Portugal: The insider’s guide for digital nomads

Portugal remains one of the most popular searches for CurrencyFair customers exploring the options for living and working overseas. But what’s the view like from the ground? Is it still one of the cheapest places to live in the world, and is it as easy to integrate into the country’s many English-speaking communities as we’d like to think? For an honest perspective from the banks of the Douro river, we spoke to Cecillya SK, a Canadian eCommerce email and content copywriter and strategist who is currently travelling the world with her husband.

Cecillya SK

Sending money to Portugal

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Why did you choose Portugal?

“Years prior to pulling the trigger to go travel, I was learning a lot about financial freedom and being a digital nomad. I came across many people online who had decided to retire early and live in Portugal. It seemed to be a beautiful country that checked off everyone’s boxes: affordability, nature, surfing, good food, nice people, and rich history.”

What’s the digital nomad scene like?

“Many of the nomads I meet are either contractors or remote employees. It’s not very common for me to run into entrepreneurs (although they are there) and I believe it’s because there are better tax incentives in other countries in regards to entrepreneurship (for example: Estonia, Croatia, and Bulgaria).”

“Finding coworking spaces and coffee shops to work from is very easy. There are an ample amount of choices. I recommend using getcroissant.com to try out different spaces without a monthly commitment.

“As for renting a space, you must sign a minimum 3-month lease; otherwise, Airbnb and other similar websites seem to be the only option if you plan to stay in Portugal for less than 3 months.”

Which countries have the best digital nomad visas? Find the full list here.

Things you wish you’d known…

“Although people rave about the affordability of Portugal compared to other Western European countries, large cities like Lisbon can still be expensive regarding accommodation and activities.

“I also underestimated how competent their immigration system is! I procrastinated in dealing with my residency, but ultimately it was not an issue. It helped that I was travelling with my husband, who is an EU national.

“The Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteras (SEF) was booked up with appointments, and obtaining a residency card is a long process.”

Portugal vs Canada. How do they compare?

“As a Canadian, Portugal is noticeably more affordable and the produce is of higher quality. This boosted my quality of life overall. I lost weight simply by walking more and eating the Portuguese diet!

“Short-term accommodations were approximately 20-30% more affordable than in my home city (Vancouver, BC). You find better rates if you live like a local and sign a long-term rental lease.

“Portugal’s quality of life compared to Canada's is significantly higher, in my opinion. Transportation is highly accessible (Bolt/Uber, Metro, etc.), food is fresh, people know how to enjoy their day-to-day with balance, and their nightlife scene is very active.”

Don’t miss these highlights

“Wine is delicious and incredibly affordable. Visit the Douro Valley if you want the best wine tours.

“Portugal allows many foreigners to live and work in their country. A big reason is the lack of younger Portuguese people staying in their country to fulfil many jobs. 20% of Portuguese people move abroad, and most of their current population is over 60 years old.

“The coastline is breathtaking, and the waves are beautiful, making it perfect for surfing. I highly recommend visiting Ericeira, Nazare, and Peniche to surf. Where there are beaches, there is surfing.”

My advice for the next nomad

“Digital nomads are driving up the cost of rent in Lisbon and it felt less welcoming and warm compared to medium-size and small cities like Porto, so consider looking beyond the capital.

“Book your Airbnb/Short-Term Accommodations 2+ months in advance so you have more options.

“Don’t rule out their nearby municipalities when choosing the city you want to live in. They’re often accessible, affordable, and quiet compared to the main cities. Eg. Porto vs. Gaia.

“Portuguese is a complex language, but it helps to know essential words to help you navigate and order food.

“If you want to meet Portuguese people, you need to put in the effort to go out late. The people run on a later schedule compared to North America. Gyms and malls are busy at 9 pm. Nightlife begins after 12:00 AM. This was a culture shock for me.

Portuguese culture shocks

Hypermarkets/Supermarkets are not as extensive as they are in America. This aspect of convenience is not very common. You must go to specialised butcher shops, pharmacies, and stationery stores to get the quality items you want.
As an Asian Canadian, I miss Asian food. Luckily, Portugal has a strong history with Asia and Asian supermarkets are highly accessible. I recommend the Chinese and Korean cuisine there if you ever miss Asian comfort food.
If you’re looking to pursue a healthy lifestyle, it’s very doable here. Food is fresh and healthy, surfing is a way of life, martial arts are becoming increasingly popular, and gyms are advanced. You can walk to most places, and healthy Portuguese food is delicious.

Sending money to Portugal

This information is correct as of July 2023. This information is not to be relied on in making a decision with regard to an investment. We strongly recommend that you obtain independent financial advice before making any form of investment or significant financial transaction. This article is purely for general information purposes.