The pros and cons of living in Portugal: sun, ocean and “saudade” for every day

The decision to move to another country is rarely taken impulsively. More often, after a series of logical “ifs” and practical “whys”. Whether it is worth moving to Portugal is a question that combines climate, taxes, citizenship and cost of living multiplied by personal ambitions. The answer is not in generalised ratings and tourist photos, but in numbers, systematicity and nuances, which are not shouted about in advertising brochures.

Quality of life and the cost of living

The cost of living in Portugal is characterised by moderation in basic expenses and unpredictability in additional costs. Lisbon and Porto lead the way in terms of prices: renting a flat in the centre starts at €1000 per month, lunch in a café at €10, and a bus pass at €40. In rural areas the figures are almost halved.

Moving to Portugal often starts with a look at the cost of living – a key factor for families and freelancers. The budget for one person with modest consumption is from €800 per month, including rent in the suburbs, food, transport and mobile phones. An extra €300-500 for comfort.

Law and order: what gives you a residence permit in Portugal

The Portuguese residence permit programme opens access to the labour market, education, medicine and movement within the EU. There are options through investment, contract, study or even passive income from remote activities. The most popular route is through a D7 visa: you just need to prove a monthly income of €820 (minimum), rent a home and open an account.

The residence permit is issued initially for 2 years, then extended. After 5 years, you can obtain a permanent residence permit or apply for citizenship, provided you pass a basic language proficiency test. The procedure itself takes about 6 months with proper preparation.

Weather without winter and hot summers

Climate remains one of the most underrated factors in the question of whether it’s worth moving to Portugal. Unlike neighbouring Spain, it has mild winters (up to +15°C) and mild summers (average +28°C). The Atlantic Ocean mitigates temperature spikes and the level of sunshine is over 270 days per year.

This stability makes it possible to utilise the sun’s energy all year round, save on heating, get around on foot or by bicycle. In rural areas of the south, heating costs almost disappear – an important economic advantage.

Should you move to Portugal: the pros and cons from an expat’s point of view

Reviews of real people from different countries record high adaptation. Many note the friendliness of the locals, tolerance and unhurried pace of life. The country’s rating is consistently high, as well as the level of security – it is among the top 5 countries in the world.

However, the disadvantages of life in Portugal are also present. Slow service, bureaucracy, closed labour market for unskilled specialists are common complaints. Especially often – from young people without knowledge of Portuguese.

Immigration requires not only documents, but also resistance to mental restructuring. It is difficult to expect European service at the Latin American speed of work of institutions. For example: registration at the tax office sometimes takes a week if you have all the papers.

Work and taxes: who benefits

The IT sector, online services, tourism and agriculture are the main areas for expats to work in. The minimum salary in 2025 is €820. The average is €1400-1600, but only in major cities.

Taxes remain a hot topic. Residents are obliged to pay up to 48% income tax (on a progressive scale), but the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) programme allows you to optimise deductions for 10 years. It is especially favourable for pensioners and freelancers with income outside the country.

Business is actively developing: the small and medium segment receives subsidies and access to EU funds. Opening a company takes up to 3 days if you have an NIF and a local account.

Where to live: cities with character

The cities of Portugal are not alike. Lisbon is dynamic, Porto is traditional, Braga is religious and technological, Coimbra is the student capital, Faro is beachy.

Moving to Portugal to smaller cities can reduce housing costs by 30-40%, but limits access to work and medical centres. But quietness, safety and greenery are in abundance.

Health and education: expectations and reality

Health care in the country is public and private. Free basic care is available through the SNS number, but queues for specialists reach several weeks. Private clinics are faster, with the price of a visit starting at €60.

Education depends on language and age. Public schools accept free admission, but instruction is in Portuguese only. Private and international institutions require contributions from €400 to €1200 per month.

Expats are actively investing in their children’s education in international schools because of the flexibility of programmes and the possibility of transferring to European universities without language barriers.

What the numbers say: a final breakdown

The advantages of living in Portugal are obvious: access to the EU, climate, moderate spending, tax preferences, security. The country offers easy integration for freelancers, retirees, start-ups.

On the other hand, living in the country the pros and cons are unevenly distributed. Not everyone will get quick access to the labour market, not everywhere quality medicine is available. Moving without preparation is a risk.

Assessment by key parameters:

1. Cost of living: moderate, but varies by region.
2. Climate: mild, with minimum fluctuations.
3. Safety: high, especially in small towns.
4. Taxes: optimisation is possible.
5. Citizenship: after 5 years.
6. Education and medicine: high quality but nuanced.
7. Feedback: positive, subject to adaptation.

Whether it is worth moving to Portugal depends on your specific goals and willingness to change. The country offers a comfortable environment, but requires awareness when choosing a region, status and income model. A move with a clear strategy will have maximum effect.

Whether it is worth moving to Portugal: conclusions

Whether it is worth moving to Portugal depends on your goals and readiness for change. The country offers access to the EU, a mild climate and favourable living conditions, but requires adaptation and a clear strategy. The move is justified if you take into account not only the advantages, but also the hidden nuances: taxes, bureaucracy and peculiarities of local life.

A morning cup of coffee in Lisbon could be the start of your journey to a European passport – a document that opens visa-free entry to 191 countries and grants you the rights of a citizen of a stable southern European democracy. The question of how to obtain Portuguese citizenship in 2025 is no longer a secret for the chosen few, but a clear plan of action, where each method is detailed: grounds, deadlines, financial costs and requirements – all like a navigator.

Naturalisation: a journey through time and attachment

Residence without gaps is a basic prerequisite. From 2024, the six-year rule applies: an applicant who has lived in the country for this period legally becomes eligible to apply. How to obtain Portuguese citizenship through naturalisation is one of the most popular scenarios.

Requirements:

• legal residence under the Portuguese residence permit for at least 6 years;
• A2 level language skills (CAPLE certificate);
• no criminal record;
• Evidence of integration (taxes, housing, employment).

In 2023, more than 32,000 applicants passed through citizenship by naturalisation. Natives of Brazil, Angola and Ukraine dominate. Refusals are formed mainly due to errors in documents and fictitious integration. The IRN – Instituto dos Registos e Notariado – accepts applications.

How to obtain Portuguese citizenship through marriage

Citizenship through marriage is not automatic. Marriage grants the right to apply after 3 years of living together. The marriage must be registered in Portugal. From 2022, there are more frequent checks on the reality of the relationship: interviews, cohabitation, finances. The scenario works also for same-sex unions.

Filing takes place at the same IRN authority. How to obtain Portuguese citizenship through marriage – more often used by immigrants from countries with a Portuguese-speaking base (Brazil, Cape Verde). The decision is made within 12-18 months.

Investments: money decides, but does not exempt from mandatory steps

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship status through financial investment is not automatic. The Golden Visa programme grants a residence permit and opens the possibility for naturalisation on a general basis. From 2024, investments in real estate are no longer accepted. Investments are directed to venture capital funds, scientific research and cultural projects.

In order to obtain civil status, investments are required. For example, €500,000 in a venture capital fund registered in Portugal. €250,000 in cultural projects or €500,000 in research programmes.

The process of obtaining citizenship under this scheme requires a strategic approach. Physical presence in the country is not necessary – spending 7 days a year is enough. Without proper taxation and legalisation of assets, approval cannot be obtained.

By origin and birth: blood, earth, evidence

Birth on the territory of Portugal gives a child a chance for civil status if at least one parent has lived in the country for at least 1 year. The 2020 law has greatly simplified access for children of migrants. Children born abroad are also granted citizenship status by descent.

Confirmation of the fact of origin requires archival work. Church parish documents, consular records, notarial records are often used. How to obtain Portuguese citizenship in this case is not a quick task, but with a high probability of a positive decision.

Documents, costs and pitfalls

Each script is accompanied by its own set of papers, but each one is mandatory:

• valid passport and Portuguese passport if available;
• proof of income;
• certificate of absence of criminal record (with apostille);
• proof of legal residence;
• language certificate (in case of naturalisation).

The cost of filing is between €250 and €500, depending on the basis. Translation and notary costs are separate. Accompaniment through lawyers increases the budget by €1500-3000. Filing is possible online (via the Justiça portal) or at consulates.

Nationality and dual nationality

Dual citizenship in Portugal officially allows for dual citizenship without restrictions. The law does not require renunciation of the original passport. But not all countries recognise this approach. Russia, India and China are frequent examples of conflicts of jurisdiction. The applicant has to take into account the legislation of both countries: declare the fact of second citizenship, pay taxes, take into account military duty.

How to obtain Portuguese citizenship, keeping the previous one, is a standard practice in the EU. Most migrants keep their first passport. In the country it does not affect the legal status or participation in elections.

What is checked before documents are issued

Before granting Portuguese citizenship, the authorised authorities examine the applicant’s file. The main emphasis is on the continuity of residence and the legality of income. At the slightest breach of residency or tax transparency, the application is suspended. As of 2023, IRN has strengthened the verification of sources of funds. Special attention is paid to:

• no sham marriages;
• visa compliance;
• to pay your taxes on time;
• continuity of residence (breaks of more than 6 months without valid reasons block the procedure).

How to get Portuguese citizenship without rejection of the application means passing the test without any white spots in the dossier.

Portugal passport: opportunities without borders

The Portuguese citizen document opens entry to 191 countries. For example: USA, Japan, Canada and the UK without a visa. Gives full access to free movement, work, education and health care in EU countries. In the Henley & Partners 2025 world ranking, the Portuguese passport was ranked as the 4th most visa-free destination.

Obtaining a Portuguese passport is the final stage of the procedure. IRN issues the document once the decision to grant citizenship has been made. The normal waiting period is up to 6 weeks. Filing is done at SEF authorities or consulates.

Figures and statistics: who and how gets a Portuguese passport

According to the Ministry of Justice, 64,040 people will be granted Portuguese citizenship in 2024. The top five countries are Brazil, India, Ukraine, Cape Verde and Angola. The number of applications from Asians and Middle Easterners has increased – especially among investors and professionals.

How to get Portuguese citizenship faster? Applicants with a connection to CPLP (Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking Countries) use it most often. For them, a simplified regime is applied, which excludes language skills and gives priority in consideration.

How to obtain Portuguese citizenship: conclusions

It is possible to obtain a passport as a Portuguese citizen in 2025 if you follow the rules and act without mistakes. The country offers several ways: through naturalisation, marriage, investment or descent. The main thing is to prove legal residence, integration and clean dossier.

Most refusals are due to formalities: incomplete package of documents, violation of deadlines, dubious income. Those who prepare in advance and act competently get the desired visa without delays.