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Moving To Portugal – What You Need To Know

Portugal Discovery Tours 2022

Enjoy a tailored tour with someone who knows the area inside out to help you decide the right location for you, who can assist you in planning your move and answer your questions.

Buying Property In Portugal

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…

Everything You Should Know About Renting In Portugal

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…

Financing your Portuguese home: the ABC of Home Loans in Portugal

In this article we look at some of the key factors involved in financing a property purchase in Portugal. If you are thinking about moving to Portugal and buying a property there, you should be aware that there are some specific conditions that you should meet to be able to get a home loan by…

Pent Up’ British Demand For European Property Could Lead To Record Transactions In 2024

Kyero, the UK-based international property portal, has outlined the potential for record European property transactions in 2024 as the company described ‘pent up British demand’ for European property as buyers await a possible relaxation in the post-Brexit 90/180 day residency limits. In an analysis of one of the largest data sets in the industry (consisting…

Can Brits Still Afford To Move Or Retire To The Sun?

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 Retirement: An Affordable European Life

Known for its sunny beaches, food and wine, and relatively affordable cost of living, Portugal is a popular European destination. Recently named the top place to retire by International Living. It’s easy to see why people are relocating to retire in Portugal. The country has a warm, Mediterranean climate and sees an average of 300 days…

Financial Planning When Retiring Abroad

When retiring to Europe what are the options for funding the move, how do you arrange to receive your state pension and transfer your private pension(s) while abroad. What are the financial issues that need to be considered before you make the move? Jason Porter of Blevins Franks takes you through the key financial issues…

Common Mistakes People Make When Purchasing Property Abroad – And How To Avoid Them

Prospective expats and holiday home buyers have been offered expert tips and advice to prevent them from making easily avoidable mistakes during the property buying process. From planning viewing trips in the height of summer to ignoring each country’s basic legal requirements, overseas property experts at YourOverseasHome.com have issued advice to highlight eight of the most…

Things To Consider Before Making The Move To Portugal

Portugal is becoming a popular destination for retirees and digital nomads. ExpatNetwork spoke with Kathleen Lo, co-founder of Bordr, who support people moving to Portugal, about her experience moving to Portugal from the US as a location-independent entrepreneur. Why did you decide to move to Portugal? My husband and I had…

The Portuguese Way Of Life – What To Expect

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. Evening meals start and end earlier than in neighbouring Spain,…

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.