Portugal has long been a top choice for workers and businessmen looking to live in mainland Europe. Its economic issues notwithstanding, it’s a great place to live—it’s got beaches, historic sites, great food, and a lively culture. But it’s one thing to visit and another to pack up and settle down—and a surprising number of expats seem to miss the difference.
The first hurdle is the web of technicalities involved in becoming a resident. If you’re from Europe, you have to take your passport to Portugal’s immigration office, the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), and sign a statement that you are working and studying in the country. You will also need to show bank statements, or some other proof that you can support yourself while living there. It sounds simple, but there are other intricacies—you may have to send in documents from your home country, have papers translated into Portuguese, and in extreme cases hire a private lawyer to speed things up.
Once you’re past this process, you are usually given a five-year residency permit, which you can later trade for permanent residency. You then have to tackle Portugal living: learning the language, the culture, the traffic, and the public transport. Most experts strongly recommend learning Portuguese, or at least enough of it to make basic transactions. While you can survive on just English, your social and professional opportunities will expand tenfold if you can communicate to locals. This is true even in tourist hotspots where most people are bilingual—and besides, you won’t be a tourist this time.
You also have to take the cost of living into account. While there are a few price differences, some things more than make up for it. Expats point to income tax, social security, fuel, and rent as the biggest expenses in Portugal living. These things have stayed high when economics dictates that they should have dropped, like incomes have. Shopping around is essential, as prices can vary by several euros within a block.
Finally, think of the lifestyle you will want to lead in Portugal. In the first few months, you may have to get used to a smaller space or fewer shopping trips; it’s not a Third World country where a British salary will buy you a mansion. Focus on learning the culture and making friends with locals, rather than material goods. Before you know it, you’ll be living like anyone else and feeling right at home!