Perhaps you are thinking of moving to Portugal to live and work, or to enjoy your retirement in the sunshine. Whilst an unquestioning observance of social and religious customs plays an important role in daily life, the Portuguese know how to let their hair down. If you are planning a trip to Portugal or to...

Portuguese mortgages follow different rules to those you may be used to in the UK or in the US. Here Mortgage Direct, a leading mortgage broker in Portugal, provide answers to the frequently asked questions from expats looking to take out a Portuguese mortgage. Written for Expat Network by Mortgage Direct ...

Portuguese estate agents must be licensed and qualified, so ask to see their INCI certificate and AMI licence. With typical agent fees of more than 5%, private sales are common – look out for boards saying vende-se or para venda. By Christopher Nye Among Portugal’s largest online property portals are casa.sapo.pt and imovirtual.com, or a...

Whatever reason you have for taking the plunge and moving abroad, there’s a lot of planning that goes into it. One of the most important things you should arrange before you make the big move is where you are going to live. But, how does renting accommodation in Portugal compare to your home country? Written...

Now the UK has left the EU, work permits in Spain are more difficult to obtain and if you plan to retire to Spain you have to get a visa and demonstrate that you can financially support yourself. These more onerous requirements have ended the dreams of those who had planned to move or retire...

Portugal is divided into seven provinces or regions with the enchanting city of Porto and a craggy landscape of montanhas e serras in the frequently chilly north, and the balmy coastline of the Algarve in the south. Whilst the Algarve is possibly the best known region in Portugal, there is much else to explore and...

Portugal is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most visited countries, thanks mainly to its affordability, ideal holiday weather, and unique attractions. Located on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal’s geography differs from green farmlands and ancient towns to gorgeous vineyards and mountains in the north to the Algarve’s sensational beaches in the south. Portugal’s...

Portuguese customs require that the owner of goods be present in Portugal before your the shipment arrives for inspection, and that the shipment arrive no later than 90 days from the date of the owner’s arrival. All household effects and furniture belonging to those relocating to Portugal are admitted duty-free, if proof can be presented...

Portugal has traditionally been seen as enjoying a low cost of living – a compelling reason for retiring there. But low prices do not apply across the board, and the reality is that – apart from in certain key sectors – Portugal is not a particularly cheap country to live in any more. In common...

Access to the Portuguese health system is based on residence. Everyone who’s registered as a resident can also register to access the Portuguese national health service (SNS) on the same basis as a Portuguese citizen. This is the same if you’re employed, self-employed or not working. Here we outline how expats can access healthcare in...

Most travellers will choose to fly direct to one of the country’s three major international airports: Lisbon, Porto and Faro. When planning to buy or sell property in Portugal, proximity to one of these can adversely or favourably affect the price. Any location within an hour’s drive is usually an acceptable distance – beyond that,...

When taking a pet from an EU country or from non-EU countries into Portugal the EU rules apply. This requires vaccination against rabies to be documented in the pet passport or the animal health certificate. This is the sole requirement for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel across EU borders, with certain exceptions. Pets...