Portugal consistently shows up on lists of the best places in the world to live and retire—we ourselves named it the World’s Top Retirement Haven for nearly a decade running.
There’s something for everyone in this diverse little country…
Whether it’s a beach life, a city apartment, or a house in the countryside, Portugal has lifestyle options for just about everyone.
Imagine spending your winter mornings walking ocean cliffs in the sunshine, while much of Europe shivers under gray skies…
And health care that’s excellent and affordable—even free…
Enjoying the safe streets, excellent food, welcoming locals, and a pace that reminds you there’s more to life than rushing…
Of course, Portugal isn’t perfect for everyone.
Some regions feel overrun, others still under the radar. Some places offer incredible value… others will surprise you with rising costs. And the visa, tax, and residency landscape has changed much and often over the last few years, making it a moving target.
Before you decide whether Portugal deserves a place on your shortlist, there are 10 things you need to know—including one factor that ends up mattering more than weather, beaches, or cost of living for most expats.
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Kat Kalashian,
Editor LIOS Confidential
Video Transcript
Intro
Portugal is one of the top places in the world to live, especially for retirees. What is it exactly about Portugal that makes it so tough to beat when you’re considering the options the whole globe over for reinventing your life?
It checks just about every box on the would-be expat list. Whether you are coming with a family, enjoying retirement, looking for a digital nomad location, or any other reason that you’d like to spend more time in Europe or overseas in general.
So, here are the top ten reasons that Portugal is hands down one of the best locations in the world to set up your new life overseas.
Great Weather
Number one, great weather, especially in the Algarve region, which is in the south. Now the entire country has a pretty temperate and mild four-season climate.
In the north, you might notice slightly chillier temperatures and more precipitation. In the south, things might get a little cooler, but there’s never really a true winter.
Even in the north, you wouldn’t call it a winter like you probably would back home, unless you’re from somewhere warmer.
The Algarve region specifically gets 3,300 or more hours of sunshine per year. That’s more than 300 days per year of sunshine.
It’s more sunny days than almost anywhere else in Europe. As a result, the Algarve has a long-standing reputation as a top summer destination among European travelers, sun-seekers, and retirees.
It’s also a top winter retreat for those looking to escape northern Europe’s coldest months, so you’ll definitely see an uptick in Europeans here over the winter months.
January and February might get cool enough that you’ll want a light jacket, though not necessarily a parka or heavy coat.
The best months are usually September and October, when the summer crowds have gone, but the weather and sea temperatures are still much warmer.
Safety
Number two: safety. Portugal ranks among the safest countries in the world nearly every year.
It’s always been in the top ten for as long as I’ve been looking at and traveling to this country. It might shift a couple of places from year to year, but in 2026 it was named the seventh safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index.
It’s recognized globally for its peaceful way of life. It’s also one of the top destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers and residents and is generally one of the more easygoing countries in Europe.
Good Infrastructure
Number three is good infrastructure.
Portugal and the Algarve have enjoyed important infrastructure investments in recent years, specifically involving the country’s highway network and airports.
As a result, this is a very easy place to get to, whether you’re coming from Europe or North America.
It’s also a great base for exploring the rest of Europe, Northern Africa, and even farther east if you’d like to travel.
International-Standard Health Care
Number four is international-standard health care, which is available for free to residents or at very low cost, even if you’re not a full-time resident.
As a result, medical tourism here is fantastic. It’s a growing industry, especially in the south, where people enjoy the sunny, warm weather after operations or procedures.
It’s becoming a destination for people seeking cosmetic procedures, hip replacements, and dental specialties.
That’s a great thing to know about health care in Portugal.
Golf
Number five: golf.
The Algarve region alone boasts more than 40 courses in less than 100 square miles and is recognized as a top golfing destination in continental Europe and around the world.
This is notable because golf isn’t especially popular throughout much of Europe, so it can sometimes be difficult to find courses.
It’s notable that this is a place where the average person can come down and enjoy gorgeous scenery while having a great game of golf.
Great Beaches
Number six: great beaches.
The Algarve’s 100 miles of Atlantic coastline are punctuated by jagged rock formations, lagoons, and extensive sandy beaches.
Many have been awarded coveted Blue Flag status, meaning they are very safe, accessible for people with disabilities, environmentally friendly, clean, and equipped with useful amenities.
The water off these shores is gorgeous. It is blue and dazzling, but it is also a little chilly. This is the Atlantic, not the Mediterranean.
It will generally be warmest in the Algarve and along the southern coast. The farther north you go, the cooler the water becomes.
The beaches are still gorgeous no matter where you are in the country, and you’re going to love the coastal views. However, you may not be tempted to spend as much time in the water if you’re in the north.
Most beaches have lifeguards during the summer season, and many have restaurants and snack bars, though these are usually only open seasonally.
Affordable Cost of Living
Number seven: the affordable cost of living.
Cost of living is, of course, one of the biggest concerns for many Americans, whether you’re planning for retirement or already retired and wondering how far your budget will stretch.
Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, averaging about 30% less than major countries such as France or Germany.
As a result, it can be very affordable to live here.
A couple could live modestly but comfortably on a budget of roughly €1,500 to €1,800 per month.
With a budget of €2,000 or more, you can enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle in the heart of the Old World.
Of course, budgets are highly personal. You can live as cheaply or as expensively as you choose almost anywhere in the world.
The local minimum wage is around €1,200 or less per month, so locals are able to live on that amount.
You simply need to tap into local knowledge and avoid some of the mistakes that foreigners sometimes make when it comes to overpaying.
English Is Widely Spoken
Number eight: English is widely spoken and spoken with a high level of fluency.
Living here, you can absolutely get by without learning Portuguese, though it’s always recommended that you make an effort.
Any effort is appreciated, especially in Portugal.
You may find yourself welcomed even more enthusiastically if you try speaking some Portuguese.
Locals are generally patient, helpful, and happy to work with you as you learn the language.
Healthy Living
Number nine is healthy living.
The Portuguese are the biggest fish eaters per capita in Europe, so fish is a major part of daily life.
Whether it’s on your plate, arriving from fishing boats, or displayed at one of the many seafood markets, fresh fish is available every day.
If you don’t enjoy fish, Portugal may not be the ideal destination because it appears on most menus.
The abundance of sunshine also means an abundance of fresh produce. Much of it is locally grown and available at low cost in local markets.
Food is often sourced from farms located just a few miles from nearby towns and cities.
Meanwhile, pollution rates are low, air quality is excellent, and towns, streets, and beaches are generally clean and litter-free.
It feels like one of the healthiest places to live in the world.
In many cities, it’s also possible to live without a car, which means more walking, more time outdoors, and a less sedentary lifestyle.
You’re walking to the market, the café, or the bakery instead of getting in your car every time you need something.
User-Friendly Residency Options
Number ten: user-friendly residency options.
Many places rank highly on lists of great destinations for retirement or overseas living, but actually obtaining residency can be extremely difficult.
Countries like New Zealand and Australia often rank highly, but obtaining a visa can require a substantial financial commitment.
Residency requirements may not be the most exciting part of moving abroad, but they’re among the most important things to understand.
In Portugal, the answer is generally yes—you can realistically obtain residency.
In many cases, all you need to do is prove that you earn a certain amount of income, and the threshold is relatively low compared with many other European countries.
The base income requirement can be as low as €1,200 per month.
If you can show €2,000 or more in monthly income, your chances of approval are significantly improved.
Applicants with lower incomes may face longer processing times or may not be approved if authorities determine they cannot adequately support themselves.
Many countries offer residency programs based on guaranteed income, but these often target retirees and include age restrictions.
Portugal does not impose the same kind of age-related barriers, making it accessible to a much broader group of applicants.
Those who meet the income requirements can typically obtain an initial temporary residency permit, which can later be renewed and eventually lead to permanent residency.
It remains one of the more accessible residency pathways in Europe and arguably one of the easiest in the world.
These are ten reasons why Portugal continues to rank near the top of the list for people considering a new life overseas.
