignorant but then when you started to know many of them, not all of them are bad, like not all germans are nazi, not all muslims are terrorist like they said. I am proud to say that I have more portuguese friend that my own country fellow here in this place. Some portuguese let’s say won’t really give a f… and they won’t care, so you might think they are snob but no, it is the economic crisis that led these people like this. We cannot blame them as some Portuguese are paying too much because the prices are every expensive, young portuguese people cannot live independently unless they have their parent’s house or sharing a room(small rooms). In regards of noises, it will really depend who will be your neighbor, i lived in an apartment so quiet and calm 2 years ago, sometimes I regret leaving there for changed, but it is what it is.
The points of many people are valid, although some make it sounds more dramatically than it is e.G the typical "they don't treat their animals well" - it is not even that common and just an ignorant view of some lonely foreigners with 5 dogs who get all their attention, while rest of the people would see so much attention as not healthy for animals, and from my experience foreigners are the ones not following the rules with their pets, like not keeping their dogs on leash. A lot of subjectivity in it, but technically it is not the Portuguese breaking the rules here, and being a nuisance for people without dogs.
It really depends what your goals are, and as James said bureaucracy is really brutal in Portugal and shouldn't be underestimated, especially for people looking for more than a place for retirement. I wouldn't recommend Portugal for people who get totally stressed out because of completely unpredictable bureaucracy, or if their business model can't deal so well with it. Every situation and character is different.
Indeed, I didn't even get a Portuguese bank account because the amount of paper work was mind blowing. I just can add that the entire process was also quite unprofessional with bank employees not acting as we agreed on, not returning calls, documents etc. With this type of behavior I would be really worried to let any substantial amount of money with a local bank branch there. But ok, usually you don't need it, unless you want to use some of their national payment system, but there are also way around it.
Compared to another countries where I would get a local bank account after a video call and showing my ID...sorry, that's just not good enough for country that wants to compete against another places in the same price range.
Fantastic reply.
I think Brian was being sarcastic, and making fun of the people complaining. I’m looking to move to Portugal and am exploring right now. I love the place so far.
Lower than any 3rd world country 🙁 but with high EU prices for crap.
Why so you want to be a Portuguese citizen if you need to ‘grit your teeth’. People like your are gross.
Why so you want to be a Portuguese citizen if you need to ‘grit your teeth’. People like your are gross.
It’s a pity that we didn’t read this article before moving. From myself I’ll add minuses that are annoying. They don’t respect the environment here, everything is strewn with cigarette butts, it’s normal for locals to go to the toilet under a bush or in a gateway. People are so lazy that they don’t they clean up the garbage that the wind blows near for their house. The country is not friendly to dogs, it is very difficult to find housing in good condition, where dogs are allowed, it is also difficult to find a cafe where animals are allowed. Public transport in the suburbs is rare. In many houses are no washing machine’s,only special sink for washing clothes by hand. It is normal for neighbors to move furniture and make noise in the middle of the night.
It’s a pity that we didn’t read this article before moving. From myself I’ll add minuses that are annoying. They don’t respect the environment here, everything is strewn with cigarette butts, it’s normal for locals to go to the toilet under a bush or in a gateway. People are so lazy that they don’t they clean up the garbage that the wind blows near for their house. The country is not friendly to dogs, it is very difficult to find housing in good condition, where dogs are allowed, it is also difficult to find a cafe where animals are allowed. Public transport in the suburbs is rare. In many houses are no washing machine’s,only special sink for washing clothes by hand. It is normal for neighbors to move furniture and make noise in the middle of the night.
Don't worry about it, soon the country will be overrun with Brazilians and we are to change our dialect to their language, start learning.
I don't think it's an isolated case, i live in Quarteira, once upon a time you could turn to any news channel on TV and nearly every crime report started with ''today in Quarteira,,,,,'' i notice now very few stories about my city are broadcasted but i am a local and so are all my family, i get a feeling they don't want to harm tourism, no bad reports will air on tv news, only good pink rainbows and unicorns.
Remember SALAZAR, many people here still live with his beliefs,
You are right, a severe financial correction is expected worldwide, the indicators are pointing in that direction, it's expected to hit by christmas 2022, what will happen to this country, two more things not mentioned is well educated Portuguese take their diplomas and go work elsewhere, hospitals have no doctors, don't get sick here, a brain drain, who is left, who will work and pay taxes.
Grav this is a fantastic comment. You capture the contradictions well. And all the better to hear it from an African. As white American it doesn’t appear racists here as I don’t see confederate flags and other glaring examples but I know from Brazilians there is racism here. I have also heard comments from Portuguese about Brazilians that could be taken as racist. But it doesn’t feel like it is in the nature of the Portuguese to chase black people out of a neighborhood or march down the street chanting Jews will not replace us! And maybe that is because they don’t have leaders encouraging it.
I’m sorry to say, but your comment is the one that strikes me as a Karen attitude. The article is simply sharing information, is not telling people what to do with it. You, on the other hand, seem to be pointing fingers at every reported fact, feel entitled to not only question the authors right to share them as also to ridicule his choice of topics, ranking them as irrelevant and telling people how they should or should not react to them. Personally I find the topics spot on, as they address many of the most frequent expectations foreigners have about Portugal.
Best in the world is nationalistic and subjective. The quality is good, if one can afford it. Here lies the problem….
Hi Brian,
While there's definitely truth to some of these comments, I don't think they present an accurate picture. I could write an article on the downsides of any country in the world and it might attract similar comments, creating a very skewed and biased picture of that country. Portugal isn't for everyone, and I do think people should consider this before moving here, but the majority of people who move here tend to find there are one or two big downsides (e.g. bureaucracy) that really get to them, the rest aren't a big deal, and overall, the downsides are worth bearing in return for the upsides.
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Wow. What a depressing experience reading these comments. Really negative, sad and angry. I can only assume that it must accurate. Frankly its really taken the wind out of my sails in wanting to move to Portugal after having gotten pretty far along in the process. A serious majority of you in the comments have made it sound like one of the most horrible places in the world to emigrate. I totally get that every country has its downsides (I'm in the US so I understand all too well how things look to the outside world right now) but I had much better hopes about a good and rewarding life there. But you guys have hit upon pretty much every aspect of life there being terrible: food, employment, housing, crime, theft, rejection of new people, language, day to day misery of the actual citizens, etc. Everything that should make a person feel secure in their decision to find a new way of life in Portugal is a lie according to many of you. This place must be horrifying the way it's being described in the comment section. What am I to think otherwise?
Really heartbreaking and discouraging. Now I have probably lost money and time considering this as a good choice on my part. Damn.
Sweetie, this is not about foreigners adopting to "the Portuguese way," whatever that is. This is instead about Portugal adopting to basic norms of honesty, decency, and integrity in its desire to be a participant on a larger international stage. See, it's really easy to reflexively look at a foreigner's complaints--or just basic observations--and say "you're not from here, and if you don't like it here, leave." (And we all know the Portuguese try the easy way first, then secondly--wait, no. There is no "second" in that flow chart. It's just the easy way, or no way at all. Sorry. My bad.) But the thing is, it's not us who have joined you. It's you who have elected to join us.
Remember, we're all a community now, right? Remember that? Remember that thing called the European Union, a union which Portugal needs far more than Europe needs Portugal? Remember when you signed up for that, and at the same time agreed to respect the rules and regulations of the EU? You are not a tiny little island anymore, Portugal. You can't, when it's convenient for you, pick and choose when to be part of a larger whole and when to be your own insular little fiefdom. You're buoyed by the EU, and it's your inclusion in that group that also helped secure the 92 billion Euros you needed to rescue you from the financial crisis which would have utterly destroyed you beyond any repair. (You had no way out of this crisis. None.)
Let's pause to think about that: Portugal, a country of roughly 10 million people, needed 92 billion to disentangle itself from its wholly self-created mess. (This "self-created" thing is not my opinion. In order to get that money, your government had to sign off on a 400-page report which detailed why you had gotten into such a ridiculous mess. The main reasons for the crisis which you agreed with? Corruption and sinecures. And, well, just complete and utter incompetence--which, really, is both a cause and effect of the corruption that is the defining characteristic of your culture.) The International Monetary Fund spent 1/6th of its funds on your tiny grain-of-sand-on-a-world-map country. Unbelievable. Other countries, too, have needed help, of course. For example, Argentina. That's a country with 46 million inhabitants, basically 4.5 times the population of Portugal. Yet, for their bailout they required solely 50 billion, nearly half of what tiny Portugal needed. I could go on and on here with tons of examples, but the basic point is that no developed Western country, aside from Greece, has displayed such a catastrophic ineptitude in taking care of itself in the history of the IMF, which dates back to shortly after the conclusion of the second World War.
So, in short, you need us. We do not need you. And, no, in order for you to be involved in our "club," we request solely civility, integrity, and honesty. Not conformity or servitude. We request basic decency. Humanity. We are in your country because you extended your hand; it's not the other way around. But despite your complete and utter dependence on us (not something we wield over you or gloat about; I mean, how many people are even aware of it?), what instead do we get? Oh, stuff like this, for example: https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/portugal-is-the-least-compliant-european-country-against-corruption/50075
This country is incorrigible.
And we get nothing but disrespect, theft, dishonesty, etc. when we show ourselves foolish enough to enter your country--smiling, courteous and unassuming--presuming we'd be welcomed here.
So, about the EU. What was it you said? Oh yeah: If you don't like it, leave.
It's not a big deal. No one will notice if you do.
Which bank was this ??
Not nearly. But are you retiring? 'Cause there you have to pay huge amounts of money, but you have money for it. Here you'll struggle to pay your bills. So don't look just at prices, look for the cost of live.
That's illegal. Minimum wage is 740, unless you work less hours...
And please, tell me where receiving 800 is good in Portugal because I want to move there. With 800 I don't know how you pay your bills unless you already have a payed local to stay in.
The first thing in the US is making choices. Peoples have different priorities and are willing to pay for them.
You always can live in low costs states, and pay little taxes or so.
I would like to go to Indiana than Portugal. For people with low income, a lot of help is provided. You are going to be older every day, unfortunately. The quality of medical care in the US is still the best in the world. Keep smiling and look around.
> Yes, there are some sharks but there are also now a few companies offering a NIF and bank account for much less.
Well, isn't that kind of them? I did it myself for about 25 Euros all in.
> Apartments are just built like that in Portugal. Not a lot you can do.
Apartments are completely overpriced, both for rental and purchase. The quality is Soviet, for Northern European medium-level prices.
> Service isn't always friendly but this isn't America.
Service is often non-existent, and sometimes combative (depending on where you live, there are American enclaves in the two big cities now; I wonder what they think of it... I am not American).
Two days ago I had a delivery person bring a parcel, then complain to me that my address was wrong, and that I must change it. I pointed out that was the official address, recognised by the Municipal Police on my residence permit, and is on the lease of my apartment, and on the Financas registration of the company I run from that address, and the freguesia is even printed on the street sign she just drove past. She was having none of it, and pointed to her GPS not finding that address. I even did a postcode lookup on my phone, which said the correct She would not let it go, and in the end stomped off muttering and shaking her head.
> Yes, you should speak Portugues when you order. That's surely a given.
And surely you understand that takes time? That's surely a given. The only people who move here, who already speak Portuguese, are often treated with overt racism.
> The pastel de nata quality varies from place to place, the same as the quality of tacos vary in Mexico or croissants in France.
That was a throwaway; no need to focus on that as if it is a core reason to relocate to a country.
> Salaries are low. Who knew?
The Portuguese. And they complain about it every time I talk with them.
> Yes, you should learn Portuguese in a Portuguese workplace.
Already covered that above, where you raised learning Portuguese previously.
> If you don't try to learn the language and join in with words like caralho, you're probably not going to get invited back for lunch again. Like it or not it's camraderie and you need to have it to get along with people you work with.
I do speak functional Portuguese, it doesn't really help. When the locals speak socially, they use slang. You still won't fit in with a social group unless you spend a long time immersing yourself in the everyday use of informal Portuguese, and learn to swear a lot, and frankly, the results don't seem worth the effort.
* Yes, there are some sharks but there are also now a few companies offering a NIF and bank account for much less.
* Apartments are just built like that in Portugal. Not a lot you can do. But yes, the youtubers never tell you this but that's probably because they're staying in much more expensive accommodation from all the money they're raking in. Some of them are literally millionaires.
* Service isn't always friendly but this isn't America. Yes, you should speak Portugues when you order. That's surely a given.
* The pastel de nata quality varies from place to place, the same as the quality of tacos vary in Mexico or croissants in France.
* Salaries are low. Who knew?
* Yes, you should learn Portuguese in a Portuguese workplace.
* If you don't try to learn the language and join in with words like caralho, you're probably not going to get invited back for lunch again. Like it or not it's camraderie and you need to have it to get along with people you work with.
I do agree with some of your points. Don't trust youtube bloggers. If a stranger is friendly there's a good chance they're trying to sell you something. There are plenty of lawyers and accountants out there who overcharge and provide a terrible service.
I think the problem is these youtubers sell Portugal as a problem-free paradise. In reality it's what anyone should assume it is, a poor country which means salaries are low, the quality of things are low, and people will want to create a business making money off foreigners who have more to spend than the local population.
The dog barking I can just about deal with - it is the children that scream and run about, encouraged by the parents, as if the screaming should be shared by everyone.
I've been in Porto for four years, and I am gritting my teeth for another one year, in order to apply for citizenship and then move to another EU country. It is definitely overhyped, and I feel sorry for the thousands of people who have recently moved here, or are planning to. They'll have this vision in their heads that the people are friendly and warm, that they are actually welcome here, and that they will enjoy a life of dining out, coffees with friends, and posting selfies and pictures of delicious food, just as they have seen the vloggers that spent a weekend here do.
Instead, they will end up being fleeced by a "legal representative" charging them 700 Euros + for a NIF, another 500 for a bank account, and 400 in "unexpected expenses". Then the landlord will want 12 months rent in advance, for a crappy place that has no heating, no cooling, no insulation for either temperature or sound. They will be serenaded by the neighbours shouting, the feral child next door screaming uncontrollably, and furniture scraping at 3am.
Their latte will be served by a surly, resentful person who rolls their eyes at any sound of the English language, muttering some local slur in response, and insisting on being paid in cash. The pastéis de nata will definitely not look like something they want to put on their Instagram feed (and people are sick to death of them anyway).
Nobody will talk to them. But, the locals are happy to be best friends with their wallet. Fake smiles, being called "Mr" or "Mrs" will undoubtedly make them feel they made the right decision, and people are so respectful.. Until they realise it's a confidence trick.
Any attempt to find an income here, will lead them to mistake the salary is per week, instead of per month. If they do decide to take a job, their co-workers will insist they learn Portuguese, starting with the word "caralho", which must be said loudly and enthusiastically at every opportunity. Lunch with the co-workers - if they can be bothered to invite you to join them - will be somewhere cheap that accepts food cards, and they will be regaled with the troubles and complaints of their co-workers. The casual racism will come as a real shock.
At the end of the working day, they will leave, rather dejectedly, and make the journey through thousands of angry drivers, back to their small, old, noisy, apartment. And realise the dream was just a mirage...
No pools? Dogs and the treatment of animals in general is a big problem in Portugal
100% agreed! Portugal is next in line for a devastating cost of living crises! 8% inflation, individuals are the most indebted in Europe and most of these loans have adjustable rates! And Portuguese live significantly above their means. Next 12 months will be very hard for this country, and for most of the hardship they will have themselves to blame. I will also quit, the people and their depressed mentality are really not inspiring!Overrated, overhyped and full of unhappy local people!
It's really weird to hear someone who seems so well-versed in languages and language-learning, and someone who ostensibly is showing receipts and bona fides, to also be unaware of the basic fact that what is considered difficult for some people is easy (or at least easier) for others, and vice-versa. I could easily make an argument that playing violin is easier than playing, oh, the harp, but the innate dexterities and proclivities of each individual human being will dictate which one will fit more like a glove. It's great that reflexive-passive phrases and redundant pronouns are cited (Pronouns? These are cited as deal-breakers? Really?), but there are a million other variables and vagaries within each human brain that will determine how easily vocabulary, morphology, and syntax, and the semantics which are imbued in those, are first processed, then absorbed.
Those terms represent headier aspects of language to some, sure, but what about something as simple as the pronunciation of the language itself? You do understand, right, that the garbled enunciation of continental Portuguese (as opposed to Brazilian) is an enormous deterrent in getting people interested in learning Portuguese, then, if they do surpass that hurdle, an enormous obstacle in the assimilation of that language? Why do you think people in North American universities are more interested in learning Brazilian Portuguese than the European version? No, it's not that it's more practical, which it admittedly is at this point in human history. It's because it is, at least to their ears, prettier. (I think I can safely make such generalizations, though I’ll abstain from detailing my own bona fides here.) In other words, it's closer to Spanish. And that’s not to say that people make direct comparisons to Spanish—even though that is naturally something that happens—but that the qualities people enjoy in Spanish have a significant overlap with the qualities people in enjoy in Brazilian Portuguese.
See, for all its complexities, Spanish is an outwardly attractive language. Its more sonorous. And while, it's not a sing-songy language, it's certainly, on the surface, a more musical language. And its complexity actually adds to that, something which can be seen even at the most granular level in its insistence of "spicing things up" with extra vowels ("tambien" vs. "tambem"), extra syllables ("entonces" vs "então), etc. (Both Portuguese words there are, sorry to say, quite ugly. And I love Portuguese.) A generalization, yes, but Portuguese is to most ears a far less attractive language. In fact, because of its enunciation its often confused with a Slavic language. (Plenty of YouTube videos from reputable linguists talk about this.) My brother laughs when he comes to Portugal and says everyone sounds drunk. (He’s not a boor, mind you. He’s just kidding. But, again, there is truth in jest.) These points about sound may not seem to weaken your grammar-based argument, but if you do indeed know anything about language-learning, then you know that it's in speaking that students gain not only the knowledge they need, but 10 times more importantly, the confidence and assurance they need to KEEP talking, and therefore learn more while talking. (i.e., speaking exercises in language classes, at least in the 21st century, are almost primarily about being comfortable speaking, not being accurate while speaking. Error-correction typically comes later, after the exercise is over). So, yes, speaking comes far more easily to Spanish-learners. And, you know, by the time they get to the specific issues you mentioned, which at least in one case can be years down the road, the dye is already cast, the template is already set.
Yes, I get it. Portugal is a small country full of proud, defensive people. When threatened, they raise their hairs like a cat to appear bigger than they are. Comical, misguided exaggerations abound about the complexity and size of the Portuguese language. Many here have been taught in earnest that Portuguese is the largest language word-count-wise in the world. That, of course, is nonsense. (And it’s an argument that when challenged invariably boils down to that old chestnut about no other language having a word for--ugh--saudade. An argument about word counts, about hundreds of thousands of words, hinging upon the existence of a single word. Logic!) That being said, I think you’re way off-base here in your analysis of which language is more difficult to learn, Portuguese or Spanish. As far as I can see, your judgment seems to be grounded in subjective observations, observations about language differences which, yes, are interesting in their own right, but don’t seem to have much of a place in a larger, more objective analysis.
we have been living in Portugal for a while, and speak the language fairly well. We decided it's time to move out of Portugal. Cost of living in opposite of what people think is high. A very, very simple lifestyle will be approx. 2,000/month. Some of you guys might think this is ok. Compared to what ? keep in mind apt. are old, small, and of low quality. An old , small, ran down apt. will cost around 700-900 Euro/month. If you would like to live in a nice areas in Lisbon or Cascais the same apt. will cost you approx. 1,200/month. And is still old and small. Wanna do a business ? Good luck dealing with license , permission etc.
I personally think a major correction is due in Portugal. It's all over-hyped and the PR agencies hired to promote Portugal are doing a great job attracting people to move to Portugal. 10.5 million Portuguese are paying the price for it. High cost of living, for a country that is considered as one of the poorest in EU.
I agree that he comes off unhinged.
But that's kind of the endgame of inveterate con-artists, right?: to have their malfeasance not only drain their mark of their finances but also their wits. In more prosaic terms, to screw them over so hard that they're driven to their wit's end, ensuring that in the end, it looks like they're the problematic one. In other words, a built-in benefit to f---ing someone over is that you f--- them up.
At least if it's done skillfully. And the people here are skillful.
I've seen it time and time again in this country that I'm willing to give this guy the benefit of the doubt. Low people will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience. It's precisely how the courts here--with the lawyers (and often judges) in concert with the falsely-accusing plaintiffs--are used as an industry to extract wealth from hardworking, unassuming people. people who aren't savvy enough in the, let's say, "dark arts" to think on the back foot onto which they've been pushed.
By the way, this isn't an unfortunate byproduct of a well-meaning legal system. It IS the legal system. Don't believe me? Do a little investigation into the charter undergirding the entire legal system here. It's an ECONOMIC system (explicitly stated!) set up for the primary purpose of extracting money from clients. Naturally, you can argue that such a set-up wasn't intended to be so exploitative, but then, after looking into a bit more, you'd also have to acknowledge how it, very quickly, morphed into such an incredibly bad-faith institution.
So I think you'll find that it's ultimately the most reasonable and level-headed people that end up as frothing lunatics in a culture like this. When you've invested so much of your identity into capital-R Reason, as well as other everyday virtues like, say, integrity and honesty, it is beyond soul-crushing when those things are not only steamrolled and rendered completely off-the-table, but also the things which were taken advantage of, and which initially put a spotlight on you, advertising you as an easy mark. And for people like this, there is no recourse. Because, as I've just said, those virtues have nothing to do with anything here, and it's those things which got you into the mess in the first place.
Nothing written above is hyperbole or exaggeration. Not in the least. Corruption exists in sectors and niches in every culture on Earth. In Portugal, though, it's an everyday thing, the status quo, for EVERYDAY people and countless businesses. (I won't go so far to say every one, but certainly enough to make navigating daily life like walking through a minefield.) Sure, you can easily avoid countries where it seems natural that this kind of thing is the default setting, but Portugal's particular skill, honed through centuries of both colonialism and exploitation (its only source of nationalized wealth ever) and the necessary romanticizing of those practices, comes in constructing façades.
What the hell is supposed to be wrong with a dog barking? That's what they do, you weirdo.
I am at the same stage as you. Cant put up with the Portuguese anymore, dying a slow death from loneliness, I wonder what I should do next and where to move. Then there is COVID, the war, my father died this year and you hear about everything malfunctioning, forest fires raging, unbearable heat and this indifferent and ignorant bunch of locals! I will give it another winter and then move!
grav, I have been living in Portugal for three years. I am white, so have not experienced the racism you have. I am so sorry you have ever experienced it at all. But the kindness of the people you described, I have experienced many, many times. I have also been brought to tears by this kindness. It is remarkable. I am so happy and feel so privileged to live here. I hope the racism here becomes a thing of the past soon. I have a feeling it will, as younger people here are even more tolerant in this way, it seems.
Brilliant insight! Don't like something? Leave!
Here's the problem: exploitative practices need people to exploit, in the same way that hunters need prey. So, in order to not only begin exploiting in the first place but also to extend the lifetime of the host they intend to suck dry (parasites rarely kill their host; doing that is contrary to their best interests), foreigners doing business here are certainly welcomed into the fold with open arms. And that ingratiating initiation period lasts solely until the roots they've put down have become inextricably entrenched, up until the exact point when leaving out of frustration would be deemed the worst of two bad scenarios.
The Portuguese are colonialists, whether they're conscious of it or not. Con artistry is the default setting here. And the "con" in "con artist" points to the most essential element of the enterprise: first gaining the mark's confidence. In other words: Time.
So how are you so blithely going to tell business owners, people with families here, people with deep roots, to leave? It's glib, uninsightful, un-empathetic nonsense.
Makes you wonder. If Portugal has such a low crime rate, why is there a five-year backlog of cases in the criminal courts? (And that's a charitable estimate.) Why does it take a normal, non-fast-tracked, civil case seven or eight years to be heard--and then at least A YEAR for a verdict to be delivered after the trial ends? Because if the answer is well, no, there aren't an inordinate number of criminal cases, it's just that the courts are slow, then isn't the immediate retort then well then, it's the entire legal system that's corrupt (i.e., criminal?) You can't win, Portugal apologists.
This "low crime rate" thing needs to be interrogated. First of all--and this is quite an obvious point, I know--not all countries pass along information on reported crimes in the same way. Second of all, and far more importantly, in certain cultures crime is more prone to go unreported. Let me give you an example--and believe me, I have endless examples. Endless. I could be here all day. But let's just pick one of the most, eh, comical ones.
We fired a housekeeper when it became known that she was using our house for prostitution. She would take her johns there when she knew we wouldn't be there--you know, kind of like Walter White and Jesse Pinkman running a meth lab in houses that had been emptied out for extermination. Anyway, this housekeeper neglected to unfriend my wife from Facebook, and a few months later my wife saw pictures of her showing off a bunch of new dresses. All of those dresses were those she had stolen from my wife. There were also pictures of her at a birthday party giving out gifts to her nephew. Those gifts were my four-year-old son's clothes and toys.
Pretty stupid to post such stuff on social media, no? Pretty incriminating, no? Wait. It gets better. My wife confronted this woman about it in a phone call, and instead of denying it, this woman opted to TEXT my wife and gloatingly admit to it all. She then proceeded to call my wife a bunch of vile names.
Naturally, we took all this to the police. We weren't naive; we knew the police didn't want to work. But this was an open-and-shut thing. Not a lot of work required to bust someone who had busted herself, right? Well, no. Here's the basic overview of the conversation:
COP: You understand she can deny all this, right?
MY WIFE: But we have her admitting it multiple times in a text, and we have images from social media with all of our belongings. You can't buy those dresses here. I bought those in a boutique in the US five years ago. Anyway: SHE ADMITTED TO IT.
COP: Doesn't matter. She can deny it now.
MY WIFE: Wait, deny both the crime and sending the text. What? And doesn't every criminal deny every wrongdoing ever? So, then, do you not do ANYTHING ever to investigate thing?
COP: Here's the deal, lady: We investigate her. She denies it. Once you've investigated her and nothing comes of it, she, according to Portuguese law, has grounds to sue you for defamation. And you know what, since there's no proof she did anything . . . she AUTOMATICALLY wins the case. So either you take that eventual loss, or you settle with her beforehand in what amounts to a shakedown. But you know what, she already right now knows she's won, so why would she settle?
So there you have it, guys! Thievery is a racket that not only gets you immediate rewards in all these new belongings you have, but comes with foolproof protection, and can even pay more dividends further down the road. And now you see how this thief neglecting to unfriend my wife on Facebook, this thief brazenly advertising what she had stolen, this thief admitting her crime to my wife was in fact quite the opposite of a stupid decision? It was, in fact, the calculated decision.
And you don't have to be a paranoid conspiracy theorist to extrapolate that, hm, maybe some of these thieves aren't, like, I don't know, the cops themselves?
So, then, do you think I'll ever be reporting any more crimes in Portugal? Do you think my friends here--the Portuguese, ex-pats, it doesn't matter--report crimes here? And do you think that the ones that are actually reported even get passed along to the, say, EU, in a reliable manner?
Oh, wait. I guess I've got another story: A recent report said there were no hate crimes in Portugal in 2017. Hm. That was the year I was approached by two boneheads who recognized me as foreign, was told to get the fuck out of the country, then was punched in the head over 50 times, concussing me and leaving me blind on one eye for a month. Not an exaggeration on the 50 punches, by the way: I have, for one thing, multiple witnesses, all of whom thought I was going to die. Was this reported as a hate crime? Hm; wait. Was this even reported as a crime at all? Nope. Because the police listened to my account, listened to the asasailants' as well (who, remember this, ADMITTED to the crime AND the severity of it) wrote some stuff down, then I was carted off to the hospital in a daze. A few days later after regaining my bearings, I got suspicious and showed up at the police station demanding to see the report, threatening them with the I'm-American-and-trust-me-I'm-industrious-enough-to-know-how-to-raise-a-stink card (not something I'm proud to use, but something which actually works--at least to an extent!--in these situations.) And, oh, what did the report say? That it was a brief dust-up in which one punch was thrown. You know, the kind of thing that we can file away more easily so we can get back to that really satisfying nap your stupid, annoying hate crime woke us from.
By the way. Nothing ever came of this. I even had to pay my own medical bills. Supposedly there's going to be a trial, like, sometime? 2030? I don't know. But as it's not the kind of trial in which lawyers and judges, working in concert, can shake down one of the parties, it's certainly not a priority.
Please. Portugal is crime-ridden. Statisitics don't tell the story as statistics don't apply. And as the entire legal and business infrastructure here is essentially the mafia, the entire country, whose workings are based on a colonial, exploitative model in which money is stolen from hardworking honest people and funnelled to a small percentage of elites at the top, the entire country is a criminal enterprise, thus rendering the whole idea of statistics pointless in and of itself.
The minimum wage in Portugal for someone who works full-time and with an employment contract is 700€/month, which, although far from being brilliant, is still much higher than what's being suggested here. The problem is that average salaries haven't improved significantly in comparison with the considerable increase of the minimum wage in the past 5 years, bringing average salaries closer to it.
The thing about appellate courts in Portugal, at least in civil cases, is that after what could be a big, long trial containing numerous witnesses all paraded in front of a judge who can examine each up close and personal, the appeal then, bafflingly, takes place behind closed doors. What I mean is that it's not even a (re)trial. What happens is that a summary of the trial, often just a few pages in total, is given to an appellate judge, he or she reads it, and he or she, based on those few pages of information alone, delivers a verdict. Sure, judges are also supposed to listen to audio tapes of the trial (a highly flawed approach itself), but as there is no system in place which ensures that they do this, there is little incentive to do so.
You can deduce how easily exploitable this system is. In fact, it is often the corrupt lawyer's tactic to just BS the way through the initial trial with little regard for actually winning the case, just to get it in the hands of her pre-arranged appellate judge. Think of how this works in, say, the case of an employee suing an employer for unlawful firing. Losing the initial case actually leads to her gaining far more money: in the appeal, the employee then is granted the money she claims is owed, then she gains payment that she "should have" been paid in the interim between the first case and the appeal. (Often a few years worth of salary, as "justice" moves so slowly here.) All for sitting around and doing nothing, which, not coincidedntally, was probably the reason the employee was fired in the first place.
And that exact outcome, of course, was the plan from the beginning.
So you see how this incentivizes frivolous lawsuits? Finding a lawyer with an appellate judge in her pocket is easier than finding an old sofa on CraigsList. And there's nothing anyone can do about it. People are afraid to take action, and this is a defeatist mentality which can be traced back to decades of living under fascism. Move to Portugal and soon learn that idealism hits a wall at a very early point. Get used to a shoulder-shrugging "Whadya gonna do?" as the default response to even the smallest, seemingly easily-redressable injustices.
Random Observer: "Man, there sure is a lot of graffiti in this city."
Wayta: "Sigh. I love generalizations. This guy is saying that everyone in this city roams the streets with cans of spraypaint in their hands!"
And on the point of laws concerning cleaning up dog poop: Yeah, well, there are laws about speeding here, too. And not riding the bumper of the car in front of you.
Cool. Maybe. But laws mean nothing when they're not enforced.
Um, what exactly is the generalization in saying that dog feces on the street is a prevalent thing? Can you point me to where somebody said that no one cleans up after their dogs? You can't. I can, however, point you to one commenter above saying "some people don't, unfortunately."
dog feces is a problem =/= non one cleans up after their dogs. Obviously, it can become a problem if, say, only 20% of the population doesn't do their share.
Yeah, Paula, your reactionary post is filled with very little beyond kneejerk starwman arguments and tilting at windmills. In this comments section I've seen very little that points toward people wanting the Portuguese to "serve [them]" and "live like [them]." (Easy claim to make, right? Quite conveniently, and not coincidentally, it's an easy claim for you to dismiss as well, right?) What I am reading, however, is a lot from people who are well-travelled, and have happened to end up here to, quite unfortunately, find it devoid of the basic, fundamental, and everyday decency that can manifest in so many forms and in so many ways in so many other places.
Every country has its problems. For example, the US's are well-documented and quite obvious. England's, too. The particular problem with a country like Portugal, however, is that beneath its pretty façade, it is rooted in a colonial ethos, and the default setting for getting ahead (or even just surviving!) is dishonesty, corruption, and at best just basic underhandedness and scheming. It's constant, inescapable, and if you don't engage in it, you perish--meaning that the honest quickly become the dishonest, too. You simply will not succeed here without cheating. It's impossible.
So you're right, if people don't like it, they should leave! And you know who leaves the most, who leaves in droves very precisely because of this problem? Yeah: the Portuguese. And it's that brain drain (and decency drain) which leaves this country in an even worse situation.
And for all those dumb foreigners who don't like it? Well, I guess they should leave too. But, tell me something, when they go should they take their 92 billion dollars of IMF money with them? (It's their tax money, not yours, which resuscitated your once moribund economy.) You know, because that's the only (let me pause here to repeat that: THE . . . ONLY) reason this country managed to not completely fall off the face of Europe and devolve into a developing-country status (the term most people mean when they say "third world country"). That was the trajectory back in the 2010s, and Portugal completely lacked the means to reverse its path on its own. So, uh, thank you for being so welcoming?
So, you see now what those people's problems are, even if they're not capable of articulating it precisely? It's that Portugal is not doing its share. If you want to be part of the European Union (i.e., a contributing member, and not just a parasitic beneficiary), then you have to conduct yourself in a manner that befits the spirit of mutual interdependence your willing membership entails. So the standards are really the ones you falsely promised to live up to, not those of the British ex-pats, or Germans, or Americans, etc. (Don't like them? Don't sign up!) You do not hold up your end of the bargain in every daily, hourly, reflexive act which contributes to your floundering go-nowhere economy: your poor, often non-existent, service; your lying, stealing lawyers; your corrupt and sullied judges; your do-nothing police collecting taxpayer and IMF money to not even come into work (more than a common thing; this is the norm); your government which the EU has officially recognized as the least compliant in when it comes to following anti-corruption measures; your sixteen-national-holidays-a-month calender (not counting the "pontes" you make, right?!); your tax-cheating businesses (basically 98% of them); etc.
Shall I go on?
Hi Tom,
You are welcome to comment on this article, but you will need to refrain from using words like lazy, dumb, or neanderthalers if you want your posts approved (and any other offensive words). There are plenty of approved comments from people who have had negative experiences in Portugal. As long as people can share their opinions and experiences in a polite way, I am happy to publish them.
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Where I live in Portugal €800 is a very good office clerk's salary and most people I know work for around €560 before taxes are removed. Those are foresters, airport workers, FedEx staff, and I suspect that grocery store cashiers make even less, probably around €400 a month, which is on par with extreme Eastern European country salaries such as Moldova, Albania, Georgia, Bulgaria. Construction workers, helpers make about €25 to €40 a day (cash) and stone masons, electricians, carpenters, and guys with chainsaws make a whopping €65 to €80 a day (cash and no benefits). Most of better specialists and younger people are usually going to other countries for gastarbeitership.
HiJames,
I posted a response yesterday to Kay Miners, This post certainly did not contain
any word that could be viewed as offensive as you seem to be extremely vigilant on this issue which is ok but in my case i believe I am not crossing any red line.
You see that a lot of foreigners in this country have had bad experience in dealing with Portuguese people, something that I am sure will happen less in other EU countries. So I would encourage you to let people express their grievances because this seems to be a real issue one has to bear in mind when relocating here!
Hi Tom
You referred to the people in your village as "Neandertalers" in that comment. I think it should be pretty obvious why some of your comments cannot be approved.
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James Cave
I will quit this space as you continue to censor me and do not publish my opinion. F.ex a respose was given to anuel Cardoso 3 dats ago, but u didnt bother to publish it! I beg politely to disagree with your approach!
I think Southern Europe in general is somewhat tough for us Northerners! But at least in Italy or France people share an interest in you and its easy to have good conversations! In Portugal people seem to be self centered, indifferent, and have no other interest than their family , football and their mobile phone screen. And.. it is normal to have ones dog barking all day on the balcony of a condominium. Truly antisocial behavior is easy to find!
I have decided to quit as staying more years would be a waste of time and its really depressing to live around these folks!
Portuguese banks are basically bankrupt and have so far been funded by the ECB with uncollatralised interst free loans. Now this is changing and their loanbooks are about to implode as Portuguese borrowers are not so keen to repay their outstandings as they are the most indebted in Europe. I tried to open an account here, but was declined because I just wanted to make a sabbatical year in this country, Their conclusion, no work, no credit, no account! I am not astonished that the Portuguese economy is one of the weakest in the EU and the average Jose makes barely 800 Euro per month.
Hi Gloria,
I'm glad you enjoyed Portugal. Yes, Lisbon is extremely hilly, so it may not be suitable for everyone. Things (lifts, trains, etc) do break down from time to time, but it is a very comfortable place to live and ideal for retirement.
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Well stated. looking at the various perspectives.
I just returned from Portugal, and I have to say that people were polite and friendly, I speak Spanish and we were able to have long conversations about everything even politics, I am very political. I left a brand new Iphone worth $1500.00, I called my number, someone answered, and the taxi driver returned my telephone to the hotel where I stayed, needless to say, I left him a thank you gift of $60.00 euros. What I truly hated was that the Carris, metro, many taxis and even the tourist tour buses had no air conditioning in such extreme hot weather. No transportation was accommodating for the elderly or disabled. to top it all, the elevators did not work at the metro station in Lisbon, so I had to carry my luggages up three flights, and I am already 64 years old. I saw a man with one leg doing it too. If you cannot walk long distance uphill, or carry heavy things, please take a taxi, it is worth every cent and it is not expensive for Americans. For Spanish speakers Portugal is a great place for us Cubans it is familiar, the food, the people and the architecture to Habana, so I felt great. I like Porto or Cais Cais a lot more for retirement and quality of life. Loved Portugal, it is the first European country where I found that I belong. The beach is cold like the Pacific in California, but like us, where we have Mexico nearby, they have Spain too and great transportation. I loved the comboi trains, they are more expensive, but comfortable. Good way to travel.
You will be, on Thursday next week and then on the August 14th 2022 as well.
I agree, with some precautions though.
Please advise what your civilised country is, hopefully within Europe, so I can move there as well. I can't stand theft, fraud and violence.
I wholeheartedly agree with Todd. It's systemic! Beware! Only those who have lived in Portugal for at least 10 years can advice you best and you should listen to them if you want to stay away from all of it! This is extremely fraudulent society hidden beneath a superficial "politeness" and "friendliness". They themselves claim to be "passive aggressive" and this is what hides beneath which is worse than living in a crime infested city. Mark my word!
I agree! All or at least most services in Poortugal are of an absolutely unprofessional, low quality and lousy (to say it mildly) level on the very lowest level of any country experienced even in the Third World.
When a Portuguese bank calls you and asks you what is your profession and a source of your income and assures you this is a mandatory information that they must have to let you have your money then you realize how BADLY you want to move to or remain living in Portugal!? If you have not experienced this yet, just wait until a CROOKED branch of a Portuguese bank that tried to steal your money and to swindle you out of part of your cash withdrawal asks this QUESTION! And then you DECIDE whether you want to continue living in Portugal or whether you want to move to Portugal!? This is SERIOUS, folks!
This was very helpful, thanks. The pendulum swings wide on experiences and opinions here and your comments help explain the discrepancies. The more affluent experience far less of the housing, bureaucratic headaches than those of more modest means - not unlike most places in the world. I have read through all of the comments and for the most part, have appreciated people's candour in sharing their own experiences and I really believe people have been brutally honest, which really is helpful. I think some people can overlook certain things others cannot. For me, this has highlighted certain areas that actually do give me pause for concern (crime stats not being accurate due to many unreported incidents, setting up a new business pitfalls) It's always good to know what you are really getting yourself (and your family) into as much as possible before a major relocation. I think any relocation is stressful and rarely things are perfect but the experience alone, even a brief stay that doesn't work out, might be worth it, providing no real physical/financial harm was done. I always ask 'what's the worst part of...?' when speaking to folks about moving somewhere. I find that's where the story begins. That way I have a more balanced perspective. I am always super positive and tend to miss some glaring red flags because I always want to see the best in a place/company/restaurant/culture and I love adventure. The negative comments have been valuable, even the cranky rants, because when the same comments keep coming up, you know it's not just an isolated incident or a disgruntled ex-pat and you know you may very well have to navigate this issue(s). The question is, does it add up to a deal-breaker?
This is why cashiers in Portugal are trained to announce "line up in the order you were in" when opening up a new check-out. I've lived all over the world, and I've never seen that kind of thing be necessary elsewhere.
If you pretend to throw rocks at someone riding their motorbike (even if they're going faster than they should) what do you expect?
Based on all your other comments (and your questions on Quora) It seems you have a really bad opinion of Portugal and an obsession about it leaving the EU. I really don't know why you care so much. Whether or not it's a member really doesn't affect your day to day life.
Things go wrong in Portugal, but most people that move here just get on and enjoy the sunshine, the beaches, and the cheap wine. You seem incapable of doing that.
If you pretend to throw rocks at someone riding their motorbike (even if they're going faster than they should) what do you expect?
Based on all your other comments (and your questions on Quora) It seems you have a really bad opinion of Portugal and an obsession about it leaving the EU. I really don't know why you care so much. Whether or not it's a member really doesn't affect your day to day life.
Things go wrong in Portugal, but most people that move here just get on and enjoy the sunshine, the beaches, and the cheap wine. You seem incapable of doing that.
You're cherry-picking one bullet point, cold seawater, when the article carefully detailed about fifteen more serious issues.
Know another problem here? Intellectual dishonesty and bad-faith arguments.
You're cherry-picking one bullet point, cold seawater, when the article carefully detailed about fifteen more serious issues.
Know another problem here? Intellectual dishonesty and bad-faith arguments.
No, it's not isolated. What she is talking about, at least in part, is the systemic corruption and incompetence in Portugal (they go hand-in-hand: one leads to the other which leads back to the other, etc. etc.) You perhaps can feasibly make the claim that the crime she experienced was isolated, but the resultant corruption and inefficiency she encountered when trying to redress that crime was, as any Portuguese (yes, including you) can tell you is the norm, the status quo.
Speaking from personal experience--which, yes, is still anecdotal evidence, I understand--I've had an enormous robbery in my own home go uninvestigated by the police even though the thieves admitted to the robbery in text messages (emboldened of course by their knowledge that the police would do nothing); I've had over 100,000 Euros straight-up stolen from me by corrupt appellate judges (being a business owner here does nothing but put a target on your back. Being an honest business owner makes that target enormous.); and have been waiting for five years for a trial to take place regarding a random hate-crime assault in which I was punched in the head over 50 times by two individuals.
Portugal is a nightmare. The thing is, because I'm not myopic, I understood this before I experienced any of these problems personally.
It's a fantastic place to live for the weather, the scenery, the cost of living, and the cost of eating out, and people are very tolerant of those who speak little of the language. The downsides are as touched upon by this article - very difficult to become friends with Portuguese people - their family ties are so tight. The bigger downfall is the lousy quality of lawyers, accountants, and estate agents. Many are in each others pockets and at times, it feels like the wild west,
It's becoming unsafe in Portugal. We were shot at close range by some neighbour, who claimed shooting birds in our property as if it was not an issue (for them)! Shot right at us and they could not not sere us right in the field working! Then there is an issue of continuous certified and registered mail theft and many other issues. This is not what should be happening in a developed and safe country that it claims to be.
It's becoming unsafe in Portugal. We were shot at close range by some neighbour, who claimed shooting birds in our property as if it was not an issue (for them)! Shot right at us and they could not not sere us right in the field working! Then there is an issue of continuous certified and registered mail theft and many other issues. This is not what should be happening in a developed and safe country that it claims to be.
OMG THEDA GET OVER IT ALREADY
Why do Germans move to the US, 10 for every one American moving to Germany, of Europe is so wonderful???
Yes there are rare shootings that are highly isolated in very specific areas most Americans avoid. . I’ve never been robbed, shot at or attacked in the US.
So far, the most decent opinion I've read.
I've been living in Portugal for 39 years and I agree with a lot that has been said, but I also disagree with some other opinions.
Yes, Portugal has a lot of corruption, and the Portuguese complain a lot about it, but keep voting on the same parties (PSD/PS), that have been leading the country pretty much ever since the dictatorship has ended, and this is probably one of their biggest flaws, as the corruption affects how the money is distributed in the country. Nonetheless, and this might have two different point of views, Portuguese people are very peaceful, and although many show their disappointment and discontentment towards the government, there usually aren't any riots or violent ones. And that's something to applaud on one hand, but also something to pity, because after the 74's April 25th, when the Portuguese took down in a very peaceful way the dictatorship, the country has actually been through a lot of meaningful and progressive changes, but it seems like they only get together and grow stronger in events such as football or charity (generally speaking, Portuguese people have great hearts, but I'll come to that later). It's a small country with almost 900 years of existence, where traditional values are very strong and where old habits die hard, but its people are hardworking, have a strong way of welcoming other nationalities, as Portugal has a strong history of migration throughout the years as well, mostly to USA, Canada, and France and nearby countries, but also to Brazil, Venezuela and Australia. You hardly hear people boasting about unfortunate historical accomplishments, but yes, there's a minor part that reminisce about their time in the African colonies, the ones who are getting very close to their 60s though).
Education and Healthcare are two main concerns for the Portuguese, as salaries are under what would be considered fair, but professionals work their asses to provide the best services. Both are free, apart from mild payments still necessary and trustworthy. There are great public universities and hospitals, and the only reason professionals leave is because of the lack of employment or better working conditions. That being said, let's focus on other address topics. Let us start with safety first.
Crime- I agree with the article. It's common sense and one must take the same precautions as in any other busy city in the world. There is shocking news once in a while, such as secluded houses in rich neighbourhoods in Algarve or nearby Lisbon, where people are assaulted, held in captivity, hurt badly or even killed, but gladly, that's not something that happens often. In most districts you feel quite safe, although bad things may happen and you must be careful, of course. The large number of crimes seem to be passionate ones or among people who are related somehow.
Driving - well, to be fair, there's some truth in the article. Portugal is far from being a busy city in India, or a version of a Fast and Furious movie (although it seems like the next sequel is going to take place in PT), but yes, Portuguese could act a little more like the Canadian. If they can still have a chance to pass when the traffic lights are changing from yellow to red, they will, and if they see that there's a slight chance that they will make it in the roundabouts... Some also have a heavy foot when it comes to speed. But I've witnessed some good sports as well.
Now, talking about fuel... That's where you will feel ripped off... Vehicles are also very expensive, especially if they are bought new. Food - the prices have been increasing a lot and branded stuff is getting quite expensive, but outside the big cities, there are plenty of farmer's markets, and still accessible prices for good meat and fish. Going to a regular restaurant for lunch will cost you about 10 euros (soup, dish, dessert and coffee- the Portuguese drink a lot of coffee (an expresso costs about 0,80 cents in most places). Toiletries, make up, perfume, and things like that depend on their brands - obviously, high end brands are pricey. The same goes for clothes, shoes, (Portugal is really strong in the shoe industry, actually).
Public transports are not unbearable, the "metro" exists only in Porto and Lisboa. Secluded areas don't have many bus drives and during the summer holidays it gets worse, so you will need a car.
Housing - it totally depends on where you are heading. If you want to live in Lisbon, it's going to cost you. It's becoming unbearable for the Portuguese. Of course, it depends on the house you want to live in, but rents are pretty high. And buying a place is an adventure, unless you are loaded. In the outskirts of the city, prices are also rising and if you go about 60 km away from it, if you want to settle somewhere close to the coast, it's not as expensive, but locals are now complaining a lot. A minimum wage person can hardly make a living in the outskirts on its own. Salaries are quite below other countries in Europe. Obviously, the noise, the warmth of the place, the toilet and so on will depend on the house you are in. I'm currently living in a T1, on the main street, above a bakery, 5 minutes from the beach, 80 km north from Lisbon and the rent costs 400 euros, minus electricity, gas and water. The apartment has solar pannels, and the house gets a lot of sun, so there's no need to heat it in the colder season. But it’s pretty noisy. Dogs, people on the street, people in the bakery, cars... But in the same council, two or three kilometers away, you have access to great housing, with a lot of space and peaceful surroundings... And if you want to spend a little more, you will also find good apartments with good sound isolation...
There's dishonest people but for each one of those, you'll find 100 hundred of honest ones. Good neighbours, smiley faces, and talkative people. Smoke, dog's poo, and chilly water: in most public places it's not possible to smoke, most people collect their dogs ‘dejects when taking them for a walk, but you see a lot of dogs that just go for a walk by themselves too, so...
The temperature of the ocean... Algarve is still the best place for a more certain summertime concerning water and weather, that's right, but it's also too crowded. The Alentejo coast might be nicer for some, as you go north, both weather and water temperature might not meet your standards, but there's a lot of beautiful, less crowded, worthwhile, beaches.
The Language - it comes from the Latin branch, so it is a little bit difficult to learn, comparing it to English, but it's not harder than French and it's surely easier that Russian or Mandarin...
Anyway, wherever you turn, there will be good and bad opinions, but if you are truly thinking about moving to Portugal, the best thing you should do is to come and visit the country, not as a tourist, but with a citizen approach, talk with a lot of people, with the locals, with other foreigners that have moved to the country as well. I'm sure you'll find great reasons to stay if the country suits you and a couple of more to leave if this is not the place for you, just don't be so eager to badmouth it just because you went through a certain experience or you don't quite fit in the quarter you've decided to settle. A whole country cannot be put to shame just for a couple of stuff. Still, there's a lot to think about. A lot of Portuguese, despite loving their country for all its amazing characteristics, still had to make the difficult choice of leaving in order to be able to find better conditions and a better life, with the promise that they would return, though, to spend their retirement in their beloved birthplace.
Today I was almost attacked by a young aggressive guy who rode his motocross bike across the vinyards at at least 40mph. I was really furious and pretended to throw somme pebbles at him which I obviously faked! The guy stopped, yelled at me and tried to kick my head with his helmet. I was in panic because there was no one nearby! He insulted me and threw pebbles at me and told me to return to my home country! I thought what a rude and vicious bastard. Unfortunately this incident reinforced my already very bad opinion about Portuguese people! i have lived in 4 different countries, but I have never seen such a primitive, rude and brutal people, especially the male population is the worst the EU has to offer!
I have also decided to return to my more civilised home country as I can no longer put up with these retarded folks!
We Portuguese as a society, as a system are very egotistic, egoistic and egocentric. Despite our over-hyped "friendliness" what lies beneath is egocentrism sometimes to the extreme. We hold back many things instead of sharing them and letting them go. All those polite sentences that accompany each message are made to hide the EGO and the unwillingness to help and to do the work properly. It's all me, me, me first mentality and that includes me and my extended family as well. And the crookedness as well. Trust me, we won't return your lost wallet in most cases and many of us will try to steal stuff having an opportunity. With some exceptions, of course.
Helsinki vs. Lisbon: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/helsinki-honest-city-dishonest-lisbon/story?id=20375063
You must have a huge outlet that produces a LOT of poo that cloggs the toilet no matter how strong the flushwork is.
Numbeo
Exactly.
I did the same, Steve
I did the same, Steve
Spot on. I'm retired and looking at a spot in the sun. Portugal looks good Cape maybe better.
Spot on. I'm retired and looking at a spot in the sun. Portugal looks good Cape maybe better.
I'm a Brazilian living for the last 20 years in the US, WA state. I'm considering relocating to Portugal, for the following reasons:
My house is 222 square meters. I pay per year, of property taxes, $9,000. Yes, nine thousand dollars. My electricity and gas bill, monthly in the winter is around $300, in the summer is quite low, $90. Garbage is $35 per month, car insurance is $122 per month, with yearly tax I have to pay to receive new tabs, about $65. Gasoline, you now, five dollars a gallon now. Water is $260 every 2 months. An outing to a middle expensive restaurant, with 20% tip was $75. But the thing that kills me it's the cost of medical. I pay about $100 for my meds monthly, $787 per month for health insurance for 2 people. Last year I had a hysterectomy, went to the hospital on Thursday morning, had surgery, went out on Saturday morning, by taxi, total cost: $67,000 (sixty seven THOUSAND dollars). Since I have medical insurance, I only had to pay $8,500 . But if my other family member also needed a surgery, I would have paid $17,000 for both of us. And I had a crown come loose. Dental price, $3,400 to replace it. My kid when had braces done I had to pay $10,000. Private school? $1,200 for 10 months. Price of food with 4 times a month outing to restaurante, about $900 for 3 people. Wanted to replace the roof, and cost was $15,000 dollars, available only 4 months later. The most inexpensive quote was $12,000, the most expensive one was $17,000. Plumber, about $200 or more for doing almost nothing. Good thing is, there is a Home Depot nearby that I go and have almost everything or parts needed. I even changed the toilet by myself. Amazon delivery very good, return also is excellent, customer service in US usually excellent. But my kid received a message from his college last week saying there was an active threat at his college, to stay home. And I think here is one of the most peaceful places in the US. Oh, and my dad changed location for his business to someplace with less expensive rent. Then his Income tax this year was $35,000, from $10,000. And you know why? Because the US lives off of the middle class.
Is living in Portugal as expensive as here? Or medical expenses crazy like this? Or repairs to the house? Can somebody give me numbers, please?
The writer wasn’t angry. It was a personal piece or blog on their own positive and negatives on the country. You clearly live in the US, no one is wishing they were there with you sweetheart. YOU sound angry. Leave the writer alone, disagree if you like but pathetic that you attack. Perhaps leave your own country seeing as you sound so miserable there.
The dog bark is absolutely unbearable, I have a woman living 100m away from me , in another house and she lets the little bastard on the balcony all day, today at 10 pm the beast is still barking, but apparently everybody of my so much appreciated Portuguese neighbours has no problem with this.!
I think living in Portugal can be just ok when you limit contact to the locals to a minimum! Most of them have n ot learnt civil duties!
nice
thanks grav for detail explanation and examples , its really helpful , we are also looking to move Portugal soon .
sounds like the UK
souds like the UK
Sigh, i love generalizations...
these things are adressed... there are thousands of residents in Lisbon that clean dog shit. There's a law that punishes dog owners ya know.
Pigeons are also adressed, they are fed by the municipal authorities with contraceptives in some months to keep population under control. It's forbidden by law in Lisbon to feed pigeons, you could be fined.
Please report authorities if you see anybody feed pigeons at least in a regular scale. They are the source of problems.
Get a ToTo toilet, they use little water and can handle whatever you throw at them. Best toilets in the world. They are probably available in Portugal.
He’s talking about the US (Silicon Valley area)
Luis is referring to the Silicon Valley area in California/US
You sound a bit angry yourself. I am sorry you are filled with such hostility towards Americans. The universe gives you permission to let it go. Release yourself from the shackles of your poisonous contempt.
.
One more thing, per an opinion piece in the New York Times based on the UK Mappiness Project, the activities that make people happiest include sex, exercise and gardening. Being with a romantic partner or friends will give you a boost. Weather plays only a small role in happiness, except that people get a hearty mood boost on extraordinary days, such as those above 75 degrees and sunny. People are consistently happier when they are out in nature, particularly near a body of water, particularly when the scenery is beautiful. Work, and being sick in bed are ranked the lowest amongst 40 activities in the happiness stakes. Interesting thought, what would the results or a Portuguese Mappiness Project be?
¡Bien hecho! Apologies, wrong language, bem feito!
I think you make a valid point, relocating to somewhere new is a serious undertaking. The popular relocation advice given to me (and never followed), is to live somewhere on a temporary basis, in a rental, to see if it works out. I have a troubled relationship with sleepy Suffolk but given that I've been living in the Bay Area, US for over thirty years I decided to "embrace" my re-immersion into rural life. It's not so bad the second time around, or perhaps now I'm retired it's easier to 'go with the flow.'
After reading all the negative comments about Portugal I wasn't sure whether Luis was referring to the US or Portugal ... and I live in the Bay Area, US!
Agree, Pedro. 100%
Would you kindly consider revealing where you re-located to.
We moved to Lisboa 6 years ago after living in london for 30+ years. we are both from africa - my wife is white and I am black. most of what is said is true but what is really important is what weight you give to these issues.
the best thing about portugal is its people. yes, they’ll scam you if you have to deal with them professionally and aren’t careful; yes, they won’t turn up on time; yes, i almost always experience racism especially when dealing with older people or in establishments that cater to rich people and the way they treat Africans can be jaw dropping. but they are always relentlessly humane. i know that i can always find the humanity in them; they are the most unassuming people i have ever met;
sometimes the kindness i receive from total strangers brings me close to tears. once i was leaving a metro station in the pouring rain trying to use a newspaper for cover when someone appeared beside me and offered me an umbrella and insisted i take it. another time i was trying to hail a cab with bags of shopping when an older gent told me they wouldn’t stop there and then proceeded to lift my bags and take me to a place where i could catch a cab and patted me on the back when i thanked him profusely.
Right in the centre of Lisbon is a square that has been colonized by Africans - i can’t imagine any other country in Europe allowing that (portugal has been cosmopolitan for hundreds of years). I have lived and travelled in many parts of Europe but nowhere have i seen Africans more completely at home than in Lisbon i have seen African women with their babies strapped to their backs and once an African woman carrying a load on her head and walking along.
If you stop in the middle of traffic to do something you won’t hear a single person blowing their horn. At first this made me think they were inefficient but now i appreciate the live and let live nature and i tell myself “be portuguese” when i feel my stress levels rising.
When i encounter bureaucracy and i really need to get something done i just refuse to go away - the Portuguese will not simply ignore your pain. Yesterday, a young boy and his brother raced across a fairly busy road in Guimaraes on their powerful go karts while the pedestrian crossing was red (luckily nothing happened). Everybody in the area (about 20 people) was rooted to the spot until their father was located.
I have been ripped off by builders, looked down upon because of my skin colour quite a few times, had to deal with maddening bureaucracy and crazy driving but for my money, these are the best people i have encountered in Europe - unassuming, polite, warm and helpful to strangers and often showing such tenderness as you are unlikely to find elsewhere. There are many things to like in portugal but the best thing about portugal is the portuguese.
Just for your information, official government services in germany ( which is obviously not a third worls country) also nearly shut down. It was too dangerous for them to work.
And if you want an appointment, come before opening hours and hope they still give you one and not more people had the same idea.
Applying for your drivers license test? Might easily take 3-8 months!
So I do find Portugal not quite that bad, beraucuracy is a nightmare in any country!
Annie Goldmann, i totally agree with you. I have lived in Cape Town and trust me Portugal is a very nice place to live. good people good weather and many many more..
Theda, I am sorry that you went through that, but your personal experience does not make it all the same anywhere in Portugal. It is an isolated case, and let's treat it like that.
I hate low flow toilets but not enough or it to be the biggest downside of them all. It is, however, one of the top 3 things I don't like about my apartment. I'm glad the things I do like about it far outweigh those 3.
Dear Annie,
I moved to Portugal over two years ago. If I had it to do over again, I would never move here. Last October I was attacked and robbed. According to the robbers, they were put up to the crime by the owner of a small real estate agency. Reports of Portugal being safe seem to be largely written or at least backed by the Portuguese. If you research the subject they have hundreds of thousands of very serious crimes committed yearly. Not even murders are investigated. When I reported the very serious assault and robbery, I was told they do not have the money to investigate crimes. I brought them DNA and finger prints of the criminals. They said they could not afford to analyze the evidence and refused to take it. I've already booked my flight to leave and I am counting the minutes.
Not always fab.
I moved to Portugal over two years ago. If I had it to do over again, I would never move here. Last October I was attacked and robbed. According to the robbers, they were put up to the crime by the owner of a small real estate agency. Reports of Portugal being safe seem to be largely written or at least backed by the Portuguese. If you research the subject they have hundreds of thousands of very serious crimes committed yearly. Not even murders are investigated. When I reported the very serious assault and robbery, I was told they do not have the money to investigate crimes. I brought them DNA and finger prints of the criminals. They said they could not afford to analyze the evidence and refused to take it. The weather, on the other hand, is okay.
Dear Jonny,
I moved to Portugal over two years ago. If I had it to do over again, I would never move here. Last October I was attacked and robbed. According to the robbers, they were put up to the crime by the owner of a small real estate agency. Reports of Portugal being safe seem to be largely written or at least backed by the Portuguese. If you research the subject they have hundreds of thousands of very serious crimes committed yearly. Not even murders are investigated. When I reported the very serious assault and robbery, I was told they do not have the money to investigate crimes. I brought them DNA and finger prints of the criminals. They said they could not afford to analyze the evidence and refused to take it. The weather, on the other hand, is okay.
I got as far as the brexit rant and rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
If we didn't have internet, people would be a lot more humble and accepting of the countries they live in. We can't all have the greatest and best of everything.
This is a great article though.
My dear Kiki,
So much has to do with your frame of reference.
I came to Portugal in 1974 and still live here near Lisbon, but have used it as a base and have been very fortunate to have experienced many cuisines all over the world, from China, Thailand, India in the Far East to the Middle East, different African nations as well as Latin America and most of Europe, even Russia. Portuguese food is far better in the North, that is a fact, but all my family agree that it is extremely bland if you have traveled the globe and my Brazilian son-in-law who works as a chef in a top class Lisbon cuisine said his fellow workers laughed and agreed with the description many times of "slop".
I have lived in the UK, not just in London,
New Zealand, South Africa, where I was born.
I have spent very cold winters in Germany, Austria, been to Greece, traveled right through Spain.
If you are used to being grateful for what you have, work hard physically for what you have managed to acquire. (you can take up the challenge any day, I'll still work you, the author of this article under the table, that's just a fact, because I have worked physically with the Portuguese, in the construction trade for 16 years,even though I have 8 years of higher education and hold several diplomas.)
If you consciously make an effort to learn to speak the language by listening to how verbs are used in conversation, you will learn the language.
To say that the Portuguese are proud of their colonial past is a huge generalization. Don't confuse the older generation who lived in Mozambique or Angola, with the attitudes of many of the younger generation, which is often very multicultural, especially in the Cities.
Also remember that the so-called colonies were regarded as overseas provinces, each with their own Government structure.
Antonio Salazar was the one who refused to relinquish control of the overseas provinces.
Caetano gave the order for the Portuguese troops to withdraw. (after which the South African military was asked by the US, under Jimmy Carter, to act as a buffer force against FAPLA, MPLA in Angola and FRELEMO in Mozambique.
(we lost 23 000 men in Angola)
As for the cost of living increasing in Portugal, go thank the foreigners from the UK, Holland, Germany, Belgium for that situation.
Property prices are driven up by property buyers from those same countries who come to Portugal, buy up Portuguese Heritage properties, or mostly old traditional Portuguese homes, with large land areas, have the properties very badly managed by an architect, who knows nothing about preserving the original features, nor has any regard for the heritage, in most cases.
The result is a barrage of ''restored, or renovated'' properties, all looking the same, with little or no resemblance to the original harmony and beauty for which the old architecture is so famous.
The sad truth is that large stretches of the once idyllic countryside have been turned into sh@tty golf estates, kitsch villas and abominable yellow ''renovations'' which inevitably drive the property prices even higher as the original foreign owners eventually try to sell at a massive profit.
I went to school with the Portuguese, had Portuguese friends as a kid at school, so like all South Africans, we are not regarded as foreigners by the Portuguese.
It's the EU administration in Brussels which forces the Portuguese administration to discriminate against South African passport holders, because of international pressure.
(which is why I have an EU passport)
Portugal is an independent producer of alternative energy. EDP has been sold to a subdivision of energy suppliers who offer high discount rates per kw to consumers.
Currently there are three of the largest solar farms in Southern Europe, in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
The third such farm is nearing completion.
(Yes Spain has a bigger facility in the South.)
Electricity amounts to an average cost of between €15 for a simple, 15 Amp supply for a small household, up to 32 Amps, amounting to €35 for a simple, household supply, upwards to €75 or more for a commercial 120Amp , 3 phase supply/month.
You cannot use city rates as an average, because the councils all have their own rates for electricity, water and sanitation. (same as in almost every other country or state)
Sintra has the most expensive water in Portugal.
Central Portugal, Ribatejo, Alentejo, Minho, have the cheapest electricity.
Oddly enough,last time I checked, there was an enormous stretch of ocean bordering the USA, called the Atlantic, it's rather cold on the East coast of the USA isn't it?
Lets not talk about the Pacific, on the West coast either, it's far from warm 🙂
Fact is it's really only Florida and California which enjoy the benefit of warmer ocean currents, as does Mexico in Baja California.
Only the very South of France, like Nice has warm water, the rest is frigid, just like it is in the UK, Ireland, Scotland. Go to the Bretagne, all along the Normandy coast if you want to complain about cold water.
Funny though, because if you visit Sesimbra, Sines, Cais Cais, Praia Grande, Figueira do Foz, last time I was there, there were hundreds of people in the sea at those and other beaches.
Bureaucracy is a remnant of the Salazar dictatorship.
It is also an opportunistic means for private agencies to profit as ''service providers'' to the Portuguese administration, same as Italy, same as in Spain, same as in Holland, where I lived and registered a business. The same thing is prevalent in Germany, just much more organized, with France being really difficult as far as bureaucracy is concerned. Go buy a property in France, try to register a business, buy a farm, depending on where it is, will depend on how much bureaucracy you will encounter.
Who you know is the same all over the world.
Don't try to pretend that who you know is not exactly the same in the USA, Europe, NZ, Auz, Russia, Middle East, Africa..
Portugal invented the Multibanco payment system now widely used world-wide.
Standard Bank South Africa, commisioned the first ATMS in 1983 (they are a South African invention, now used world-wide.)
Portugal is the world leader in industrial ceramics and high quality plastics manufacturing.
Portugal is also the second largest producer of top quality olive oil in the world.
Agriculture is traditional to the Portuguese way of life.
Most produce sold in supermarkets here is locally grown.
Portugal still has food independence.
Be yourself, friendly, genuine, kind, caring, really hard working, learn to converse on an easy-going, but respectful level and you will make good friends here.
Take an interest in people without looking down your nose at them.
If you can actually do things better, from experience, then go ahead an criticize, otherwise listen, look and learn.
The women are beautiful, generous, proud and independent.
Be manipulating, have a second agenda, try cheap pick-up lines and be disrespectful and you will immediately be seen as false.
Speak badly about the trades people here, gossip about people here, tell tales and stories about people here and see how far it gets you.
When someone invites you to a dinner, party, event, festival, go along, stick your snob ism in your @ and you will be accepted here.
If you want to bemoan this country, go live for four months in Africa, then come back and tell your story again.
You can delete this if you want.
It won't change the truth or the real experiences of someone who has lived here for a long time and knows life, the god, the bad, the ups the downs.
If you can clock in 12 hour shifts like the trades people here often have to, then you have a privilege to criticize.
My experience is limited to only a two week visit, so I sure am no authority, but I was surprised to read about a "can't do attitude." I wonder if this varies a lot, depending on where you are and what's going on. I found what seemed to me a generally respectful culture where people seemed to take some pride in their ability to do a job well -- though their definition of well done may be up to them, so if you disagree it's just your tough luck.
It is for sure a tough economic situation for most people - and was far worse in the memory of people living today. Sometimes from looking at pictures of old houses in the country, it looks like living conditions were medieval primitive, even in the middle of the 20th century. They moved up fast, and the residential housing industry hasn't gone as well as it should have. Part of the reason is that the thrifty Portuguese apparently don't routinely hire building inspectors who can detect problems with a house, so these problems go undetected and the industry has no incentive to improve their practices, or perhaps even the awareness that there's a problem. People considering a house purchase don't need to follow their example.
As for the food - no complaints here, but just wanted to mention that at lunch in Azeitão, my arroz de tamboril came with a bottle of hot sauce that probably would have put me in the hospital if I'd used it incautiously. While it isn't usually so hot as that, peri-peri or piri-piri is a bottled hot pepper sauce that should be widely available in Portugal - making it the hot sauce capital of Europe, am I right? And if you're cooking at home, look for the jar of "vinho d'alho", not hot but it's a simple way to avoid blandness.
Wow! Mutuality, nem pensar. Portugal is a lovely country and its people fab.
I have lived in North America, Asia, UK, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, I consider myself international and not tied down to any country my parents were both from 2 different nationalities meaning I am from 4 and from the foreign country in which I was born.
This being said I had bought a cell phone in Asia and was moving to Portugal and at the custom office at the airport I needed to pay a 280 euros tax fee for the cell phone that cost me the equilvavency around 120 euros in Asia, but I am a freelancer, all my contacts, all my business is on that phone so I need to pay twice in import tax that my phone was worth. SO YES customs is a big issue in Portugal and its not the case in many other european countries.
I really enjoy living in Portugal, for me its one of the best countries in the world, I find the people friendly and pretty much easy going, making friends is difficult for Portuguese are very family oriented, but I don't see this is a bad thing. Portugal is a lot safer than most European countries and that is one of the reasons.
Bureaucracy, well as I mentioned previously I am international I think Belgium, France and others have no less nor more bureaucracy than Portugal, and the corruption is probably about the same.
Corruption is a big thing in Portugal but it is worse in some other EU countries, in some countries the police tells you to leave the station without taking a report after you been assaulted or your car has been stolen. Portugal is corrupt for the EU is corrupt, the EU did not even want to accept the democratic referendum of UK where the population had voted, and still wanted to control UK borders and immigration policies etc, they did not want to even recognize the sovereignity of the UK, and did everything to try to force UK to do a second referendum and to punish UK for having the audacity for leaving the EU.
For me the biggest pro for living in Portugal its not the great food and wine, but safety there is no terrorism here and very low muslim community, which is one of the biggest reasons that many western europeans leave their home country.
I disagree with the cant do attitude being attributed to Portugal for this can't do attitude is very much european in other EU countries I needed to pay in taxes and social security up to 75% of my income, in Portugal I pay about 40% which pretty standard around the world, if you want to pay low taxes go to UK there it is 21%.
Tourism is a problem all over EU and not just for Portugal go to Italy, France or any other hot spots for toursim, and the truth is all want money from tourism but nobody wants the tourists.
However without the EU Portugal would return to one of the poorest countries in Europe and that is a fact.
Racism yes Portugal is racist towards the many rich western europeans, and towards their old colonies cape verde, brazil and others. This is because the western europeans increase the cost of living of the Portuguese and their salaries don't increase, and the immigrations increases the taxes, just like all the countries in the EU.
I think the list in this article is quite accurate and you are just angry that someone says bad things about your country, but you know what no country is paradise, but overall pros and cons, I think Portugal is one of the best countries in the EU.
“ I feel lonely as hell.”
I couldn’t rely more with this one… 14 months in Lisbon and no social life despite trying.
Even the expats seem “contaminated” by this closed mentality.
I feel I do not belong or fit here.
(Made friends in many other places though, so it’s not just me.)
I live in Lisbon city for more than a year.
I know Cascais-Estoril area. There is obviously more modern services as it’s around the capital, and there is certainly a dynamic of young entrepreneurship trying to improve things.
But globally, I’m afraid you will be disappointed by the overall picture: as you already expect it, high prices (housing is incredibly expensive in Cascais Estoril area!) and not much to do around (cold sea, boring malls…). This area is mostly residential with no life energy, except the little centers of Cascais or Estoril (but nothing to get very excited about…).
When I visited apartments in Cascais area I knew I would never be able to live there, or I would sink into depression…
(To give you an idea of my perspective: I’m French and previously lived in Paris, and Lima (Peru). So I love feeling a buzzing energy around, something lively.)
Lisbon city itself, at least has a rich cultural aspect: there is the charm of the old city, very nice gardens, museums, etc.
Of course the restaurants are everywhere, cheap and good.
And also more modern and dynamic areas.
But I must say that deep down there is something “low” in the energy here (even in Lisbon city) I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s definitely the vibe I feel.
Maybe the “saudade” ?
“ It is not the place to start building your wealth, it is place to move when you are wealthy and you want to have more sunshine in your life and want to get away from everything related to work, stress and all that.” Excellent point, couldn’t agree more!
Sounds like a you problem. Never had a problem.
True, passive aggressive, with nice on surface is accurate, and usually not giving a crap about their neighbors blocking floors with their bikes, furniture and not doing anything about barking dogs. Professionals are usually a rip off, not valuing professionality, and wont care about a client losing money/time they could easily prevent, simply but keeping their deadlines and what they signed in contracts, usually giving some cute excuses instead.
Indeed, it is just a description based on my experience, and I can understand when some people prefer a lifestyle with less rules and less strict social norms, but the weird mixture of modern country prices for low overall low quality of everything, with social standards and low work ethic similar to Middle East is just not for me, and it will surprise many future expats.
I would appreciate it if you shared where you went to.
Thank you.
I would get insurance. Most insurance have a home repair section, proteção lar, and thru them you can get a reputable and quick service guaranteed by the company. I use liberty seguros but any company will have that service. I got fed up with bad service, over pricing, waiting and lack of reasonable response.
Sounds like you can’t handle the truth. The author is spot on and just giving notice of things he does not like. I agree with most of what he says. I am portuguese and live in the south but agree with the author. I lived in the states and one problem there is the prevalence of violent crime. By your logic if we move there we should ignore it because there is violence everywhere.
If not for being in the EU, Portugal would be a basket case. I love the country but the article was spot on on many of the issues.
Good comments.
I share your sentiment about relocating to an unknown country, its a big decision. I too have my minds eye on Portugal but try temper my fantastical imaginings with reality. The only real way to know will be to try. An extended stay in Portugal will be my preferred way to discover the beauty.
'[...] bear in mind [...]
not 'bare in mind'.
These are all good but youre missing the biggest downside of them all...the flushes in the toilets. Some have been unbelievably weak!! If I'm going to be stuffing my face full of bacalhau and cream I want a crapper that can take a bit of a beating, not something I have to flush twenty times to get it to work!!! Is there bureaucracy in the pipes as well???!
This is a serious rant. And to invest all the time to dispute all the points of the opinion. Or as we say here in States, “opinions are like assholes…everyone has one”. It would make one think you have a rooting interest in making sure people keep moving to Portugal. Like maybe you are in a business that is tied to people moving to Portugal. Otherwise why waste your time replying? 🙂 By the way I am considering Portugal, and my family is Dutch. I love Europe.
Left wing trolls (intolerant of everyone who does not agree with them) may have have infested this website .... BUT having come to Portugal in 1974 and worked and lived from north to south, can assure you, that the Portuguese neither want nor need such intolerance from hypocrites who mistakenly think they are so tolerant. Intolerant left or right, STAY AWAY! As you correctly point out, most of Europe has historically struggled with extremes on both sides of the spectrum (both left and right) so those who come in with this tone-deaf "usa-centric nonsense", whether the intolerant hypocritical left or racist right are completely out of touch with the reality here.
BTW - all 23 points written by James Cave in the introduction have always been true to differing degree at different times, (well done James) but those who stay irrespective of these!
Left wing trolls (intolerant of everyone who does not agree with them) may have have infested this website .... BUT having come to Portugal in 1974 and worked and lived from north to south, can assure you, that the Portuguese neither want nor need such intolerance from hypocrites who mistakenly think they are so tolerant. Intolerant left or right, STAY AWAY!
BTW - all 23 points written by James Cave in the introduction have always been true to differing degree at different times, (well done James) but those who stay irrespective of these!
Wow! "Never help like France or Spain", have you even been to those countries? I never had any road problems in Spain so I can't say but a few in France and I was instantly rescued and assisted to the max by locals and Gendarmes alike, you really don't know what you are talking about.
"its mostly limited to retired people and people who work for their foreign companies and foreign salaries, so not truly dependent on Portugal."
I first came here in 1974 and your comments are PERFECT!
I agree! And beware of fake gossip about you and the crooks. That hurts. Otherwise it's a fantastic place with cheap food and cheap wine, although not the cheapest around. And guess what, some people are quite normal and polite, which is usually expected.
If you move to the Portuguese islands (Madeira, Azores etc.) you will have the same problems, but multiplied by several fold: bad services, low quality goods, limited shopping, and god forbid you purchase a house... you won't find anyone to remodel or build anything, and finally if you complain, or even if you don't complain, after some time the entire island will ignore you and you won't be able to do anything, only to suffer or leave. This is information, but not a downside. It is an upside actually for some.
I agree with you on everything. And I want to add that dentists in Portugal are really mostly dishonest and bad quality crooks, and yes, the dog bark is out of control since these people do not understand anything about respect for their neighbour, only act "polite" on the surface, but deep inside as they say: "We are passively aggressive", which are not downsides, but just information for future expats.
The problem, if you google about moving to Portugal most results popping out are some relocation agencies and dishonest influencers/lawyers praising Portugal as the heaven on earth, praying on gullible people.
And some people sort of are...Cold ocean? It's literally a thing everyone can google in few minutes. I really don't get how some people can be disappointed abut it.
On the other hand, some stuff can not be googled. Excessive bureaucracy, TRUE prices, business conduct, service levels, everyday culture etc. Quite many negatives so similarly priced countries. The only way is to read as many experiences as possible and talk to people. And most experiences shared on internet are not very positive, although there is also some preventable poor decision making among them, like the water temperature disappointment, so not sure if those should be taken 100% seriously.
Moving to a wrong place is usually not an existential mistake, it can be fixed easily, yet doing some proper research and visiting it BEFORE a move is usually less work and much cheaper. From my own experience as an ex-immigrant in Portugal, I can only suggest to reconsider it.
You are directing your comment to US-Americans. But the US is definitely not the centre of the world. No random shootings in my home country Austrian and we hardly see the homeless - as we don't see many homeless in Lisbon where we moved to. So cool down and look at your despise for the US. (There will be upsides and downsides wherever we move to on the planet). Looking at the good a n d the bad is helpful to people). A downside in Lisbon: Unbelievable noise level if you happen to live under the flight path. Which is basically half of Lisbon. Everything around Marques de Pombal and left of it is affected, not to mention the fumes. You don't want to live there if you are sensitive to noise or have small children)
Quite contrary, I enjoyed reading the author's "23 downsides" with some amusements (in reflection of the stumplings . As a current expat resident living in Portugal, I can associate most, if not all, of these downsides. I appreciate the author's effort in sharing these insights.
Would I still choose Portugal if I knew all these downsides before moving? Absolutely yes. Does it mean these downsides are just some useless/meaningless bickering? Absolutely not.
Take poor insulation of Portuguese houses and high electricity cost for example, I sort of knew it but never expected it to be soooo bad. My electricity bill for the first winter month in Portugal was 3 times more than what I paid in Switzerland's winter even though I already tried to accept/cope with lower indoor temperature! It was a nasty surprise. I've found ways to adapt by now so it doesn't stop me from enjoying life in Portugal.
Take cold ocean for another example, I also kind of knew it but still hoped to find warmer ocean down the south. Once I realized that I can't stay in the ocean comfortably for more than 30 minutes in Lagos - one of the most visited areas in Algarve in southern Portugal - even in August, I gave up the ideal of limiting myself to southern Portugal.
The point I'm trying to make is that everyone has his/her own priorities that lead to the final decision of settling in Portugal or elsewhere. Unbiased information, such as this article, is always nice to have and appreciated.
Actually they phone a translator in the U.K. - a Brazilian friend does this work in the U.K. & gets calls from U.K. hospitals they must have a contract with companies give her a number code & then she speaks to the patient in Portuguese (of course Brazilian Portuguese but people of EU Portuguese also work for service to) & then gives the doctor or nurse a translation in English & calls could be from anywhere in the U.K. so there is a translation service was n the U.K. possible
Mike I have to say I can't beleive you say the food is bland . It's amazing food. I'm Canadian and married a Portuguese man. We've been married 31 years and have visited Portugal many times and always look forward to eating at various restaurants in different towns and cities. I'm lost for words when you call it "slop". I have to admit that we keep to the North mostly so that may be the difference.
Yes all the comments should have been read. I'm very happy for all of you sharing the truth. The Google searches only promote retirement in PT. I am definitely reconsidering the move. Not as much of a tax haven anymore. For those retiring NHR won't cut taxes as you have no employment income. Some of us aren't well to do, looking for our money to stretch no longer possible in Ontario and to escape the winters as our bodies age. Noone has explained the consequences on TFSA etc. CRA doesn't know and PT very vague. I was warned about relocating from an authority who speaks to internationals frequently. I visit end Dec 90 days. My eyes will be open. If Canada is allowed in with pandemic restrictions in winter.
I went already somewhere else, and I am very happy about it, so it's quite a weak argument to tell people "to go home", how do you want to improve the situation when you forbid people to share their experiences?
I like to chime in here because the author of the article writes very fairly about all the issues with Portugal, which is a nice counterbalance to all the expat agencies and YouTubers showing only the good sides for clicks and clients.
All what I can say - with a budget of $1000-$5000 (area dependent) for a person/family you will get a better living standards, health care, rule of law and more developed country/society, career outlook in USA/Germany/Spain or even Dubai. In some cases Portugal might be better, but its mostly limited to retired people and people who work for their foreign companies and foreign salaries, so not truly dependent on Portugal.
I wonder...why was moving a mistake..? Because the ocean is cold...? I mean isn't that a pretty obvious fact, aren't you supposed to make research or have common sense before moving anywhere? You know such things can be undone...just move away no? Honestly, this is a ridiculous discussion...it seems like you guys are all spoiled. Firstly, perfection- if there ever is such thing- is subjective, not objective. If one comes to Portugal for swimming in warm waters...that's a little stupid...and not a disappointment. Disappointments are a displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations. Hopes and expectations should be based on real facts, and not some imaginary dream one has. So stop complaining, and content yourself with what you have, or either wise you will keep doing your so called 'mistakes' throughout all your life. No one is forcing you to stay, or keeping you from solving your 'mistake'. Why complain, if you can act?
However, I do believe it is crucial to discuss downsides as much as upside, and this was a really interesting and nice article to read, so thank you.
So much anger! Just leave. Return to your countries today - what is stopping you? Perhaps you miss the random shootings in schools, at work, at concert venues, and other public places. Perhaps you miss the loss of women rights over their own bodies or the right to vote. Oh, I bet you miss seeing streets lined with homeless tents. No, it must be the lack of access to healthcare that you miss the most. Sure, I get it. Portugal is so horrible because it lacks all the above issues. Just go home already and take all your anger with you.
Anne This is so true I am now almost 5 years in China .. and never ever had one negative encounter with the Chinese people or the laws of the land because of my attitude .. I think after my Chinese experience Portugal will be a paradise to retire. In China deliveries are fast fast fast ... fix things in my apartment super easy .. but my company deals with it! So DV Sept 2023 I will see you !!
I noticed the double standard too, although being considered "rich American" is not always better when being in Portugal since the level of dishonesty among professionals can be quite high and they would try to rip you off. Nonetheless, considering the fact that Portugal is EU member for way more years than Eastern Europe, the difference in economic and societal development is very high in favor of Eastern Europe, and they begun to take over Portugal in domestic purchasing power parity and other metrics.
The fact that some Portuguese speak about their colonial past with proud is actually very weird, considering colonialism included slavery and worse things. I never heard it from a Spaniard or a British, yet apparently enslaving some places in Africa etc. centuries ago was the last successful thing for Portugal and they like to bring it up as their time as an empire, and as part of the national pride.
Spent a decade in Portugal and was treated both ways, but again and again they confirmed that the Portuguese have such a LOW self respect for them-all-selves and such a passion for "belittling" others. I am losing the respect for those "western euro" countries that had MI-RA-CU-LO-US-LY had acquired overseas colonies in their DEEP past... and gaining a LOT of respect for some of the Eastern European nations that are growing STRONG economically. As it SEEMS the Portugeese love to kiss up to the Americans and to belittle the Eastern Euro-Peons. This must originate from their own extremely low self esteem as a "Eastern-alike" country battered by many decades of Stalin-like dick-tator-ship. I was shocked when my seemingly "Best Friend" all of a sudden spoke up about me, thinking I can't understand when she is talking to the other person, but I was well aware of.
Maybe all those things are not important to you but they are important to the rest of us who are writing here and after all, this article says it clearly what most of us, expats are thinking so it must be true ! And no, it's not like that everywhere....Of course, we are not 'forced to go swimming' as you mentioned but it would be nice to be able to when it's 35 degrees at the beach ! It's possible in France, Spain and Italy to name a few places, so no it's not the same everywhere. People come to Portugal mostly for the 'sun and beaches' so it's very disappointed unless you don't like swimming of course. Anyway, people are entitled to their opinion and if those comments help some who are considering moving to Portugal, it's good for them to be aware of those downsides before.
I wish I had read all those comments and well written article before making the mistake to move here.
Maybe all those things are not important to you but they are important to the rest of us who are writing here and after all, this article says it clearly what most of us, expats are thinking so it must be true ! And no, it's not like that everywhere....Of course, we are not 'forced to go swimming' as you mentioned but it would be nice to be able to when it's 35 degrees at the beach ! It's possible in France, Spain and Italy to name a few places, so no it's not the same everywhere. People come to Portugal mostly for the 'sun and beaches' so it's very disappointed unless you don't like swimming of course. Anyway, people are entitled to their opinion and if those comments help some who are considering moving to Portugal, it's good for them to be aware of those downsides before.
I wish I had read all those comments and well written article before making the mistake to move here.
What sunshine ? I have been freezing all winter under the rain and cold in the center of Portugal ... I hardly ever see the sun in the winter time. It's a myth when you hear, 'come to Portugal where the sun shines most of the year'... Not true. It's even much warmer on the French riviera. Deceptive publicity about the country. It's way over rated in my opinion but anyway, every body is entitled to his/her opinion.
What sunshine ? I have been freezing all winter under the rain and cold in the center of Portugal ... I hardly ever see the sun in the winter time. It's a myth when you hear, 'come to Portugal where the sun shines most of the year'... Not true. It's even much warmer on the French riviera. Deceptive publicity about the country. It's way over rated in my opinion but anyway, every body is entitled to his/her opinion.
So true. I usually like to buy a property when I move to a country but for some reasons, my heart is definitely not in it when it comes to Portugal. I don't feel it and for the first time in my life, I am renting and do not regret it. In fact, their apartments are not comfortable to say the least and it's constantly cold. My friends have been trying to sell their house for the last 3 years....I am just so glad I haven't bought anything in Portugal and while I am looking at another country, I continue to rent but at least, I don't feel 'stuck' here with no way out and an expensive house to maintain and high property taxes to pay. I think as you said, it's better to rent it unless you are really sure this is the country for you.
Thanks for your feedback !
Sometimes, I feel like it's just me who feel that way but I am glad I am not alone and all those comments reassure me in a way.
Good answer !
Yes as you say, nice country to visit but not to live. As soon as all the touristy activities are done, there is not much left to do. I find life boring here in Portugal. Lisbon has become so expensive but still no quality when it comes to real estate. Everything is overpriced and doesn't meet the comfort standards of a developed country. Portuguese not that friendly except a few but you have to look really really hard. Little by little, the bad sides get to you to the point that you wonder 'what the hell you are doing here ?' I am stuck here for the time being but looking elsewhere more suitable for me.
True,
Yes
I have to agree with you for the most part. As a single woman, this is definitely not the right country to come to. Portuguese men are some of the worst and less serious I have met... They worship 'soccer' which is at the center of their life ! To conclude, even with lost of money, many things will remain the same and it may be much better to find another more suitable country. Portuguese are not very sociable people except when it's time to sell you something. In that case, they easily talk to strangers and they seem to speak perfect English and French on those occasions but definitely not when you need help with something.... How strange.
True. I agree with you. Considering moving out also as soon as I find a better option.
Sorry to tell you that you will be disappointed for the most part. I used to live in the USA so I know how comfortable things are when you are at home, at least. Well, you will be cold inside your apartment or home in Portugal due to poor construction and you will spend a fortune on electricity and gas bills. Customer service : non existent ! People extremely slow (except on the road). You will spend your time doing research just about everything, probably even more in your case because you come from the USA. People usually don't help you. Well, you can try but I wouldn't totally give up what I have in the USA to come to Portugal and definitely don't rush into buying a property. Take your time ! That's all I have to say. I am European but can't get used to their way of life after 3 years....
You can have the best attitude and intentions, however it's still freezing in their poorly constructed apartments and the ocean is still dam cold all year round even though it's 35 degrees on the beach ! What does attitude have to do with those bad points ? Absolutely nothing.
I agree 100% with you. Worst housing ever and I travelled a lot, Even in Latvia, I was warmer. At least, they had a good heater. Thing that is impossible to find in Portugal. Result : you freeze most of the time at home.
I have to agree. It must be quite frustrating not to be able to sell your home. I also have some French friends who have been trying to sell their home for the past 3 years.... I am glad I never felt the 'desire' to buy anything in Portugal so I could escape quite fast if it comes to a point where I can't take it anymore because of many of the things that you mentioned. I feel lonely as hell. The pandemics didn't help either but in general Portuguese are very close minded. I feel like I don't belong here but I am European so it's difficult to move anywhere outside Europe...
Thank you for writing this article. I have to agree with everything that's being said, unfortunately. While it's true that food and drinks are cheap, when it comes to everything else, it's quite expensive. The most disappointing part for me is that I am constantly freezing in their apartments due to the lack of heater and I am spending a fortune paying trying to stay a little warm. True that we have to stay fully dressed at home and it's becoming unbearable those cheap constructions and energy drainers houses. Another really disappointing point is that despite all those beautiful beaches, it's impossible to swim due to the ocean being so cold. I wrongly assumed that the water would be as nice and warm as the Mediterranean sea, big mistake. There is nothing more enjoyable than swimming in the Mediterranean sea, I have to say now and I miss it so much that I am considering leaving Portugal. Portuguese bureaucracy and lack of customer service is another bad point. True that people don't help you and you have to figure out everything by yourself. So frustrating. Even for the bus stop, something that should be simple is dam complicated ! They do not write where they are going and at what time so you have to constantly do research for simple obvious things that should be written. Real estate is not even worse buying since constructions are so cheap and not up to standards, not to mention outrageously expensive ! At the end of the day, yes the food is cheap and wine also but is that enough to make you stay in a country ??? My answer is no. Oh one more point, it's true that it's quite impossible to make friends if you are a new comer to Portuguese. They are very close minded unless you are buying something from them or using a service. Honest ? Not all. My first landlord ripped me off really bad and I had to move after 1 month since I could never sleep at night due to the neighbors talking loud non stop as it's very common for Portuguese to be loud and since the apartments are not insulated at all, you can hear everything. Well, too bad. I wish I had read that article before moving to Portugal but hey, live and learn, as they say.
I did not notice any racist issues in Portugal, but then perhaps I am communicating with the "wrong" (right) people. Although I have noticed that immigrants from Portuguese colonies do not have respect for private property and park their cars blocking exit and entrance of private homes. That's not a race issue though, but cultural or educational.
Calm down, start breathing slowly... the your anger will vanish and you will see that most of it is actually true, regardless of how you want to cover it for yourself.
Does anyone have experience living on the mainland and living on Madeira? I am wondering if any of the negatives mentioned here and in the 700 plus replies differ between the two? We are currently looking at Madeira. One difference mentionioned was that apparently indoor smoking is not going on in most restaurants. What about the housing stock there? Noise, cold, etc.? I have mostly read all positive things about the island but would love more insight! Thanks!
I strongly disagree.
Oh sure, I can live in a 5 million $ villa and avoid all that? Noise, dogs, low build quality, freezing during winter. Right? Great....
The only tiny detail you miss, I can avoid most of all that inconveniences while living for average salary somewhere else, and do not need to spend that much to make a place bearable.
The quality of the homes for the price is really bad. Paying double for the same quality as somewhere else doesn't make the point invalid. I can have a fairly well insulated home for average market price somewhere else, but not in Portugal. In Portugal you have to pick something high end for much higher price or total low quality, there is no fair quality - only overpriced low quality apartments, or even more overpriced "luxury apartments".
Not getting stuff delivered? That's a big inconvenience, precisely because I don't want to to drive and prefer to spend time outside in the nature, than in some shopping mall. And there is stuff you can only order online, stuff you can't buy locally. In such expensive place like Portugal, it shouldn't be considered as some type of "luxury", I got stuff delivered in Spain to a 300$ village apartment, stuff delivered in Colombia the same day, in Germany, in USA, but somehow I couldn't get stuff delivered in Portugal to a 1000$ apartment in a fairly sized city? Laughable and not acceptable, sorry. I need stuff delivered reliably for my work, its not even a choice.
Paperwork? Compared to another countries the amount of it in Portugal is horrendous. Only because you have to deal with 10% of it somewhere else, doesn't make the point wrong.
Bad customer service? I can deal with it in a third world country and a complete 3$ breakfast, for a 30$ thing in Portugal I except slightly more.
I could go on, but I guess my point is clear. I could live with all the downsides like no deliveries, low quality, bad services etc. if it were for a fraction of a modern country price. The problem is - Portugal has first world prices, while a lot of the stuff is at developing country level. Not a good deal considering all the downsides moving to another country brings with it.
This article is perfectly balanced, and a good counterweight to all the hype about Portugal. Frankly, Portugal isn't a terrible place, but it is currently overhyped and definitely not for everyone, especially for dynamic people looking for a a fair value for what they are willing to spend, and overall good work environment.
All downsides from the article are true, and even if the stuff exist somewhere else, those places are either much cheaper, or the downsides are much less significant and occur less often- if similarly priced.
That's very disturbing to hear. I planned to spend some of my retirement in Portugal. The fact that they are racist towards blacks is awful! If you are black, then you should link up with a group called Black in Portugal. Get to know the black people that are in Portugal.
Well even tho most or even all those things are true or can be true, it is clearly written by very demanding person that want to whine about everything ... some would say written by Karen.
I mean, to be honest most of those things are not important at all. And if they are, then there are no country that don't have same problems, more/less. Also most of those things can be avoided by location and other ways.
If you need all those things to be non existant then you really should not move at all since you have enough problems in your life and you can't avoid any problems possibly cos of financial reasons that also brings up the question, why do you even more to Portugal. It is not the place to start building your wealth, it is place to move when you are wealthy and you want to have more sunshine in your life and want to get away from everything related to work, stress and all that. If you are moving there when you can actually afford it, then it is easy to avoid all those problems, except cold water in ocean, but that is just a worst problem to bring up. It is as stupid downside as it would be bringing up warm weather in Australia as a major downside, moving in there. Also cold Atlantic ocean is only Portugals problem, right.
Well, lets see if that makes any sense and see what actually can be easily avoided:
Smoking - pretty easy to avoid
Noise - easy, by picking your location, if you can't pick then should you even move?
Customs - there is no must for importing stuff in all the time is there?
Getting things delivered - is that a must thing, really. You go there for good weather and you need to sit home all the time and wait things to be delivered to you. Go outside it is good for you. Anyways, it is really super important, NO. Is that the reason you move there to get faster delivery?
Overtourism - really, huge problem to see that area that you like to live in attract people around the world. Can you avoid that ... hmm, you can pick your location and you don't need to hang around main tourists attractions all the time, do you, so I guess you can avoid that. Go to the countyside if you hate people...
Cold ocean - can you avoid that ... NO. You are forced to go swimming by Portugal government. There are no pools in Portugal, so can not be avoided. Also rest of the world have only warm oceans and seas around them, so that is major downside. I haven't been in the ocean for many years, still alive.
Rising Cost of Living - That is huge. There is no other country that have same problem. Around the world everything is going cheaper, all the time ... only Portugal is getting more expencive. Inflating FIAT also is only Portugals problem.
Driving - can be avoided. Don't have to be driving all the time. Pick your location where most things you need are walking distance, stay healthy and be green. Also there are bad drivers all around the world.
'Who you know' attitude - well where isn't. Isn't that even a meme in social media, were people love to start with 'do you know who I am' and stuff. I'd say it is problem around the world, you help me, I help you. Blood is thicker than water and so on... Pretty sure in every country it is harder to start something if you are not local. Who likes some foreign people to 'steal' local peoples possible income.
Job market - as I sayd, Portugal is where people move to spend, not to earn and it is not even close to the countries that have lowest pays and least available jobs. But this is probably one of the downsides actually worth mentioning in this list unlike most. And it is true, but again, even just in Europe Portugal is not the only one, with same problem, most southern EU countries have exactly the same problem. Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Malta (some more some less) ... you name it.
Lack of costumer service - can not be avoided most cases, but not only Portugal's problem, so bringing it up as a downside to Portugal, not really good point. Pick any EU southern country again and those are all the same, really. Pay is not motivation enough, warm weather make people lazy and distracted so what do you expect. There are plenty costumer service where workers can earn more if they make an effort, unlike occupations that pay you same no matter how much you try. Isn't really only Portugals unique problem again. Many countries again, same same.
Slow pace of life, glass half empty - could put those things all under one topic, along with lack of costumer service. All connected to pay. If you are not motivated by the money you make that gets you nowhere, why bother. Haven't seen too many people going extra mile, earning minimum wage anywhere else eighter.
Unless the work for tips as well.
Corruption - yes, could agree with that and that can not be avoided in cases. Even tho we all know Portugal is not the only country with that element and not even the worst, it is still probably one of the countries worth mentioning. Tho we all know what is the reason behind it. Like all most corrupted counties in the world, corruption excist due people earn too little money and can't pass the oportunity for some extra due need of survival, that salary can't provide in many cases. Corruption rate goes down if wages go up since noone want to risk they're job, life and family well being over few extra $ that they don't need for survival. Until they earn less than they need it will go on.
Dogs - really, it is ridiculous to even bring it up.
Language - I remeber how easy it has been in every country to learn they're language. That is not the case in Portugal. It is the only country in the world where picking up the lnguage is hard. Everywhere else it is soooo easy. Ridiculous ...
Taxes - only Portugal have taxes. Thank god I don't live in there. Just so you know, Portugal is one of the worlds tax heavens, and people move to Portugal for that reason. Some things you need to digg deeper I guess.
Cold homes and areas - again, it is your pick, where you move. Do you think rest of the world has warm homes by default or mby they have been made warm? Alaska also has gold winters, noone ask you to move there.
Some things are expencive - yes, that is again only Portugals problem, everywhere else everything cost the same and nothing is more expencive than somehwere else. Again very ... point
Lot of paperwork - name one country where there is no paprework. There is none. This is how things work in the world.
Hard to make friends - after reading this article I am sure it is hard for you to make friends for sure. If you would pull out that thing bothering inside you, it would all go better, I'm sure.
This article is more acurate if you call it 'Downsides in every country in the world, also Portugal, for a Karen's of the world', for the rest it is not that bad, if you have any skills adopting and making things work for you, you are fine.
Lets be real here. What would normal people think if I would tell them that my reasons for not moving to Portugal were dogs and cold ocean water. Well, I think they would think that I am ridiculous idiot.
So that whole article is a joke to me. There are few points that are worth mentioning but other than that it is a joke.
Don't get me wrong. I understand that this is part of living in there, but is it really a downside worth mentioning or is it just life, that is more-less same everywhere ... You can pick any place in the world, there is same problems and few other problems Potugal don't have and few less problems Portugal have. If there was a perfect world, then it would excist until people discover that and soon it will be the same as the rest of the world.
After spending 15 miserable years in Canada we came to Portugal with high hopes. We spent a lot of time on YouTube watching 360 Portugal videos (oohing and arhing!) But the bureaucracy has nearly broken us. Yes we realize now that a lawyer might help (might). I am ready to call it quits. No one should take the downsides lightly. Paradise it ain't.
There is clearly a cultural difference between the Portuguese and Brazilians and unfortunately the stories I'm hearing about Brazilian behaviour leads me to be wary.
you are spot on Luis. I live in a very peaceful, friendly city in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta. I am visiting Portugal in August with an eye to summer vacations there in the future while Mexico is so hot. I am through with the conditions in the US and never plan to return. I look forward to seeing your beautiful country and sampling port, which I adore.
Any advice?
Dr. Carol Jordan
Professor Emeritus
First off, thanks for your informative comment. Would you be so kind to share which community this is and where we can find more information on this?
Many thanks from The Netherlands.
Just double checking: Are you talking about the US of Portugal? Disclaimer: I live in The Netherlands so please forgive my ignorance.
You are right,
for myself Portugal wasn't worth it, and I don't miss it at all.
The country itself is a very strange mix between "dolce vita" and high cost of living and not getting done anything.
For dolce vita the weather isn't just good enough and loses against Mediterranean countries, same with food etc. Example Spain - better weather, more developed, often cheaper at some spots, yet still close to the sea, and not as crowded off season.
And on the other side, the costs in Portugal are extremely high considering what you get on the government level and the general development of society/business conduct/ job opportunities, it can be really "third world-like", and I am saying it only because I don't know how to better describe it, the people I met in third world countries were actually more reliable and task oriented than in Portugal.
Yes, the country itself is safe, that's a big pro, but the potential loss of earning because of terrible lawyers, contractors etc. can be also very high and more hurtful than a stolen phone or bike.
I think Portugal is only good option for retirement, and few people under NHR, but they will move out in the most cases once it runs out.
When you say doctors are well below average in the EU, do you mean the Portuguese doctors are below average compared to the EU doctors, or that all EU doctors are below average compared to the USA?
Hey Xavier, from your name you sound Spanish right? No wander about this review of yours and the final conclusion GO TO SPAIN . Sure Portuguese are different than you in much more interesting and exciting ways
Hi, Portuguese here living now in Silicon Valley. The IT companies are amazing, but the rest it’s like living in a third world country, services are terrible, taxes are insane for the what you get back, roads full of litter and potholes, people steal at constantly, not to mention the odd shootings in the dodgy areas, everywhere is dirty and filled with human waste, homelessness, etc. Quite frankly, if it wasn’t for the job, Portugal would be a paradise for anyone living here. You need to get out of your bubble
To write this type of informational blog and aware students is a great effort. kindly share more blogs related .
I appreciate your honesty. I am contemplating relocating to Portugal but a little apprehensive because I never traveled outside the U.S. Every point that you brought up is useful to me.
Thanks
Joao, just to say thank you for sharing some positivity, as my wife and I are in the process of immigrating to your country...
Thank you. After reading so many negative comments, yours is a breath of fresh air!
Charlotte, I live your attitude and very helpful suggestions.
I have lived in a few different countries, not nearly as many as you. No matter where we choose to live, we have challenges. I am planning to move there. I also plan to come and rent for a period before making the big move of buying a place. Coming for a several week long discovery trip in the fall.
I've worked with lots of Portuguese clients. I think I can honestly say they've all paid me on time and without any issues, certainly no more than any other nationality I work with. However, I have been very careful about who I work with.
Sure, Portugal can be a bit behind the times but in contrast to that, you also find that young adults in the cities tend to speak English to a level no other southern European country does and are usually educated to a degree if not masters level. It's a country of contrasts in that sense.
As for attitudes to black people and Brazilians, I won't say I haven't heard some things that have surprised me. Portugal is generally very tolerant of foreigners, but, unfortunately, nowhere is free from intollerance.
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Thank you for your article - it's insightful and truly describes the reality of living here. After 1,5 years which I spent in Porto, must admit the backwardness resembles stories which I heard before but from Moldova or Kazachstan. You said that people are honest here? No. There is a difference between rudeness and honesty for sure. Also, they are super racist toward black people and Brazilians...
just ask around man, don t go to one shop and expect miracles. Just go to 3 or 4 of them. The real power we have as consumers is to choose between the best services and stores
There are obviously backlogs due to covid, but I think things are probably slightly better now overall. Emails are sometimes answered now, whereas, in the past, I would never send an email and expect an answer. Being honest, I would still try to do everything in person. From speaking to people who've lived in other Southern European countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, I don't think it's only a problem in Portugal.
I guess it's hard to imagine from abroad what people mean by bureaucracy. It's easy to assume it just means a lot of paperwork, which would be time-consuming but manageable, but bureaucracy issues here are rarely just a case of filling out a piece of paper. Unfortunately, this makes Portugal a difficult place to live if you're running a business and limited by time.
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Thanks for your reply. You might be right!
That being said, I said I knew this wasn't SF or NYC.
Nonetheless, there is a difference between a slow way of life and some crucial things being less efficient than a 3rd world country. For example, the IMT (for foreigners: driver license government office) is basically completely broken at this point. Their driver license exchange process can take up to 2 years. Nobody answers the phone or emails. Tens of thousands of people like me are stuck either with a temporary license that only works in Portugal (so you can't rent cars anywhere else if you travel), or with an expired foreign license (my case now).
It's pretty much the same for the SEF (immigration office).
I wasn't expecting Portugal to be NYC, but I wasn't expecting it to turn me into an illegal driver with no ability to travel. In some of those ways, I feel like moving here has been like shooting myself in the foot. And sadly, that's not something I had realized from visiting. You can only realize this stuff once you're faced with the processes.
It's just a maddening mess and it makes me wonder how it's even legal or possible for a country of the EU to collect those high taxes and not deliver on basic services required for basic living.
Maybe it was different before COVID... I don't know.
Nope, you’re right, people do that, not all of them, but once in a while you get a “chico-esperto” (smart ass) who’ll do that. One of the best examples is when you’re in line to pay for whatever, the tills are closed except one, but as soon as another opens, people behind you will jump ahead to the available new one. I’m Portuguese but I could never understand that damn behaviour, super rude!
I think you were spot on getting these points. Both me and my wife are Portuguese that emigrated to the UK about 12 years ago, and so far, we do not plan to go back home, precisely because the downside of the Country’s management was hindering our career progression. Many of the criticisms made by other readers are accurate, except for food, in my opinion: unfortunately, Portugal and the Portuguese are very closed to experiment with international cuisines, which makes it very difficult to have an international variety; I think the closest you get are either sushi or MacDonalds (I’m being extremely reductive and unfair probably). Portuguese food has a big tradition and it’s actually quite easy to find healthy solutions as much of the cuisine follows a “homemade” type of philosophy. We do not do spicy food, but that is hardly a factor to call it bland! Also, try to know from the locals where the best places to eat are, and I’m sure you’ll be surprised.
Culture is also one of the very best points about Portugal, from fine arts to poetry, prose, music, performance, theatre, but again, you’ll have to be embedded in the culture to enjoy these.
The Anglophone people are extremely lucky to have a language that is universal in a sense, and you can communicate to natives, no matter where you go, but bare in mind that Portugal was closed to the world until 1974, under one of the longest dictatorships ever and believe it or not, we’re still recovering from that, mush of the organisational mentality is still the same as it was 50 years ago, there’s context to consider why a country is the way it is.
Hi!!
I am wanting to visit or stay in Portugal. I should be able to speak Portuguese in a couple of weeks.
Could you please reply to me? I don't care about the downsides of Portugal; I still believe that I will love it.
I need a contact person as soon as I get there.
I am respectful, humorous, and gentle.
My email is headlaura55@gmail.com
PLEASE RESPOND????? LAURA
Quite a few Portuguese are masters in cutting in line and that happens a LOT more often than you would expect or have experienced elsewhere. Or am I just unlucky?
I would have gotten that toilet seat myself, online or drove that 1 hour or 2 hours to get it and presented the bill to the owner. Try Russia for a change. And yes, Portugal is like that and it can be much much worse or better at times. I found some guys here who charge a bit more and work very fast, faster than I can keep up with them.
Being honest, it sounds like you're in the wrong country. Perhaps a state in the US with good weather would be better, or perhaps just come to Portugal for a vacation every few months?
Portugal is somewhere you come for the good weather, lower cost of living (in some cases), and a slow way of life. You can run a business here, but you're probably going to spend more time dealing with bureaucracy and other hurdles than you would if you lived in a more efficient country. Some people are happy with that trade-off and enjoy being able to live somewhere like Portugal and still run a business. Others prefer to make their money somewhere else and just come to Portugal to relax.
You can't really expect to come to Portugal and expect it to be like New York, though. Portugal is Portugal. That said, three weeks to fix a toilet is a bit ridiculous.
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Spices aren't typical in most European cuisines. If you want to eat Mexican, Indian, etc you should consider those parts of the world or a country like the UK/US where the food is more international and less traditional.
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We live in rural Algarve, and our toilet seat broke 3 weeks ago. In 3 weeks, our landlord went 5 times to the local plumbing store. It was always closed for no reason, or the manager was on lunch break, and finally... they did not have the part. Our landlord thus had to drive 1 hour to a bigger store to get the part, which might or might not work... we will see soon. Maybe this week after 3 weeks, the toilet seat will be fixed. Maybe it will take a couple more weeks. In the meantime I fixed it with tape... I live in a villa for nearly $2000/month w/ utilities with a duck taped toilet seat.
This is just a ridiculous example for how inefficient and slow everything is here. Our landlord is great, bless him for wasting so much time on this. But when a toilet seat takes a month to be fixed, it gives you an idea of the struggle everything else is.
Want to get some food? Don’t rely on the opening hours on Google Maps. Want to call the restaurant to make sure it’s open? Good luck hoping they’ll answer the phone. Need to go somewhere? Too bad my phone data is suddenly not working. Let’s use the mall’s WiFi? Too bad, that’s not working either today. It’s just the way it is here, at least in southern Portugal, and it’s *definitely* not for me. I am building a business and can’t see myself getting anything done here.
I don’t think that it’s necessarily that the locals are lazy. It’s mostly that they like it slow. They don’t see what the problem is with not answering the phone or closing the store unexpectedly. They don’t think it will bother anyone because nobody lives here to get things done. You live here when you have time. I’ve come to understand: it’s not their mistake for being slow, it’s mine for wanting to move fast in a slow place. This is not New York City or San Francisco where everybody is trying to make a gazillion dollars and everybody wants to help you get from A to B as fast as possible. This is not a place for ambition. This is a place for dolce vita, retirement and humble family life.
NOW... We decided to move to the Lisbon Cascais area in 2 months... and I’m praying things will be different. Does anyone feel like things are at least more efficient in the posh neighborhoods like Estoril/Cascais? If you have experience, please let me know.
I don’t know, we’ll try... but that area + taxes + cost of transportation and goods make living there just as pricy as living in a major US capital, so if it ends up being the same ridiculous waste of time that it is down in the Algarve, my plan is to hustle to try to get myself a new visa for myself and my family in the US. At this point, Estoril/Cascais is my last bet on Portugal... and to be honest, I’m losing patience by the day.
We live in rural Algarve, and our toilet seat broke 3 weeks ago. In 3 weeks, our landlord went 5 times to the local plumbing store. It was always closed for no reason, or the manager was on lunch break, and finally... they did not have the part. Our landlord thus had to drive 1 hour to a bigger store to get the part, which might or might not work... we will see soon. Maybe this week after 3 weeks, the toilet seat will be fixed. Maybe it will take a couple more weeks. In the meantime I fixed it with tape... I live in a villa for nearly $2000/month w/ utilities with a duck taped toilet seat.
This is just a ridiculous example for how inefficient and slow everything is here. Our landlord is great, bless him for wasting so much time on this. But when a toilet seat takes a month to be fixed, it gives you an idea of the struggle everything else is.
Want to get some food? Don’t rely on the opening hours on Google Maps. Want to call the restaurant to make sure it’s open? Good luck hoping they’ll answer the phone. Need to go somewhere? Too bad my phone data is suddenly not working. Let’s use the mall’s WiFi? Too bad, that’s not working either today. It’s just the way it is here, at least in southern Portugal, and it’s *definitely* not for me. I am building a business and can’t see myself getting anything done here.
I don’t think that it’s necessarily that the locals are lazy. It’s mostly that they like it slow. They don’t see what the problem is with not answering the phone or closing the store unexpectedly. They don’t think it will bother anyone because nobody lives here to get things done. You live here when you have time. I’ve come to understand: it’s not their mistake for being slow, it’s mine for wanting to move fast in a slow place. This is not New York City or San Francisco where everybody is trying to make a gazillion dollars and everybody wants to help you get from A to B as fast as possible. This is not a place for ambition. This is a place for dolce vita, retirement and humble family life.
NOW... We decided to move to the Lisbon Cascais area in 2 months... and I’m praying things will be different. Does anyone feel like things are at least more efficient in the posh neighborhoods like Estoril/Cascais? If you have experience, please let me know.
I don’t know, we’ll try... but that area + taxes + cost of transportation and goods make living there just as pricy as living in a major US capital, so if it ends up being the same ridiculous waste of time that it is down in the Algarve, my plan is to hustle to try to get myself a new visa for myself and my family in the US. At this point, Estoril/Cascais is my last bet on Portugal... and to be honest, I’m losing patience by the day.
So true.
Agreed. Even the food is over-rated.
You cannot live there for 6 months unless u become a resident now.. 90/180 day rules in schengen zone since Brexit...make sure u do your homework! oh and u will need a fiscal representative if u have a home there..
Many folks with 2nd homes are now finding it's not worthwhile..
You cannot live there for 6 months unless u become a resident now.. 90/180 day rules in schengen zone since Brexit...make sure u do your homework! oh and u will need a fiscal representative if u have a home there..
Many folks with 2nd homes are now finding it's not worthwhile..
Thank you for the useful information. I live in the SF Bay Area and I’m considering moving to Portugal in the next year. I’m using an immigration law firm in Lisbon to assist with the visa application, and, like you, I would opt for renting a newer apartment with modern conveniences, to which I’m accustomed. Could you share the type of health insurance that you have? I haven’t done research on this requirement yet.
Hope you are still enjoying Portugal!
Thank you for the useful information. I live in the SF Bay Area and I’m considering moving to Portugal in the next year. I’m using an immigration law firm in Lisbon to assist with the visa application, and, like you, I would opt for renting a newer apartment with modern conveniences, to which I’m accustomed. Could you share the type of health insurance that you have? I haven’t done research on this requirement yet.
Hope you are still enjoying Portugal!
Hi Haluk,
It can definitely be hard to fight big companies and get your money back, even with the complaints book or by using a credit card.
That said, I don't know if I'd use parcel couriers or airlines as examples. These types of companies are notorious for poor customer service in most parts of the world (although I believe TAP was listed as the 9th worst airline in the world, so maybe you have a point).
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Despite all the pros i.e. positive aspects of living in Portugal I must admit there is a dark side as well. It's all about crooks, fraud, scam that many Portuguese companies commit. Take a look at what TNT/FEDEX Portugal (and probably TNT Netherlands as well) are really up to:
https://portaldaqueixa.com/brands/tnt-express
And now take a look at the customer reviews of Azores Airlines (ex SATA):
https://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/sata-air-azores/
And so many others. Typical "customer service" response in Portugal is they hang up the phone or never pick it up.
Sounds like where my parents are from near Miranda do Douro. It really is as you describe it, don't even need door locks. Surreal.
My wife and I are Americans who moved to Lisbon for her work. I work remotely.
My impression after a few years is that Lisbon is the most-overrated city on the planet.
Posters in this thread who are saying things like "yeah, well, there are people on youtube who say it's wonderful here!" are completely delusional. Those influencer types are selling you a product, period. Visiting and living are two very different experiences. Just because some wanker online or on CNN raves about it as a vacation spot, doesn't mean that living there will be worth it. Or maybe it will? Here are some points to consider:
The upsides:
-great wine and cheese.
-mild winters with plenty of sun.
-fantastic pastries.
-coffee all day, every day.
The downsides:
-anything regarding the SEF - any you will have to deal with them at some point.
-the food is bland beyond belief. If you like spices (Thai, Mexican, Indian) then you will hate the typical Portuguese national dishes. Then again, if you come from somewhere with even worse food, perhaps you will love this slop.
-Noise is intense and completely unregulated. Planes, traffic, barking dogs.
-Constant construction and renovation.
-The worst home quality in all of Europe. You will be cold in the winter, and you will hear everything that your neighbors are up to. The walls are do not have insulation. It is pathetic. If you are coming from the USA, you will be appalled at the lack of quality. Consider yourself warned.
-the insane amount of tourists who are here because Anthony Bourdain raved about it or whatever. Even the smaller cities outside of Lisboa feature the ubiquitous "instagram tourist spots" so you will be sure to see all the brain dead people stumbling off of huge buses, waiting their turn to take a selfie in front of some giant letters or a fountain.
-The rise of a far right party called Chega. They are making big gains each year in the government and it's not hard to see them becoming like Vox in Spain.
But hey, it's sunny and there are beaches so it must be paradise, right? LOL.
I live in Portugal in a remote area in the mountains, it is so quiet that you can hear your blood circulating through your body when there is no wind, everyone I have met is kind, generous and helpful, I have dogs that don`t bark a cat that meows a lot and a wife that is bonkers...I don`t even drive anymore, given up on cars like I did humans in the UK.
Would I be anywhere else? I don`t think so, I can go days without seeing another human and longer without speaking to them, the next best thing to an island...Just don`t anyone reading this get any ideas of moving here, it is awful
Hello, Manoj, I started in Porto but soon found it nicer, more genuine, more gree and more friendly just 20-30 kms out. I have found the smaller towns have more! More parks, more libraries, more cultural centers, as well as a more laid back, family-oriented feeling. If you need anything in the city it is always close by train, Uber or excellent roads. Have fun!
Hey John,
Thanks for adding your perspective, especially as you've been here so long.
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I´ve been here for about 25 years and still haven´t really "adapted". As a Canadian of Portuguese ancestry, I´d recommend the following to those that plan to move here:
1. Move here for 6 months, if you can (obviously workers will need to get around that, retirees not so much)
2. Keep your home or living place where you are now, you never ever want to feel stranded.
3. You will like many things, you will dislike many things, overall it is a more polarizing country than other European countries.
4. It is a Southern European country on the ATLANTIC as said. So it´s a little different from every other place in Europe.
5. The Algarve and Silver Coast are probably the closest to the postcards you see.
6. Attempt to build a home or be as involved as possible in finishing a home. You´ll save money in the long run.
7. Drive as little as possible.
8. Ask those who have made the move what they think, specifically regarding areas of life you value.
Hi, thinking to move there, a bit concerned about jobs, I work as audio visual technician in London, but want to move…. Any hints? Many thanks, Rogerio.
Hi Aaron,
I am Portuguese.
Great comment. Very accurate description, even from a national guy perspective.
About the romance part: Hang in the fight 🙂 Better choose correctly than making mistakes; In terms of local women, PRT ladies are more/generally...family oriented and tend to choose guys with balanced temper. Of course, economic stability, looks and charm will always be a central part.... Make them laugh, amuse themselves and be prepared/open to hear what they have to say (which is a lot 🙂 ! )...This will improve your chances.
BTW - I will only be remain a foreigner as long you feel that way. Speaking PRT and involved in community and social as you seem to be...You'll soon be more PRT than me 🙂
João
HI Tom,
I feel bad you had a bad time here. A part from politics and economy, i think my country is very hospitable and it is no wonder why so may people want to live here. I think you should adapt your criteria to this country's reality. We are not Germany, UK or France. Much to our fault, we are much poorer, i think you should judge us by the same level as powerful and rich countries like those afore mentioned. We pay taxes like Germany but and have an income like Lithuania or so.
I really hope there is time and/or opportunity to change your opinion about my country. In spite of it's shortcomings, it's natural and cultural life is rich and 800 years proud.
João Pedro
Well, that says a lot about that PRT guy...
I wonder how magnificent his experiences in South Africa and Brasil might be...For a death wisher 🙂 🙂
People in Lisboa are being force out of the city for the sake of Tourism...that's why low income locals are not friendly. It's not your fault but it is what it is. Outside of Lisboa, people are friendlier and easy-going. Remember, PRT are proud people. It takes two to dance. Make an effort. Learn a bit of PRT.
BTW - It's not nice to be called peasant. I've been to Germany a couple of times and, in spite of the stereotypes about Germans, I can only say I was very well treated by everyone. (in Bavaria at least)
João Pedro - a peasant. ")
MIke,
From a Portuguese...No place is perfect but here's a piece of advice:
- Foreign people here don't want every other expats to come...that would ruin their paradise 🙂
1. Housing is expensive...for Portuguese income. No for you guys. Buy a house directly to the owner or through a local major company. (REMAX, CENTURY21, etc..);
2. Socialism keeps a slow economy but...no problem for foreigners who are retired or work for foreign companies.
3. Portuguese are generally* very hospitable, warm and "life-enjoyers"...the thing is to get to know/get familiar. Learn Portuguese. *Not even in Tibete everyone is nice...
4. Only on the interior and north the Winter is cold. But cold in our standards...to get 4-5 C is the worse you can ever get (except for Northern interior, which can drop to 0 or a little less) ..and only for short periods of time. Lot's of Sun year round. I'd know. Living here for 42 years.
5. Food and wine....The best in the world. Vegetables, Meat, Fish, desserts,...everything is a wonder and has still, a "Mediterranean-Medieval-Grandmother" touch. Everyday food..Not referring to Michelin star restaurants...Those are for Tourists and show-off locals...Be sure to balance it with workouts 🙂
6. Crime..,.it's residual.
7. Corruption, burocracy, paperwork, price of fuel/utilities, taxes are major downfalls...but keep in mind that for your income it's not that dramatic.
Bottom line: Sun, Food, Nature and a high standard of living with most North and Western European income patterns.
I am from the Algarve (Lagos - Western Algarve) but live in Lisboa.
Hi Aaron,
Thank you for sharing some positivity, as my wife and I are seriously considering selling up in SA and immigrating to Portugal, we've actually started the process.
Not everything you might change to suit your lifestyle to is a bed of roses, however it's how one approaches issues and predicaments/challenges. ..that gain a little respect.
Hello Gillian,
Could you give me the contact info for the Romanian firm?
Thank you!
If moving to Portugal beware of the Three Whales:
1. Prepare to DIY everything.
2. Beware of Crooks
3. Beware of Dentists
Dear Nica, what a sad and depressing story. I guess you completely failed do understand the portuguese essence. The beginning says it all, "after 1,5 weeks i saw it was a big mistake!".
Everything seems to be a problem and a tragedy for you. It seems like you ended up on an island created by your negative and depressive nature.
Don´t understand me wrong... Portugal has many issues... its not a walk in the park and will require some adaptive skills but it can be a wonderful place... especially if you approach it with the right energy, open mind and some humility.
If you move expecting everything to be perfect do not come here!
My advice, if your thinking of coming over: visit before you move and make the correct research.
Finally, i think happiness travels with us. Obviously you can be happy in portugal with little cash. Start by choosing a place that fits your needs and expectations.
Hi Miguel,
Great comment! Thanks for contributing.
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After reading some of the harsher comments, the only recommendation I'd make to anyone who is thinking of moving here (or to any other place in the world, for that matter) is to not look at a country the same way you would look at a hotel. The romanticized expectations of life here as an everlasting "glass of wine by the beach" are obviously delirious, as they would be for anywhere else in the world. It's a real place made up of real people who have to deal with their own daily struggles, not a resort populated by waiters and servants at your disposal and ready at all times to accommodate every single one of your needs. Moving to a different place without putting in any real effort to adapt and understand the local people and culture, expecting all the pros from your home country without any of the hassles, seems to me a decision bound to end up in frustration and disappointment. Portugal can feel at times as heaven on earth and on many other occasions it will feel as the unhappiest place on the planet. That’s part of it’s charm and it certainly isn’t for everyone. As a Portuguese person who still to this day has a very troubled relationship with his own country, and who on occasion still feels the strong urge to leave and emigrate to the wealthier and certainly more organized parts of Europe, I can however say that the peacefulness, the natural and architectural beauty and a sense of proximity and community between people do make this a place where you can always find a redeeming reason to be in, despite all the very good points made in this article. It does however require the will to open yourself to it and might not come easy at first.
I am disgusted in the way some people talk about Portugal, just because they have had a bad experience doesnt mean that the whole of Portugal and the Portuguese people are the same. I have lived in Central Portugal for a while and I have been shown nothing but kindness, eggs, vegetables and even a lovely casserole left on my doorstep. Of course the food and culture are different, do people expect to find there own country ways in Portugal! I am English and I love the slow laid back life in Portugal and allowed time to get things done, patience is all you need. If you wanted the rat race why leave it. There are rude people and bad places to live in every country and corruption behind a lot of doors. I am moving back to Portugal this year for good I hope. I believe to be happy in any country you have to accept it warts and all. I am going out there under no illusions about live being a fairy tale but I am going to be happy xx
Hi Donna, I am English and married to a Portuguese man. I have stayed in Portugal many times in the last 23 years and have never seen this happen, cats in the rural areas are seen as useful to keep mice ect away. I know pets are seen a bit differently, they have a purpose, but even the street animals are fed and watered by the neighbourhood. My portuguese brothers in law love their cats. This may have happened in odd places but its not the norm.
Can you email me, we are hoping to move there in 2023 and have a 7 year old daughter, this community you mention sounds like a great start for us. sjeddry1@gmail.com
Thanks,
Stephan
Most complaints about Portugal here are written by various people that have had similar negative experiences throughout the country. I'm on my way out of Portugal as fast as I can go and will never look back. I share most negative experiences that others have living in various parts of the country over years now. I would really like to see you prove your part. Thing is, the countries mentally reflects in the economy. Do yourselves a favor and get over yourselves. Shape up, take responsibility and learn what it means and takes to build up a reputation and why that could benefit you. Good luck
Hi Jo. Interesting reply. You mention Tavira too slow and Lisbon Cascais not for you also. Wondering where you decided to settle in Portugal ? We're considering visiting Portugal Algarve for retirement but I worry that in winter it becomes too quiet.
I believe where ever you live attitude is so crucial. You can not change others but you can change yourself. Before any huge life change it is your responsibility to dig deep and realize what you are getting yourself into. Being to Portugal my experience is so the opposite of your. Wish you the best!
After all the initial bureaucracy I first stayed at a "nice" area in Portugal as well. My neighbour upstairs spent 24/7 of her time dragging the furniture. It must have been her natural behaviour. The noise pollution was everyday, frequent and unbearable. It was a one-woman job, but there was no authorities to complain to. It should say something about the civility of Portuguese people. I'm now on the rural outskirts of Lisbon. It's damp and there's mildew everywhere. Hygiene conditions are terrible. Yes walls are very thin too. The rent is priced accordingly, but I would not know that it's even worth moving house around here. I lived at the same location almost three decades abroad. It's been little more than half a decade here. I've moved twice and yet want to move again. There's nomads and expats everywhere. People are arrogant and unfriendly, hardly any useful to anybody other than their own "cousins". Very little honesty the same. I continue to manage surviving this place. I don't see any point in wanting to live at countries with populations like this. Sometimes you have this citizenship by birthright. I can hardly make any use of it. Mediocre.
It's funny how other Europeans tolerate the Portuguese at other countries. You come to their country. You learn about mediocrity. I'm still a nomad here.
I know lots of people who have outdoor cats and let them out without worrying. It's possible this has happened before, but not enough that pet owners keep their pets indoors.
Although animals are often treated as animals rather than pets, I do see a lot of stray cats and dogs getting looked after. People leave food out for them (without poison) and there are plenty of council-run cat houses in Lisbon and the Algarve (and probably elsewhere too).
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I agree with most points. The exception might be
11. They're not barbarians. They're rude Iberians. Celts.
Interestingly you can get similar problems elsewhere. I lived in Africa. The main problem there is recession. Otherwise my list could have even been smaller.
Gerard,
I've been looking into moving to Portugal, and your comment is the first I've seen about pet cats:
"In Portugal they poison all cats with no remorse. Including neighbor's cats."
Is the Portuguese attitude toward cats, even in non-rural areas, truly that hostile? Would I be condemning my indoors/outdoors pet to death by bringing her to Portugal?
I appreciate the warning.
Kind regards,
Donna
We love it here.
Down near Lagos there is a new family and kids communitty movement. 2 new alternative schools.
Waves. Sun. Nature. Fresh organic food. Nice, old school, farming neighbours. Simple life. Lots of new friends, for us and for the kids (3).
It is a bundle, no place is perfect, but if you smile, enjoy life and are not looking at the half empty part of the glass all day, this is a WONDEFUL place to live in.
We are thankful for coming here and for the portuguese people to accept us as a new immigrant family.
(Expats are immigrants that dont accept they are ones 🙂
So if you have kids and want to join, just ask around Lagos area and you will be welcomed with lots of Love.
Hi Michael,
Do your homework before going to Portugal!
Worst housing in EU ->https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2021-12-12/portugal-has-some-of-the-worst-houses-in-europe/64042?fbclid=IwAR2UPJAm_YcnVo3O9MLgsHAbcddlVZKYRiPku_OZD67ra_XKAKHZDANJ0Ng
And today ->https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/luxury-homes-short-lets-and-shacks-inside-lisbons-housing-crisis
Housing quality and housing crisis is real. Only for the very rich. You will be ripped off by many as you look for housing.
If we based our opinion of people off of their airlines, I think you'd have to say the Irish are rude, unhelpful, and keep threatening to charge you to use the toilet.
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
Don't rely on the Portuguese in general. To find out the attitudes please read the SATA (Azores Airlines) reviews on AirlineQuality website: https://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/sata-air-azores/
Hello Charlotte,
where are you living in Portugal?
Life in Germany is getting worse and I was thinking of moving to Portugal with my family. All the complaints here have put a bit of a damper on me, but your comment gives me hope. I'd be happy to get in touch if you'd like to share your experience.
Michael
If you're getting sued too often, move to Portugal! 🙂
Bureaucracy does not bother me in Portugal as much as the other issues. I don't even find this place too bureaucratic.
Egoism is very well developed in PT.
In Portugal they poison all cats with no remorse. Including neighbor's cats.
The cars are ridiculously overpriced.
Contractors are too lazy to show up, let alone to start working.
Oh yeah, it's a nice place to live, if you can deal with that!
I want to move out of Portugal, but can't sell my house.
1. Can't do attitude!
2. Shipping and delivery problems!
3. Mentality is a killer!
4. Sad place!
5. Friendships only work one way. When you stop giving, friendship stops.
6. Extremely backward, worse than the extreme Eastern Europe in terms of economy.
7. Thieves and crooks everywhere.
8. Extreme Eastern European salaries €500/mo. create depression in Portuguese minds and huge emigration culture. This country is NO Western Europe!
9. Backstabbers!
10. Socialism!
11. Rude barbarians.
12. Very friendly until you become closer, much closer with them. Never too close though.
I live here and have finished jumping through the copious numbers of hoops. We hired consultants who were incompetent and great lawyers so it worked out ok. We also had a relatively uncomplicated immigration situation. My perspective comes from an American who was living in rural northern England. I agree that there is a lack of standards and corruption but the way we have thought about it was that at least we can pay someone to fix our problems. In the part of UK where we lived we had most of these exact issues with inhuman bureaucracy, pessimism, lack of quality, but with no means of sweetening the deal (so to speak). Complaining in the UK goes nowhere and people are not empowered to help you even if your situation is Kafkaesque. And no you can't talk to anyone higher up about that. In the US you might be able to argue and annoy your way to a solution. Here, I find myself hindered by every single bureaucrat having their own personal standards and rules for every possible document, but I find that I am grateful to have the luxury of being able to make myself a polite loveable pest and possibly even pay someone to bully or bribe. In the UK my issues had so solution and no prospect of ever having a solution. Your complaint letter will be read, apologized for the fact that you feel wronged, and then nothing. People complain about Portugal vaccination, but in the UK they do not and may never acknowledge foreign administered vaccines and have no plans to ever acknowledge them in the future. You also can't get boosted or revaccinated. In Portugal, you have to hustle but at least you can hustle. It would be better if there was a standard and you didn't need to do that, but this is the world. I like that it feels 30 years behind the rest of Europe. I hope it can learn from what these 30 years have shown (hmmm maybe skip Amazon and beanie babies) and progress better with that wisdom. Portugal has so much potential and I hope it will be realised for the benefit of it's citizens (and perhaps us immigrants too). I don't know if that will happen. They could tax us NHRs marginally more and it would still be a good deal to live here. They also need to finish disbanding SEF.
Hi Aaron, re dating I understand how you feel.
I’m asking myself where all the healthy, mature and available bachelors are.
Have you had any luck since? (Every bit of good news boosts my hope! :))
Hi Nenye,
Welcome to Portugal (if you made it across)!
I live in the Algarve (way down south) and have found most of the locals warm, friendly and helpful. A lot of the women try to mother me actually, which is quite sweet. I’m also learning Portuguese, which, as others have pointed out, helps.
Lisbon and Porto are cities with a good mix of nationalities. Believe there’s also a budding Nigerian network in Lisbon (Google that).
Anyway, my thinking is, brown skin stands out against certain backdrops. I’m aware of the colonial history between Portugal & Nigeria and narrative, but choose to engage with people as a human being, not based on the colour of my skin. If ever anyone attempts to make it about skin colour, I’m intelligent, educated and self-aware enough to show them how small-minded and prehistoric that viewpoint is.
Let me know how you get on.
bear in mind that costs are also 30-40% lower than in the UK, but if you need to work for a living, you are better off in the UK. Portuguese economy is terminally sick!
We tend to look at the world through our own filters. Positive, warm people tend to meet positive, warm people. Resentful people will find plenty to be resentful about.
It doesn't surprise me that the opinions are so opposite. The happy people will be happy almost anywhere, and the unhappy ones will be unhappy almost anywhere. The victims will find victimizers anywhere. There are some real differences in places, but mostly we find what we expect to find. We see who WE are, not who others really are.
Hello Martin,
Thanks for your insights.
I also recently moved (3 months ago to be precise) and chose Portugal over Spain due to the NHR regime. I am a contractor working via my UK ltd company and my client was happy for me to relocate initially and work remotely. The pay in the UK was substantial, so I wasn't in any financial stress.
Unfortunately, I am suddenly faced with my contract being terminated unless I return to the UK. I was lucky enough to get a job here in Portugal in the same IT field but the pay is ridiculously lower in comparison (60%lower) to my current UK pay.
Now I'm in a difficult position where I either go back to the UK with my son or stay here pinching pennies just to have a "better standard of life". I'm beginning to rethink my move and might just go back to the UK which is sad.
What makes a person happy where they live is relative and different for every person. Madda came from LA, and as an American, I can attest that what is described is far better than daily life in much of America. Yes, there are poor services and incompetent people everywhere, but look at the totality of everything where you are...look for the good and ask yourself why you are there.
Remember there are 2 sides to every story...and then there's the truth.
Well said! Thank you!
I found the discussions comments and experiences on this forum to be very interesting.
I have lived in many countries and visited numerous others; Denmark , 5 years, Mozambique 5 years, USA 15 years. Many of my friends retired to or are retiring in Portugal. I picked a modern new development at planning stage because the modern day amenities matter to me, including safety and security, access to shopping and markets, clean well kept surroundings. I have encountered amazing people who have been so helpful along the way from residence permit (2019), house hunting, purchasing, hanging out, taking care of my house while I was setting up property management arrangements when I am away. I lived mostly in Tavira before I purchased my new home. Tavira was not for me for long term because it was kind of too slow for me. Cascais was too pricey for what I wanted, but it is beautiful. Lisbon was not for me either.
What I am not so crazy about; in Tavira, there was a house with a dog that barked at everything. The barking was not audible from inside my house. Generally there is no rush, the kind I am used to living in New York. That is ok. Yes, sometimes I do miss the convenience of pretty much ordering anything online and have that delivered fast , these are not deal breakers. I think one has to think through what they want, list them, look at different countries, write down pros and cons, visit and then decide. I considered several countries; Panama, Ireland, Belize. Portugal was the right choice for me. Maybe I am fortunate that I have options to be in Portugal in winter and can be elsewhere for summer, if I chose.
One thing for certain, there are bad neighborhoods in almost every country. Therefore where you pick to live matters. I personally wouldn't write off Portugal at all, its lovely and most of the the people are decent and kind.
I think you are right Go to Germany...or back home...must be hard not to find any positives in a beautiful place like Portugal, I wonder if u will be happy anywhere
U can always go back home
Nathan, I read your comment and I’m in a similar predicament. It’s quite sad actually. I moved to Portugal almost four months ago - I have Portuguese ancestry and thought that this would be an advantage. I was aware that there was some litigation (involving my late grandmother’s estate). In summary this litigation involves some random people who befriended my grandmother just before her death so she could sign a will in their favour. These people then instituted proceedings against my (widowed) mother, step sister and I - on the back of this, they joined my late father’s family to the litigation (who I have either not met or never heard from again since my father’s death. I have also discovered that my Portuguese step sister removed finds that are the estate’s before the estate was finalised. All of this resulted in me being sued for money I have never even seen and involving Portuguese natives that I wish I was not related to and never met. The litigation is at a standstill and basically the process has shown me the incompetence and corruption of everyone involved.
Before knowing the extent of all of this, I was about to purchase a home but now cannot do so because there’s an attachment order for anything I own to be taken away. Also, the property I was interested in revealed a dishonest and unprofessional agent and seller - when I asked to add in clauses to protect myself from the red flags I was seeing, they cancelled the process. All in all, from the few short months I have lived here, I regret my decision to move here. I also am pregnant with twins and dread that they will be exposed to all of this filth.
Thanks Charlotte,
This is a nicely balanced writeup of Portugal. Everywhere has its pros and cons, and it's all about weighing them up and deciding whether Portugal is right for you or not. I think living in other parts of the world, like Asia, South America, and even other European countries really helps give perspective on how good or bad everything really is.
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
Thanks Charlotte,
This is a nicely balanced writeup of Portugal. Everywhere has its pros and cons, and it's all about weighing them up and deciding whether Portugal is right for you or not. I think living in other parts of the world, like Asia, South America, and even other European countries really helps give perspective on how good or bad everything really is.
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
I may be living in an alternate reality, but after three years in Portugal all i can say it's a great place to live.
Having been an expat in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, all over South America and most of Southeast Asia for almost three decades,
i've experienced more than a fair share of being treated like a crap, getting ripped off, having to deal with corrupt officials and real bureaucracy, barking dogs and garbage everywhere.
Portugal is not nearly as horrible as so many people here are trying to make you believe!
Yes, it's not perfect - but there is no such thing as a perfect country. Everywhere you go there will be something annoying the daylights out of you.
In my experience most Portuguese people are down to earth, friendly and helpful.
MANY do speak a very decent english - good luck having this experience in Spain or Italy.
I am ordering online a lot - every single parcel arrived within 10-14 days. From all around EU. Paying a bit extra for DHL instead of going with the cheapest version may help of course...
As for the neighbours - and i have been staying all around Portugal - mine have received my parcels when i wasn't at home, have left countless baskets of fruits at my gate and have driven me to the vet when my dog got injured.
The weather is pleasant if you pick the right area. I most definitely wouldn't be able to walk around in a tee mid November anywhere in North Europe.
While the whole planet was in a lockdown, i was hiking with my dog in east Algarve daily.
My friends in Spain weren't even able to sit in their own backyard without being bothered by the cops.
The highways are mostly in a fantastic shape.
I've dealt with three diffrent dentist. All well educated, highly skilled and using the latest technology. I've paid pennies on dollars compared to Germany.
Food is lovely, especially if you find some artesanal bakeries and small delis.
My pupper got dental cleaning with ultrasound.
75 € as opposed to 170 € in Austria.
I've hired an english speaking personal assistant to help me with paperwork.
10 € per hour. Stuff got sorted out quickly and easily.
My lawyer billed me 100 € for answering like 12 questions in a lenghty email.
A swiss lawyer would probably not bother to say good morning to me for that amount.
Do i love everything?
Hell no!
I yell when they can't keep a decent distance while driving a car.
It drives me nuts when they race in a 30 zone and take a nap while driving on a highway.
They really seem to print they own driver licenses at home themselves.
It breaks my heart when i see how they treat their animals.
The cars are ridiculously overpriced.
Some companies are a nightmare to deal with - don't get me started on MEO.
Handymen are notoriously late.
But all of this are minor annoyances compared to what i have seen in many other places.
And i choose to live with it because the positive far outweights the negative for me.
I do understand when someone gets sick and tired of a place or a situation. Happens to all of us.
What i don't understand is why would you stay put in that place instead of going somewhere else?
You are not a tree after all.
The world is big, there is plenty for you explore.
Unless you prefer to cultivate your state of fury of course.
In this case more power to you 🙂
I would say it depends from your goals and preferences. Your preferences seem more like the choice of the correct city/neighborhood, less of the country itself. There are also great, clean, relatively dog-poop-free neighborhoods in Portugal after all.
Spain is somewhat cleaner than Portugal, and climate is better, but the dog poop is also a problem. You could avoid that probably, living in more decent area, but if you have too much of "enough money" they have a nasty wealth tax AFAIK, although if you don't want to be a resident that wouldn't be an issue. Less of bad parking, or staying in driving lane and honking for 15 minutes like in Portugal.
South America is nice and easy going, good food and apartments for the money. But from what I saw certainly not very clean, dog poop is also common and quite chaotic when it comes to traffic and parking. Crime is also an issue.
Safe and clean? Dubai is very, very clean and safe. Haven't seen dog poop a single time. However, very hot and not the cheapest place. Also another things that are not for everyone like Sharia Law. Good services though and no taxes. Not the best drivers, but parking on sidewalks is not very common due to high fines.
Would love if you can share contacts of good lawyers and such
Need a yoga coach?
Dear Gillian, we are about to move to portugal and do the same thing. May I ask the details of your Romanian builders please? We renovated with a Romanian team in the u.k. they were brilliant. Unfortunately they won’t do works in portugal…. Thanks for your help!
Kind regards,
Heidi
What do you consider "great alternatives" to Portugal? We wanted to be in Italy, but their bureaucracy makes Portugal look like a walk in the park. But there are two things that drive me totally mad in my country: dog poop/trash all over and cars parked in driving lanes and on sidewalks. I don't need to jump from the frying pan into a fire. Sorry I'm one of those with enough money to avoid certain inconveniences. But some of this stuff feels unavoidable.
You sound really unhappy in Portugal. Maybe you should go back home! I agree with you in most things you have expressed and have always wonder why do foreigners leave their high standard lives in their countries to come and live in Portugal. I never understood it!
sounds like Austria! i.m from Vienna and live on the countryside for almost 20 yrs, they are basically 90% thugs in some way, from noise, illegal buildings and off course lost lawsuits against locals....i search for 3,5 yrs now for a new country as i got retirement...as it seems it,s the same everywhere.....thanks for the info,,,
and yes: never critizise anyone or trust any smiling face ever,,,,,your description sounds so alike , it,s hell....
Yes, unproven chemicals that hundreds of millions of people have taken with almost no negative reactions. I get why you might not want to get the vaccine (they are made by the same pharmas that created an opiod epidemic in the southern and mid west USA) but the vaccine is proven like all the other vaccines we have taken over the years.
First of all, you are the one who is ugly, filthy minded, xenophobe. If you had a bad experience maybe you provoked it unnececerly. We welcome many tourists, but many of the tourists are just cheap ones, that think the welcoming country should treat them like kings. We have loads of patience with such stupid, upnosed tourists, that look down at us, like we are disgusting beggars that should lick their feet.. We dont need tourists like you, dirty, demanding, uneducated tourists like you. We welcome those who come to learn , to experience, to know what is the country, without bringging made up ideas. And we have pleasure to guide them to show our country. Sadly, earing the comments in this blog we feel that you are ungrateful and unthoughtful.
We are not curiosities subhuman creatures to be exposed in a fair, as it was in the beginning of the century with indigenous people. In that time it was acceptable because they were ignorant, today this idiotic ignorance is NOT!
Why don´t you ask an opinion from a Portuguese. Even better a portuguese woman like me? Most of the comments made here in this ....blog..... where insulting, shortsighted, uncultured and misinformed. First we are not third world issue, nor we are basic or behind the other european countries . Of course that we suffer from many problems, such like other countries. We are not under educated. We are polite, kind, generous. We are a very secure country. If you ask for help or ask for directions in the street of a big city, or even in a small village, YOU cAN FIND THOUSANDS OF PEOple that speak at least three languages, and if they dont they can figure it out. So , if you don t like our country, dont come, You will see what you have disdained.
I think even Italy shines in comparison with Portugal.Its not a secret that inward investment into Portugal is tiny compared to Eastern Europe. But in one sense the Portuguese are leaders in Europe, private debt levels are bt far thehigh est in the EU. This is why you see so many German limos around!
It seems to me that Portuguese prefer to spend rather than to earn money through hard work!
“They” are the few specific people that the writer wrote about. No one is poisoning cats where we live. People feed the cats and the birds. I have seen more dog poop on the sidewalks while in Portugal than I do in the US but in our Alentejo town, there are dispensers with free poop bags.
Yes, the bureaucratic wheels turn slowly here. There is good and bad in every place though and there are plenty of good people here.
yes, I think we have discovered your agenda, Tom. The Evil EU.
oh yes, I'm quite sure everybody believes that a "Master Crook" singled you out by doing something to the ATM. If you were conned by this "Master Crook", why in the world would you go back to this branch where the "Master Crook" is obviously lying in wait for you. Oh brother.
Are you actually claiming that the authorities conspired to hack all of your technology? I find that hard to believe, since everybody on here is saying they are 30 years behind.
so you hated Portugal and moved back to Ireland. Then, inexplicably, you moved back to Portugal? I'm sorry, that makes no sense.
Your stories of being thrown out of Ubers and trains are intriguing. What exactly were the "disturbances" that you were involved in?
Why don't tell us what your actual agenda is here, Tom?
Most vloggers just move for the sake of content production from one place to another, so they have always something to talk about. They do not promote normal day-to-day living, they even can't, they rarely work "inside" the country and rely on their foreign income. They also never integrate, because they know that they gonna leave in a year or two, and rely on their English-speaking audience as income source.
Being rich helps definitely to soften the high level of personal and state dysfunctions, your lawyer "knows" people at the city hall etc. Paying some "extra fee" here and there doesn't really matter, its the price for a second villa in a sunny place. And they don't have to rely on the Portuguese services, infrastructure or government. Being physically in Portugal is actually quite nice, it is just not so nice to be reliant on anything there.
For normal people, there are so many great alternatives to Portugal - cheaper, less bureaucratic, better jobs, way more professional in the way to do business etc. I think the hype about Portugal comes partially from the fact, that their Citizenship By Investment programs, and ways to obtain EU residency, are quite decent. I really doubt those investors/people gonna stay in Portugal once they get their paperwork done.
I live in both countries. The US and Portugal. I too fear for the future of the US and have read a few comments here that people have become fed up and wish to leave the US.
I am thankful that at this point in my life, I can live in both places but one day, that may not be the case, for several reasons and a change may be without choice.
In the meantime I will continue to vote for what I feel is right.
I have not had the terrible experiences that some write about here. True, the houses are very cold in the winter, some government offices never answer the phone and things can take forever (such as a driver’s license) but I feel at peace, though sometimes a little lonely, in my Alentejo town. I enjoy the natural surroundings and wish there was a train to Lisbon, in or near my town. That would have made life here much better but still I am thankful to have a contrast from the big USA city that I come from.
I find learning the language is more difficult at my age but not impossible and it gets easier over time and with more effort. For anyone reading this who may want an excellent Portuguese language learning resource, I highly recommend the website “practice Portuguese.” As an absolute beginner, I needed something else to start with but now that i have some of the basics, I find its an excellent program for me.
I keep reading about barking dogs but my place is lovely. We have univited cats that will sneak into our home (not welcomed though I love cats) but at least i don’t see rats running around.
As much as our village is not ideal for me (small, not much going on, very little English spoken) iI think maybe we are in one of the best places. It’s easier to change one’s attitude than to change other things. Last year we were here under covid lockdown and I felt I was in the best place for that.
Lastly, we have nice neighbors around us and that is a plus.
Hi Nenye, I am a black American, retired and cant offer the Lisbon or Porto living experience since I have only visited on occasion. I live in a small Alentejo town. My own experience as a visitor to those places has been that the black people I have come across have been less friendly towards me than Portuguese and by that, I mean on a superficial level such as eye contact a smile and a greeting. Yet, i have also encountered some who have been friendly.
My own encounters with the people I live among have been generally positive but there are times when I think I may be encountering racial hostility but it’s hard to know if there is a racial cause at times.
I see that there are many black people in Lisbon and Porto. If you lived in the US, I think you will be fine here.
Yup.
Thank you Nica,
The problem starts with the YouTube vloggers who promote a false picture of what it's like to live in Portugal. This is why so many are sucked into the dream of becoming an expat in Portugal. None of what the vloggers promote is a reality for day-to-day living.
Your comment nailed just about every one of my concerns. I'm a healthy skeptic and I always seek both sides of the story. When you read about Portugal's government and the levels of dysfunction and corruption, what good can come from investing time and money in a country that is barely surviving? When the young Portuguese LEAVE their country to find a better life and opportunity elsewhere, that alone should provide insight and raise numerous red flags.
Thank you for your candor and for sharing your experience. You've saved me from making a serious and expensive mistake. I expect that many others will one day soon be filled with regret. The super-rich however are impervious to the downsides of life in Portugal. They can easily cut their losses if necessary.
Thank you,
Donna
Medical staff in general brims with arrogance and ignorance. I always call my doctor in my home country if I need answers. Private heATHCARE is omewhat better, but the doctors are generally below average in the EU. A lot of malpractice happens, but compensation is verylow. Your fault if you trust in Portuguese medics. Better to invest in a flight home!
After the clinic tested my blood and urine, with very dangerous results for diabetes showing up in the laboratory test results and they did not even do the blood glucose testing and "my" family doctor is unreachable to explain the test results to me and prescribe treatment or even hospitalization, I begin to think it could be really dangerous to live in Portugal for those with dental problems (bad bad dishonest and discriminating dentists here) and any critical health issues. You may end up with an erroneous lab test or even worse with a doctor that is unreachable to help you. I had to go through a lot of talking until I was able to retrieve my lab test results on paper. Other doctors (on the internet) suggested that this lab test is wrong and that they did not d the most IMPORTANT: blood glucose testing, which could be critical and urgent.
Very well put,Simon. Bingo.
Hi Tom,
Many of your comments lacked balance, and some couldn't be published. I understand many people have a negative experience while in Portugal, and I'm happy to publish those stories, but a comment that describes all Portuguese people in one way is not objective.
Get the book Moving to Portugal Made Simple on Amazon now
Hi Dan
Did you end up moving to South Italy? How did it go?
I had expressed the same experience before in my various posts! Imagine how this country would look like if they were not part of the EU and would not receive 100s of billions to build useless museums , mayoral offices or lonely cycling paths! This country would be an excellent candidate for departure, maybe the Portuguese would then develop a more proactive and professional attitude! Nice nature, wrong people!
Message to the site controller - there is no need to delete not post messages that are objective, well written and factual! And if there is, I would appreciate a message that provides the reason for not posting!
everything you mention was explained and wiritten beforew by disgusted residents like me , I got the sME WEXPERIENCE AND WILL LEAVE NEXT YEAR AFTER 3 YEARS of which 60% destroyed by COVID!
Looks like my previous reply to you was not posted. Please read the other blogs about life here. Will point out the following to help u decide.
Beautiful beaches and good weather.
Plenty of money required to live here as you get conned everywhere, by people, companies, traders.
Everything is overpriced, for example, specs, cars, petrol, hotels, having work done in the house.
Portuguese will not tell you the truth, and not say sorry when they get things wrong.
One should know the language to live here as very few people can carry out a conversation. They claim to know but cannot go beyond the basic greetings.
Property prices and rentals are overpriced and lack value for money.
Dogs bark and do their dirty business everywhere and incessantly.
I suggest you look for a European country to go to as this country certainly ain't European by any standard.
Indian food is scarce and basic stuff is available. The Indian restaurant are bad quality. Most of the Indians here fruit pickers and menial workers i. e. not educated. Very difficult to make friends here.
Best of luck.
Hi Manoj, you should look at some other European country as this one certainly isn't! Firstly, if you don't know the language, don't even bother as very few people speak English and the ones that claim they do, speak half a sentance. People here con foreigners with higher prices and false promises. Difficult to find good tradesmen and people who are honest and/or say sorry if they get things wrong. The weather isn't everything. Rents/prices are too expensive. Most of the Indians/pakistanis/Bangladeshis here are fruit pickers and it is difficult to make friends even with the Portuguese. The indian groceries are basic, the desi restaurants are terrible. Please read other people's comments before you decide and best of luck.
I have just moved - within Portugal - to improve my living situation, and I think after only 1,5 weeks that it was a big mistake (not to leave altogether).
All of the bad things mentioned in the comments, are heightened,- it is a smaller town, and I actually had forgotten about some of the most annoying things in the more remote areas of Portugal. Such as ... impossible to find organic vegetables, a print shop, etc.
When I looked at the apartment before renting I noticed the bad smell, but I was told, it had been empty as an unused vacation apartment, for the past 3 years. I didn't look inside the closets, inside the washing machine or under the sink, unfortunately. I moved in, I noticed mildew in every single closet, everywhere. One chest of drawers had real mold, under the sink, there is a big smelly leak, and of course the heating, which was the reason I decided for this apartment, did not work ....
It took the landlords days to react at all (like, ... why would I need a place to put my things, or be able to cook, wash my clothes, etc., right ...), then they showed up in the early morning without warning with a cleaning lady.
Some basic help, but she undid a lot of my own disinfection efforts, by wiping over cleaned surfaces, etc. with a dirty rag from cleaning some insides of closets with mildew ...
The worst thing is though -- I don't even expect anymore anything done in time, and in a normal, efficient, good manner, and no hygiene expected anymore. Internet: no WLAN anymore, I an incompatible router, it took the guy 4 hours to find out the issue. He gave me an ethernet cable, until I had the correct router and GLUED IT TO THE WALLPAPER ... and I never got a reaction, answer, .. from the internet company, not even when going AGAIN to the shop in person.
Also, someone came to fix the heating after many days, .... - again, I didn't even expect much anymore. Otherwise I would have freaked out. Such arrogance, not-doing-any-work attitute, incredible.
Regarding professionals like real estate agents, I feel like prey. Nothing else. Never ever any factual answers, it's like fairy tales. And beware criticizing any facts. Or service.
I keep trying to find out what expats like about this country, or why they want to move here. Turns out, most have never lived her for longer. Spent vacation days here, and had contact with people like real estate agents and other highly paid service providers promising them stuff. Those who truly have lived here for longer and like it, live in their own bubble. For Americans, they love it that they get more for their money.
I miss most a genuine life, culture, and being integrated. I don't think it will ever happen, and I don't think I can ever get used to some sides of the arrogant, self centered society here - or to stray cats shitting on my terrace, or all the barking dogs and dog shit EVERYWHERE.
Smaller towns look like Eastern Germany before unification, it is like over 30 years back, shops like from 50 years ago, so many run down houses. I do wonder, how that all will develop in the coming decades, and if buying property now will be a good investment or not. But I don't think I want to hang around to find out.
And I can't deal with the climate, nor do I want to deal with the price for devices here for dealing with it. I can't find an ozone generator to deal with my mildew & mold issue and smell anywhere and amazon delivery not working at all. I can't find a simple washer for the sink anywhere to connect my mini dishwasher. Dehumidifiers are extremely expensive. Electricitiy, fuel, ... extremely expensive.
Everything at the ocean closed down.
I am more depressed than before moving. I honestly think that to be happy in Portugal, you 1. need a high income to afford what is "luxury" for Portugal (normal elsewhere), 2. be either in a city / closeby in a really nice area, like with fast access to Lisbon, and/or 3. have your own community and don't expect anything but an expat & tourist community. As in most cases, you will either be at a complete tourist place, or in a place with nomads and expats. I don't think anyone comes to live to have a low paid job here and live in a rental ghetto?? Some people seem to be happy living here with their family, and maybe find more connection to other families, but I don't recommend Portugal for a single woman.
I don't feel women are respected much, and I found some Portuguese women to be incredibly aggressive and hostile and 100 % unhelpful.
As a single woman who tried and wished to integrate with locals, -- I cannot recommend it. And I am sick of nomads and retired expats alike. I don't think it's for longterm living.
The person who commented on Portuguese people living off expats, and having 2nd villas and expensive cars - yes, totally. It is a weird 2 class society, very weird. There are super uneducated people, stunningly uneducated, and living in horrid surroundings, and there are educated professionals, ... and families with several houses or apartments, etc., not doing any work themselves, such as cleaning, car maintenance, etc. -- I am not sure how that works. But I didn't find more connection there either, but have indeed met them only in settings where they profit off me. Almost never in just social settings, and if, then either not accepted at all, or being preyed on again, this time as a woman for a one-night-stand. Never with respect for anything serious.
I am now back at a less foreigner-oriented place than the Lisbon area, and that also shows much in the food ... to me, it is just disgusting, as I don't like fish, nor other meat. Those cakes in small town Portugal -- ... something my mother made in the 70ies for children's birthday parties. I liked buying fresh organic produce where I lived before, here, it is not available. Restaurant service can be incredibly rude, arrogant, unclean, super slow, and I don't trust some places as a vegan, as had repeatedly ordered vegan dishes but got non-vegan things mixed in - and lied about them. Btw lying and excuses are so common, it it just sickening, also people saying "yes" when they didn't even try to listen at all.
Egoism at a very low level.
Oh yes, the extreme slowness... Recently, I had inquiry with German bureaucrats - I had my answer within two days, all that per email, no fees, they wanted to see only basic documents. Same task with with paid lawyers in Portugal, a lot of fees, back and forth questions, endless documents required, everything feels like rocket science, yet their slowness and lack of motivation is so irritating. It takes weeks.
Some people blame the lack of training, I think it is a country-wide cultural thing. Actually, the "white collar" like bankers, lawyers and real estate agents were the worst from my experience, and they are supposed to be educated. I mean they are in certain sense, but their business-attitude makes you want to never deal with them again.
I was considering buying real-estate in Portugal, but I decided to leave instead. I am a laid back person too, but Portugal has definitely too much of it, to the level where nothing works, and nobody takes the responsibility for anything. I think the Portugal might be ok to live when you do all your paperwork somewhere else, and all your work is PT unrelated.
Seneca, please stay in Texas. You’re not wanted in Portugal. You are the kind of person the growing number of American expats are moving to get away from.
Thanks Rick your description of expat life in Portugal could not be better! As a German who has lived 15 years in London and 3years in Italy, I agree that Portugal is probably the worst people experience. Imagine where this country would stand without the excessive funds they get from the grear EU and build cycle paths to nowhere or outsized office buildings for incompetent local authorities!
Hey Folks, all great insights. I plan to relocate from India to Porto for work purposes, with my spouse and kid. Looking to work for a year or two to gain some foreign exposure. In all, would you advise me to really refrain from moving to Porto, or it is still a good bet for a year or two, to live and work in one of the beautiful countries. Request your inputs, please.
Very egoist society, I agree, and superficially "friendly" with too many crooks in between the incompetent ones. Don't expect any help on the road. I always try to help them, send them stuff they want, but when I ask a tiniest favour that costs nothing to them, it's like oh no we can't do that.... and smile so helpless and "friendly" face. And if they don't like you they will spread false rumours about you, so you can't get any service or buy anything from them, which is their know PUNISHMENT MENTALITY. Portuguese claim they are PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE and are always SAD and ENVIOUS. And PUNISHING you for everything with their own ways. But hey, there are some nice people, just don't ask them any favours.
Here's another point why Portugal will never become a wealthy and a fully developed country:
I have a yard tractor and parts are very hard to find for it. I inquired the local agricultural suppliers to order parts for me. They responded with available parts listing and prices. The problem is their prices are sky high, but availability of parts if laughable. For example: they have screws available (at a cost of €15 per screw) of the lawnmower deck but not the blades. Then they have another kind of washers, but not screws and then finally they have the part but not support for it. What is the use of those parts then?
Then another example: I was looking for specific long roofing screws. The local hardware store told me they don't have them, and they can not order them for me and they added that they are sure that the entire country of Portugal do not have these screws available. Then how come everybody are suing them for their roofs? Oh and they say they do not order anything from Spain. What happened next I went to the hardware store in the next street and they had all the screws available for me.
I can write a book on these kind of stories.
This kind of CAN NOT DO mentality will never make this country a winner for its own people, but only a sad loser and a tourist infested place at best.