Things to know before moving to Portugal

Portugal: more accessible than it seems for moving to Portugal

According to the latest official data, with a population of Portugal of just over 10 million people, it is home to about 500,000 foreign residents. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement almost around the world, Portugal continues to be one of the most popular destinations for emigration, and according to many forecasts, the number of visitors will only increase. However, when thinking about moving to this amazingly beautiful country, it should be borne in mind that it is not only oceanic beaches under the sun.

Thankfully, nowadays, there are plenty of companies that help foreigners eager to move to Portugal” such as threemovers.com.

Moreover, it is even possible to get e-residency Portugal with ease! But before you do it, make sure you know enough about this country. We are here to inform you, so keep reading.

Top 8 things to know before moving

Portugal is a rich country in terms of beautiful places to visit: breathtaking scenery, pristine coastline, nature reserves, and cities steeped in history. In addition, traveling around the country is usually quite inexpensive.

Suppose you love discovering ancient cities and monuments. In that case, Porto and Lisbon are sure to delight you: the famous Belém tower, the amazing Livraria Lello bookstore, and Saint Jorge Castle are wonderful places to visit. If you are an adventurous person who prefers to be in nature, you will be spoiled for choice.

We recommend you spend your holidays in the Azores: they are part of the Portuguese territory located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and we guarantee that once you arrive there, you will not want to leave.

And finally, if you are a person who loves a beach holiday, then you have just landed in heaven on earth! Portuguese beaches are a real miracle and one of the favorite places for surfers from all over the world. But being aware of the country’s beauty is definitely not enough to move there.

Here are the top 8 most important things you should understand before obtaining e-residence and moving to Portugal.

1. First of all, it is necessary to understand that Portugal is not Spain, despite some similarities in appearance, mentality, and language. The difference lies in landscapes, gastronomy, and cultural traditions. In addition, while separatist sentiments are strong in Spain (especially in the Basque Country and Catalonia), the Portuguese seem to be a single nation, and the political situation has been stable for a long period of time.
2. Despite the fact that most Portuguese understand Spanish and speak English to varying degrees, it would be nice to learn at least the basics of Portuguese before arriving in the country. This knowledge will help not only to buy real estate in Portugal but also at the household level, which will be appreciated by local residents. They treat foreigners friendly, without demonstrating their superiority; they are simple and calm in communication.
3. It is generally believed that Portugal is a country with much more affordable prices for food and essential goods than many EU states. This is true in relation to the hinterland, while in Lisbon and in the Algarve resorts, everything is much more expensive. On average, 1500 euros per month will be enough for a comfortable stay.
4. Many foreigners (especially British citizens) prefer the Algarve region in the south of the country for permanent residence, but suitable places can also be found on the Silver Coast – from Cape Cabo da Roca to Figueira da Foz. Special attention is recommended to Madeira and the Azores, where local authorities meet foreign investors on a number of issues.
5. Unlike the Algarve mentioned above, where the average annual temperature is 18°C, and in summer sometimes exceeds 40°C, the climate is not so hot in the center and north of the country. Moreover, rain is very commonplace here, and in winter, the thermometer can sometimes fall below zero.
6. Those moving to Portugal for permanent residence need to be ready to draw up a lot of papers and go to various institutions – for example, to receive a national health service card, get NIF, and so on. This is one of those cases where knowledge of Portuguese should definitely contribute to a successful solution to the problem and cost savings.
7. Opening an account with a Portuguese bank is quite simple; even non-residents can do it, although the process is noticeably simplified for residence permit holders in Portugal. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that many banks charge a high service fee if a certain amount is not received monthly or any other conditions are not met.
8. Portugal is a real paradise for gourmets and lovers of outdoor activities. At the same time, representatives of all age categories and social groups will easily find an occupation to their liking. As for gastronomy, a distinctive feature of Portuguese cuisine is the abundance of fish and seafood dishes, although meat (mainly pork) and sausages are also widespread.

All in all, moving to Portugal is easy now! Getting all the documents ready may seem a problem, but with the help of professional assistants , it won’t be problematic at all.