Portugal: the Best Place to Retire

Portugal is the best place to retire in the world, according to the Expatra Global Retirement Index 2023. The recently released survey shows that Portugal is becoming a more popular retirement destination due to its great balance between quality of life and cost. “If you want everything considered necessary for a long and happy retirement, and for a moderate price, Portugal is the right choice!”

Furthermore, Expatra’s survey states that “Portugal offers the best balance between quality of life and how much it costs. It’s been a well-known secret for some time now, but the popularity of Portugal as a retirement destination is growing faster than ever”. 

Retirees can, indeed, enjoy a relaxing and unhurried life in Portugal, which has over 300 sunny days per year, warm summers, and mild winters. Whether someone prefers a cosmopolitan city or a secluded town with beautiful natural surroundings, Portugal offers both. Lisbon offers a vibrant culture, while Algarve provides a laid-back lifestyle. Portugal has something to offer for everyone looking to make it their home.

Portugal has a rich cultural heritage that includes iconic architecture, art, and music. The country also boasts beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, and delicious, affordable cuisine, including seafood and meat dishes. In Portugal, everyday expenses, such as rent and groceries, are also affordable.

Portuguese are kind, compassionate and rules-oriented. They are always ready to help if you need assistance. Additionally, Portugal is considered one of the safest countries to live in. The local crime rate is very low which means you can comfortably explore the cobblestoned streets or take a peaceful stroll in the morning to buy your newspaper. Although you do not necessarily need to learn the Portuguese language to live in Portugal, it can help you better understand the culture and the kind-hearted locals.

Portugal has several excellent residency permit options  designed to make immigration fairly captivating for retirees, the well-known D7 Visa as being the most popular and after 5 years of being a legal permanent resident, you may be eligible for citizenship in the country, as part of Portugal residency programme. The country is also ranked highly in world health statistics thanks in part to its good public healthcare system. Private health insurance is also available and can range from €40 to €100 per month depending on factors such as age and pre-existing conditions.

Portugal is a captivating option for those looking to relocate, especially retirees. The country offers stunning cobblestoned streets, pastel-painted buildings, blue skies, sunny weather, delicious food, beautiful landscapes, and affordably priced wine. Additionally, Portugal provides accessible residency options, attractive destinations, affordable cost of living, a fast pathway to citizenship, and highly advantageous tax regime, such as the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) all of which make it an appealing retirement destination.

The Expatra team annually evaluates the 50 most popular countries for international retirement based on criteria including quality of life, cost, and attractiveness. Factors considered are infrastructure, life expectancy, safety, property prices, healthcare costs, cost of living, taxes, income requirements, weather, climate, cultural appeal, and popularity in Google searches. The primary data source is the Expatra Global Retirement Survey, where international retirees rate their destination's infrastructure, climate, ease of settling down, value for money, and friendliness.