Best places in Portugal for expats

1. Porto

2. Lisbon

3. Coimbra

4. The Algarve region

5. Madeira

There are many great locations to live in Portugal that suit a variety of lifestyle preferences, so it’s important to do thorough research before making a decision. Take a look at our list of the best places to live in Portugal for some inspiration ahead of the move.

Porto

Located in northern Portugal, Porto is the country’s second largest city and is home to 230,000 people. If you’re looking to move to Portugal for work, key industries here include construction, IT and tourism.

Porto is renowned for its Baroque-style architecture, and its centre is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also an important commercial hub, with excellent transport links and a diverse range of food, highlighting it’s appeal to expats.

For people who enjoy being amongst the bustle of the city, Ribeira could be a neighbourhood to consider living in, full of historic charm and situated on the banks of the River Douro.

Alternatively, family-friendly Foz do Douro offers a more relaxed atmosphere and stunning beaches. Though further out from the city, central Porto is only 25 minutes away and reachable by public transport.

Lisbon

The nation’s capital, Lisbon is another excellent choice for expats in Portugal. It has a population of 500,000 residents and is famous for its cobbled streets, diverse architecture and sandy beaches.

Lisbon is a great destination to work, with a large number of international organisations based here. It also has a reputation as a thriving start-up hub, and prominent industries incorporate IT, advertising and financial services.

The city has excellent transport links, including a metro system, trams, buses and funiculars. However, much of this city can be explored on foot, providing a convenient mode of travel to the city’s sites.

There are many different neighbourhoods to choose from in Lisbon that suit a variety of different lifestyle needs. For example, there is the hilly area of Alfama, with notable features including its abundance of craft shops and windy cobbled streets, or Chiado, which is centrally located and renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and theatre offering.

Take a look at our blog to learn more about why Lisbon has become a popular destination for expats in recent years.

Coimbra

Found in central Portugal, Coimbra is a great option for people who enjoy city living but want a slower pace of life, with approximately 100,000 residents.

This university town has the benefit of being mostly walkable, though it is quite hilly. Expats can also make use of its extensive bus network and train station for convenient public travel, with a light rail system also currently in development.

Additionally, Coimbra is surrounded by nature, which includes the vast Mandego River, Lousã mountain range, forest trails perfect that for hiking, and public city parks such as the Jardim Botânico and the Parque Verde do Mandego.

For those seeking job opportunities in Coimbra, some key sectors are education, healthcare and IT. Don’t forget that having a visa can often be a requirement when working in Portugal, so conduct plenty of research to see if this is something that needs to be obtained.

Moving abroad can be a complex process, with lots to prepare and organise ahead of the move. Check out our blog here for some tips on managing stress during this time.

The Algarve region

Situated in southern Portugal, the Algarve is known for its golden beaches, Mediterranean climate and picturesque landscapes.

The Algarve region of Portugal has over 450,000 residents and is popular destination for expats from across the world. It has a large public transport network which consists of trains, buses and an international airport that is situated near Faro.

The main job sectors in this part of Portugal are tourism, hospitality and healthcare. It can be beneficial to speak the local language when applying for roles here, helping expats feel more comfortable in their roles, as well as make communication with their colleagues easier.

Locations to think about living in include Faro, which is the largest city in this region. It has a lots of amenities, a diverse range of cafes and restaurants, as well as the beautiful Ria Formosa natural park.

Madeira

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal that is located 1,000 km south of the Portugese mainland in the Atlantic Ocean.

Madeira has its own airport situated on the east coast of the archipelago, as well as ferries that that take around 2.5 hours to reach the mainland. While the main form of public transport here is buses, having a car can be beneficial living in Madeira, allowing expats to reach remote locations more easily.

In recent years, Madeira has become popular with digital nomads, providing lots of amenities and opportunities for adventure. It's also useful to know that the core industries in this region include tourism, education and hospitality.

The capital of Madeira, Funchal, is a great option for those who enjoy the vibrancy of living in a city. It is the most populous location on the island with a population of 100,000 people, and is known for its sandy beaches and picturesque gardens.

Another choice is Calheta, a smaller town which is surrounded by nature but still has many amenities. Found on the southern coast of Madeira, expats can explore its rocky beaches and hike through its forests in their downtime.