15 Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

After more than 2 years of almost non-stop travel, like many other digital nomads, I’ve started thinking about finding a home base for the medium-to-long term. Portugal is a strong contender for me. If you’re feeling like it could be a good option for you too, I’ve put together this list of the main pros and cons of living in Portugal.

I did this work partly to help you decide whether it’s likely to be a good place for you to live. But also, if I’m totally honest, partly for myself. There’s a good chance I might actually end up moving there in the next few years!

I love Portugal, the people, the food, the climate, the scenery, almost everything about it. It’s easily one of my favorite countries in Europe. It’s not perfect – nowhere is. But for me, the benefits of living in Portugal vastly outweigh the downsides.

15 Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Portugal over the last few years, including last summer when I lived in a tiny village in the mountains near Porto. This list of advantages and disadvantages of living in Portugal is therefore based mainly on my own experiences.

I’ve also relied on the experiences of a few of my Portuguese friends as well as a few fellow digital nomads who’ve spent time living in Portugal. So, I hope this guide provides you with some useful insight and inspiration.

Where is Portugal?

Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwest Europe. The capital, Lisbon, sits at roughly the same latitude as Washington DC.

The country shares its only land border with Spain to the east and north. To the west and south is the Atlantic Ocean, giving Portugal a long and stunning coastline.

It’s easy to get to Portugal by road from most parts of mainland Spain, especially the Spanish border regions of Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla y León, and Galicia. For those coming from further afield, Portugal has several well-connected airports with direct flights to destinations all around the world.

Pros of living in Portugal

There are many pros of living in Portugal. Here are 10 of my favorite things about it:

1. Affordable Cost of Living

One of the major pros of living in Portugal is the cost of living. Portugal is one of the most affordable countries to live in Western Europe. From rent to daily essentials and even dining out, things generally cost less in Portugal than in many other European countries, and…