The American exodus to Portugal is real. From retirees seeking a peaceful European lifestyle to young professionals escaping sky-high costs in San Francisco and New York, more Americans than ever are trading the Star-Spangled Banner for a new life across the ocean.

And it’s not hard to see why. While political tensions simmer back home and mass shootings dominate headlines, Portugal consistently ranks as one of the world’s safest countries. Add in tax-funded healthcare, lower living costs, and those 300 days of sunshine, and Portugal starts looking like the European dream many Americans are searching for.

Plus, they have great visa options. There’s “the D7” (popular with retirees) and the “Digital Nomad Visa“, popular with remote workers, as well as the “Golden Visa,” which allows you to obtain residency in Portugal but only requires you to spend an average of 7 days per year here.

But before you start packing your bags and googling “how to say hello in Portuguese,” let’s break down what life is really like on both sides of the Atlantic. What’s better? What’s worse? And most importantly – is Portugal right for you?

Cost Of Living

A couple living comfortably in Portugal might spend $2,500-3,000 per month outside major cities. Try living on that in most US metropolitan areas and you’ll be clipping coupons and living with roommates. Even in smaller American cities, that budget would be tight.

The housing difference hits you like a breath of fresh air (or a punch to the gut, depending on which side of the ocean you’re on). Take Lisbon, Portugal’s most expensive city. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center will set you back about €1,200 ($1,300) per month. Now compare that to New York City, where you’d need to fork over around $4,000 for a comparable place – if you can find one.

But here’s where it gets really interesting: venture outside Lisbon to cities like Coimbra or Braga, and those housing costs can drop by 40-50%. Try finding a similar cost reduction by moving from New York to, say, New Jersey.

It’s not just the big expenses where you’ll notice the difference – it’s the daily stuff that really adds up:

Imagine going out for a nice dinner. In Portugal, you and your partner can enjoy a three-course meal at a good restaurant for about €35 ($39). That same dinner in the US? You’re looking at $70 or more – and that’s before you factor in the expected 20% tip (versus the optional and much smaller tips in Portugal).

Grocery shopping tells a similar story. Your cart in Portugal will typically cost 40% less than in the US, especially when it comes to fresh produce, wine, and local products. Did I mention a reasonable bottle of wine in Portugal can cost as little as €5?

Unfortunately, some things are more expensive in Portugal. Cars and gas, for example, are both more expensive. Overall, however, the cost of living in Portugal is generally lower.

Lifestyle

The US has mastered the art of the hustle. You wear your 60-hour workweeks like badges of honor and turn your hobbies into side-hustles. But Portugal? They’ve mastered something else entirely: the art of living.

Picture this: It’s 2 PM in Lisbon. Restaurants are still full of people lingering over lunch. Nobody’s apologizing to the server for “taking too long.” This isn’t laziness – it’s prioritizing what Portuguese people consider important: food, family, and conversation.

The American dream often feels like it comes with a mandatory 50+ hour workweek. In Portugal, work culture is dramatically different:

• Standard 40-hour workweeks (and they mean it)
• 22 paid vacation days (minimum by law)
• Extra month’s salary in summer and Christmas
• Actually unplugging during time off (no checking emails on the beach)

But here’s the catch for Americans: salaries are much lower in Portugal. This is why most Americans who successfully make the move either work remotely for US companies or bring retirement income.

Healthcare

Remember that moment of panic when you’re injured in the US, wondering if your insurance will cover this or how many thousands it’ll cost? That’s not really a thing in Portugal. Let’s break down how these two systems differ – and why healthcare is driving so many Americans to consider Portugal.

The US and Portugal represent two fundamentally different approaches to healthcare. The US treats healthcare as a product you buy; Portugal treats it as a basic right, like having access to police or firefighters.

The Portuguese Safety Net

Imagine breaking your leg in Portugal. Here’s how it plays out:

• Walk, hobble, or take a taxi into any public hospital
• Get treated
• Maybe pay a small fee (we’re talking euros, not hundreds or thousands)
• That’s it

No checking if you’re “in-network.” No surprise bills three months later. No GoFundMe campaigns to pay for treatment. The public system (SNS) has you covered, whether it’s a sprained ankle or cancer treatment.

Now, the one downside is that the public health system does have a backlog. If you go to urgencias (the E.R.) you will be on a triage system and unless your condition is life-threatening, you’ll have to wait your turn. If you visit your family doctor and have a specialist need (e.g. a dermatologist) you may wait several months to be referred.

The latter is why many expats and Portuguese also take out private health insurance.

Going Private in Portugal

Many Portuguese residents use a mix of public and private care. Think of it as having a robust safety net (public) with the option to fast-track when needed (private).

Example private healthcare costs in Portugal:

• Insurance: €40-100 per month
• Specialist visit: €80-100
• Basic blood work: €50-100
• Annual checkup: €80-100

Here’s the reality: if you’re wealthy and have excellent insurance in the US, you might find Portuguese healthcare frustrating. You’ll have fewer choices and might wait longer for non-emergency procedures.

But for most people? Portugal’s system offers something priceless: peace of mind. No more avoiding doctor visits because of cost. No more choosing between medication and rent. No more medical debt.

Safety

Portugal ranks as the seventh safest country in the world according to The Global Peace Index in 2024. The United States? It comes in at number 132. That’s not a typo.

To put this in perspective, the homicide rate tells an even starker story:

Portugal’s homicide rate is approximately 0.8 per 100,000 people. In contrast, the United States has a homicide rate of 6.38 per 100,000 people. This means the homicide rate in the United States is about 8 times higher than in Portugal. Let that sink in for a moment.

But statistics are one thing – daily life is another. Here’s what safety in Portugal means in practical terms:

• Kids playing unsupervised in neighborhood parks
• Women walking alone at night
• Using public transportation at any hour
• No active shooter drills in schools
• Police who rarely use their guns

Of course, no place is perfect. Ideally, it’s better not to walk alone at night and you probably shouldn’t leave your kids unsupervised – anywhere. But the level of safety, and the feeling of safety, is con

Taxes

For many Americans considering Portugal, taxes come with a big question mark – and often, unnecessary fear. Many, for example, think they’ll be taxed twice but thanks to double taxation agreements, this isn’t likely to be the case.

And yes, Europe has a reputation for high taxes, but the reality is more nuanced than you might think. Let’s break down what you really need to know about trading the IRS for Finanças.

Here’s something that might surprise you: while Portuguese tax rates can look scary on paper (up to 48% for high earners), what you actually pay – and what you get for those taxes – tells a different story.

In the US, you’re paying:

• Federal income tax
• State tax (in most states)
• Social Security
• Medicare
• Private health insurance
• And still paying out of pocket for many services

In all honesty, there’s a good chance this could still end up less than Portuguese taxes but maybe only slightly just.

In Portugal, while there are a mixture of taxes, income taxes (and, if you’re working, social security) tell most of the story. There’s no additional state or federal taxes and no private health insurance costs, unless you choose to take out insurance.

The best thing you can possibly do is to speak to an account to work out what your tax liability would be by living in Portugal.

Jobs

If you’re planning to move to Portugal to find a job locally, you might want to rethink your strategy. There’s a reason most Americans who move to Portugal bring their income with them – whether that’s through remote work, pensions, investments, or Social Security benefits.

The numbers tell a sobering story:

• Minimum wage (2025): €870 per month
• Average salary: Around €1,200-1,500 per month
• Senior professional roles: €2,000-3,500 per month
• Tech jobs in Lisbon: €25,000-45,000 annually

Compare this to the US, where even entry-level tech jobs often start at $60,000-80,000, and you’ll understand why Portuguese professionals often look abroad for opportunities.

The Local Job Market Reality

If you’re determined to work in Portugal, here’s what you’re facing:

Common Challenges:

• Low salaries compared to US standards
• Limited opportunities for advancement
• Language barrier (Portuguese usually required)
• Preference for hiring EU/Portuguese citizens rather than sponsoring visas

Common Options for Foreigners:

• Call centers (especially if you speak multiple languages)
• Tourism industry roles
• Teaching English
• International companies
• Tech startups (though salaries are still lower than US)

Remember: Portugal’s appeal isn’t about career advancement or making more money. It’s about quality of life, safety, healthcare, and a more balanced lifestyle. Just make sure you know that before making the leap.

Cultural Differences

Moving from the US to Portugal isn’t just about changing your address – it’s about stepping into a fundamentally different way of seeing and moving through the world. Let’s explore these differences, and why understanding them is crucial for a successful transition.

The Pace of Life

This difference in pace is perhaps the biggest cultural shock for many Americans. In the US, time is money – every minute needs to be productive, every delay is a crisis, every wait is an offense to efficiency.

In Portugal? Time flows differently. That AIMA appointment might take months (or years) to schedule. The builder might say “next week” and show up next month (or the next, or the next). Entire businesses shut down for August holidays. And while this can drive Americans crazy at first, there’s a profound lesson here: life doesn’t always need to run at breakneck speed.

The Portuguese don’t see this slower pace as a problem to be fixed – it’s just life. This acceptance represents a fundamental difference in worldview that takes many Americans months or even years to understand.

Family First, Second, and Third

In America, politicians talk about family values. In Portugal, they live them. Portuguese social life often revolves around an extended family network that would surprise many Americans. Sunday lunch isn’t just a meal – it’s a weekly institution. Those “friends” you see someone hanging out with? Often they’re cousins, neighbors from childhood, or family friends so close they might as well be relatives.

This can make it challenging for foreigners to break into social circles. While Americans are masters of the quick friendship – striking up conversations with strangers and making plans on the spot – Portuguese people tend to have deeper, more established social networks that take time to penetrate.

The Coffee Culture Contrast

Nothing illustrates the cultural difference better than coffee culture. Americans grab their grande lattes to go, multitasking as they power walk to our next meeting.

In Portugal? Coffee isn’t fuel – it’s a ritual. People actually sit down at a café, order their tiny espresso (bica in Lisbon, cimbalino in Porto), and take a moment to just… be. The idea of walking around with a coffee cup would seem as strange to many Portuguese as sitting down for every coffee break might seem to Americans.

The Optimism Gap

Americans are famous for their “can-do” attitude and relentless optimism. Everything is “awesome,” everyone is a potential friend, and every problem has a solution if you just work hard enough. The Portuguese perspective is more… complex.

While Americans look forward, the Portuguese have mastered the art of finding beauty in melancholy. It’s not pessimism exactly; it’s a more nuanced view of life that acknowledges both joy and sadness as essential parts of the human experience.

Time is Relative

In America, “the meeting starts at 2” means everyone is seated and ready at 1:55. In Portugal, showing up 20 minutes late isn’t really late – it’s just Portuguese time. This isn’t about disrespect; it’s about a different relationship with time itself.

This extends to business culture too. That urgent email you sent? It might get answered tomorrow, next week, or never. For Americans used to instant responses and constant connectivity, this can feel like professional negligence. For the Portuguese, it’s about maintaining boundaries and recognizing that not everything needs to be urgent.

Transportation

One of the most common assumptions about moving to Portugal is that you can ditch your car and rely on public transport. The reality? It’s complicated. Let’s break down the transportation reality in Portugal versus the US, and what it means for your daily life.

The American Reality

In the US, the answer is simple: unless you live in New York, Chicago, or a handful of other major cities, you need a car. American cities and suburbs are built around car ownership – from giant parking lots to drive-through everything.

In Lisbon and Porto, you genuinely can live without a car.

• Comprehensive metro systems
• Reliable bus networks
• Trams (both historic and modern)
• Trains to nearby towns
• Affordable taxis and ride-sharing
• Walkable neighborhoods

Want to spend your Saturday at the beach? Hop on a train to Cascais. Heading to a different city? It’s all doable.

Step outside these urban centers, and the picture changes dramatically. Sure, there’s public transportation – but it might not be what you’re expecting:

• Buses that run three times a day
• Limited evening and weekend service
• Routes that take three times longer than driving
• Villages where the only bus goes to the nearest town once a day

So while you can technically live without a car in Portugal, whether you’ll want to is another story. Even in the cities, a car can dramatically improve your quality of life: