What are the cons of living in Portugal?

- CON: The slow pace might take some time getting used to
Expats may find some aspects of Portuguese culture frustrating, such as the slow pace of life. Locals are not generally in a hurry to resolve issues or deal with problems, and this can slow down bureaucratic processes considerably.
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Is it worth it moving to Portugal?

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.
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What are the dangers of Portugal?

Warnings & Dangers in Portugal
  • OVERALL RISK : LOW. Overall, Portugal is very safe to travel to. ...
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW. ...
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH. ...
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW. ...
  • MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM. ...
  • TERRORISM RISK : LOW. ...
  • SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM. ...
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW.
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What should you avoid in Portugal?

Five things NOT to do in Portugal
  • Don't get the language etiquette wrong. Language etiquette in Portugal is something of a minefield – especially in the Algarve and Lisbon, where most people speak English. ...
  • Pointing. ...
  • Getting too drunk. ...
  • Rushing. ...
  • Questioning authority.
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How much money do you need to live comfortably in Portugal?

As mentioned above, you can retire comfortably in Portugal, in a small city, on an income of $1,400 per month — or less. For some people, the value of your Social Security benefit is enough to cover your costs of living.
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Cons of living in Portugal!



Is healthcare free in Portugal?

Universal Health Coverage: Portugal provides healthcare free of charge to children under age 18 and adults over 65. If citizens do not meet these requirements, and unless they need urgent care or have a unique situation, the NHS offers healthcare to them at a low cost.
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Can you live on 1000 euros a month in Portugal?

The average monthly salary, after taxes, is about 855 Euros or just over $1000. If you're committed to living frugally, you can live for less in Portugal. Many locals and retirees get by on less than 750 Euros a month. A couple can live in one of Portugal's smaller cities for about $1,700 a month.
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What is illegal in Portugal?

In 2001, Portugal became the first European country to decriminalise the possession of drugs. Since then, anyone can carry up to 10 doses of any drug on their person, from hashish to MDMA (ecstacy), cocaine and even heroin. These substances are still prohibited but the consumption is not.
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Why is crime so low in Portugal?

But perhaps less well known is that Portugal is also one of the safest countries in the world. This is mainly because the political climate in the country has been stable for years, and crime rates in Portugal are some of the lowest in Europe.
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How cold is Portugal in winter?

The depth of winter in Portugal can be unpleasantly cold. Temperatures at night can get down to 2 degrees C (36 degrees F). Making up for this, though, are mild daytime temperatures that can climb as high as 20 degrees C (68 degrees F). Probably the most inconvenient part about winter in Portugal is the rain.
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Is it better to live in Spain or Portugal?

Portugal being smaller in population and area offers more advantages to expats, as compared to Spain. Affordable living, residency, easy access to social activities, pleasant climate throughout the year makes Portugal more preferable than Spain.
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Can I speak English in Portugal?

When moving to Portugal, or simply just visiting the country, people often ask if English is widely spoken, and the general answer is yes, adding more reasons to the list of why Portugal is a great country for expats.
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Is there a lot of crime in Portugal?

Portugal crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 0.79, a 6.92% increase from 2017. Portugal crime rate & statistics for 2017 was 0.74, a 15.57% increase from 2016. Portugal crime rate & statistics for 2016 was 0.64, a 33.73% decline from 2015. Portugal crime rate & statistics for 2015 was 0.96, a 9.22% increase from 2014.
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How good is medical care in Portugal?

According to the 2019 Health Care Index, Portugal's healthcare system ranks 22nd out of 89 countries and earns particularly good marks for quality of infrastructure. A different study by the World Health Organization rated Portugal 12th in the world in terms of overall healthcare efficiency.
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Is Portugal friendly to foreigners?

People in Portugal are very friendly

Visitors and expats alike will find a culture that is warm and welcoming upon arriving in Portugal. Though many people in the country don't speak English, they're still friendly and helpful to foreigners.
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Do you need a car to live in Portugal?

Generally, those residing in Portuguese cities such as Lisbon, Faro and Porto will find that having a car is unnecessary unless they want to travel to other parts of the country.
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Is Portugal safer than USA?

Here's another stat to clear things up: As of 2018 Portugal had an average of 0.8 people killed per 100,000. The U.S had an average of 5 per 100,000. That is more than 5 times the murder rate in the US compared to Portugal! Our sense of safety in Portugal can be summed up in 3 words: Peace of mind.
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What is the safest country in Europe to live?

As it was stated above, Portugal is the safest country in Europe. This honorary title country bears for many years. According to the Global Peace Index, it has the lowest crime rates, being ranked far higher than France, Spain, or other nations.
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What is the most common crime in Portugal?

In 2020, one third of the crime convictions registered by the Portuguese police were road crimes, with 34 percent of the total occurrences. This number represents a slight increase compared to the previous year.
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Are there hookers in Portugal?

Be aware that prostitution is legal in Portugal. Between Praca de Figueria and Martim Moniz is a common area for anatomical sales, about 5 minutes from the main square. The prostitutes are there for work and generally aren't much trouble, but women may receive unwanted attention.
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Is there a red light district in Portugal?

Pink Street Lisbon, the one street in Lisbon that you can count on to have a crowd and plenty of drinks once the sun goes down. Decades ago, it was Lisbon's “red light district”, but now this has transformed into one of the coolest spots near the river.
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Is all drugs legal in Portugal?

Portugal has not changed the legal status of any drugs. They all remain illegal, however, the offence for possession has been changed from a criminal to a civil one. Here is how the system works. Portugal decriminalised use and possession of all drugs in a way that moves the focus from criminal punishment to treatment.
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What is the coldest month in Portugal?

The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 15.0°C (59°F).
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How much does health insurance cost in Portugal?

Private insurance in Portugal is generally quite cheap. This could cost between 20 and 50 EUR (22–55 USD) a month, depending on your age and the extent of your coverage. This means you can pay anywhere between 400 EUR (440 USD) a year for a basic plan and 1,000 EUR (1,100 USD) yearly for a more well-rounded coverage.
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Do expats pay taxes in Portugal?

Tax Rates When Living Abroad in Portugal

For non-residents, you'll pay a flat tax rate of 25% while residents are taxed on a progressive scale from 14.5% to 48%. Like the US, the Portugal tax year is the calendar year.
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