UK Overnight Stays In Portugal Up 39.5% In 10 Years

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UK Overnight Stays In Portugal Up 39.5% In 10 Years

Figures from Portugal’s national statistics institute (INE) reveal that the number of overnight stays by UK visitors in Portugal has increased by 39.5% in 10 years, from 7,095,996 in 2013 to 9,901,272 in 2023. The huge increase shows how comprehensively Portugal is now on the radar of many UK tourists, as well as those from elsewhere; the Iberian Peninsula country welcomed a record total of 18 million visitors in 2023.

But is it just UK holidaymakers who are flocking to Portugal? Figures from the Portuguese border and immigration authority (formerly known as SEF, now renamed AIMA) show that there were 16,471 UK citizens residing in Portugal in 2013. By 2022, that figure had nearly tripled, with 45,218 UK citizens now calling Portugal home.

The rapid increase in interest in Portugal is something that Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, has witnessed in her role over the past decade. She comments:

“As more UK visitors have discovered Portugal over the past decade, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand from those seeking to live and work in Portugal, as well as holidaymakers. This appetite is driving demand for properties up and down the country, particularly in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto and in the sun-blessed southern Algarve region. The attractive taxation and visa regimes in Portugal have certainly helped, with property buyers and entrepreneurs from the UK finding a range of routes to residency available to them.”

For those interested to make the move to Portugal, the free-to-attend Moving to Portugal Show, organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, is the ideal resource for finding out about the legal, tax and financial implications of doing so. Taking place at London’s Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel, from 10:30-19:30 on 14th March 2024, the show will feature seminars and presentations from expert speakers, covering all aspects of moving from the UK to Portugal. Free tickets are now available to book online.

For more information, please contact the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK: www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk or www.movingtoportugal.org.uk.

Moving Abroad Checklist

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.