Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Retiring in Portugal

9 replies

Portugaliving · 14/03/2024 09:09

Hi. DH & I are thinking about retiring in Portugal; we are considering buying a property to move in a few years time and would be grateful for advice from people who live there and have experience of the process. What things should we be aware of and consider?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 09:10

Bom dia!! I've lived here for 17 years (to the week!) so ask away 😀

Portugaliving · 14/03/2024 09:33

Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 09:10

Bom dia!! I've lived here for 17 years (to the week!) so ask away 😀

Thank you. Are you happy living there? Is the process for buying property complicated? What things you like and dislike the most of living there? Did you settle in quickly?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 10:22

Yes, very happy.

Pros;

The people are lovely - gentle, honest, friendly and always looking for ways to help. If you pick an expensive item they will point out the cheaper option!

The weather. Yes, it can be horribly hot in summer but the climate is mainly temperate and there are distinct seasons.

It's a small country so easy to get around - the motorway network is a joy to drive (or was before they started introducing average speed cameras, the spoilsports!!)

Property outside the tourist/expat areas of the Algarve and the Lisbon/Cascais regions is very affordable.

Cons;

Cars are eye-wateringly expensive. Some cost more than a modest house! They do hold their value however and as long as you maintain them will last forever - I have a 1999 Land Rover and a 2001 Audi A3, both going strong.

Bureaucracy. Everything takes a tree's worth of forms and many hours sitting in grey municipal offices. Always keep a Kindle in your bag, you'll need it. I have perfected smiling and looking perplexed simultaneously which seems to elicit sympathy and results!

The food. Good quality and often locally sourced but haute cuisine it ain't.

It's been a while since I bought a house but the main advice is not to believe a word the estate agent says but to check the planning, etc directly with the local Camâra. Always be prepared to haggle and also to walk away if you are the slightest bit unsure.

Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 10:31

I'm assuming you have European passports?

HomeCountyHome · 14/03/2024 10:54

Can you speak Portuguese?

Portugaliving · 14/03/2024 13:46

Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 10:22

Yes, very happy.

Pros;

The people are lovely - gentle, honest, friendly and always looking for ways to help. If you pick an expensive item they will point out the cheaper option!

The weather. Yes, it can be horribly hot in summer but the climate is mainly temperate and there are distinct seasons.

It's a small country so easy to get around - the motorway network is a joy to drive (or was before they started introducing average speed cameras, the spoilsports!!)

Property outside the tourist/expat areas of the Algarve and the Lisbon/Cascais regions is very affordable.

Cons;

Cars are eye-wateringly expensive. Some cost more than a modest house! They do hold their value however and as long as you maintain them will last forever - I have a 1999 Land Rover and a 2001 Audi A3, both going strong.

Bureaucracy. Everything takes a tree's worth of forms and many hours sitting in grey municipal offices. Always keep a Kindle in your bag, you'll need it. I have perfected smiling and looking perplexed simultaneously which seems to elicit sympathy and results!

The food. Good quality and often locally sourced but haute cuisine it ain't.

It's been a while since I bought a house but the main advice is not to believe a word the estate agent says but to check the planning, etc directly with the local Camâra. Always be prepared to haggle and also to walk away if you are the slightest bit unsure.

Thank you. Sounds great apart from the bureaucracy but no where is perfect

We have an EU passport and are learning Portuguese.

OP posts:
Portugaliving · 14/03/2024 13:48

Can you bring a car from another country?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 14/03/2024 14:07

Portugaliving · 14/03/2024 13:48

Can you bring a car from another country?

Yes but there are strict rules about how long you’ve owned it if you want to avoid hefty import tax. Obviously a RHD car here isn’t ideal also. There’s a great FB group called Immigrants in Portugal which has masses of useful information.

Portugaliving · 28/03/2024 07:47

Thank you; will join the facebook group

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page