Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

The #1 most frequently asked question I’ve received over the more than 30 years that I’ve been covering the live and invest overseas beat has been this one:

Where is the best place in the world to live?

For decades, my response was the same…

“I have no idea,” I’d explain…

Because, I’d continue, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all overseas haven… no one place that’s ideal for everyone.

Only you can identify the destination that’s best for you, I’d say to everyone who asked.

Then, eight years ago, I traveled to a corner of the world where I’d never been before… to a place I’d somehow overlooked in decades of travel… even though I’d been just next-door many times.

This place is beautiful, affordable, welcoming, friendly, and safe.

It serves up 3,300 hours of sunshine annually and a mild climate year-round.

It boasts some of the world’s best beaches… and best golf courses…

Plus one of the world’s best cities that nobody talks about.

This is a place with a long and interesting history where you can indulge any interest you could imagine… from boating, diving, and hiking to regular nights out at the theater and museum and gallery afternoons…

The infrastructure is top-notch. This is not the developing world.

The health care is world-class… and a fraction the cost of care in North America. Become a resident, and it’s free (no kidding).

English is widely spoken. You would not have to learn a new language if you didn’t want to.

Residency is easy and cheap… for anyone of any age.

Legal residents can enjoy special tax benefits…

Property can be an absolute bargain… both to buy and to rent…

Indeed, the cost of everything here is better than affordable… as good as it gets for bona-fide First World living…

It’s one of the world’s best-kept secrets… a place that will captivate you… and also allow you to preserve your nest egg.

This is the best of the Old World… with history, culture, vineyards, mouthwatering cuisine… all the makings of very good living.

Where in the world am I talking about?

We pride ourselves on being straight with our readers.

When we tell you about life in some appealing corner of the world, we give you the full story—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We call it our “warts-and-all” approach.

The better we’ve gotten to know Portugal over the past seven years, the more we like it. Honestly, this is one time when the “warts” have proven few indeed.

Really… you might be hard pressed to come up with a reason not to make this move. I know we have been.

And my team and I are not alone in recognizing the potential of this little David taking on all the Goliaths of overseas havens…

International publications rank Portugal at or near the top of the world’s best travel and retirement destinations.

Named as Travel+Liesure’s Destination of the Year, part of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Top Countries lists, ranked highly in multiple InterNations Expat Insider surveys, as well as one of Fodor’s Go List destinations, Portugal—specifically the Algarve—has recently emerged to reach much-deserved celebrity status.

In fact… even actual celebrities are clamoring to get in on the action. Madonna purchased a home in the Algarve in 2017 and is living there part-time with her children, her son attending the local, famed soccer academy, much to the excitement of locals.

Huffington Post called it “the country everybody will be visiting,” and it seems they were spot on. The word’s definitely out—on all fronts.

And now it’s time for a “road map” for how to get there… which is exactly what my team and I—with our usual overseas-haven exuberance—have been working on…

Indeed, there’s no time to lose on this one…

So I’m writing to you today about how you can quickly get your foot in the door—and not miss out on…

You could, of course, just put this thought on the back burner…

But I believe that would be a mistake.

You owe it to yourself to take a good, up-close look at all this charming, welcoming, safe, sun-filled, affordable corner of Europe has to offer.

When you do, you won’t be alone.

Europeans and North Americans are quickly catching on to this conveniently located paradise—with a cost of living that’s up to 30% less than the rest of Western Europe!

What’s more, thanks to the tens of thousands of British expats who have retired to Portugal over the years, this is one of the easiest places to settle in Europe. The locals wholeheartedly welcome foreign retirees, and you can get by easily on speaking English alone.

It’s everything you’re looking for in an overseas retirement haven…

AND the lowest prices you’ll likely ever see for this standard of living.

No wonder it’s being called Europe’s best-kept secret. But not for long…

Not with a growing number of its visitors coming back—to stay.

I simply can’t let you miss out on this one.

But, whatever you do, you must be prepared before you spend a single penny or minute here…

You can’t determine whether or not Portugal makes sense for you as a place until you hear from those who have gone before you…

Until you get the real-deal, honest feedback without the marketing hype.

Better yet, instead of being told everything, you’ll want to ask your own questions so that you get not only the right information, but the relevant advice as well.

You don’t want to run around from banker to attorney… from developer to owner… from agent to broker… from tax advisor to insurance salesman… from visa specialist to customs agent… back to the banker… back to the attorney…

You don’t want to stand in lines… struggle with cultural differences… wait hours for appointments with the wrong people…

You don’t want to wonder if you’re getting a good price… if you’re being presented with all the options…

No, there’s no reason at all to subject yourself to that torture.

Especially when you have a far superior alternative… presenting:

 Thanks for providing a great experience and introducing Portugal. All the work it takes to put on an event like this is appreciated.  You are professionals at doing this.

–Colleen McConnell, United States

 The absolute finest conference I ever attended (and that number is in the hundreds). Topics were great. Presenters were wonderful. Your staff was outstanding.

–Bob Seligman, United States

Attend this 2023 Live And Invest In Portugal Conference and have every one of your Portugal questions answered…

And by people who know from firsthand experience what they’re talking about…   

• What are the downsides of living in Portugal?
• What’s the best way to move money to Europe and into the euro currency?
• What are the benefits of the Golden Visa residency program? What’s required to qualify?
• How can an expat buy into the local free health care system?
• Drugs are legal in Portugal—is that safe?
• What would life here really be like… in the Algarve region, in big cities like Lisbon and Porto, in the vineyard region?
• Is there a developed expat community to look to for support?
• What’s required to open a bank account?
• Where does it make sense today to buy for investment?
• How much to build a home?
• Where are the best beaches in the country?
• Can I really get the things I need? I mean… how would I live without Walmart and Home Depot?

Every question you have—if there’s an answer for it, we can give it to you.

Portugal’s top experts will be on hand to discuss it all…

I especially appreciated the nuts and bolts, especially the cost of living, the financial considerations and strategies, and the businesses that you showcased were interesting and enticing.

–Barbara Leicht, United States

What exactly is it that thousands of expats there have taken a chance on—and now can’t live without?

In short… just about everything.

Picture yourself waking up every day in a setting and lifestyle that feel like the best vacation you ever took or even imagined.

You can’t explain why, but you feel energized yet relaxed, pampered and serene yet eager to engage with life and people around you. Occasionally, you can’t help but stop to scan the inviting coves, vineyards, Roman castles, and nature trails around you. And you close your eyes to let your other senses take in the salt air, the fresh bread, the orange blossoms—a world unlike anything you’ve known. And you feel… at home.

This is that place… where people come and don’t want to leave.

Who wouldn’t enjoy the variety of landscapes and seascapes… of historical and cultural influences… of local and cosmopolitan flavor… of nature—any way you choose to enjoy it?

And, what’s more, it’s all at your disposal in…

In just about every way you can imagine, the Algarve looks and feels much more like the flawless beaches and dramatic coastlines of the French Riviera, Dubrovnik, Santorini, and Majorca than it does any other stretch of coastline along any part of the Atlantic—anywhere.   

It’s as if the Algarve never took note of—or took seriously—which side of the Straits of Gibraltar it had been assigned to.

Or maybe it was the locals’ belief in Fado… the traditional acceptance of divine will: “It is what it is.”

Though, the balmy climate couldn’t have been too hard a pill to swallow.

In any case—and lucky for retirement-haven seekers like you and me—it’s likely partly its location that’s kept the Algarve’s gifts a secret for so long.

Breathe deep, relax, and reinvent life on your own terms—one day at a time—enjoying the treasures that both nature and civilization have to offer.

It’s hard to say what’s most breathtaking to behold throughout the Algarve—the blue-green waters, natural grottos, windswept dunes, ocher cliffs, piney hills, and tidal pools… or the citrus and nut tree orchards… or the serene hills overlooking it all.

Fortunately… you don’t have to choose. You can enjoy any or all of those wonders of nature… by car, bicycle, foot, sail, paddle, swimming, or surfboard…

Or by just watching the sun set over them—wine glass in hand—as fishing boats return and beachcombers harvest shellfish along the shore.

Eating for a healthy body and mind couldn’t be any easier than it is in the Algarve. Algarvians lead the Portuguese in eating more fish and other seafood per capita than other Europeans. Add the locally grown grains, vegetables (including olives), fruits (including wine!), and outdoor activity—that just comes naturally—and you might just blissfully eat your way into a long and healthy life there.

Imagine yourself seated in a scenic cliff-perched seaside restaurant, feasting on a shrimp or tuna lunch, with salad and wine for about US$25 for a couple.

Or how about giant grilled sardines sprinkled with coarse salt and washed down with vinho verde—Portugal’s well-known green wine. So many ways that healthy eating just comes naturally—and inexpensively—in the Algarve.

Of course, you can have it both ways… and also indulge in the region’s abundant and equally tasty meat, dairy, and sweets. Enjoy specialties such as mouthwatering suckling pig, roast lamb, and carob tart—without breaking the bank.

And enjoying food is only part of the adventure of life in Portugal. You’ll also be quite impressed with what’s…

We don’t usually look to Europe for our most budget-friendly retirement havens. And our budget destinations don’t generally include every single item on an overseas-haven seeker’s wish list.

But Portugal breaks those rules—and more… as a prime overseas retirement haven. When you look at the overall cost of living there, Portugal is truly a quality lifestyle bargain—whether you’re buying or renting… living simply or even more lavishly.

By now, you’re maybe already picturing yourself enjoying all the nature, diversions, and lifestyle the Algarve has to offer as a new home or second home… But is there also a part of you wondering about the details and logistics of the actual move and of actually living there? Wondering if that great lifestyle is actually more complicated to slip into than it seems?

Well, not to worry…

The news just keeps getting better, the better you get to know this remarkable lifestyle haven…

No move overseas comes without challenges, but Portugal has really stepped up to the plate in that regard…

You can begin your adventure by checking out Portugal for up to 90 days—with no visa required for U.S. citizens.

When you decide you’d like to stick around longer (as we strongly suspect you just might), you’ll be delighted to know that Portugal offers a variety of avenues for obtaining residency… including one so simple and affordable we didn’t believe it at first.

When our advisors on the ground told us about just how easy it can be for someone to establish residency in this country, we were skeptical. Now, though, we know many who’ve done it… and who can attest from firsthand experience just how no-hassle and low-cost the process can be.

Savor the relaxation in your reinvented life in Portugal, knowing that this country ranks as the 6th Safest Country in the World on the Global Peace Index. No organized crime, no radical groups, and—in contrast to roadway congestion and road rage most everywhere else in the world—very few traffic accidents.

In fact, you might want to tell family and friends to join you—instead of worrying about you.

A presence of some 100,000 resident expats in the Algarve pretty well says it all when it comes to its expat-friendliness in this country. This haven simply has too much to offer to pass it up—mostly because the Portuguese love sharing what they have… and love making everyone feel welcome.

Indeed, the Portuguese have been ranked the world’s seventh most welcoming people out of 140 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum.

English being spoken just about everywhere in the Algarve is a great start. But the warm welcome goes far beyond that…

The locals are very tolerant of religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. They seem to thrive on it… almost as if they’re celebrating a reverse immigration of their ancestors who sailed away to far reaches of the globe 500 years ago.

Oh, and by the way, the locals aren’t alone in their friendliness. The comradery among expats who’ve already settled here is an added bonus and means invaluable support for those now making the move.

As for attention to basic needs beyond all those nice personal touches… you can’t help but notice the significant and ongoing infrastructure investment now in high gear in this country. Government and the business community continue to take the ongoing improvement of utilities, communications, and transportation very seriously as the country’s position on the world stage continues to expand.

 Jam-packed with information and real estate stats… Wonderful to have new and multinational options. Thank you!

—Barbara Petrohan, Colombia and Portugal

No other retirement haven hits it out of the park like this one.

The Live And Invest In Portugal Conference is the guide you need to getting you where you want to go…

All of your questions will be answered with the information and insight provided by my team of experts on the ground.

You’ll soon see how Portugal managed to steal the show in our Overseas Retirement Index for seven years in a row, and why we say it’s the absolute best place in the world to live.

You may start packing your things once you see some of the properties that are available for rent and for purchase in this most affordable place in Europe to live the Euro-lifestyle—and in a setting the rest of Europe just can’t match.

Choose a studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartment, or spacious villa. Select from views of historic buildings and cobblestone, rivers, ocean beaches, cliffs, trees or whole orchards, rolling hills, or world-class golf courses. For those with the time and perseverance to build, there are numerous beautifully situated rural properties for sale. Otherwise, make existing homes yours for prices like the ones in these listings:

• A three-bedroom, two-bath apartment with large balconies, 100 meters from the beach for US$130,000…
• A one-bedroom apartment close to town and beaches for a mere US$72,500 (and—by the way—no property tax for up to 6 years on primary residency homes less than US$135,000)…
• One-bedroom cottages in a very popular area for as little as US$160,000…
• A three-bedroom villa with various amenities and a sea view listed at US$240,000…

Often new residents in overseas havens want more time to think about what and where they ultimately want to purchase. Portugal offers numerous long- and short-term rentals—like these…

• A four-bedroom, four-bath villa with pool and panoramic views for US$76 per night ($2,300 per month)…
• A new and modern two-bedroom beachfront condo with sea view for US$181 per week ($780 per month)…
• A lovely traditional one-bedroom apartment with a sea view, fireplace, and private garden, located near the old town center and beach for US$31 per night ($930 per month)…

Whether you’re looking to purchase or to rent, the large selection of affordable homes—while they last—is impressive. Together with Portugal’s reasonable cost of living—relative to the rest of Europe—and the relaxing and quality lifestyle… it’s easy to see why we think you’ll fall in love with Portugal, too.

And there’s still an ace in her hand I haven’t mentioned…

There are two pioneering projects in the Algarve that are setting new standards in the retirement-living sector.

For one thing these projects add another very competitive rental option… at only 798 euros per month for retirees who qualify. But best of all are the many innovations they include to meet the evolving lifestyle needs of retirees.

For example—maximizing the natural benefits and impact of the climate and setting. These forward-thinking Portuguese entrepreneurs have created in the Algarve a senior lifestyle that few places in the world could duplicate… even if they threw themselves behind such a development the way the Algarve has.

And there’s yet another treasured lifestyle gem. One that not only supports the senior-living initiatives and commitment… but that also provides peace of mind to everyone who chooses to make this little corner of paradise their home…

It stands to reason…

The Portuguese were the first to make accurate world maps and large-scale aerodynamic sailing ships… and, with them, to navigate their way around the globe… before others had even hoisted their sails.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising that they continue to be forerunners in doing whatever needs to be done to make life better. Both their unique senior-living vision and initiatives… and their whole health care system are prime examples of their foresight in the areas of health and well-being.

It’s exactly why Portugal is a popular health tourism destination—from specialized surgery to elsewhere-exorbitant hearing-aid repairs. The care is modern, humane, and personalized, and the costs are reasonable—by global standards—for such quality care.

Just about everyone living in Portugal has access to free or low-cost, universal health care—depending on their residency status. Even without health insurance, the costs are reasonable for those who are not yet full residents.

The innovation continues here as the medical community, for example, capitalizes on the therapeutic value of the warm, dry climate—in both pre-op prep and post-op convalescence. Just another way that the Algarve seems to have been designed with all aspects of the ideal lifestyle in mind.

What else could a retirement haven possibly offer?

Well, actually…

At home in Portugal, you are within easy driving and flying distance of all Europe.

Imagine weekend getaways to Paris, London, Milan, or the Swiss Alps. Take in the Tour de France, the Grand Prix, Oktoberfest, festivals of all kinds, the Eiffel Tower, Venetian gondolas, museums, concerts, exhibits—or whatever parts of Old World charm and history you feel drawn to.

But it’s not just geographic access that Portugal offers…

After five years as a long-term resident, you may travel without visa restrictions throughout the EU. After the sixth year you may apply for citizenship.

And there’s also the fast track to residence—Portugal’s Golden Visa… immediately enabling visa-free travel throughout the EU.

So you see… the home awaiting you in Portugal is also your ticket to making traveling and living in Europe as effortless as domestic travel and moving is within the United States.

What a retirement gift to yourself Portugal would be—and one that would keep on giving as you never imagined possible.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Barbara’s New Life In The Algarve—
“I’ve Never Been This Happy”

“For me and the Algarve, it was love at first sight.

“The ocean has always been magic to this girl who grew up in Kansas, but the Algarve coast is the most magical I’ve seen anywhere. With its massive rock formations, it’s like something out of a science fiction movie… like something from beyond our world.

“I’ve based myself in Lagos. This medieval town on the ocean has been a daily charmer with dazzling views of the ocean, dawn and dusk, as well as interesting city views, all of which I enjoy every day from my balcony.

“Lagos is a small enough town that I can walk to everything I need and want, easily striking up conversations with others also out walking as well as with the shop keepers, who I have found mostly speak English. It is just so much fun for me to walk around this city. I never get tired of the cobblestoned streets and the old buildings with their decorative doors.

“Saturday mornings are farmers’ market days. I load up on vegetables and then visit the bread lady, Virginia, before trolleying my goodies home.

“I found my trolley at the Chinese store that has everything imaginable. This gets filled with produce at the farmers’ market, fish from the fish market, and wine and port.

“With my trolley I’ve also brought home herb plants. My balcony herb garden has basil, mint, oregano, thyme, sage, Italian parsley, French tarragon, and dill plants. Every dedicated cook needs a little herb garden like this one.

“When I was shopping for my herb plants the kindly gentleman watched when I was having trouble locating what I was looking for and then made a search for what he thought was the best plant to substitute. No words, just good will.

“The smiling person behind the counter at the fish market or the grocery store will clean your just-caught-that-day fish completely, including the gills, if you but ask. They will also tell you how to prepare it and pack it in ice for the trip home.

“The bread lady, Virginia, who speaks at least three languages, is solely responsible for my no weight loss despite all the exercise I am getting here. She wraps each loaf in plastic and ties it up with raffia, then inserts fresh-cut flowers or herbs into the package. Her breads and rolls are made with love and passion.

“When I walk to the town square to sit and listen to the musician of the day, it has become my regular pleasure to buy a small bag of hot, roasted chestnuts. These come from the north of Portugal, and I buy them from a smiling, charming young man who will tell you all about them.

“I’ve been living here now for a little more than two months, and, not counting the food carts and ice cream, I have yet to eat out. I am finding so much enjoyment in cooking the fresh food available and talking with the folks about new ways to prepare things.

“This is such a healthy place—the air is healthy… the food is healthy… the people are healthy, happy, friendly, and peaceful.

“My new friend Bruno manages a chain of wine and port stores here in the Algarve. It’s a family business that includes a vineyard. He and his staff are educating me, down to telling me what time of day the grapes are picked for each wine. They usually have about six different bottles of port to taste, including port from the turn of the century (that is, 1900).

“Each day I’m making new discoveries, and this adventure is showing me that this is what life is all about.

“And it has all come together so much more easily than I even hoped.

“I honestly cannot remember when I have been this happy.”

Barbara Petrohan
Portugal Expat

The 2023 Live And Invest In Portugal Conference is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get to know Portugal in a way that’s simply not possible by any other means. Expats will be there to show and tell you what life is really like in this beautiful, welcoming, safe, and affordable country. And experts will be on hand to inform and reassure—and to guide you to whatever next steps might be right for you.

Based on past experience, I can assure you that this will be an action-oriented conference… and that some attendees will begin the visa process during the event… or open financial accounts… or even buy a home.

The full list price of this year’s only Live and Invest in Portugal event will be US$1,095 per person and only US$1,595 for two (Yes, if you come with a spouse, friend or associate, the second person attends for less than half-price).

In addition, you may be eligible for an even better discount:

• Subscribers of Portugal Letter, Overseas Living Letter, Global Property Advisor, and Simon Letter will get a US$50..
• Or, if you’re a member of Overseas Living Unlimited, you can double that amount for a full US$100 discount…
• And, of course, All Access Pass members get 100% free access…

* Please note that you cannot combine any of the discounts above.

In order to receive your savings, look for the special link on the registration page that corresponds to your discount…

• 

  Admission to all presentations

• Complete access to the restricted exhibit area
• Expert personal consultations
• Formal and informal Q&A sessions, breakouts, and workshops
• Introductions to reliable real estate sources, business contacts, fellow expats, and professional legal resources
• Access to attendee-only (optional) pre-conference and post-conference real estate tours
• Access to optional cultural, craft, and sightseeing tours
• Coffee breaks and snacks
• Welcome cocktail reception and all sponsored events
• Seminar materials, notebooks, and handouts
• Downloads of all conference presentations after the event is over
• A complete set of professionally produced conference recordings

That’s what awaits you in April.

Now you’re just minutes away from the first step to reinventing your life in the World’s Best Retirement Haven for 2023. Reserve your spot today…

Reserve your seat today by contacting our conference coordinators by email, or by calling them at 1-888-627-8834. They’ll have you booked and ready to go in minutes. If you’d prefer, you can use our convenient Online Registration Form.

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the conference. Very well organized and more information than I ever expected.

–Dave D., United States