Things to consider before moving to Portugal
Moving to Portugal is not an easy decision. Most people choose to move to a new country to get better jobs, better schools, and a greater variety of recreational places. Thousands of expats from the UK move to this country every year for different reasons. Some of them are looking for a quiet lifestyle, while others want to start everything from scratch and explore this new culture. Portugal is a popular destination for those who want to retire abroad. This European country is a great competitor for other favorite expat destinations such as France or Spain.
Make sure you consider everything you have to do well in advance. Determine your budget for the relocation process. Ask yourself some questions. Have you ever been to Portugal? Do you speak Portuguese or any other Latin language such as French, Spanish, Italian or Catalan? Do you know someone who lives there? Do you know the economy of the country? Do you plan to live in Portugal for more than six months? Living in a foreign country is always going to be different than going on vacation there.
Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, so you can enjoy the warm weather throughout the year. Average temperatures will rarely drop into single digits. This is one of the warmest countries in Europe. Before you move to this country, you need to decide whether you want to buy or rent a property. The best places to buy a house in Portugal are Algarve, Azores and the Silver Coast. Algarve is also one of the most popular holiday destinations in the region, with spectacular landscapes and beautiful sea views. The main cities of the Algarve are Silves, Faro and Albufeira. You can rent or buy villas, country houses, rustic houses and apartments.
If you plan to live in Portugal for no more than three months, you will only need a valid identity document or passport. Moving house is complicated. You must change your address, open a bank account, and notify water, gas, and telephone companies of an address change. For food and drink, prices vary considerably from region to region and store to store. Expat life in Portugal offers a great cross-cultural exchange, from trying the country’s favorite dishes and learning how people celebrate national holidays, to exploring the countryside. Portugal boasts a fascinating cultural identity and stunning views of rare natural beauty.