Californians Moving to Portugal, Living their Dream (2023)

FAQs

Why Californians moving to Portugal? ›

Citing the state's high cost-of-living, wildfires, water shortages and at times its politics, many Californians have moved elsewhere in the U.S. Others have decided to relocate internationally. Americans now are among the fastest-growing groups of Westerners moving to Portugal.

Why do Americans move to Portugal? An excellent year-round climate, fantastic beaches a short distance from the capital, great food, high quality of life, and low living costs are some reasons Americans move to Portugal. There are also some successful tax incentives that US citizens can benefit from in Portugal.

With progressive legislation, excellent health care and education, and being one of the safest countries in the world, Portugal has rightly become one of the most popular countries for Americans seeking a new life. Once you enter Portugal, you'll quickly get to grips with the slow pace of life.

According to Expat-Insider, 83 percent of expats find moving to Portugal and settling there to be very easy and straightforward, where the worldwide average is 59 percent. Besides, the Portuguese culture is so welcoming that 82 percent of expats living in Portugal say that they feel largely at home.

Overall, Portugal is considered one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe and is, on average, 50 percent cheaper than living in the United States.

Portugal typically taxes all income. This includes pension income and income from international sources.

The main motive for emigration, at least in modern times, was economic. Portugal was long among the poorest countries in Europe. With the countryside able to support only a portion of farmers' offspring and few opportunities in the manufacturing sector, many Portuguese had to go abroad to find work.

A US citizen can enter Portugal without a visa and stay there for 90 days. For a long-term stay in the country, you will need to obtain a long-term visa or residence permit.

A couple with a mid-range income can get by with €1,700 a month in the smaller cities of Portugal. If a couple is starting out in Lisbon, their monthly expense will be €2,000 onwards a month. If you are single, you can get by comfortably with €1,200 a month in Porto or Lisbon, and even less in Portugal's smaller towns.

Living in Portugal offers many advantages: a warm climate, the Atlantic ocean, mountains nearby, a low crime rate and a relatively low cost of living. Medicine and education are well developed here, and residents are offered tax exemptions. The disadvantages include the need to learn Portuguese and carry cash on you.

What is the easiest country for a U.S. citizen to move to? ›

Which are the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US? Portugal, Malta and Spain are some of the easiest countries to relocate to from the United States. American citizens can either gain permanent residency or apply for citizenships via each country's Citizenship by Invest programs.

It can be difficult to get a job in Portugal. However, the tourism and tech sectors are continually growing, so you should be able to begin working in Portugal without too much difficulty. Additionally, many international companies are moving to Portugal, so it is becoming easier to find a job in the country.

Similar weather and geography

This is one factor that Portugal and California have in common. While Portugal is in Europe and California in North America, these two destinations have a cool Mediterranean climate that is appealing to most people.

The country has become one of the most popular relocation destinations in the world. And there are many reasons. Idyllic scenery, security, generous tax breaks, and one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe.

Spain, in the Mediterranean Basin, is California's climate cousin. On every continent except Antarctica, the west coasts share a similar climate, called the Mediterranean climate.

The national average price of a 2,000-square-foot home in Portugal is $278,000. Buying a house in Portugal as an American is about 40% cheaper than the U.S. median home price, which is roughly $455,000.

The average house price in Portugal reached $248 per square foot in January 2023, averaging $496,000 for a 2,000 square foot home.

Will my credit or debit card work in Portugal? Yes. Many Portuguese shops, restaurants, and museums will accept international cards, especially in more touristy areas. American cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted in a majority of locations.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them. However, there are certain countries to which we are not allowed to send payments.

Yes, Portugal does have state-provided healthcare, which is free for all citizens and legal residents in Portugal. Even though medical care is mainly free, you may have to pay some fees when visiting emergency rooms, your family doctor, or requesting ambulance services.

What are the cons of retiring in Portugal? ›

Portugal places as the third most stressed country in Europe. The Iberian nation has the second-highest divorce rate in Europe, with 58.7 divorces per 100 marriages, in addition to one of the lower employment rates in Europe, with 56.1% of the population employed.

One of the key reasons is down to the political climate in the country, which has been stable for years. In addition to this, Portugal has some of the lowest crime rates in Europe.

Portuguese people are known for being a very welcoming nation and receive other people with great joy. While first impressions in some cases may tell you otherwise, the majority of Portuguese people will make you feel right at home and will happily go out of their way to help, making them great hosts.

The weather and variety of landscapes ensure that a visit to Portugal is sunny, interesting and active. Lisbon, with its steep hills, yellow trams and blue-and-white tiles, is a vibrant treat for the eyes. The wine country to the north is lush and serene.

The Algarve has the best climate in Europe, meaning the most days of sun, and it also gains from prevailing winds. Between the water and the wind, this region is never unbearably hot and rarely humid. Temperatures range between about 60°F and 90°F with humidity hovering around 80%.

The Algarve proves particularly popular with English-speaking expats and you'll be surrounded by other retirees depending on where you choose to move to. Within the region itself, there is plenty to choose from in its 16 municipalities, as well as many retirement communities.

If you have social security credits in both the United States and Portugal, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.

Do you need health insurance in Portugal? ›

It's important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. It does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment.

Portugal allows dual citizenship, meaning that foreigners can gain Portuguese nationality without having to give up the citizenship of their home country. However, you will first need to check with your home country if it also permits dual citizenship.

Portugal offers the lowest cost of living in Western Europe, where a couple can live nicely on $2,500 to $3,000 a month outside of the major cities.

Proof of means of living in Portugal (usually the € 7,980.00 in your Portuguese bank account) You may need to show more if you are applying for a family reunion application. Proof of having a net regular passive income of at least € 9,000.00 per year.

Portugal is considered to be an excellent place for many Americans to live and one of the best European countries to relocate to, mainly due to its picturesque cities, beautiful landscapes, and great climate.

Citing the state's high cost-of-living, wildfires, water shortages and at times its politics, many Californians have moved elsewhere in the U.S. Others have decided to relocate internationally. Americans now are among the fastest-growing groups of Westerners moving to Portugal.

This country has delicious food, great vineyards, gorgeous beaches, and the fascinating history travelers crave. This 2022, according to My Dolce Casa's study, Portugal got first place as the favorite destination to move or retire for Americans.

Mexico is the top destination for Americans moving abroad, followed by the U.K., Canada and Australia. So far in 2022, ~75% more Americans have moved to Mexico than Canada. Portugal has seen the biggest percentage increase in Americans moving in (+122% from 2019-2021)

Florida (318,855), Texas (230,961), and the Carolinas – North Carolina (99,796) and South Carolina (84,030) – were the states with the most net domestic migration gains in 2022. Positive net domestic migration and positive net international migration significantly boosted population growth in these areas.

What country is best for an American to move to? ›

Portugal is home to over 500,000 foreigners from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, other European countries, Brazil, Central, and South America, Africa, and more. Everyone is accepted and welcomed here. The Portuguese people really do welcome foreigners with open arms.

The most popular jobs in Portugal include tourism and hospitality-related work. Many work opportunities are available in retail, dining, customer service, resorts, and hotels. Tech-related jobs in IT are also on the rise in Portugal, and call center work is almost always available.

Well, there are a few reasons. The decision to leave were partly fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, including new opportunities for people to work from home. Also, the high cost of living in California also drove people out.

Portugal is cheaper than many Western countries

“A lot of the costs of the services that you buy are labor costs. Portugal's poorer. Wages are lower.

Texas is currently the number one destination state for those leaving California. That's been true for several years, though some of the other top destination states have shifted recently. Research from UCLA showed that between 2015 and 2019, Texas held the number one slot.

Portugal typically taxes all income. This includes pension income and income from international sources.

U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.

Rising State Taxes

High taxes are one of the main reasons why people are leaving California. California's income tax rate is 13.3%, the country's highest. If you take a look at the sales tax ranging from 7.25% to 10.75%, it's not much better.

What kind of people are leaving California? ›

Whites and African Americans have the highest rates of net migration out of California. Cost of living is clearly a major factor, as lower-income members of every racial and ethnic group leave more often than they arrive.

The AB 2088 Bill is responsible for the California wealth tax over 10 years ruling, whereby if you leave California, the State can tax you for up to 10 years.

Diversity of foreign diasporas.

In 2021, Portugal ranked among the top 5 countries for expats: 84% of those who moved to the country were satisfied with their lives. For comparison, the global average satisfaction rate is 75%. Foreigners make up 6.4% of the Portuguese population.

1. California

Rising housing costs, rising taxes and politics seem to be driving many people to look for opportunities elsewhere. Other factors that emigrants have cited are the rising threat of wildfires and the constantly increasing cost of living.

Small ones: Delaware got the fewest Californians, only 161. Next was North Dakota at 404; West Virginia at 940; Vermont at 1,048; and New Hampshire at 1,110.

Practicality aside, it turns out moving to California probably won't make someone happier. The problem lies in the word itself. According to Nobel prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, there are two different ways of looking at well-being: current mood and overall satisfaction.