Portugal is the No. 1 Best Place in the world to retire in 2023 according to the Annual Global Retirement Index by International Living.
The ranking of best countries to retire is as follows: Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Thailand and Colombia.
Why is Portugal the most popular retirement destination in the world?
According to International Living, the country offers something for everyone including vibrant cities like Lisbon and Porto with buzzing nightlife, as well as culture, history and culinary delights. Portugal encompasses coastal havens along the Atlantic Ocean where the camel-colored sand meets the turquoise water, along a coastline that is embellished with jagged rock formations, caves and grottoes. For those who prefer a simpler life, inland Portugal is dotted with medieval villages comprised of stone cottages that lie below castle ruins and that are surrounded by emerald rolling hills and stunning vistas.
Portugal’s Top ranking is also due to the people of Portugal who are some of the kindest and most genuine in the world and who welcome foreigners with open arms and kisses on both cheeks. Moreover, since English is taught in Portuguese schools, many of the locals, especially the younger generation, speak the language fluently.
Portugal is also one of the safest countries in the world, ranking 6th in the Global Peace Index. Healthcare in Portugal is both affordable and excellent and is ranked 12th by the World Health Organization. Residents of Portugal have access to both the public and private healthcare systems.
Portugal’s infrastructure is on par with the U.S. and Canada with fresh drinking water from the tap, reliable electricity and high-speed fiber internet that makes it easy to work from home.
Portugal’s road network is one of the finest in Europe and it is also easy to charge electric vehicles. Unlike some other European countries that require foreigners to take a driving test, in Portugal it is a straightforward exchange of the current driving license for a Portuguese one.
With over 500,000 foreigners from around the world living in Portugal, it’s easy to fit in and it is often impossible to tell the expats from the locals. Making friends is easy, especially in the popular expat havens like Porto, the Silver Coast, Lisbon and the Algarve.
Porto in the north is Portugal’s second largest city and the region is famous for its production of port wine, for the terraced vineyards along the Douro River as well as the colorful riverfront area that attracts lots of tourists. Porto also includes an international airport, one of three in the country, that makes it easy to connect with the rest of the world. Winters in the north are rainy and cold, while it snows in the mountains.
Portugal’s Silver Coast offers various options for expat living, from coastal villages to mid-sized cities like Caldas da Rainha, and lush farmland blankets the hillsides. Winters along the Silver Coast are cold and wet while summers are mild.
For those who prefer big city living where a car is not needed, Lisbon is the city of choice. It is full of museums, restaurants and shopping venues down cobbled lanes bordered by historical buildings. It is a city where English is spoken by most people due to the mix of expats and tourists. Since Lisbon is built upon seven hills, visitors may hop aboard one of the iconic yellow trams to get around.
Portugal’s primary international airport is in Lisbon and is close to the city. The nearby coastal town of Cascais has long been popular with expats who sip coffee at sidewalk cafes, who gather with friends for wine tastings or go for walks on the beach before dancing the night away at local clubs.
South of Lisbon is the Alentejo region that includes the cities of Beja and Évora. In the largest and most rural region of the country, springtime brings fields of fragrant wildflowers that blossom around stately cork oak trees, while the wind carries the sound of church bells that chime in tiny, historical villages. Outside of Évora, less English is spoken and expats who choose to settle there will need to be able to communicate in Portuguese.
The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region is the sunniest, boasting over 300 days of sunshine per year. Traditional towns like Lagos and Tavira offer an array of old-world charm that blends in cobbled streets, a café culture and a sizeable expat community. For a permanent vacation, Albufeira offers waterparks as well as a lively strip packed with tourist shops, restaurants, pubs and golden beaches. As expat communities are easy to find everywhere in the Algarve, those who choose to live there can easily get by while speaking only English.
According to International Living, the cost of living in Portugal is relatively low. As a general rule, a couple can live comfortably on around $3,000 per month. It is to be noted that Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are more expensive than inland Portugal.
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