Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Victor Queiroz
Although a country full of sunshine and beauty, moving to Portugal doesn’t make your life perfect all of a sudden. Expats love living here with all their hearts, but life still has its bumps from time to time. To know the 6 upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal, keep reading!
Every day I see thousands of expats in Portugal sharing their perfect lives on Social Media. People like to tell the tale of perfection that often surrounds Portugal. And I get it; Portugal really stands up for its reputation. But the world we see online is often untrue. Or better said, an improved version of reality.
So I wonder what happens when you get to Portugal and find out that this country doesn’t magically solve your problems? Won’t it ruin your expectations?
I’m here to tell you that, yes, life in Portugal can be marvelous. However, there is no such thing as a perfect place to live.
3 downsides of moving to Portugal
Just stick with us for a bit.
We know our country is an absolute stress reliever! That’s one reason why we have millions of tourists come in every year. Portugal really is one of the best vacation getaways you could come across.
But that still doesn’t mean it’ll solve your day-to-day problems. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to stay grounded in reality:
1. Portugal may be a different place, but it’s still real life
The country might be one of the most popular tourist destinations. But if you’re relocating to live here indefinitely, you’re most likely to work here too. Real life includes having a job, managing finances, and taking care of yourself and your family.
If you’re moving to Portugal to escape something, I sincerely advise you to rethink. Think about your life and what you’re trying to escape from. Is moving to Portugal really going to solve your problem? Or are you just trying to avoid facing it?
There’s an excellent internet connection in Portugal, so your problems may easily reach you here. Also, life here still has its everyday challenges. It’s a normal country with normal problems. Like we said, there are upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal.
Portugal is known for its bureaucracy, relocating isn’t always smooth, and people have a tendency to never be satisfied for very long.
There’s always something to love and to loathe about everything. You can either choose to be happy or not. At the end of the day, Portugal is what you make of it.
Everyday life is definitely a lot simpler here; Portuguese people aren’t complicated, and they’re full of positivity! The excellent quality of life, level of safety, and low cost of living do bring down your worries by quite a bit, but life can still have minor issues every now and then.
We’ll talk about all the ways Portugal is a blessing that you won’t find elsewhere, but let’s remember to have realistic expectations.
2. Your conscience travels to Portugal with you
Is there something you should or shouldn’t have said or done? Feeling guilty is not a great way to start a new life in Portugal or anywhere.
If you’re relocating from a country far away, perhaps Canada or Australia, an excellent opportunity to leave all your past troubles behind awaits you. As you are moving your entire world to a whole different country, it isn’t worth bringing your troubles with you.
Starting a new chapter of your life should always be done with a fresh mind. How you achieve that is completely up to you, but it can be done. And there’s nothing better than having a clear conscience and taking a stroll on the stunning Portuguese beaches.
Actually, because living in Portugal can be such a fantastic change in your life, you should do it right and for the right reasons.
- How much does it cost to live in Portugal? Check out our estimates from the article Cost Of Living In Portugal Versus The USA.
3. The honeymoon phase is fleeting
Things may seem perfect during your first months in Portugal. Just like in a new relationship, at first, you will be in love and blind to anything that might upset you. You will probably forget about your problems and think that I was wrong after all.
However, once this initial adaptation phase is through, reality will hit you, and you might even get homesick. Those problems you expected Portugal to solve for you are still there waiting for you.
You still need to get along with your family, pay the bills, be healthier, and make more money. And you can’t blame Portugal for not solving your problems; this is your life.
But, this isn’t a downside of moving to Portugal; you will just have to look at things from a more optimistic perspective. You know what they say about your surroundings influencing you, right? Portugal’s positivity does the same.
So when the honeymoon phase fleets, be ready to take up new challenges with a new mindset. It’s easier said than done, but there’s a lot to cherish when you’re living in the 6th safest country in the world!
3 ways Portugal can help you heal
Enough about the downsides; what about the upsides of moving to Portugal? What about those problems that don’t depend on your actions? What if what you need is a new and better place to live?
Couldn’t Portugal be the answer you’ve been looking for? After all, so many expats live in Portugal. There must be a reason for all this fuss, right?
You see, there are downsides to moving to Portugal, or anywhere for that matter, but living in Portugal can be a truly healing experience. At least, it was for me. Let’s dive into how it is different than most countries and exactly how Portugal can help you heal.
1. You will feel welcome in Portugal
Whatever the reason you decided to move to Portugal, you are not alone. We are more than 700,000 foreigners legally residing in Portugal in 2023, according to Pordata.
It’s easy to find your community even if you’re not residing in the main cities, and that is a massive upside of moving to Portugal. There are online groups like All About Portugal For Expats, with a community of over 10,600 people waiting to help you out.
And if you’re still unable to find people from your home country, there are numerous other nationalities, Portuguese included, that are waiting to welcome you like family.
It is common to greet expats and tourists with a smile followed by a warm hug. In fact, the Portuguese are some of the sweetest and kindest people you’ll come across.
Besides that, the Portuguese people are known for being one of the friendliest and most welcoming in Europe. It’s part of their culture to embrace visitors and make them feel at home.
Your neighbors might even offer you help or invite you to nice lunch after you move in. And when they do, be sure to welcome their invite with an open mind. Who knows, the bond could last longer than you’d expect.
Before you know it, you will really be at home in Portugal.
- Read Also: How To Move From The UK To Portugal.
2. The views will cheer you up any time
Never underestimate the power of a beautiful view! Sometimes I forget that living in Portugal is good. It’s normal; we get used to safety, the mild climate, the quality of life. We don’t even appreciate it enough.
However, one thing that always reminds me that moving to Portugal was worth it is going to look at the ocean. It can cheer me up in a matter of minutes!
I simply drive for 5 minutes and for a hike at the ridiculously beautiful cliffs of the Algarve‘s golden beaches. It takes my breath away every time.
Living here, seeing this view, and feeling the warm sun at any time of year is what makes me sure I made the right choice. This is when I realize how lucky I am.
It’s incredible what being close to nature and around good weather can do to you. Spending time on the stunning Portuguese coast is a mental-health booster like no other.
And the best part is that you won’t ever get bored of it. On days when you’d like to see something other than the Algarve’s beaches, you can explore the Silver Coast or maybe the Madeira Islands. It’s impossible to run out of views that light up your soul.
3. There is peace and space for thought
While many parts of the world live in times of war, tension, or even political instability, Portugal always seems to be in its own Zen state.
It’s like everyone prefers to work through conflict instead of spreading more of it. There are countries where people are known for complaining and arguing, rushing to work, and so on. Yet this is the 6th safest country in the world, for God’s sake!
Portugal’s own culture allows you to take a moment for yourself first. Work can wait, criminality is low, and you can be rested that nothing bad is likely to happen out of nowhere here.
It won’t solve your problems, but it isn’t probably going to bring you new ones. Life becomes a lot more peaceful when you don’t have to worry about your safety, well-being, and managing a work-life balance.
You’ll still have responsibilities, but none that will make you spiral out of control.
Why are expats moving to Portugal?
If the reasons above haven’t made up your mind yet, let’s get into some more details! We never get tired of telling people why Portugal is one of the best countries to live your life in.
Now that we’ve talked about the 6 upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal, let’s summarize why expats like you make this big move despite everything.
First up, the quality of life is unmatched to any other European country, specifically at the price point that Portugal offers it. Yes, there are countries with better salaries and low costs, but you’ll find that the work conditions are competitive, the weather conditions are extreme, or property prices are too high.
With policies like the New Visa For Digital Nomads or the NHR Tax Regime, foreigners are enticed to live in a country that looks out for them. Despite the upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal, there’s a lot that the country offers, and lots of those offerings have to do with convenience.
Likewise, expat families look for a place that can nurture their children and help them grow in an encouraging environment. International Schools are a catalyst for your child’s growing needs that helps them to adapt to the local culture but at their own pace.
Most importantly, whether it’s individuals or families, people feel safe in Portugal. Safety can manifest in many ways, and it brings along a level of comfort that people haven’t experienced before.
Moving to Portugal is an opportunity to start from scratch
An opportunity is an opportunity. Life can be whatever you make of it. Same with Portugal.
But the thing with Portugal is that you’re betting on something that will most likely succeed. There’s not that much room for trouble here.
Of course, you can still be miserable here. If you want to, you will be, no matter how sunny it is outside.
But you’re getting a new chance to make it work! A new chance for a new life that can be as amazing as you always wanted.
Despite the 6 upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal, it is a fantastic opportunity to start from scratch. So why not take this chance and make a valid change in your life?
I must warn you, it isn’t always easy to be an expat, and there are many things to do during the relocation process.
But I speak to you honestly when I say that even though Portugal isn’t a magical land where problems don’t exist, it is a place where happiness can be very well cultivated.
I hope you get to find in Portugal the answers you are looking for. Just remember to ask the right questions.
Also, if you’re really considering moving to Portugal, consider booking a consultation with our experts at Viv Europe. Not only will we be able to guide you on how to make your relocation possible, we can also make it incredibly easier for you and your family to live the life of your dreams.
