Why is Portugal considered the best country for expats seeking value for money?
Portugal has earned its reputation as the best country for expats seeking value for money thanks to its affordable cost of living, high quality of life, and welcoming atmosphere. Forbes magazine recently highlighted Portugal as the top destination for relocators, especially for individuals and families looking for a better lifestyle in Europe. With comfortable living expenses typically around €1,895 per month for a couple, you can experience everything this beautiful country has to offer without financial strain.
The Algarve region, in particular, is a gem—offering stunning landscapes, quaint towns, and fantastic amenities, making it an attractive choice for those moving from more expensive countries. Towns like Lagos, Vilamoura, and Tavira not only provide affordable housing options but also vibrant social scenes and a plethora of outdoor activities.
Portugal's strong expat community, coupled with various visa options, makes relocating an appealing process. The country is renowned for its beautiful weather, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, enhancing the overall living experience. Expats enjoy a lifestyle that includes leisurely days on the beach, outdoor adventures, and a diverse range of dining options.
This unique combination of benefits makes Portugal stand out as a premier destination for those looking to maximise their living experience while minimising costs. Ready to explore your move to Portugal? Start your journey today!
The luxury lifestyle and business magazine points out that Portugal is particularly “good value for money” for US citizens who want to change their job and life, and that for many Americans Portugal is so cheap that: “you don’t even have to work”.
Forbes stresses that the list was compiled for those seeking a better life with an accessible cost of living, or for those who simply want to “get away from it all”; from the “frenetic pace of life, violence and divisive politics” in the US.
On Portugal, Jennifer Stevens, the Editor-in-Chef of Executive Living says that Portugal was voted “the Best Country to Live” partly because of the strength of the US dollar today, meaning that Europe is effectively “on sale for people buying goods in US dollars”.
Moreover, it says that the visa options in Portugal make it “relatively easy to stay for a long period of time”.
“The cost of living is low compared to the US – a couple can comfortably meet their expenses (including rent) with around US$2,800 per month (€1,895) all included”. (or even less in rural areas)
It does point out that cites like Porto or Lisbon are more expensive and recommends three smaller towns in the Algarve: Lagos, Vilamoura and Tavira.
“Lagos is a city with history on Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast. Vilamoura is a picturesque resort community with stunning beaches. With its old maritime Roman port, Tavira is full of buildings covered with blue snd white azulejo tiles” it says.
Portugal came in front of Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, France, Italy and Thailand in the list of best places to live in terms of value-for-money.
